'Idol:' I'm Coming Out

Simon told Ryan to come out of the closet! Simon told Ryan to come out of the closet!

That was my real *gasp* moment during tonight's "Idol" -- my only *gasp* moment, because aside from the escalating Ryan/Simon out-me wars, I've pretty much got a handle on these folks. Melinda, LaKisha: Superstars. Jordin: Almost there (and boy, she does like the animated movie soundtrack songs). Blake: Interesting. Gina: Yells. Phil: Ears. And so on and so forth.

One pleasant surprise: I thought Diana Ross was a pretty good coach, all in all. It's great to see pros talking about how to sell and feel a song. I loved the look on her face when Blake started in on his trippin' version of "Keep Me Hanging On." And then there was the moment when she told Gina to "pronunciate."

"Pronunciate," I said out loud. "Is that a word?"
Two-and-a-half-year-old Ava, beside me on the couch, piped up: "I don't know!"

It's interesting, too, to see how much control these contestants seem to have over arrangements - important this week, because it was clear that the guys, with the possible exception of Sanjaya, felt out of place with the straight-up Diana. But boy, I did not like Chris Sligh's super-loud version of "Endless Love." It reminded me of a toddler having a tantrum. And I know a little something about that.

Join me at 1 p.m. tomorrow on Boston.com for a live chat about the Top 12 and all things "Idol." Lovers and haters welcome.