American Idol – Top 8 Performance – Brooke White

Brooke White – “You’ve Got a Friend” (Carole King)

Brooke is starting to bore me. She was at the top of my list, but now she’s slipping. Maybe it’s the lack of guitar. Maybe it’s the straight hair she’s been sporting. I don’t know. I didn’t like this performance. It seems like the song she chose had a lot of personal meaning to her. I can’t fault her for choosing a song she connects with. I just think her songs lately have not been showcasing her talents enough.

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – David Archuleta

David Archuleta – “Angels” (Robbie Williams)

After David hit the middle of the song, I thought it was really good. I am just not enthusiastic about him like everyone else seems to be. He seems like a really nice kid and all, and has a good voice, but I’m definitely not jumping up out of my chair over him. This performance is pretty much the same thing we see from him every week. But of course, the judges showered him with praise, and I’m sure the preteens voted until their hands were raw. I like him just fine, I just think he’s boring on stage. He doesn’t capture my interest. I get distracted during his performances and usually end up doing something else for 2 minutes.

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – Carly Smithson

Carly Smithson – “The Show Must Go On” (Queen)

First of all, I thought Carly looked gorgeous! She usually does a weird thing with her face when she hits high notes. It’s not attractive, and I didn’t see it happen in this performance. I’m not sure what is was about her (longer extensions maybe?), but she looked better than ever. The judges thought her performance was “angry” and didn’t quite fit with the “inspirational” theme for the week. I agree, it doesn’t fit in with “fluffy bunny” type of inspiration. I do, however, think the song was inspirational in it own right. I thought she did a really nice job with it. That said, I think she’ll be going home this week.

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – David Cook

David Cook – “Innocent” (Our Lady Peace)

Aww. Bless his heart. This was his worst performance of the season! But I think he is great anyway, so he only drops to my #2 for the night. I like the song, and I love Our Lady Peace also. I’m not sure if personal issues stood in his way this time or what. I got nervous after I saw this. I have been watching Idol faithfully since season 1, and never, ever have I voted. I actually did vote tonight to try to help him out. I really doubt he’ll be going home this week, but I do suspect there to be a “shock” bottom 3 with him in it. Hopefully he can bounce back next week, better than ever! When David ended his song with the words “Give Back” on his palm, I expected Simon to rip him a new one for that. I flinched myself. Cheesy. Simon actually said that was a very nice thing for him to do. Now that I think about it again, it really was. Although I still can’t help but think “cheese” in the back of my head, I do believe he was very sincere about it and wasn’t just trying to be clever and cute.

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – Kristy Lee Cook

Kristy Lee Cook – “Anyway” (Martina McBride)

“Now here is a girl that’s determined to stay out of the bottom three this week” said Ryan. Very true. I have not cared much for Kristy at all this season. Some of my favorite girls have left (Ramiele, Kady), while Kristy stays. I think she’s boring, plain, and not as good a singer as some others who already left the show. I will give it to her though, I think she’s smart about what she’s doing. I mean, “God Bless the U.S.A” a couple of weeks ago? I did not enjoy it, but it was very clever indeed. I think her song choice this week was also a very smart move. “You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in… that tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang..sing it anyway…” Great song, and I thought her vocals and performance were the best she’s done so far. I was actually impressed. Plus, she didn’t seem to do the weird eye / eyebrow thing that creeps me out. The photo shown is about as bad as it got. She’s still not a favorite of mine, but I have to give her props this week.

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – Jason Castro

Jason Castro – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)

Another very good and pleasant performance from Jason this week. His vocals sounded beautiful and his ukulele playing was cute. For me, he has been the most consistent contestant. I’m hoping he’ll change it up and try something a little different, but he’s got a good thing going.

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – Syesha Mercado

Syesha Mercado – “I Believe” (Fantasia)

Obviously, Syesha was going to get a lot of comparison criticism from the judges for singing a Fantasia song. I personally never liked Fantasia. I do not enjoy Fantasia’s voice at all. I know I am not in the majority here, but I definitely prefer Syesha’s version. I don’t think this song choice did her any favors this week. I really liked how she hit that high note! I don’t remember her doing that before and it sounded really good and showed off her range. Not much else to say about it. I like her just fine…I’m kind of like “Eh. Whatever.”

American Idol – Top 8 Performance – Michael Johns

Michael Johns – “Dream On” (Aerosmith)

I don’t think he raised his game any with this one like had done the last two weeks. I thought this was not one of his personal bests, but it was the most enjoyable performance of the night for me. I really love this song. I’m glad he did the high notes at the end! I tell you though, the ascots are kind of strange. He wore one last week also. But I am the type of person that usually embraces the strange, so I have no problem with them. USA Today actually did an article about this (growing?) trend. But the vests…they NEED to go. Even with the vests, I still think he’s a handsome fellow!

I just had to laugh at how the camera seemed to film Paula just barely above the top of her dress to make it look like she was nude. Nice job, camera guys!