It was Rat Pack night on American Idol and color me disappointed. Not in the performances, they were all pretty decent. But normally when we get down to top 5, we get two songs. So I feel kinda gypped.

Jamie Foxx was the mentor (I know, random, right?) except he was really pretty excellent and did a fair job getting the contestants to pull the best out of themselves in a way that they could actually understand. Except, well, Gokey. Who will never get it because he knows he already has it. He’s from a musical family, doncha know.

So Kris sings The Way You Look Tonight and does a nice, soulful version of it. But, again…nice. Not blockbuster. Jamie loves the adorable dude and wants to cut a record with him. And I will agree that he is the most out-of-the-gate marketable of the 5 remaining. It won’t take much imagination to package him in the Mraz Mold. And it will work. Jamie ain’t stoopid. Still…it was nice. And Simon isn’t wrong about him being more confident about his abilities and how it will raise his game if he grasps that. B+

Alison actually pulls out another really wonderful performance with Someone To Watch Over Me, this one an understated ballad where she keeps her growl in check just enough so that we appreciate her singing. I really - REALLY - wish she’d learn to enunciate the words more clearly, only because the way she growl/slurs her way through the song indicates that while she appreciates the material musically, she’s not actually connecting with the song itself. And that disconnect is, I think, a large part of why America isn’t falling in love the Kelly Clarkson Way with her. Still, a very good job for her. A-

Matt sings Funny Valentine and, once again, he proves why he is all over the brink of really defining himself as an artist, but never quite sealing the deal. Also a very, very marketable guy, but he’s not quite owning it like he should, though he did respect his range more clearly this time. B

Danny. Danny, Danny, Danny. Even Jamie is like, Danny, Danny, Danny. He doesn’t know what to do with the earnest poseur either. He sings Come Rain or Come Shine. And he delivers, as he always does. He’s a very good performer-slash-entertainer. (Cut and paste, cut and paste…) But he’s not a defining presence who will command enduring record sales. Sorry. B+

Adam gets the Broadway entrance, and, really, why not? He gives a very Adam performance, the Muse version of Feeling Good, and, like Gokey, he delivers, as he always does. The difference is, I will download this. And buy a concert ticket. He is both entertainer and artist. I’m not sure there’s much more the guy can give us, but then, brilliance is hard to top. At least he’s consistent with it. A

Who is going home? Alison or Matt. I’d go with Matt. Alison deserves a final 3 slot.

Which leads to who goes home on Dancing With the Stars. And it ain’t Ty! Wooot! Of course, who I’d have sent home? Was Robin Thicke. About five notes into song number one. Yikes with the live singing. Stay in the recording studio, Son of Alan. The dancers were the only saving grace. And no, I don’t mean the dancers on the stage with him. (What was UP with that? Did they not explain how this show works? It was like he didn’t get why suddenly the crowd was cheering…and it wasn’t for him.) Then, on Song 2, we got Pasha and Anya and I was SO psyched. Until they came out. What was that hideous mop of hideousness on Anya’s head? Wow, talk about distracting. And their dance was almost manic, when they are normally stunning together. So, major disappointment there. I will just rewatch Dmitry/Kym and Alec/Edyta from dance–er song 1.

Then we get the news that Ty is safe and finally it’s down to Chuck/Juliannne and Melissa/Tony and I’m pretty sure it’s Melissa going, which is a shame that she yet again leaves a show with an unfortunate exit…only it’s not Melissa at all! Wow, the troops really rallied for her. Yay! The flip side, is it kind of sucks to see Chuck go when I was just finally falling for the two. But then, it is Chuck. I’m not crushed or anything. And way to throw your teammates under the dance bus, Chuckie. He seemed happy enough to get out of Dodge and by the time he was done saying goodbye, I was ready for him to leave again, too.

The filler commercials were alternately cringe-worthy and kinda funny. The silver mirror balls did make me laugh. The Make Me A Dance Show Pro competition, not so much with the entertainment. Is this really the best they could offer? Not that they can’t dance, they’re all pros, but the personality aspect isn’t grabbing me. Ashley’s sister dimmed for me this week, and the blonde lost me all together with the pageant-y answer (zing, Samantha! Altho shut up and let Mayo answer the question you asked him. Sigh.) I find Mayo strangely appealing in all his tallness, and Alec’s brother in all his unwashed hair sleazy-still-sexiness. And yet, underwhelmed. Just hire Artem and be done with it already.

I’m thinking Ty is history next week. Leaving us with Shawn, Kim, Melissa, Gilles as the Final Four. Which - not a bad deal, really. I just kind of realized how many women are left and will likely make it to the end. Hunh. Not bad!

And! So You Think You Can Dance is almost here. Woooot squared!

Now it’s your turn…who goes home on Idol tonight? Who goes home next on Dancin? Who’s your pick to win it all? DISH!

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