Tonight's the night Idol gives back and our calls are worth 10 cents per call for the first 50 million calls (a.k.a 5 million big ones!) toward African and American children's relief charities. Sure, it' a gimmick...but anything that helps kids is okay with me. This show had lots of promo for tomorrow night's all-star results show. I've seen so much hype about that show, I can't remember exactly who is on it, but I'm thinking just about every celebrity who'll be in the northern hemisphere at the time. Meanwhile...let's get down to the show, because it's a singing competition, don't you know? But first, Ryan has his beard back...you never know from week to week so I feel obligated to update.

The contestants didn't have a mentor du jour this week, but in keeping with the "Gives Back" theme, tonight's theme was, appropriately enough, Inspirational Songs.

Chris/Change the World/ Eric Clapton Chris put a little more beat into it than the original, the theme to the movie Phenomenon, but I thought it was less than phenomenal, paling in comparison. Okay, so it is Clapton, I can't expect miracles, Dog, but Randy thought Chris showed he was "in it to win it". Huh? Are we hearing the same performance? Paula: fantastic. Simon said he felt the competition was really starting tonight and Chris has got potential and did really well. Well...maybe they are still feeling magnanimous after the video on the kids in Africa. I thought the comments were a little overly generous. I didn't think it was his best, but not his worst either.

Melinda/There Will Come a Day/Faith Hill Melinda gave it a wonderful gospel spin and showed, once again, that she can handle whatever challenges this contest throws her way. Randy continued to call her the resident pro and clearly, she is. You have to wonder how much coaching she actually needs each week. Paula: magical. Simon practically glowed with praise. It's hard to think of any contestant in the past that the judges have so consistently applauded for their professionalism. She's holding onto a spot near the top for now...but we're not done yet, and there's no guarantee, no matter how much she may deserve to be Idol, that she won't be runner-up.

Blake's up next with something John Lennon...will it be Imagine? (Commercial, commercial....) We're back and...Yes it will! Blake left his gimmicks behind tonight and let his voice do all the work. Randy felt it was just alright and wished he'd done a little more, but Paula pointed out that it was a simple and beautiful song and the presentation was appropriate for the song. Paula: sensitive. While Simon agreed that Blake didn't really belt it out, he felt he sang with sincerity and that was the point. (Wow, this charity thing is really bringing out Simon's sensitive side.) Honestly, I liked it. One of the things I always think about when I watch contestants belt out one big song finale after another is that, in any concert, on any CD, there's always variety and that, inevitably, calls for the softer side. The song the audience sits down for, but turns their focus inward because of a performer's sensitive performance. Tonight, Blake showed he's got that game, too. Week by week we are discovering his growing range. Interesting, don't you think? Maybe Melinda has more than one real competitor.

Kikichoose I Believe by Fantasia (uh-oh, Idol comparisons aren't always good...) LaKisha played to her strengths tonight. Plus, she left some of those funky clothing choices behind and stuck with a basic black gown. Good, focus on the voice. Those big songs have worked well for her, I think, but it's true, as Randy said, that it's hard to be compared to Fantasia. Paula had a difficult time with the comparison to Fantasia, as well, whose performance of the song is a signature one . Paula: magnificent...oh, but she's talking about Fantasia. Not good.Simon said, as he's said before, that he felt she was yelling at him. I don't think I'd go that far.

Phil/ The Change/ Garth Brooks This song was inspired by the Oklahoma City tragedy, and picking something from country catalog is a wise choice for Phil, who showed that was a strength last week. (Attire comment: no hat, hmm...he should get cowboy boots) Randy commented on country week as well and called it a nice vocal. Paula: fantastic/your best. Simon liked it but feels he needs to put more country in his voice. Simon thinks people like Phil and he believes, maybe for the first time, that he can do well in the show. Well, at the least, I think he's safe for another week or two, since votefortheworst has anointed him their new golden boy since Sanjaya left. Remember, it's not really about the worst on that site; it's about voting for the one they feel the judges want most to go home. (On a personal note: if you have been to Oklahoma City and never taken the time to visit the Oklahoma City Memorial, take the time. It is truly an inspirational experience).

Jordin/You'll Never Walk Alone (Carosel) I love this song, and the movie, too. (Knowing the story, I can never hear it without tearing up...but that's just me.) What a great choice for a night like tonight and a wonderful way to close the evening. Randy called it one of the best vocals EVER on the show. Wow! Paula: Glorious. Simon thought she was fantastic and, though the song is from the '50's he thought she could have a hit record with it today. I agree.

My choice to go home? Flip a coin between LaKisha and Chris. I don't think either one will make it to the end, so I don't suppose it matters which goes home first...except to them!