Mariah Meets the Top 7

For those I haven't dissected this with yet. Why was Michael Johns kicked off? My theory is that he went first, he did a good enough job that no one was worried about him and, bottom line, people assumed he was safe. I voted for him, but not like crazy! That has always been the downfall of the voting situation. There is almost always someone who gets kicked off because people assume he/she was safe. I saw a list recently of the Top 5 most shocking departures -- Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry, Clay Aiken (in the finale) all got kicked off shockingly, but look they did more than fine after. If he is as smart as I think he is, he totally has the opportunity to make an album that people will love and who cares about the title. But WOW, I remember my first entry that he and Carly were the ones to beat. Things change. Especially this year.

So it is Mariah Carey week. There might be some haters out there, but bottom line is that she is the top chart topper of all time. Whether or not you like her songs (but at least she has written most of them) the woman can sing. Her style of singing has created a generation of run-loving, octave jumping wanna be's. She stayed relevant by going from r&b to hip hop and once again, she can sing. So interesting choice and as Simon pointed out, the night would be harder for the girls than the boys because the girls have to be compared to Mariah's actual voice. So here we go...

David A - "When You Believe" At least Mariah advised him to go into his falsetto instead of his "false" like the judges like to call it. The kid can sing, but his song choices cement the fact that he will be making an album of cheesy songs. It just wasn't exciting and he probably should have not gone into his falsetto. I'm glad Randy and Paula liked it, love that Simon knew he would pick that song - I thought he would do Hero or the one she did with Boyz to Men, but I wasn't as it into it as they were. VOTE (just once because he doesn't need me)

Carly -- "Without You" Mariah of course loves her. She didn't want to fix anything, because she knows Carly is good. I love this song - one of my favorite Mariah songs. And she looked really nice. And the octave jump just gives me the chills. BUT I do think she comes across harsher on stage than in her recorded voice. Download "Blackbird" and "Here You Come Again" the song she did during Dolly Parton week - her voice is so much better. And Simon touched on it when he said that she is over thinking it and that it doesn't work when she does it live. She does have some nerves issues which I find amazing for someone with such a great voice. I hope she can make it through (I voted for her 10 times) and finally have her moment. I get nerves, but I hope they don't bring her down. VOTE

Syesha -- "Vanishing" I think this was from Mariah's first album. I really like this song. I used to try to sing it in my bedroom. But I just can't stand Syesha. She did that annoying Ramy "oh, lo" thing when she was talking to Mariah! And of course Mariah had to try to tell her to do things differently than her because Syesha has done nothing but copy Whitney, Fantasia and now Mariah. It just fell under the note somehow. BUH BYE but whatever

Brooke -- "Hero" My favorite Mariah song, hands down. Good choice for Brooke (who looked great) to give her twist to. But in the end, a Mariah song just brought down on the scale, sung with a piano is actually missing something. Am I a terrible person or does the person who probably is the most genuine come across as the least genuine? She really doesn't have much of a range, rushed it and I'm just over her. BUH BYE

Kristy -- "Forever" She makes singing look so hard. Her face just twists up. That goldish dress looked terrible on her. She did a decent job, but there is nothing original about her. She was so surprised that the audience was booing Randy when he dissed her. Ummm you weren't in the bottom 3 last week, remember? They kicked off Michael Johns instead of you. So why were you surprised to hear cheering? BUH BYE

And Paula, you sound like you are from 1940 telling her she can have a hit in the Country Western world. Dude, "country" will suffice.

David Cook -- "Always be My Baby" Mariah sounded really smart talking about this. I like her. As for David, loved the vest and the not as tight shirt. He is HOT now!! Great arrangement with the strings and drums. This is her catchiest song but he twisted it all up. Not the best vocal, but it was about his raw talent. I think this is the season the rocker will finally win. Because no matter what stupid finale song there is, he, unlike Blake last year, will be able to take it "Cookify" it and win. Randy stood up man! And his amazing brother in the audience -- I was crying with him. VOTE (12 times)

Jason Castro -- "I Don't Want to Cry" Another great choice. Look the Jack Johnsony vibe works for him, and he keeps singing well - I am glad he didn't play an instrument. He is super cool and despite Paula's creepy comments about listening to him all night long, she is right about how cool he is. VOTE

Winner of the night, David Cook followed by Jason Castro and Carly. Bottom? Kristy, Brooke and Syesha - please let one of them leave!!

Normally tonight would have been dedicated to last night's CMT Awards so I'll put in a little bit -- Faith Hill sucks. She just can't sing live which at this point means she can't sing at all. Carrie of course was perfect and Keith with Brooks and Dunn finally rocked (he keeps doing slow songs recently). But the highlight? Sugarland with Little Big Town and Jake Owen singing the 80's song by Dream Academy "Life in a Northern Town" Check out the song from the link. God they are amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzBLW9YdmDA
Umm can someone explain why Nicole Kidman looks barely pregnant at over 6 months and looks like porcelain (not in a good way?) Come on!

Okay folks, I left a dinner early to come home and write this tonight! Idol results tomorrow and more...

don't be ashamed of your obsessions (I told everyone at the table I was leaving to watch Idol)...