'Idol' night

Well, folks, we've had our first shocker of the season. Alexandrea Lushington, who I thought -- at the least -- was a solid Top Three among the girls, was given the boot ...

Unbelievable. Shame on you, America. It should have been Amanda Overmyer going instead.

On Wednesday night, Alexandrea sang Chicago‘s “If You Leave Me Now” -- a tough song, but she put her own touches on it and her movement from low to high notes was flawless. In fact, I thought she performed it even more beautifully than Chicago did. It was really good ...

Just adds more truth to my theory that the majority of people who watch -- and vote -- on 'Idol' don't know, get or appreciate the really good music.

As for the other cast-offs, I can't say I was happy to see Alaina Whitaker go either. Granted, her performance on Wednesday night of "Hopelessly Devoted To You" wasn't good, let alone a poor song choice. But the girl had some potential and charm, I thought ... Then she goes and gives possibly the most riveting send-off performance I've seen.

And the boys -- Jason Yeager and Robbie Carrico -- not shedding any tears about those guys. Just weeding them out.

* * *

About those boys ... There were a ton of great songs delivered during their performances on Tuesday night, but the top guys are clear ...

Michael Johns started off the guys with Fleetwood Mac's “Go Your Own Way” and my ears shot up the moment I heard the opening guitar strums on that one. It’s a GREAT song and I thought Michael did a pretty good job on it. A little pitchy around the first chorus, but I thought it was a great choice for him. And at times, if I wasn’t watching the TV, I think I might have mistaken his voice for the real Lindsey Buckingham …

Jason Castro sang “I Just Wanna Be Your Everything.” I can’t say I loved the song, but I do love his vocals. He’s totally got the Jason Mraz thing going ….

Luke Menard did Queen’s “Killer Queen.” … One of my all-time favorite songs, and I thought he did it well -- kind of surprising since I thought he was going to be gone last week. Simon just seemed to be disliking everything Tuesday night.

Danny Noriega sang The Carpenters’ “Superstar.” Great rendition, but his interaction with the judges was more entertaining. (When he admitted that his Elvis cover last week was "a mess" -- I disagree -- and Simon questioned him further, his "ish" response was hilarious ...) Even with his attitude, I really like the kid -- Kates and I agree, he’s weird, but it’s a sort of cute weird.

And then there was David Archuleta, singing a jaw-dropping beautiful version of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” I’m with Paula: perhaps the most memorable performance ever on that stage. Whether he borrowed the version of the song shouldn't matter -- the dude can sing, ... In the meatime, the fawning over lil' David continues to be just as entertaining. This from EW ...

He has the eyes of Bambi, only darker and perhaps 11 percent more earnest. When the camera catches his broad, open, guileless grin, you can kind of understand how a mother feels the first time her baby looks up at her and smiles. And when he sings — oh, that voice! — grandpas (and Paula) grab their handkerchiefs and dab the corners of their eyes, remembering simpler days when ''nice boys and girls'' were the toast of the airwaves.

David Hernandez and David Cook aren't worth mentioning -- I just want to see them gone. And Chikezie isn't one of my favorites, either, but I think he still has potential.

So my top guys remain in this order: David Archuleta, Danny Noriega, Jason Castro and Michael Johns ...

* * *

And Wednesday night was ladies' night ...

I thought Carly Smithson started it off with a bang. With the '70s week theme, you knew there had to be a girl who was going to try Heart's "Crazy On You," and Carly nailed it. This was the first week I've considered her a serious contender.

Syesha Mercado. Didn't know the song. But even if I did I'd have to agree with the judges that it was a poor song choice. ... Her baby cry, by the way, was amazing and creepy wrapped into one ...

Brooke White -- my girl. A smile lit up my face the moment I heard her playing the opening chords of a sweet, slowed-down version of Carly Simon's "You're so Vein." She had a little trouble with the lower notes, but she was totally chaneling Carly, and it was a brilliant song choice for her. I loved it, and she redeemed herself after her so-so performance last week ...

On the other side ...

I'm still not getting Ramiele Malubay. I thought Kristy Lee Cook's “You’re No Good” was lacking, along with Kady Malloy's “Magicman” -- though I still have an ounce of faith that they can do better. But I thought Asia’h Epperson (singing “All By Myself”) and Amanda Overmyer (with “Carry On My Wayward Son”) were as good as gone with their awful performances ...

After Wednesday night, my top girls were, in order: Alexandrea Lushington, Carly Smithson and Brooke White.

Guess I was wrong.