Dolly Parton has one of those smiles that just warms your heart. She's infections and addicting, with her upbeat personality and sweet as pie voice. And how can you not love her ridiculous outfits and giant fake... wigs!?! Yup Dolly Parton is a true character, which helped provide her with a lasting career in a usual volatile music industry.

Surprisingly, those qualities of Dolly Parton didn't really shine through last night on American Idol. Sure, through the short "mentoring" packages we were able to see aspects of Parton's spunk. But it was her fantastic songwriting that was really on display. If anything, last night's episode of American Idol reminded us that Dolly is more than her appearance and attitude - and that Idol should have done a Parton theme night long before, say, Jennifer Lopez (seriously - what was with that last year?).

Still, leave it up to some of our idols to screw it up, picking predictable Parton classics (Syesha Mercado - I'm looking at you), and letting Parton's beautiful lyrics and sweet melodies fly directly over their heads (Ramiele Malubay, Kristy Lee Cook, and Brooke White - like, whoa). Others in the group got it, turning in stunning performances (Michael Johns, even David Archuleta) and inspired renditions (David Cook, Carly Smithson) of spirited songs. In fact, if Ramiele, Kristy Lee, and Syesha all left (in that order, please), I think we'll be left with the best Top 6 in the history of the show - all in a horserace for the number one spot. It would be a true nail-biter!

Yet I don't think that is going to happen, because it seems that some idols just won't go away. Ramiele hasn't turned in a good performance since Hollywood week, yet has outlasted better singers (I'm sorry - I liked Asia'h). Ramiele seems to have a great support group behind her. I imagine a lot of that is cultural (hello - Jasmine Trias outlasted Jennifer Hudson. Thanks Hawaii!), which makes sense to me. After all, I've been voting for openly gay Ronnie on Make Me a Supermodel for weeks now. Yet I think most of the viewing population will agree when I say I've grown tired of Ramiele's meek little act. I can't imagine seeing her on stage at the Grammy's, singing a powerful song, and then approaching the podium to accept her award and saying "thank you. bye bye." Yeah Ramiele - bye bye. We'd all like to see you go bye bye. PLEASE GO BYE BYE!

Kristy Lee's staying power can also be attributed to some serious cultural support, which is why her "God Bless the USA" performance last week was so brilliant. This week, she doesn't have to worry about going home. She could have gotten up there dressed like Dolly Parton, fake **** and all, and she still would get through. I imagine Kristy Lee will be one of the first called tonight, to the shock of essentially nobody (even though I can't even remember what she sang, just that she did it in bare feet. I blame Katherine McPhee for making Idol contestants think that's a good idea). I think it'll be Andrew Lloyd Weber week that will do Kristy Lee in (er, out). And maybe that's just because I want to see a chandelier fall from the ceiling while she's singing her last song.

Brooke White, on the other hand, might have something to worry about. First of all, she sang first, and if anyone had TIVOed last night's show like I had, they'll know it ran long (a.k.a., we missed the recap of performances reminding us to vote). This could be troublesome. Second of all, she completely missed the point of "Jolene." I mean, Brooke's version sounded good, if you closed your eyes. I actually listened to it first before watching it, and thought she did a good job. But one the second viewing, I realized I was wrong. Brooke - you are begging another woman not to steal your man. Please stop smiling. You can't just run through a song on the guitar or the piano and expect it to be good. You need to really feel it, like you did with "Let It Be" a few weeks back. For that reason alone, I was against Brooke. Well, that and that she complemented Paula on her hair. Please Brooke - stop sucking up! In fact, stop talking to the judges in the first place! Now I blame Brooke for those terrible gloves Paula wore last week. Brooke probably saw her backstage and was like, "Hey Paula (!), those are super cute!" DAMN YOU WHITE!

Sorry. I digress.

Syesha should definitely be worried this week. Without a doubt, I think she'll be in the bottom three. Fair? Probably not. Yes, she's a good singer. Yes, she's delivered some great performances. But she's not connecting with the audience. I blame this on her clip packages, where she insists on reminding us that she's an actress. Syesha, watch Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and Rock of Love. You will learn that people on reality shows who want to be actresses don't win. And while I don't think Syesha isn't as bad as, say, Ice from Flavor of Love III, I do believe she's not genuinely invested in being a singer.

Still, the girl can sing. She's got a good voice. But how sad that she had to do a Dolly song that is so clearly identified with Whitney! On one hand, I can see why she thought it would have been a good idea to do the song. She could slow it down - merge both versions - and sing probably the most recognizable song in the Dolly Parton songbook, which could therefore solidify her popular votes. But in actuality, choosing "I Will Always Love You" only worked against Syesha. Most of the audience thinks of Whitney when they think of that song (most probably don't even know Dolly's version), so Syesha therefore ends up sounding like a sub-par performer. I expect to see her go home this week because of that very fact.

I would have much rather heard Jason Castro or David Cook take on "I Will Always Love You." In a stripped down acoustic performance, they could have made us all forget about Whitney. Castro especially could have used the praise he would have received over such an "original" version of "I Will Always Love You." But I'm happy with what he gave us - a great cover of the Oscar nominated "Tavelin' Thru." I'll admit, I was never a fan of the song. That's probably because I will always associate it with Dolly's appearance during her Oscar performance, where she looked like a bobble-head Skelator (check the second half of this youtube clip for proof http://youtube.com/watch?v=omdQTYu1ZqQ). Yet Jason Castro made me forget all of that. For once, I listened to Dolly's lyrics, which Castro delivered with total sincerity. I think it was a great performance, probably my fourth favorite of the night.

David Cook holds the spot on third favorite. His version of "Little Sparrow" was surprisingly great, since the first thought I had when I heard his song choice was, "really? That Song?" It's true that I never thought much of "Little Sparrow" besides, "oh isn't that sweet." Cook made me think twice, injecting some heart and passion into the unexpected gem. I was also happy to hear that Cook didn't take on "Jolene," especially after we saw the performance of the White Stripe's version in Brook's clip package. Nice choice David. Take the high road here. I like that I'm consistently surprised by David Cook, and I hope I don't start expecting things from him. I feel like I will only be disappointed.

Like I have been with David Archuleta, oh, every week since he sang "Imagine." It was after that song that I finally said, "This kid is going to be a star and win it all." I was rooting for him. He was my favorite. I thought "Little David" was adorable, and sincere, and talented. Yet he's been a constant disappointment each week since, and I've now found myself not only deeply annoyed by him, but rooting against him! I want him to out. I can't see him being an American Idol in a year where there are stronger and better contestants. Maybe it's because I think he's too calculated - like all the moves are there, and there's nowhere for him to go. Maybe it's because I got my fill of his "aww shucks" attitude with Melinda Doolittle last year. Or maybe it's because every move he makes seems to be coming from that of a kid who is scared to death - scared of messing up, scared of getting yelled at by his father, scared of losing, scared of fame, scared of the ominous screams and hands reaching up towards him. I'm telling you - look behind his eyes! There's some serious Jean Benet Ramsey back there. Can't you just see his dad forcing him to get a spray tan because the judges will like him better? I just wish America to vote him off so he can go back home and get under his blankie and go back to bed. SAVE DAVID. It's my new campaign. And it doesn't mean to vote for him, people.

Sorry. Another digression.

Back to my rankings.

I'm throwing Michael Johns in my number two spot, mainly because I don't remember "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" ever sounding that wonderful (and haunting) before. This was his week to break through, and Johns did just that. Yes, there's still a hint of bar singer in there (and I still think he would have better been suited for Rock Star), but Michael Johns has "it." I credit David Cook (and Chris Daughtry before him), Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, and Brooke White for helping Michael Johns step up his game. I think they've motivated him - shown him that he has to be more - and last night, he met that challenge with alacrity.

And my number one spot?

Carly Smithson.

Okay. Perhaps I'm a little obsessed. But her take last night on "Here I Go Again" was brilliant. Just brilliant. It was perfect. Emotional, raw, sweet - it was all there. And the judges seemed to just rush right past that. It went right to her styling and her weight, which I think was a little off base (keep in mind, I'm vain like the rest of you, but she's got talent - who cares what she looks like!). I really hope that she makes it, because I think she could be a superstar. But after voting a bundle of times last night, I realized I had a very easy time getting through. This worries me (in my best Tim Gunn impression). Could we be saying goodbye to Carly? I sure hope not, but I wouldn't be surprised.

So that's that. But one last thought before I go:

I can't seem to understand why Idol gives two hours to auditioning idols, but only one hour to performing idols. Last night seemed rushed. Really rushed. Like "rushed so much the judges missed stuff" rushed. I think Randy, Paula, and Simon were just too concerned with the time to really get out what they wanted to say and to appreciate the performances. Nigel - you need to work on that. We want to see these people now. We're invested. They do the same thing with eliminations. Don't pad an hour elimination show with "viewer questions," but then leave 20 seconds for the final performance! It's getting ridiculous.

Anyway. That's that. Can't wait for the "Island in the Streams" and "9 to 5" filled group number tonight. That's going to be terrible!