The theme was standards from the Rat Pack era. Another really topical genre; again, none of these contestants were alive when these songs were recorded. I don't understand the point of doing genres like this. I think part of the problem some of the past winners have had is that we fell in love with them singing classic songs, and then when they put out really genre-specific contemporary albums, America just couldn't care less. Let's use Fantasia, for example. We loved her singing Aretha and "Summertime." The minute she puts out a modern r'n'b album, the audience just walks away. Shouldn't the time be better spent giving these kids a viable launching pad for their music careers, rather than rolling out songs that were popular with my parents' parents?

Whatever. The best part of the episode was the mentor for the night: Jamie Foxx. Well, of course. I mean, don't you just automatically think "Rat Pack" when you think "Jamie Foxx"? Comedian, actor, Ray Charles impersonator, and awful r&b "star" Jamie Foxx? WTF, show. I can't stand Tony Bennett or Michael Buble, but I would at least understand those casting choices. This was even worse than the Tarantino mentorship, and I don't care what Simon said about how he "brought the best out" in the competitors. (I would also like to share my personal opinion that Foxx's "Alcohol" song is actively destroying popular music as we know it. So maybe he IS the perfect mentor for this show...)

Kris Allen "The Way You Look Tonight" This is a lovely song, and when it's sung wrong, it can seem utterly endless. In a bad way, I mean. Kris did a good job giving the number a pulse, although I didn't particularly like when the swing kicked in. His vocals - which were already somewhat weak and wispy - fell apart for a bit, although he got it back toward the end. Not his best performance, that's for sure. Randy would have you believe the opposite, so that automatically proves me right. Kara called him a dark horse - I don't think that's right at this point. I think he's right up there with Gokey for the non-Adam spot in the finale.

BTW: How hilarious is that americanidol.com commercial that has Alexis Grace splashed all over it? When did she get sent home? It feels like 1982. I'm not even convinced she was ever real. She's, like, Jem of the Holograms. Doesn't Michael Sarver seem like a distant memory at this point?

Allison Iraheta "Someone to Watch Over Me" Allison just turned 17, and is adorable. I've really grown to like this girl. She's so much more talented than her years, and I think she delivered a remarkably mature take on this song. Her diction was off in parts, but her tone was absolutely beautiful. I desperately hope she makes it through this week. I thought she handled Simon's question about whether she thought she could win the competition exceptionally well. And now that we're down to five, almost ALL of them will be trouble, Simon. Except for Adam, because he is The Anointed One.

Matt Giraud "My Funny Valentine" That beginning was ROUGH; he cannot start a song. I did appreciate the fact that he didn't put on the Timberfake filter and sang with a full voice, but he was all over the place in pitch. Mid-way through I was tempted to call it the worst performance of the night, but then he got toward the end and sounded so much better in the upper register. I think the key was just too low for him.

Danny Gokey "Come Rain or Come Shine" Danny sounded better than he has in weeks. He sounded very cool and relaxed, and totally comfortable. And he got downright funky toward the end. Danny got himself back into the game in a big way this week, and it was just the right time, because I felt his momentum slipping.

Adam Lambert "Feelin' Good" Adam just brought it. I don't know what else to say. It was just full force. He was just charging through that song, and I thought he kept the shrieky thing down to a minimum. A fantastic performance. There's nothing else to say.

I have to say, Adam and Gokey SHOULD be the only two safe. They were fantastic. That leaves the Kris (who should be fine), Allison, and Matt, and at this point Matt really needs to go. He wasn't terrible last night, but he has no business out-lasting Allison. So here's hoping for the end of Matt (and ZitWatch 2009).