Tonight's show opened with Ryan recognizing the Virginia Tech shootings and offering condolences. Considering that so many of the contestants and their fans are college-age, and perhaps have friends, or are themselves, directly affected by the tragedy, I thought it was appropriate.

Our mentor du jour was Martina McBride; goody! I think country week is always a lot of fun. There's something about finding your inner country singer that can be an amazing surprise. It's a genre that's Idol friendly, though tonight brought mixed results.

This week I'm getting to the short and sweet of tonight's performances. Each contestant will be rated for 4 factors:

1-Song choice (a make or break)

2-Dress (if you get it right, no one notices; it you get it wrong, it's water cooler fodder)

3-Song performance (the meat and potatoes, Dog)

4-Judges comments (good reviews never hurt!)

Phil. (He told Martina he was a country boy from Kansas...I have to review his bio.)

1) Where the Blacktop Ends

2) No Hat!! But black shirt and slacks is always a good country choice; very Johnny Cash.

3) Phil seemed comfortable and confidant as a country boy, strutting himself on both the little and big stage. In fact, maybe Phil has finally found niche!

4) Randy thought he finally found his niche (didn't I say that?!?), Paula too, and even Simon agreed! Hey, Phil got the trifecta of positive feedback!

Jordin

1) Broken Wing (One of Martina's songs?? Gutsy choice.)

2) What's with the dress? I didn't like it, too formal.

3) Jordin took Martina's advice and stayed put, placing the focus on the song. I thought it was good advice, it placed the focus not just on the song, but on her voice and it was great. Are we sure she's 17--where's her ID?

4) The Bomb! Paula was feeling the love and Simon (can you believe it) said he believed for the first time that she could actually win. Like I said last week, Melinda has competition.

Sanjaya

1) Let's Give Them Something to Talk About

2) This week's theme: Bandana/Curly.

3) Martina said she felt in the past that Sanjaya's tone was too soft and it didn't show his voice to it's best advantage, but did it have an advantage tonight? I thought last week was much better. Maybe this will finally be the song Sanjaya sings in his farewell appearance. We can only hope.

4) Keywords from the judges: karaoke, lovable guy, horrendous. Gee, I think that really sums it up! (Oh wait! Cat fight between Simon and Ryan! Simon didn't appreciate Ryan coming to Sanjaya's defense when the "evil one" took aim at the kid. Simon has apparently hit the wall and no longer finds Sanjaya's dubious fame amusing. It's a singing competition, people!)

(Commercial Break--Burger King/Sponge Bob No Pants. It boggles my mind to wonder how much Burger King might have paid for that gem! I should have gone into advertising.)

(We're back--Simon is pouting)

Kiki

1) Jesus Take the Wheel. Carrie's song....even tho Akisha tells us she can relate to the tale, it's always a challenge to avoid comparisons.

2) Good dress-simple, earthy, with GOLD boots! You go, country girl! (I even thought her hair looked good, and Kiki's had some bad hair weeks)

3) Good, solid, but Carrie was soooo good, tough to compete, particularly the day after she won CMT's video of the year. Like Whitney and Celine, Idol winners should be off limits.

4) Randy, "check it out", dog, it was pitchy/didn't make it hers/needed to add some gospel stylings. Even Paula wasn't wowed. Simon didn't feel the natural soul. Simon advised her that she was the one to beat but she needs to make better song choices. I don't think Kiki's the one to beat...but I think she has a long career ahead of her.

Chris

1) Mayberry

2) Basic country: jeans, t-shirt, jean jacket,

3) Martina thinks he's got country in his veins. I haven't heard the original, but I thought he did a decent job, not incredible, not his best, but decent.

4) Randy didn't feel a connection, finding it pitchy and nasally. Paula, as with Kiki, said she saw what Randy meant. I think this is the week Paula is finally giving in...in a noncommittal way...to Randy's more critical side. (Simon is still pouting) Curiously, Chris defended his nasally delivery, saying that was his intention. Really? Chris tried to save the moment by mentioning the Virginia Tech tragedy...really, was that gratuitous, or what?

(Commercial Break: what's up with these Oleg taxi driver ads? Is this a show on Fox? Is it supposed to be entertaining? Yawn.)

Melinda (Singing country? Ohhhh....wonder what this will be like.)

1) Trouble is a Woman

2) Jeans, casual top; a good look for a country song (is she wearing extensions??)

3) Martina said it was a perfect song choice and boy was she right. We saw lots of that attitude that Melinda keeps tucked inside until she starts to sing-get down, girl! (How could I have doubted her?)

4) Randy, "another solid performance from our resident pro." Paula agreed and Simon prepped Melinda for a compliment, "fantastic!" and "a bit of Tina Turner." I've thought Tina all along, so I totally agree. Did he only just see that??

Blake

1) When the Stars Go Blue (I'd never heard this song either, but really liked it.)

2) Basic Blake: sweater, slacks, tennies

3) Solid, good song choice. Blake has known all along who he is and made very few missteps...but is this a country song? I guess, if Martina okayed it.

4) Randy felt it was the right song, adding that clearly Blake knows who he is. Praising Paula put in the usual positive comment. Simon.....just ok...but no high praise. Simon noted that the judges also offer their thoughts to the Virginia Tech community and that it has been a tough week for the contestants. I imagine that might be the case, but it felt like hecouldn't be one-upped by Chris. Wise contestants and judges left the topical commentary to Ryan's tasteful, considerate opening statement.

Altogether, I would say Martina did an adequate job of coaching the contestants, better than some, but no one is ever as good as Manilow. When's Manilow night? That guy really knows how to coach kids. He made Clay Aiken a star; now that's coaching.

My vote for removal this week? Clearly, no one deserves it more than Sanjaya....and, I actually think he might get what he deserves. (Still, I like the kid. Who would have thought?!?)