Best Performances? These two combined hit more flat notes on Tuesday than all the contestants combined this season. I'd really like to hear David Cook strip down a performance. That's what will make or break him. So far he's been relying on the big easy half-time distorted ending and the dynamics of the band to make him sound good. Take all that away, and I'll 97% guarantee we'll see a true display of mediocrity.

I agree with your DC assessment...have to give him credit, though, for taking advantage of the resources available to him. This week's performance was a perfect example of your analysis.

Of course, the same might be said for about 99% of Top 40 "artists", who rely on studio engineers and live 'sweetening' to get the desired sound. Sigh.

I remember the days when all the Idol kids had for accompaniment was a piano player. That was the test compared to a full backing band, mini-orchestra and 20 backup singers they have now.

Me too...

I always liked when they just had a piano backing them, and they were in small studio, with primarily just the three judges. If memory serves, that's the method they used while whittling down to the final 10 or 12.

Also, I'm thinking they axed that format after season 2.

Oh well...

Archuleta too, because they used him as the tipping point. The thing is, before they switched the Cooks, the trio of Syesha/Carly/Jason was a believable bottom 3 because they had all been there before. And KLC has escaped before.

Melinda's looks were part of it, but also the fact that she seemed to be singing the same song every week.

My take was that Brooke was telling KLC that it wasn't a given that she was leaving.

Here are my Andrew Lloyd Webber predictions for next week:

Brooke: I Don't Know How to Love Him (Jesus Christ Superstar)
DavidC: Heaven on Their Minds (JCS)
DavidA: Close Every Door (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Jason: Any Dream Will Do (Joseph...)
Carly: Don't Cry for Me Argentina (Evita)
Syesha: Memory (Cats)

Have to agree. Vocals weren't overly strong, but the arrangement was fantastic. Made a completely terrible Mariah Carey song listenable. I hope he wins the show because I could tolerate him as the winner and not that nasaly freak David Archuleta.

When do they start singing two songs per night?

top 5 i think

Jordin Sparks may never sing again:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04212008...in__107488.htm

Too bad about Jordin. I seem to remember several Idol bloggers talking about her sometimes-poor vocal technique last year. She does tend to screech out big notes, suggesting vocal strain. Kelly Clarkson did the same thing earlier in her career and it led to vocal nodes. Hopefully, Jordin will recover.

Yeah, shit happens. I was surprised that the tour would only have one alternate. SYTYCD tour had four.

I guess this isn't a singing competition anymore, it's an arrangement competition. Maybe John Williams will win it next year.