Okay, boys. Time to step it up. Heh, I like how Ryan just snuck Sundance in there.

Phil Stacey
song: I Ain’t Missing You
original artist: John Waite

Not bad at all. In fact, I thought it was quite good.

Jared Cotter
song: Let’s Get It On
original artist: Marvin Gaye

I felt like he was a bit sharp through the middle, but by the end I quite liked it. And he’s so gorgeous. SO GORGEOUS. What? I’m watching freakin’ American Idol–I can be shallow.

A.J. Tabaldo
song: Feeling Good
original artist: Nina Simone

I’m not a fan of this song–probably because so many bad auditions have used it. But he can definitely sing, and did a really good job.

Sanjaya Malakar
song: Steppin’ Out With My Baby
original artist: Fred Astaire

Okay, Sanjaya, time to step it up. Dude, you will not believe this, but I was thinking like three days ago that this would be a fun song for one of the guys to sing. Honestly, though, he’s not doing it justice. He got a second chance last week, and he’s again being underimpressive. I think his voice just isn’t strong enough to compete here.

Chris Sligh
song: Trouble
original artist: Ray LaMontagne

Awesome. That was really, really great. I loved that 100%. He’s moved back to the front of the pack for me, I think.

Nick Pedro
song: Fever
original artist: Peggy Lee

I LOVE THIS SONG. And he’s got that 1950s-type style, so I’m mucho excited. Simon’s snapping his fingers! Nice. Not perhaps as wow as it could’ve been, but very cool. Aw, his girlfriend is cute. He doesn’t have a charisma problem as far as I’m concerned. But I can see that he might not appeal to everyone as much as he does to me.

Blake Lewis
song: Virtual Insanity
original artist: Jamiroquai

Hee. That was cool. He is very strategic in his song choices and style. I enjoyed it, and the beat-boxing was well integrated. I’m still not sure he’s got the best voice, but he remains one of the best performers. What is wrong with Simon this week?

Brandon Rogers
song: Time After Time
original artist: Cyndi Lauper

I still love the tone of his voice, but I wasn’t incredibly impressed by that. I don’t think he was totally there this week. OTOH, Simon? WTF? It’s appropriate for him to wish his dad a Happy Birthday ON HIS BIRTHDAY! Quit being a pill.

Chris Richardson
song: Geek in the Pink
original performer: Jason Mraz

I didn’t love the song, but it was really good, and on what sounded like an incredibly hard song to sing. I’m just not a Jason Mraz fan. Why isn’t he wearing pink, though?

Sundance Head
song: Mustang Sally
original artist: Mack Rice (also Wilson Pickett)

Okay, now that’s the Sundance Head from the auditions. I was ready to cut him loose after last week, but that was worth keeping him. Wow.

Best This Week – Chris Sligh, Chris Richardson, Blake Lewis, and Sundance Head
Going Home – Wow, difficult. There weren’t any that I hated. Well, Sanjaya may not be able to survive two dull weeks (though he does have some die-hard fans). Jared was weak, but he’s too hot to lose. And no matter how much I love Nick, I doubt he’s as popular with everyone else as he is with me. Brandon had a boring week, but he’s got such a lovely voice. Okay, time for real predictions: Sanjaya and Brandon.

Hee! Paula’s adopting the “touchdown” terminology from Australian Idol‘s Mark Holden. (At least, that’s who I first heard it from.)

And now I’m going to torture my intellect by watching “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?”