I liked Sabrina because of the first top 24 show, when she sang a fun song. When Ryan asked her why she'd specifically not wanted to sing a ballad, she was basically like, "Well I've seen the show before. It never seems to work out."

And I totally agree with that. Maybe further down the road when people know you better, but to start the top 24 and if nobody really knows you? Boring is not the right way to go. (I tune out ballads. I try not to, but I zone out.) I liked that someone on the show had actually taken past seasons into account, instead of acting like this is the most unique season ever, and never recognizing that there have been past con-*test*-('")ants who did well or badly.

I liked Sabrina and Jared. I mean, they were never gonna win but they both seemed like fairly cool people. I get the opposite vibe off Jordin, who strikes me as arrogant and bratty. Must you stoop every week when you stand next to Ryan? You're tall. We get it. You don't have to be rude.

And I'm happy because Melinda and Brandon are both safe. I have no idea why I love Brandon, but I do sooo love him, and I wasn't ready for him to go yet.

I don't see Jordin as being rude when she does that. I think she's just a 17 year old girl who's not yet comfortable with her height.

Speaking as a doppelganger for Jordin (except I didn't know what to do with my hair when I was 17), that's exactly what I would have done--I felt (and still sort of do) totally comfortable with my body until I see myself next to someone of "normal" or small stature. Then I'm like, OMG, SO BIG and I want to even the playing field.

After her first song, which I wasn't familiar with, I never really liked Sabrina's voice. It always sounded slightly flat or sharp to me, but since the judges never pointed it out, maybe it didn't sound that way in the room. And oddly enough, in her interview clips she seemed to have so much personality (and I thought she looked way better before she started dying her hair), but that never came across in performance. So I wasn't too sorry to see her go.

I thing the fundraiser idea is a fantastic way to use the show's fame and audience support.

I'm not as outraged over Sanjaya and Haley as I should be because I'm so happy Antonella is gone.

On Ryan Seacrest's radio show (shut up), both Jared and Sundance said that one of the final guys feels like he has this season "in the bag." But they wouldn't name names. Any guesses? I think it's Chris S. Maybe Blake. It makes me sad, though, b/c I don't want to think of either of them as being so utterly full of themselves. Plus, have they NOT heard the women? It's all about the girls this season.

I think it's Chris S., too. He's gotten progressively more annoying and more smug with his canned responses as the season has gone on, and the last show took the cake. When Ryan asked him if he felt he should or would go through, Chris responded with something like, "at the risk of looking like a fool, I'll say 'I hope so'."

That ended up sounding less humble than even "yes, I think I should," would have. Oh, so clearly you think you're going through, but just to save a little face, you'll hedge? Ugh. I don't like him at all.

And I still really like him.

I don't think he'll win, but I think his vocals are great and he's really talented.

It has to be Chris S. He's so smug and full of himself.

I still really like him too. I mean, I think it was pretty obvious he was going to make it through, but for some reason, we have a culture that rewards (however affected) humbleness, so he went for that route instead.

Chris S. looked like he was going to be mouth-hanging-open shocked when Ryan faked him out before the commercial. But I think he was one of the better guys, so shock would have been appropriate.

But I still think it might be him. I hope it's not Blake, I get the feeling that Blake has more experience out on his own which might preclude him from acting like he's "got it in the bag" (hopefully), and his demeanor thus far has been okay. Chris S. is right on the edge between funny and smug, so I can easily see how he might come across as full of himself.

What was that godawful song that Haley sang? Because, really, her whole aura just screamed "I'M MARIE OSMOND, 2007". Her voice is definitely not suited for AI. She's a showtune girl.

I think a big part of the problem, this year especially, is that most of the con-*test*-('")ants can rock it acapella-style; but then when they've got a band backing them up, their voices aren't strong enough to take it (see: Chris R). And then, of course, you can hear just how sharp/flat they really are (see: every girl who's not Melinda, Lakisha, or Jordan).

That's a fair point, and I'm quite short so that really never occurred to me. I didn't like her from her audition, though, so I'm probably viewing everything she does through the "I Don't Like Her" prism.

I was checking out Diana Ross songs on Wikipedia, and I'm now trying to figure out who will try to take on "Mahogany/Do You Know Where You're Going To?" and try to make it sound current.

Oh, I would never try to dissuade anyone from stepping away from the "I Don't Like You" prism. I have a whole rainbow of hate for Chris Sligh from mine.

Best Week Ever showed the clip of Sanjaya hula dancing and had the great comment, "Look at me, America. How can I get voted off? Here's another thing I suck at. Please get me off this show." Also: "Nothing Sanjaya could do now would shock me. Except maybe having a girlfriend."

Judging by TWoP, there are people that just love Sanjaya because he's..young, I guess? And so that makes him "cute"? Frankly, I think he's butt-ugly, and he comes across as creepy. His behavior may be endearing in a five year old but he's 17! He's like a skinny, older Ralph Wiggum.