You will usually not find me complaining that American Idol is too short, but tonight is an exception.  Tonight was the chance to blend two of my favorite things (and no, not raindrops on roses) - Neil and Idol.  What did I get? A concoction of insanity and confusion.  People were rushed on and off stage, judges weren't allowed to talk (which turns out to be a good thing for Paula) and Neil was only shown for a quick soundbite.  The whole night left me a little dizzy.

 The idols sang 2 songs by Neil in just one hour.  Because of time constraints, the judges weren't allowed to say anything after the idols first performance, which I have to say was a little strange.  We are used to the instant reaction from the judges that it seemed out of place to just have the idols sing.  I mean, if I just wanted to hear people sing without judgment, I'd buy a record or go see a show.  But I want judgment.  That is what makes this show great.  We judge...don't take that away from us.  Especially from Paula.  Tonight proved that she cannot deviate from the standard schedule or else she will dysfunction.  I was half expecting steam to start coming out of her ears because she was breaking down (like Rosie from the Jetsons).  The crazy talk that woman was speaking tonight is actually the highlight of the night.  I mean, how could it not be?  She was craaaazzzy!  First, she had to write her notes.  I know writing words can be a little hard for a space cadet.  Secondly, she started talking things that hadn't happened yet.  Basically, she was lost.  And not in a cute, puppy kind of lost, but rather in a train wreck kind of lost.  And all we could do is watch and go "What?"  

 And now to the performers:

Jason - This is what I can remember of Jason...flat and boring.  Wow, not the best endorsement.  But the dude totally sucked tonight.  It's frickin' Neil Diamond.  How much more cheesier can it get?  Have some fun with it.

David C. - Through Paula's jibberish, she declared David the American Idol.  With the competition he had tonight, he could have had spinach in his teeth and have done the hustle on rollerskates and he still would have won the night.  

Brooke - "I'm a Believer" was the WRONG choice for you.  Especially with the arrangement of electric guitars and drums and you're strumming out on your acoustic.  It was really out of place.  If you're going to do a rock and roll version of a song, don't stand up there like Pippi Longstocking.

David A. - 2 karaoke favorites ("Sweet Caroline" and "America") and I was expecting karaoke versions (minus the drunken slurs).  But David surprised me a little.  He did a decent job without sounding like Peter Pan (except when his voiced cracked...puberty sucks sometimes man).  And Kristy Lee Cook would be so proud that he took all the freedom and liberty lyrics from "America" and showcased them in his short amount of time.

Syesha - Again, I didn't think she was horrible.  She did cover my favorite Neil song  - "Thank the Lord of the Nighttime."  And I own live versions of this song in which Neil throws it down (it can happen, believe me), but Syesha turned the song into an American Bandstand number that I was not willing to participate in.   It did not make me happy.

I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that Jason is going home.  I LOVE dreads, but he had a bad night, especially since Paula thought he already had ruined two songs when he had only butchered one so far.