The Questionably-Elite Eight

(Click on the chart to view standings)
To see everyone's picks and a full standings breakdown, click here.

Yes folks, Eight contestants remain after the shameless "Songs that are on iTunes" week, and thankfully, mercifully, gloriously, Megan Joy is not one of them. The awkward-dancing, sleeve-o-tats-having, Amy Winehouse-esque, crooner opted to cover Bob Marley and instead of being shown the love she was shown the door. But Megan wasn't the only contestant to turn in a sub-par performance in last week's show and with a seemly limitless choice of songs, there were more misses than hits.

Not the worst performance, but certainly the most disappointing, was Lil, who played it safe yet again, choosing a yawn-o-riffic Celine Dion ballad instead of something, anything with some swagger to it. What the hell happened to the Lil Rounds that came out blazing to Mary J. Blige in the top 36? Where's the attitude? If Lil get's any whiter this week, she'll be gone.

And speaking of being white ... Anoop ... seriously ... Usher?! No Anoop. Just ... no.

Danny Gokey was solid and picked a pretty risky song but I wouldn't have piled on the praise as much as the Judges did.

Matt Giraud singing the Fray was, to me, a lot less mediocre than I usually find him. But the Judges hated it, so clearly I just don't get this kid.

Adam Lampbert was obnoxious as usual but the judges didn't heap the attention on him as they usually do so I won't either.

Allison Iraheta has the perfect voice to sing No Doubt but her attempt at playing the guitar was absolutely useless. She only played for about 12 seconds before swinging the guitar behind her back where it sort of handcuffed her the rest of the way through the performance. She could have tore that song up but instead she just sort of stood in front of the mic looking awkward.

Scott was actually not that bad this week. Billy Joel was a good fit and he finally turned in a solid vocal. But the hair do ... really. You're lucky you're blind Scott, or there would really be no excuse for that.

Ok, Ok, enough venom. Because there was one performance that made it all worth while. Kris "formerly-most-forgetable-contestant" Allen was absolutely smokin' doing "Ain't No Sunshine". It was original, inventive and full of punch. Kris gets better every week. He's got a John Mayer, Jason Mraz-y style that's very relevant. He's a cool young married guy which I've gotta get behind, and I've gotta say, the guy I once thought was too boring to make it past the first round is fast becoming my favorite contestant.

Not much movement in the pool this week, Most people had Megan out already so Melissa Clement remains in front with Amy A. nipping at her heels. People are starting to have fewer red marks though as we reach the middle of the pack so it's still anyone's pool (well, almost anyone's) This week the Idols will be singing songs from the year they were born and Allison Iraheta will make us all feel old when she drops a top hit of 1993 ... sadly, she could sing No Doubt again if she wanted to. The Swami says: "Get yourselves a good dose of Anoop Dogg this week - It will be your last chance."

Make sure you come back next week when Mike Siciliano will take the reigns as guest-blogger for some fresh-perspective snarkiness - See you then!