They canned the Gute! A shame, after his best performance. Sob. It’s a tough season in that there is a great parity amongst the contestants. I’m looking forward to next week.

American Idol…. Dolly Week.

Brooke…didn’t move me. She sang Jolene and it sort of fell flat, despite having an on stage arrangment with band and back up singer. And I don’t like the familiarity with the judges as she chats with them during their critique. Shut up, listen, nod your head, and work harder. I dunno. She’s good, just not a fave with me.

David Cook, on the other hand? Love him. He does his own arrangement of Little Sparrow…and? Love. Also, check out some of the tracks of his previous stuff on iTunes. The contestants are recording studio versions of some of the songs, great arrangements and you get whole song, not just the buck fifty you get on tv. He has Eleanor Rigby, Daytripper, and Billie Jean in full length tracks. (And Jason Castro has Fragile…) All worth the download.

So, who’d a thunk that Dolly Week would be where I finally like Ramiele? Will she win this? Nah. But she did really well, and seemed to inject actual life into her performance this week. Golf clap for the wee one.

Jason gets bongos with his version of Travelin’ Through, and really, he’s perfect for bongos. It was another good ol’ Jason performance, but…it’s Dolly. Come on, what are most of these guys going to do with these songs? Not that they aren’t great, but other than Kristy Lee, no one does country. So, while well performed, for this season’s crop, it’s not going to be a memorable week. (And hey, Chikezie could have smashed this week, America.)

Carly tackles Here You Come Again. She ballads it, sings it well. She looks better this week than she has. Red pants? Just say no. But the hair and smokey eyes flatter her. But, once again, she takes a perfectly good performance and opts for some whack note at the end. What is up with that? Just end it, like David did, rather than go all over the place on the final note and make us forget all the nice ones that came right before it. Simon tags her wardrobe issues and he’s dead on.

Dolly adored are boy Archuleta, but then, awwwww, of course she did. He sings it just like he does all the songs he sings. With such earnesty. But having seen him week in and week out, I/m getting used to the sameness of his performances and, not that he’s not a good singer, he’s great, but I just don’t know what niche he’ll fill in the pop world. A shame he doesn’t sing country, as I think he’d be a Vince Gill, earnest singer type. But he’s not. So he’ll be the Barry Manilow of the new millennium. I guess. if Clay hasn’t take that slot.

Kristy Lee decides to tackle one of Dolly’s very spiritual, heart tuggers, Coat of Many Colors. Another clever choice? Probably. Sigh. Of course, if she tanked this week as the only country singer this season….awkward!

I’m still missing Chikezie. I’d be looking forward to him in the pimp spot. But no, America.

Syesha tackles The Whitney Song. Which, of course, was a Dolly Song. Which, Double Diva Dare. What is WRONG with these people? I, for one, will not always love you, not before, and certainly not now. I want to vote against her just for song choice. Power note, or not.

Michael Johns closes the show. The rehearsal? Not moved, but he’s so star struck it’s cute. The cravat? Not so much. And I don’t know if he can pull off the alt-arrangment like Cook does, but kudos for giving it a shot. It suited him, but felt more put on for vote potential than real. Cook? That’s actually him. I’m not sure who this Aussie boy is. But that was a pretty good close to the show.

What did you think? Your bottom three? I couldn’t possibly say after this round. Much less who leaves. I know who I’d boot, but I doubt that is really any kind of useful commentary at this point. Wonder who the guest mentor is, or what the theme is next week.

Don’t forget to enter the SHaQ Attack contest this week - details in Monday’s post!

Come on…dish a little! Top Chef MAC tomorrow.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Okay, so last night? Dancing With the Stars? Pretty good show!

Everyone had to dance tango or jive, and despite the level of skill, most every pair put on an entertaining dance. Yes, even Adam Corolla (whose rehearsal footage and Samantha commentary made me laugh. He’s winning me over, this underdog.) And The Gute putting on the metal bowl and goggles to endure the judges criticism was pretty funny. Also, Priscilla isn’t looking quite as scary, and I want her body at 48. 62? It still boggles. Hey, Eli Stone crew! Jeff Probst Does Dance. And because it can’t be said enough…Hi Louis!!

I thought the choreography was interesting across the board, but the clothes and outfits were a mixed bag (whoever dressed Marissa? Should be shot, or just made to wear her get up. All day. Running errands. With full makeup.) The music was mostly on track, except, Roxanne Tango? Sting is in the fetal position somewhere. Ditto, Duran Duran.

I thought the scores were more appropriate tonight. I was thrilled to see both Christian and Shannon get more praise from the judges, especially as they went earlier rather than later in the program. And some of the faves got stronger critiques, like Mario.

Favorite of the night? I loved the opening of Louis/Priscilla’s tango and they captured the feeling the best. Marlee was adorable (and wow, Fabian is quite the dancer, and cute with his partner, to boot.) Mark and Kristi, were the most proficient. Of course. But their horrifying music completely killed the routine for me. Tough luck, there. Most enjoyable throughout? Shocking, but true, The Gute. Anna is made for the tango, and they really delivered. It was the most overall entertaining for me.

Somewhere in the Middle…. Jason/Edyta, Cheryl/Christian, Shannon/Derek, and Mario/Karina. All really good, very entertaining, but ultimately middle of the pack. A very good pack, though.

Least Favorite? I’d have thought it would be Adam, but they were fun and pretty good (thanks, Julianne!) In fact, closer to the first category here. So…sort of surprisingly, it was Marissa. (Sorry, home girl!) I love her, but her footwork is all over the place, and as much as Tony loves and supports her, I still think he’s not the choreographer for amateurs. He’s certainly doing her no favors. I think she’ll go home, and will definitely be Bottom Two. Not sure who else will land there. Could be a shocker, given Adam was really on with the Funny Man routine tonight.

What about you? Who did you love? Who….not so much? Who should be Bottom Two? Who goes home?

DISH already! (And don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest to win your free advance copy of The Black Sheep & The English Rose - see Monday’s post for details!)

Tags: Writing by Donna
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