'Idol:' You Really Got Me

Jeesh, Sanjaya, what are we supposed to do now? It's not that he sang well tonight -- he still looked like a kid at a middle school talent show -- but he worked it. Especially when he crouched down and flirted with Paula. And when he growled, like a lion with heartburn. But that crying girl who got three or four more seconds of airtime than he did? Methinks she was not a crazed fan. Just an emotionally disturbed preteen, who now will need a few extra years of therapy. Nice work, "Idol" producers.

Also got a kick out of Blake. The boy is smoooooth, the band must adore his arrangements, and I always look forward to seeing what he's going to do. Jordin can truly sing, and she got deep into the zone with that song. She's giving LaKisha some competition.

Because LaKisha: Hmmm. "Diamonds are Forever" is a weird song, and the judges clearly didn't know what to make of it, since all they seemed to want to talk about was the cost of her bracelets (Paula) and the fact that The Dawg wears ice (Randy). Gina shouted her song, as usual, and looked excessively proud of herself, as usual.

Phil? Simon nailed it: Kevin Covais was grittier when he sang "Tobacco Road" in last year's season finale. I don't really remember what Chris R. or Stephanie did, which cannot be good. And Chris Sligh and Haley were passable, I guess, but they also proved the perils of production numbers: too much time worrying about the blocking, not enough about hitting the notes.

Confession: My evil DVR glitched out on me, keeping me from the second half of Melinda's performance, but reliable sources tell me it was impeccable, as usual. Yawn.

Predictions: Phil, Stephanie, and Chris R. are on the bubble. (Haley wisely wore hot pants; they're like an immunity pass.) My best guess is that Stephanie's fans defect to Jordin, and she's out.

Random observation: Ryan made a point of mentioning Simon's girlfriend. I hope that means the outing is over.

Once again, join me tomorrow at 1 p.m. for an "Idol" chat on Boston.com. If you've joined the "Starvation for Sanjaya" hunger strike, I really want to know about it.