American Idol: The Final Four

Jason Castro: I'm not quite over the pretty that is Jason Castro. I still want to take him between my knees and go to that head of his with a bottle of patchouli oil, but it's time release Jason Castro back into the wild and let him roam freely in the local coffee shop.  Ever  since his  Israel Kamakawiwo'ole inspired (and inspiring) rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," it has sort gone downhill for him, starting with that catastrophic take on "Memory" and culminating with last night two performances. "I Shot the Sheriff" was a disaster, but I'm willing to be a little forgiving for his take on Bob Dylan's "Mr Tambourine Man", in spite of the fact that he "lost the lyric."  "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man! Play a song for me and nun nuh nun nuh," was just about as unintelligible as Dylan is on some of his own song. However, I think Jason Castro is pretty much over this whole experience and is ready to go anyway. So I hope America puts him out of his misery tonight.

Hilary Syesha Mecardo: I wanted her out of this this thing a couple of weeks ago but she will not quit.  Her version of "Proud Mary" was a little too sharp for me and reminded me more of season 2's Trenyce more so than of Tina Turner. And did I hear her right? Did she compare her American Idol  journey to the Civil Rights struggle when introducing her second song, Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" ? 'Yesh  way to put the me in Mecardo. A landing strip meet and greet stinging critique is nowhere near as brutal as sniper fire being hosed down, spit on, accosted with dogs  and cursed. Get over yourself, honey. I found myself agreeing with Randy assessment of the song. She should have kept it simple. "A Change Is Gonna Come" doesn't need to be belted out and dressed up with glory notes.

And "Baba O' Reily" doesn't need to be dressed up in work shirt and rude fit jeans from Hot Topic. Which brings us to the Chosen Ones.  The voters The powers that be seem to be angling for a David vs. David showdown and that looks like where we're headed. So I really haven't paid much attention to the two.

David Cooke: He's competent enough of a singer, but the last time he really moved  me was with his stalkerish reinterpretation  of Mariah Carey's "Always  Be  My Baby."  After hearing my hubby massacre "Hungry Like the Wolf" during our karaoke competition, anybody that does it a modicum of justice is a welcome relief. And Cook did a little bit more than that last night. However, I hated his emo-nization of "Baba O' Reily."

David Archuleta: I'm willing to give credit when when credit is due. After two weeks of the Beatles, songs from '70's and Ye Ole Pirate Shanties From Centuries of Yore,  I'm willing to give David's stage dad  the World's Wittlest Idol credit  for trying to drag this competition ,kicking and screaming, into the 21st century . I liked how he threw a bit of Sean Kingston's  "Beautiful Girl" into his performance of "Stand By Me" What I didn't like is that he has a case Beyonceitis (along with every other up and coming pop and R&B singer)  and wants to throw frigging runs into every song.  It's not neeEEEeeeEeded all the tiiiIIIiiiIime.

Gone tonight (if there is a kind and merciful God): Jason Castro. So long, my pretty.