Sinatra

Oh yeah, Harry Connick -- opening with letting him say "This is American Idol" just brought the heat back to this show. In my dreams, Harry Connick Jr just talks to me with his Louisiana accent. Love him.


Why does Randy boo every time Ryan introduces Simon? So dumb.


Crystal is rocking a gown as the solo girl. She looks gorgeous. I was feeling ehhh about this week, but I gotta say that Harry is changing the energy of the night. So tonight is not just Sinatra night, but interpretation night. Okay, let's see what happens when Harry gets his hands on the contestants. Good sign number one -- Harry is rewriting their arrangements with them. This guy is so cool. He is setting the tone for what a real mentor ship should be on Idol. Is he really speaking in that cool cat manner? It's crazy good.


Wow, Nancy and Tina Sinatra brought Simon a Frank Sinatra monogrammed handkerchief. Weird moment - why Simon?


Aaron -- "Fly Me To The Moon" He still has some pitch problems and seems timid. Got better as the tempo increased. Each contestant will really get to sing a lot of the song this time. He started getting the hang of it about halfway through. Decent, better than recent performances. I am loving that we get to watch Harry on stage the whole night. Randy finally got around to saying Aaron did a nice job. Ellen liked that she didn't hear country in it. Kara thought last week was really strong (?) and he needs more stage presence. Simon thinks he tries hard -- who cares at this point? BUH BYE

Casey -- Love the vest, love the ponytail. All of you better pick up that phone and vote for Casey tonight -- it was too close last time. The lighting on Harry during the on camera talking is weird - he looks like he has red hair. "Blue Skies" Started a little off, then he got into it. His voice sounds strained. Stop smiling Casey. This one is not working for me. I think his voice is tight and he is not relaxed. Too much singing for him in a way. It was not bluesy. Randy said it was his worst performance. Ellen is cracking a joke at Harry every time. Pretty funny. Ellen thought Casey's performance was stiff. Geez, I'm scared that Casey will leave. Kara said Casey sounded like a lamb when he held notes. Simon further embarrassed him by saying that he can get another gig next week meaning he will be gone. These judges are so awkward with criticism. It is so uncomfortable. Thank you Harry for saying that Casey killed it in rehearsal and that in Casey's defense it is hard to hear on stage. Crossing my fingers for Casey. OK

Crystal -- "Summer Wind" Crystal looks great but this feels so traditional. At least in the beginning. Once she hits the belting in the second verse, I was much more drawn into it. I have a hard time catching the words sometimes when she sings softly, and that is not just because I am deaf. I wish she had really hit it out of the ball park with her voice. Randy, who cares what he says? Ellen, she said exactly what I was thinking of the swallowing of her words. Kara liked her phrasing. Once again, whatever. Simon wasn't sure if this was the song for her. Now it is time for her to be in it to win it says Simon. Crystal did a good job of defending herself. She has really grown more comfortable in her own skin for sure. VOTE

Mike -- Umm did Harry say the F word to big Mike? He was telling him how to interpret the song and said "Tell you girl, you look f***ing gorgeous" Please don't tell me I am really losing my hearing that much? He must have said freaking. Love Harry calling him bro over and over
so funny. "The Way You Look Tonight" Too tired of a song? Just thinking about the judges said earlier about someone not switching it up much. How can they change it up when they have to perform with a big band on stage? Mike is fine and you know what? He hits the notes. You can hear him and hear the words and the melody. I know everyone wants him out, but I'm ready for Aaron to leave over Mike. Just saying. Randy loved it - I don't think it was that great, but Randy tends to go overboard. Ellen and Kara liked it. Kara's hair is awesome tonight. I want her hair. Simon thinks he put himself back in the game. Fantastic, Well done. WOW, was it that good? OK

Lee -- Come on, baby, blow it out of the water. Make it fresh and new and strong - you can do it! Harry loves him. And Harry's wife does too. Love that Lee really looks up to him. "That's Life" Harry thinks Lee looks like him. Love Harry on the organ. Lee got the best arrangement. Lee's voice modernizes it. It sounds like him, not a copycat of Frank. His smirk is so cool. The ending was a bit choppy, but that might have been the arrangement. He is so cute when he went to hug Harry. Was this the best performance ever? No, but it finally had some energy. Randy loved that he stayed his rocker self. Ellen thinks if this was the last night of performances he would have won the whole thing (agreed). Kara asks, do you think you can win? Lee says absolutely, but Kara still pushes that he needs to write it down and believe it. Why don't they think he believes it? Simon says Harry brought out his personality and confidence. And says it was by far the best performance of the night. Not saying much to get that this season, but I'm happy for Lee. I think he is the most relevant singer in the bunch and can make 19 a lot of money.

In all honesty, the order of the night is:
Lee
Crystal
Mike
Aaron
Casey

But Mike or Aaron need to go home. Aaron ideally. Voting a lot of Casey, Crystal and OF COURSE LEE who rocks my world. Harry Connick Jr, I love you, and Lee Dewyze, I love you too. Wow -- Gaga flew back from the Met and performs on Idol tomorrow - should be cool. Can't wait to watch Glee and the Glist -- I know many of you want me to blog on Glee, but I seriously need to do things other than blog. Maybe next season?

don't be ashamed of your obsessions, that's right Harry watch out for me....