Idol: Judges on drugs

Tonight's Idol was downright ridiculous. For most of the show, the judges needed hearing aids.

Haley Scarnato's lethargic performance of Tell Him was overrated by the judges. "Your best performance to date," said Simon, who is usually right on the money. Are you kidding?! My very favorite version of this song is covered by Linda Ronstadt. She kicked ass with this song on Mad Love. Haley's version didn't even begin to approach Linda's...or the original by Billie Davis.

Chris Richardson's version of Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin' was lame, but wow, the judges liked it.

Stephanie's You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, was fair, but the judges thought it was pretty good.

Blake did a fair performance of his tune, which the judges all raved about. Again, it was okay...not great...just okay. I've heard better karaoke.

But then they trashed LaKisha, whose Diamonds are Forever was actually quite good. Not Shirley Bassey-fabulous, but better than any of the others who sang before her. And I loved the million dollars' worth of Harry Winston she was wearing.

Phil Stacey's Tobacco Road number was good, but the judges didn't really like it. I don't like Phil, but he didn't deserve what they handed him.

Jordin's I Who Have Nothing (they were on a Shirley Bassey run tonight) was also very good. I was pleased with this performance; I thought it was her best ever. Randy and Paula liked it, Simon wasn't crazy about it. It wasn't Shirley Bassey, but... Yeah, I know that a lot of people covered this besides Shirley, and Tom Jones was the first to record it, if I'm not mistaken; but Shirley's version is the best.

Sanjaya...omg! What the hell?! He finally pulled it out. His performance of You Really Got Me was actually his best performance since his audition, and was surprisingly guttural, earthy, and likable. And I do not like Sanjaya. Even his hair looked good-and-not-girlish tonight.

Gina looked great tonight, but her bobbed hair makes her face look pudgy. She should let it grow longer. Too bad she didn't sound as good as she looked with Paint it Black; c'mon...it's a trademark Jagger vocal...I wasn't crazy about it. The original just oozes with evil...her version didn't do it for me. I think this was about the only number I agreed with the judges on. They didn't like it, either.

I couldn't stand Chris Sligh's version of She's Not There. I thought it was awful. But the judges thought it was good, that it was "the right song for him." I'd hate to hear the wrong song for him.

Melinda was, as usual, stunning. Now I don't like the song she chose, but I thought it was a solid performance. Fortunately, the judges agreed with me. Melinda wins again tonight, with LaKisha in second, and Jordin in third.


UPDATE: I am surprised and annoyed that Stephanie wound up being offed tonight. People are ridiculous. The girl has been far better than Sanjaya, Hayley, and Jordin every week except this one and she's the loser?! But Chris' departure is imminent. Last night's performance was a loser in spite of the judges' opinions.