Maybe it’s because I’m a mom and have those weird motherly instincts, but I could tell David Cook was not right last night. I thought his vocals on “Little Sparrow” were really good, but he lacked his usual spunk. In two weeks time, he went from so smug he risked alienating people to so understated that he was just a shell of himself. I thought maybe it was the haircut -- he had the nervous demeanor of a little boy who gets a doofy haircut right before his 4th grade pictures. But this morning, it’s being reported that he was taken to the hospital last night for high blood pressure. He’s allegedly having a hard time coping with his brother’s cancer, and I’m sure that the controversy over his “originality” hasn’t helped.

I hope he can keep his stuff together with all that's going on off stage. He’s still my pick to win it all, because I believe that he is the only current contestant who is capable of polishing a turd of a winner’s first single such as “Do I Make You Proud?” He was just an empty shell last night, and that concerns me.

Speaking of empty shells, David A’s vocals were great last night, but I just can’t get behind this kid. On Idolatry, someone called him a “Michael Bolton in the Making,” and I think that’s what bothers me. I just can’t get a feel for what his style is or what kind of record he would make. He would be great in musicals or making a cover album of other people’s ballads a la Clay Aiken.

Brooke & Kristy Lee each sang one of my two favorite Dolly songs: “Jolene” and “Coat of Many Colors,” but I was disappointed with each of them. If you’re going to pick a song that tells a story and is wrought with emotions, then you’d better be prepared to sell it. Brooke cracked a smile in the middle “Jolene,” which Dolly wrote about a knock-down dragout catfight with a red-headed **** who tried to steal her husband. Um...this makes you feel lighthearted, Brooke? And if Kristy Lee has ever been poor or ever felt like a misfit even once in her entire life, she sure didn’t show it.  

Michael Johns – Lovin’ him! He had five pretty awful weeks, and I had written him off, but the past two weeks he has really done well. He really seemed to have a good knowledge and understanding of Dolly Parton’s music, unlike some of the younger whippersnappers.

Jason Castro did a really great job with “Travelin’ Thru” (which I picked for him in yesterday’s post, thank you very much). I know a lot of people rip him because he does the same thing every week, but that is exactly what I love. I could listen to him sing for hours and not get bored.

I think Carly did well, but I don’t love her as much as certain EW writers. There is a very off-putting quality to her voice…something is sharp or something. I’m not a musical expert by any means, but when certain notes hurt my ears, I know it’s not a good thing.

If there is justice in the AI universe, tonight we’ll say goodbye to Syesha or Kristy Lee.

Now somebody go help my poor David C before he implodes!