"Idol" Chit Chat: Welcome To Dollywood!

It's Dolly Parton week on "American Idol" and that must mean we're goin' country!  Yee-ha!

I love Dolly Parton.  I don't like all her songs, and I can't listen to that down home drawl for too long, but she seems like a sweet, forthright person, and no one can deny the woman can write a decent song.  So, welcome to "American Idol," Dollywood style.

Best Of The Night:  Michael Johns.  I didn't really like the song much, but Michael sang it very, very well.  He molded the blues-y, gospel-y aspects of the song to showcase his voice and then sang the hell out of it.  Simon thought it was the best he's performed throughout the entire competition.  Simon was right.

Worst Of The Night:  For another week in a row, not Kristy Lee Cook!  Ramiele Malubay.  Even though Dolly thought Ramiele had "spunk and personality," Ramiele is way out of her league.  And besides that, she was wearing an ugly, black little mini skirt.  See, if you're that tiny and you can wear petite sizes, why the heck would you pick something so crappy looking.  Dress it up, baby!

Second Best Of The Night:  David Cook.  He sang, "Little Sparrow" and the reason I liked it was because it was a nice change-up from his usual rocker-dude act.  But I've figured out that his look really annoys me.  That "grunge-y, haven't shaved for days, don't own a comb" look of his really turns me off.  He's not the greatest looking guy in the first place, and I wish the powers that be behind the scenes would do more to make him look attractive.

As Good As She's Going To Get:  Brooke White.  I liked this performance.  "Jolene" was a good song choice for her and she sang it well.  It was peppier than her usual song choices, so it made it seem like she was breaking out of her comfort zone.  But the best she can hope for out of this show is a recording contract with a folksy/country label, 'cause no way in hell is she winning this competition.

A Singer Of Many Colors:  Kristy Lee Cook.  If you had told me a couple of weeks ago that I would start to have a grudging respect for Kristy Lee Cook, I'd have said you were nuts.  But girlfriend is pulling out all the stops and as a result getting much further than I thought she would, or should.  I know I'm going to sound like Paula here, but first of all, she looked gorgeous.  Her makeup and hair were lovely and she visually popped off the screen.  (Note to David Cook:  Grab Kristy's makeup and hair people next week.)  As to the song, I thought Simon was 100% wrong.  I thought the song "Coat Of Many Colors" was an excellent choice for her and she sang it beautifully.  I could actually picture the "patches on my britches and holes in both my shoes."  After last week's patriotic blitz and this week's country conquest, the girl's gonna be around awhile.  Good on you Kristy.

Better Than Simon Thought:  Syesha Mercado.  Yeah, so she sang a signature Whitney Houston song, but the smart thing she did was not try to copy it.  And I disagree with Simon about the ending.  She held that note at the end for at least eight seconds---I counted---and overall she did a very nice job.  And the yellow dress was very pretty.

Biggest "So What" Of The Night:  Carly Smithson.  She sings everything well, but as far as I'm concerned she hasn't had a signature moment yet.  Besides, that was one of my least favorite Dolly Parton songs.  And Simon was right about the look.  Time to kick it up a notch, Carly.

Born At The Wrong Time In Musical History:  Jason Castro.  First of all they had this weird green light on him during the whole performance.  It made him look like an alien.  Second of all, it's too bad the kid missed out on the height of folk music in the 60's 'cause he'd have been a big hit.  As for now, I'm finding him boring.  I'm sorry about that, but there it is.

Still Looks Like He's Twelve:  David Archuleta.  I know America's going to keep this kid around at least until the final two, but I'm sick of him.  Yes, he has a voice and though it's better than Ramiele's, just like her, he's a kid playing with the adults.  Once again, Simon thought his performance was the greatest thing since sliced bread and once again, Simon was wrong.    

Predictions:

Should Go Home:  Ramiele Malubay.

Will Go Home:  Jason Castro.