So instead of doing two separate posts regarding this week’s show and results, I’m going to combine the two into one long post.  And I think you’ll see that my rankings and ratings aren’t based on anything that’s happened in the results show..well, not entirely anyway.

So this week was Neil Diamond Week on Idol, and with the contestants having to perform twice (that’s 10 songs total), Ryan was off and running right out of the gate with the fast pace.  I was somewhat of a fan of the judging happening after the 2nd song, although obviously what Paula had to say throughout the show was a bit disturbing and confusing.  I see what you all mean.  And apparently we weren’t the only ones that noticed.  Ryan stopped 5 minutes into the show to back-up his co-star and Paula seemed genuinely touched.  I usually don’t have a problem with Paula even in her whacked out state of mind…but you have to wonder who was doing her notes for last night’s performance show…Gallagher?!?

So onto the review of the performance show already!

Jason Castro - “Forever in Blue Jeans” & “September Morn”
Wow, where to begin with Jason this week…I think the one word that best describes him this week is disconnected.  He just felt disconnected all night long with his choice of song and his approach to the performances themselves.  Another word I would use is disinterested.  I can’t believe we had to listen to him do two songs while Carly Smithson was (as was pointed out in the opening segment) watching from home.  C’mon…talent or no, Carly would’ve owned this night much more than Jason did.
Song One Rating - 7.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 7.0 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 14.5 out of 20 Matties

David Cook - “I’m Alive” & “All I Really Need Is You”
David’s got it in cruise control at this point.  It would take a catastrophe of epic proportions to have this guy not make the Final show.  He’s talented, he’s humble, and each and every week he brings something to his songs that the other contestants don’t…pure, unadulterated originality.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m also a fan of Archuleta, but this guy is a self-made talent.  He might be a step below Archuleta vocally, but he more than makes up for that in stage presence and charisma.
Song One Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 18.0 out of 20 Matties

Brooke White - “I’m A Believer” & “I Am, I Said”
Brooke just seemed ultra-stiff tonight…like the exact polar opposite of her usual gyrating self.  Look, I’m not a fan of the wild on-stage performance usually, but you’ve got to move some.  That first performance was just (to use a Simon’ism) ghastly.  The second song was much more Brooke.  She was vulnerable, personable, and very at home in front of the piano.  That being said, she’s been in danger a few times in recent weeks, and well, tonight she could be in danger again.
Song One Rating - 7.0 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 15.5 out of 10 Matties

David Archuleta - “Sweet Caroline” & “America”
So I guess we probably knew that David A. was going to pick arguably the two most recognizable Neil Diamond songs tonight, right?  Look, you can call it a safe pick, you can call it cheesy, you can call it whatever you like…David Archuleta has an amazing vocal instrument and he knows how to work it.  He is never off pitch, he has great vocal timing with his runs, and he never, ever seems uncomfortable on stage (except when getting the comments from the judges…)  David is the total package.
Song One Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 19.0 out of 20 Matties

Syesha Mercado - “Hello Again” & “Thank The Lord For The Nighttime”
There are fans of this blog that are going to hate hearing me say this…but Snoha has grown on me these last few weeks.  I think it’s because she’s stopped trying to be the diva everyone expected her to be and she’s just being herself on-stage…a funky, kinda crazy Broadway stage performer with a great voice and great stage presence.  I think she has found her niche’.  I love the fact that she’s playing this side of her up…and even the non-fans of Syesha have to admit that in these last few weeks, she’s been pretty good.  Of the two girls left in the competition, she has more talent than Brooke, so I expect that she’s safe this week.
Song One Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 17.0 out of 10 Matties

So there we go…packed tightly into 10 songs were 10 ratings and here are the rankings!

5 - Jason Castro (Dreadlocks, it’s time to go)
4 - Brooke White (Can she hang on for one more week?)
3 - Syesha Mercado (No shame in being #3 this week…she did well again)
1a - David Cook (No #2 this week…these two guys are just too close)
1 - David Archuleta (It would be a crime of justice not to have these two guys locked in the finals)

Right on…so there you have it folks.  I’m not sure how close I am to the results (well technically I do now, but as of this part of the post I don’t)…so without further delay, let’s get to my post regarding the results show!

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So it was Neil Diamond week on Idol, and while I was hoping for better performances and a bit less hectic of a pace, I thought the performances were really good.  Interesting that Paula was mentioned in the first segment or two…interesting indeed.

The minute they brought Castro out, I had a feeling he was safe, and lo and behold, the first three contestants brought out were all safe….Castro, Cook and Archuleta.  That leaves the Bottom 2 this week as Syesha and Brooke.

I gotta say I’m not entirely surprised, although I had Castro rated below Syesha.  Brooke has flirted with elimination for a few weeks now, and while she’s managed to hang on…this week was not her week.  Thanks to the DVR cutting off, I didn’t manage to see the entire performance of her song, but the tribute was touching and it was nice to see the rest of the Top 4 surround her on stage for comfort.

Brooke will be missed…

And so now we’ve got the Top 4 as Syesha, David A., David C., and Jason Castro…and it’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Week on Idol next week.  I guess each contestant will get two songs just like this week…so it’ll be interesting.  It might be that the judges pick one song and the contestants pick another…who knows??  All I know it that we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty, America!

So what are your thoughts on this week’s Idol?!?  Whose performance did you love?  Whose performance did you hate?!  Did Brooke deserve the axe?!

Let me know your thoughts!