- Dude, why is Ryan so scruffy tonight? He can't shave for charity?

- OMG BONO I LOVE YOU OKAY.

- Awwww, it's the Coldplay Song of Starving African Babies Are Sad. Seriously, though, Simon crying was the Wrongest Wrongity in Wrongville. It's like seeing Satan crying. DO NOT WANT.

- Chris: Whoa, he was brilliant tonight. He totally made up for last week's travesty. I was a bit annoyed by his overuse of the Sassy White Boy Head Bob but his vocals were so strong that I can easily overlook that minor annoyance. I'm so proud of him.

- Okay, why did Ryan say Bono was the guest mentor if we're not going to get to see him, y'know, mentoring each contestant? I CALL SHENANIGANS.

- Hi, Brandon Rogers! You're still ridiculously pretty.

- Melinda: Between last week and tonight, she's back in my good graces. She gave me chills tonight. Absolutely flawless and captivating. Also, loved her dress and shoes, hated her necklace.

- Oh, lord. Can't Ryan and Simon drop the Gay Panic "Comedy" Hour for Idol Gives Back? Obviously not. STFU, both of you.

- Blake: I do think, after the powerful vocal performances that Chris and Melinda delivered, Blake's felt a little boring. But I agree with Paula and Simon that his sincerity shone through and, as always, Blake has that ineffable something that makes him so charismatic. Flove him.

- Aside from the one comment I made above, I'm not going to post about the IGB segments. Not that I don't care or think they're doing a good thing. I do, on both counts. I just don't watch the show for SRS BSNS.

- LaKisha: Okay, she needs to stop stealing from her Idol betters. Carrie last week and now Fantasia. As much as I am irritated by the Carriebot, her singing can wipe the floor with LaKisha's, and I think Fantasia is the second best singer to win Idol (after Kelly, of course). LaKisha sucked tonight. She was shrieky or flat through the entire song.

- Phil: Okay, he mentioned his kids and the Oklahoma City bombing. If he brings up 9/11, it's a vote pandering hat trick. Whoa, is he sick? He's singing completely with his head voice, instead of his chest voice. He's not aurally assaulting me like LaKisha did but he's rather crappy.

- Jordin: HOLY SHIT THAT WAS AMAZING. Not only do I love this song beyond all reason, Jordin effing wiped the floor with everyone's asses. She made me tear up, she was that incredible. WOW.

My favorites: JORDIN. Also, Chris, Melinda, and Blake
Should go home: LaKisha
Will go home: LaKisha, unless her fanbase rallies after last week. Then, Phil.

It's weird - I don't hate any of this top 6. I have contestants I think aren't that good (LaKisha and Phil) or are a bit annoying (Phil) but there's nobody I out and out loathe. This is a completely new AI experience for me.