Other things to note:

-Sanjaya wasn't even in the bottom three again. He really has become the story of the season. It's crazy, and I love it. However, Ryan wore a Sanjaya fauxhawk wig. And since the show itself is now parodying the fact that we are parodying the show through Sanjaya, I think the joke's officially over. "Idol" is much to shallow to withstand prolonged periods of post-post-irony.

-While sending us to commercial with Phil and Haley standing on the sigil, Ryan referred to Haley as "Stacy." We're 25 episodes in and he still doesn't even know this girl's name. And that reflects a lot worse on Haley than it does the Seacrestbot.

-Gwen Stefani's performance of "The Sweet Escape" --- one of maybe three decent songs on the new album --- was certainly filled with energy, but it underscored just how crappy she is as a singer. I'm still confused as to what Akon's purpose is on that song. He was on the show, too, and occasionally chimed in with a "whoo-hoo!" and echoed Gwen on the chorus. But...is that really worth a "featuring" credit? It's like how "Yeah" is an Usher song, and yet he literally only screams the word "Yeah!" a couple times. The music business is a scary place.

-Simon let loose with one of the nastiest things he's ever said, when Ryan pressed him about who he tought was going home from the Bottom 2, Haley or Chris. "I'd say it's bye-bye curly," he practically hissed. Just brutal. I loved every second of it.

-It was satisfying watching Phil --- so incredibly cocky, this one --- stand up and applaud for himself and mug for the crowd, only to be told that he's in the Bottom 3. Delightful. Next week, let's actually send the jackass home.

-The pimpomercial AGAIN focused on the guys, who sang the primary vocals on "I Fought the Law." Mind-boggling. All that female vocal talent, and they're reduced to back-up singers. The video redeemed itself by focusing on Jordin and Chris R, who both looked crazy cute in Western gear.

-Next week is Tony Bennett week. Gina, Chris, and Lakisha are pretty much screwed.

A final note, apropos of nothing: I read an article the other day in which Sheryl Crow vented her disdain for Idol, since it focuses on commercialism as opposed to genuine artistry. I don't deny the point. But Sheryl, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw official Sheryl Crow gift cards, or Sheryl Crow-covered issues of Shape magazine, or Sheryl Crow Starbucks CDs, etc. I'm not going to begrudge a musician an opportunity to make some scratch, but sister sold out a LONG time ago, and hasn't put out a record that's anything but commercial since The Globe Sessions. And even that was pretty damn slick. So....shut up, Sheryl Crow. Try using your energy to write a decent song for once this decade.