No one sang "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina." I was sad. It's one of those songs I always sing, but only know like 5 words (like don't.cry.for.me.argentina).

Anyway, on to the summary.

Syesha Mercado did a great job on "One Rock and Roll Too Many." I thought parts of it were a bit forced; she was trying to split her attention between the lyrics and the animation, but she pulled it off in the end. I think her performance was solid enough to keep her in the game.

Jason Castro showed his true colors tonight. Don't get me wrong, I like him. I like him in the same way I like Jack Johnson and the Pat McGee Band. I like their music playing in the background while I'm grilling out with friends. It makes me happy. Jason Castro makes me happy. And he proved tonight that that's where he belongs, in the land of happy songs that don't require a river of emotions. I think he'll land in the bottom three for sure, if not out the door. But....those eyes. Maybe I'll call the FloydFest folks and see if they can arrange a visit.

The big talker of the night is obviously going to be Brooke White's major malfunction while singing "You Must Love Me." Brooke missed a lyric and asked the band to start over, which according to Paula, is a big no-no. This all sucks because Andrew Lloyd Webber pretty much said she was the best at getting the emotional connection to the song. I think Brooke did a solid job with it even though she messed up initially, but Simon was right when he said her mistake threw her. It was like she was on the verge of a complete breakdown the whole time she sang. I couldn't tell if it was actually her singing or the fact I felt so bad for her that was tugging at my heart strings. Brooke could be out of the game, especially given Syesha's strong performance tonight.

David Archuleta sang what Andrew Lloyd Webber called the "diva" song: "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera." And he did a great job. Sure, I can call him out sometimes for his bad leather pants (someone corrected me on that, though, and apparently they weren't leather) and his boring ballads, but I can also admit when he does a great job, too. But, I still think he's boring. And I don't get why the judges never, ever call him out (although Simon did say he was forgettable tonight) on the fact he sings the same type of music all the time. He only sings ballads. He never strays; we never get to see another side of him. Yet the other contestants get called out if they don't step out of their comfort zones. I just don't get it ... still. I thought Carly (coming up) was far, far better. Not to mention David Cook.

Carly Smithson jammed tonight. I'm so glad Sir Webber convinced her to sing "Jesus Christ Superstar." Her performance brought down the house. The only time I ever felt like this with David Archuleta was the time he sang "Imagine." Carly's performance gave me that feeling you get in your gut when you know a singer has just blown the roof off. She's got the voice, and when she's in her element -- as she was tonight -- she proves her star potential.

In an earlier post I said that maybe David Cook would sing "Phantom's" "The Music of the Night." He did. I was apprehensive during the first few notes. You can't really take this tune and make it a rock ballad. But I must say. I was very impressed with his performance. He sounded like Broadway material. Talk about malleable. He showed his range tonight. Unlike some other David I won't mention (I said range, people, not talent.)

Anyway, that's a wrap.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Brooke holds on one more week and Jason Castro gets the boot. I hate to say that, but now's the time our favorites start to go. Bring out the tissues.

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• Posted by rt in Performances
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