Kellie Pickler Drowns, Chris Daughtry Croons, Taylor Hicks Rocks, & Katharine McPhee Shines

…oh there were a few other performances tonight, but those aren’t the ones that we are going to be talking about around the watercooler tomorrow.

Tonight the future Idol’s are working with Rod Stewart and singing selections from his Great American Songbook. I’ll be honest, I’m soooo not a fan of Rod Stewart, but I do like the standards, so I think this could be a great night. Here’s my thoughts on each of the performances.

Chris Daughtry sang a “What a Wonderful World”, and oh how it was. He was charming and captivating. I loved that Chris’s signature raspiness came through ever so sweetly. I thought he nailed it, and the judges agreed.

Paris Bennett…oh Paris, what was your stylist thinking? I can’t believe none of the judges commented on your hideous, flight attendent-inspired red business suit. I thought Paris nailed her version of “Foolish Things”, but I was a bit distracted at points…I thought she was a bit nasaly (is that a word?)

How I love you Taylor Hicks!! I found myself clapping and yelling for you before the song was even over. Your rendition of Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” was near perfect. It was an incredible performance, and a spectacular ending. What a blast.

Elliott Yamin has a great voice, but I just don’t think it was his night. He sang “It Had to Be You”, and sang it well, but something wasn’t quite clicking. I disagree with Simon when it’s comes to Elliott’s personality. I think Elliott is endearing and he seems like maybe the smartest one of the bunch, but it wasn’t the performance he needed after being in the bottom group last week.

Kellie Pickler fell apart before our eyes. Her version of “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” started off strong, but it went to hell right in the middle. It was a train wreck. But I really liked that she owned up to it. Not sure if she’s acting or really that loopy, but I liked how she handled herself tonight. Um. any chance Kellie Picker got a nose job? I think she looks so different again tonight.

Ace Young is singing that song from The Wedding Singer. Sorry, but I can’t hear anyone but Adam Sandler singing the song. Dude…is that Ace or Kevin Federline? He had his hair pulled back tonight, and I really didn’t recognize him. He really looks different. I haven’t figured out if I like it or not, but I’m leaning towards no. Ace was much better than he has been in recent weeks, but he’s still going to be in the bottom three tonight.

This should be Katherine McPhee’s night. I’m typing this just minutes before her performance begins. Katherine is nothing if not classy, and I’m expecting a phenomenal performance. She is singing “Someone to Watch Over Me”, which happens to be one of my favorite songs of all time. Wait for it….Katherine was….very good, but not as good as she could have been. I didn’t get the chills, and I always get the chills listening to this song. I think I was distracted by her phrasing. She was breathing way too much, and breaking up the flow. Her voice is truly beautiful though, and there is no denying that. Simon really loved her, which is odd because he predicted the end was near for her.

Who’s in and who’s out…

Based on tonight’s performance, Kellie Picker should be going home tomorrow night. She will definitely be in the bottom three, along with Ace and Elliott. I’m thinking it’s unfortunately going to be Elliott leaving us tomorrow night. Although out of those three, he is by far the best.