Top 5 this Week.

Holy cow, it’s Neil Diamond. I luuurve Neil Diamond. We all love Neil Diamond in the BagMomma house. In fact, when we found out that David A. was going to sing “Sweet Caroline” we made for great backup singers and my David even got out his guitar to accompany the music.

But you know what was even better than Neil Diamond night?

Paula totally zoning out and forgetting the show was only half over. Oh yes, that provided the best laughs of the night. Did you miss it? Watch here:

Oh yeah, we have a show to talk about….

Jason Castro: I really did not like Jason at all this week. It was just uncomfortable to watch. He’s really starting to bore me. I hate to say it, but he’s on his way out. He’s just not connecting with the audience anymore.

David Cook: This guy is just good, good, GOOD. The first song was classic David C., and the second song was even better. He’s just truly wonderful to watch every week. Love it. I also loved his jacket. Very cool, and custom (I hope he gets to keep it).

Brooke White: Brooke starts singing her first song, and all I’m thinking is SHREK. And then I am thinking that she’s really gone bonkers thinking she could sing that song without looking like a total dork. Nope, I hated it. She redeemed herself with the second song, behind the piano. It was like watching a bipolar performance. Too much for me.

David Archuleta: As I noted above, we love “Sweet Caroline”, but I’m pretty sure we loved hearing ourselves sing it more than David A. The second song just seemed…. I don’t know… like “Leave it to Beaver” style. You know, like Brooke when she’s tripping. I REALLY hate to say this, because it’s so unpopular to say… but I am just not into David A.’s singing anymore. It’s like hearing the same thing over and over. I’m sorry. You can chastise me in the comments.

Syesha Mercado: I loved her first song, not stellar, but she did a great job. I much preferred the second performance, but again, like in the case of Jason… I don’t feel her connecting with the audience. She’s good, but not that good.

I feel like it’s a foregone conclusion that the finale will be David vs. David.. and we are just biding our time until we get there.

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Paula
oops, I mean Jason.

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Brooke

Best Performance of the night:
David Cook’s second performance.

Top 8 this Week.

Inspirational week. I was waiting to be inspired. For the most part I was, except for a few (one) performance that was decidedly uninspiring. Read on…

Michael Johns: I liked last week better, but I still think this was good. Randy, you were harsh, dude. I do agree that he hasn’t found his place/style. If I wished anything for him it would be to go back to the bluesy thing. Digging the ascot though.

Syesha Mercado: Oh Syesha… you just had to go do that, didn’t you? As if we all haven’t warned you enough about singing BIG songs, now you tromped on another BIG song, and you just MAKE everyone want to compare you to the original. If I had advice for Syesha, it would be to go your OWN thing. Stop it already… we know you have a voice. ahrghh.

Jason Castro: Me likes it. The ukulele was way cool man. And I love this version of the song. A+ for song choice.

Kristy Lee Cook: You have to hand it to Kristy, she knows when to pull it out. When I first heard she was doing Martina McBride I was a wee bit nervous. After all, Martina is the Whitney of country ya’ll. But you know what? Kristy did a great job. I was happy for her.

David Cook: Was I the only one that didn’t immediately know this song? But then I did. And then I was sad because I wasn’t excited about his performance. It was o-k, but not fabulous. But let’s face it, he’s not going anywhere this week.

Carly Smithson: She seemed so MAD singing this song. Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be inspirational? I was left with the distinct feeling that Carly is definitely on the chopping block this week. And color me not inspired in the least.

David Archuleta: Let me say that when I see David sing, my heart is all a pitter patter. He’s just so darn cute. Maybe it’s the “David” thing, but I just feel like being his Mommy and giving him a hug. What a talent.

Brooke White: Safe song. Love the song, but I wonder is Brooke really so sunshiney all the time? I mean ALL the time? To be honest, I don’t see her winning this competition, but I like her because of her realness (or perceived realness). I bet in real life she probably is a very good friend.

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Syesha or Carly

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Maybe no one, it is America Gives Back Week.. so they might save all and chop two next week….

Best Performance of the night:
well, duh, David A. of course.

Top 9 this Week.

I do love Dolly Parton. Such a sweet lady. Of course I know this to be true via my Mom who met Dolly about a year ago before a show in Atlantic City. Dolly spent a long time chatting with my Mom and my Aunt, and had to be pulled away (hello Dolly? you have a show to do) by her “people”, otherwise my Mom was sure she would have gone on for another hour of chit chat. I love celebs who aren’t full of themselves.

Oh yeah, the show. I had high expectations. But I came to the conclusion that Dolly is indeed so brilliant, that her not singing a song can lead to disastrous results.

David (my David) couldn’t join me to provide comment. He was tired, and nodded off early.

Brooke White: I think she did a good job. I love the song “Jolene” and I expected her to do more with it. I would have rather that she slowed the song down more and really did something out of the box. A’right for me dawg.

David Cook: I love this guy. And I loved the version of the song. I think I am overusing the word “love”, but how could you not when talking about David Cook?

Ramiele Malubay: She’s little, she’s cute, she’s sassy… but I am so underwhelmed by her lately. And, please, does her stylist insist on torturing her with those freaking jumper dresses? Is this a fad I am not aware of? The performance was mediocre, sorry dude.

Jason Castro: Another performance I could have lived without. What is wrong with this week? I know the judges thought it was ok, but I hated it. I was waiting for Dolly to walk out and start singing the song the way it should be sung. Oh, Jason, you just are starting to bore me.

Carly Smithson: I thought she did a great job. Her voice is just great, compared to some of the other girls. I hated that Simon was so blunt dissing her choice of outfits…. but he’s right. She needs a wardrobe makeover, STAT!

David Archuleta: Like the voice of an angel this kid. He does make it look effortless, doesn’t he? That’s all that needs to be said.

Kristy Lee Cook: Kristy, you know what? I think you didn’t suck this week. Even though I missed talking about your “star spangled” performance last week (which I thought was over hyped by the way), but I think you did a very decent job this week. For redeeming yourself, I promise not to wish for you to be voted out this week.

Syesha Mercado: Sighhhhhhhh. I just KNEW she was going to pick this song. Please people, haven’t you learned ANYTHING over the last 7 seasons of Idol. Do NOT sing Whitney or Celine. This performance was…. predictable, as Simon might say. I didn’t dislike it.. in fact this is one of the best songs written by Dolly… but I didn’t feel uplifted by the performance.

Michael Johns: I hate that they had to rush the judges… poor Michael gets to sing at 8:58PM and they nearly ran the show credits over his face. Because dude rocked tonight. This was the perfect song for him. PERFECT. Thank goodness.

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Ramiele

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Ramiele, but I worry for Carly.

Best Performance of the night:
Michael