Ramiele Malubay
performed Alone by Heart

Well. It wasn't very good. It was better than her past few performances, but I don't think that'll keep her out of the Bottom 3. She's pretty much dead in the water. If she doesn't go this week, she'll be picked off within the next 2 or 3, tops. Shame, she's adorable. Just hurts her chances of winning that she's not nearly as good as the others.

It's not good when the backup singers are better than you. Well...at the very least they over-powered her. I'm sad, because I think this just proved to me that I don't think she can win. She didn't move around the stage, she doesn't perform much, she just stands still. She could've done a lot more with it. Sure, she belted a few hot notes, but...I don't think it was good enough to stick around much longer.

I think it was a little too big for her, but I guess she was sick. I'm glad she didn't pick a real slow song, but this song choice still wasn't great. I like Ramiele, and I think her fans may not be able to keep her safe this week.

You know what? I don't care if one of them is sick, either. The question is, did he or she SING WELL. Whatever the reason. Sorry, but you have to be heartless about this kind of thing.

You know I can't do that, Clyde. I AM Julie Heart, after all. What if one of your favorites had a cold and blew it one week? You'd change your tune if it was Brooke White.

True, but I'd still put her in the Bottom 3!

Jason Castro
performed Fragile by Sting

I have no idea what that song was at all...but it was really good! I was feelin' his vibe. I love the little vocal tricks, you can tell he was feelin' it while he was singing. Hot! Awesome! Sweet! Off the HOOK! And that he reffed the "keytar" during his intro video gives him bonus points from Artie!

Aww, it's his birthday! He's been playing guitar since he was a kid...and this was a natural song choice for Jason. It's not really what I'd expect to see on American Idol, but I liked it. The vocals weren't that impressive, but it made him look good, and he needed that.

I think it WAS a good vocal, actually...and he retained his emotional edge. I think the little ladies have found a boy to rally behind...and I'll continue to support him because he's just DIFFERENT. He's not a polished, showy jerk. Music doesn't NEED more of those. He's the guy playing in the subway, sure. But that's his appeal. He's the guy at the college coffeehouse, and that roughness mixed with the blue eyes and solid vocals should keep him around for a while. He does need to find a way to show a bit of depth, but let's be honest...this is what he'd do if he made an album. Why try to make him into something he's not? Long live Castro.

Syesha Mercado
performed If I Were Your Woman by Alicia Keys

First of all...the hair is BACK, which makes me HAPPY! I love the hair! Second, I think the VOICE is back, too! She was pretty strong. I thought it was solid, maybe a LITTLE pitchy at times...but, still, pretty darn powerful! Good stuff.

Good vocal, but I'm pretty sure I'm over her. And it's not just a hair thing, Artie, I'm afraid. It's only a matter of time before we all have to pretend to be surprised that she's sent home. It was her best in weeks, but the video clip they showed of her in the recap at the end displayed the worst, wobbliest part of her performance. She may even end up in the Bottom 3, but I think she'll be back next week. She's lucky the other girls were just mediocre...

WHAT?! Clyde, you're crazy! It was awesome. I'm SO glad Syesha is reminding us why she could still WIN this season! I love her, and I thought this was great. I've never heard the song before, but it worked for her.

Chikezie
performed If Only for One Night by Luther Vandross

You know, I usually don't like Chikezie...but I didn't hate him this week! It was honest, I thought, where he usually comes off as cheesy...or just plain CRAZY.

We continue to disagree, Julie! BORING! Lame song choice. Decent vocal, especially at the end...but, bad song. He'll be in the Bottom 3, and may even go home. Should've learned his lesson...he wasn't in danger of being eliminated when he did faster, more energetic songs during the Beatles weeks. I think he's in trouble, even if he's got an okay voice.

If he's gonna' portray himself as a goof, he needs to stop singing sappy "make love to me" songs like this! It was a good vocal, especially that lower-register ending he did. But...personally, I don't think that's the kind of song he will be able to pull off out there on his own. I think he needs to do more upbeat, energetic songs. Still, a decent performance, but one DANGEROUSLY close to forgettable.

Brooke White
performed Every Breath You Take by The Police

I'm on the fence, because I kinda' liked it and I kinda' didn't. I didn't like the arrangement very much. I like the original, and that wasn't my favorite version. She didn't murder it, but she DID make it a Brooke song, instead of a Police song, which is admirable. I don't think it showed off her voice well, but it was still good. I guess. Wasn't bad enough to break my fanboy crush on her, though.

Even with the little mistake in the beginning, I think she still did OK. It could have been great, because this was a good song for her...but I agree with the judges that she should have stayed with JUST the piano, and not brought in the band. She'll be fine this week, though.

The false start was handled BRILLIANTLY. She just kept going. That's what a pro would do, people. She's shown the ability to admit mistakes and make strengths out of weaknesses. Here's where I disagree with you, once again, Julie. She was beaten up a few weeks ago for doing a slow song and NOT speeding it up into a rock thing...it was when she did "Love is a Battlefield." This week, she takes that advice and gets slammed for the arrangement. Oh, well. I thought it was great. Voice is still lovely, personality is still delightful, performance was good enough. I liked it, and usually don't much care for the song...she's got a knack for that! Safe, and still the strongest and most-original woman in the competition.

She's good, don't get me wrong. I just didn't like where the arrangement went. I think if she had had more TIME to work with it, it could've been better. Cramming that whole song into the short time hurts them, sometimes, because they may not always be the best parts of the song. Whenever she just sings and plays piano, she amazes you. When the band comes in, it's too much. A major improvement over last week, though!

Same here, dogg. Didn't dig when it sped up, but I still dig her.

I don't think either of you quite understands how powerful a thing it is for me when someone can make a song from the 80s, a POLICE song, bearable. This performance was a total winner, in my book. Warts and all.

Michael Johns
performed We Will Rock You/We are the Champions by Queen

Back to Queen, huh? Okay, well...I'm tired of the complex arrangements he insists on using, lately. He's standing out more, which is good...but, come on! He is NOT Freddie Mercury! He'll get away with it, again, mainly because there were worse performances. But he might not be able to perform another Queen song soon enough to save him from an early demise. I'M ON TO YOU, MICHAEL JOHNS! This will keep him safe for another week or two. He's got a fine voice, I just think he's very bland. Even during a rock classic. Bland guys with a bit of talent do well, but they don't win American Idol. Right, Blake Lewis?

He is NOT bland! I love that he rocked-out to Queen, again! That was great, and the audience went nuts. Great song for him and great performance.

That was what America wanted from Michael Johns! It was NOT, however, what Artie wanted from Michael Johns. I want him singing INXS, and being the new Michael Hutchence. He should've been on that reality show, where the winner became the new frontman of INXS! I don't know why. Doesn't really make sense. I just think he could pull that off. But singing Queen again is going to work for him, no matter WHAT I think...and that makes me sad.

Carly Smithson
performed Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler

Back in time, we're transported to the 80s, once again. I hate this stuff. Pretty much all popular music from that decade was a big, gloppy, cheesy mess. That said, it was a fine song choice for Carly. This is what her concert would sound like...Celine Dion 2000. The ending was absolutely disgusting, and I don't think the entire performance was as solid as it should be from someone we're constantly told is SO talented. A little sloppy, but I liked her performance of "Blackbird," so what do I know? She should be safe, but you never can tell. America's stupid, sometimes.

I LOVE this song for her! It was the perfect choice! I disagree with Randy, this was Carly's song. She may not have executed it perfectly, but it was good and people will remember it!

She stepped back into Celine/Belting Mode. The run at the end was unnecessary, and I didn't like it at all. It was too much. I want to put her in the same category as Michael Johns...her fans will gobble it up, but I wasn't really into it. Solid vocal, just like his. I wasn't a fan of that. Just kind of smarmy and...meh.

David Archuleta
performed You're the Voice by John Farnham (jigga-HUH?!)

He comes off as theatrical sometimes, like he should be singing in Disney's High School Musical.

Julie, please. He's not old enough to be in high school.

Oh, of course he is, Clyde! And Paula was SO right saying he could sing the phone book and people would love him. It's so true! He's the Golden Boy right now.

That's definitely true. He can do no wrong to a lot of fans. It was a lousy song choice for anyone who isn't a Clay Aiken or Josh Grobin fan. And I suspect all of Archie's fans DO fall into one or both of those categories. He's safe as safe can be, though I kind of wish he'd stumble a bit. Maybe some kind of fire would be lit, and he'd prove himself to me all over again. He's not coasting, but he's not improving. I don't know...good enough, but not my thing.

Same as the last few, dogg! Good vocal, don't care about the song! I was frustrated last night, man. Just weird...the whole night just bugged me out, for some reason!

Kristy Lee Cook
performed God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood

Cheesy jingoism at its best...which is the worst! She's safe, though, and I'll tell you why. This is proof that she can sing to the Country music-loving audience WITHOUT necessarily singing a Country song. Her best performances so far have been "Amazing Grace" and, sadly, this song. That's your audience, Kristy, darling. Sing to it and only it! But it was a brilliant song choice. If she goes home this week, I will absolutely be shocked. It would be the most shocking moment in American Idol history, no doubt. Safe, safe, safe. Vomit.

MISSION ACCOMP-LEE-SHED!

Cute, Clyde. And smart move, Kristy. She's banking on people not wanting to vote off the patriotic chick...and she actually did a pretty good job with the song, I have to admit. She might actually make it through another week!

I officially hate this week. It's split between "Who Cares About This Song Because I've Never Heard It" and "Who Cares About This Song Because I've Heard It Too Much." I was just TIRED after watching this episode. Everyone is spoonfeeding exactly what their audiences want to hear to their fans. Carly did a big, slow thing she can belt on. Michael Johns went back to Queen. Archie just did his normal, adorable, predictable thing. Now, KLC goes the blatant, easy, patriotic route. They're all playing the game, now. I know that's how you win votes, but...I don't like the pandering. She's safe, because America loves America...not because she's good.

David Cook
performed Billie Jean by Michael Jackson

I get to go first, because you guys will make fun of him the entire time, and he's awesome!

Be our guest, then. I'll take that as an invite to bash him harder once you've had your turn, ha ha.

You know what? Go ahead! He just gets better and better every week. I love him, and he makes music MAGIC. I'm not a big Michael Jackson fan, and I never particularly liked this song...but David made it GREAT! I don't care what Clyde or ANYONE ELSE says...it was freakin' SWEET!

Artie, go for it. I'll wait...

Know what? I liked it! I don't usually like David Cook's sound, but I thought he did a good job. He injected his own rocker facade into something that's a Pop song...and it made it into a rock anthem. He took the song, made it his own...I was actually cool with it. This is exactly the opposite of what made me mad all night. After Kristy Lee poured it on thick, I didn't feel like this was forced or pandering. It didn't feel fake...for ONCE. Dogg.

Okay, look. Unlike Julie, I AM a fan of Michael Jackson's music. He's one of the all-time greats, without question, and "Billie Jean" is one of his best. Let's talk about what was missing - the BASSLINE. That song is all about the groove, and that Cook made it into a tender rock ballad isn't cool to me at all. It was 500% melodramatic. Yuck. It's brilliant, sure, because his fans will eat it up. But, come on. He's nothing original. He's learned to play to his crowd, and that's good enough to keep him around for many more weeks. I will never be a fan. I hate his look, his demeanor, his smug attitude and his predictable performances. And, yes, they ARE predictable. I've never heard "Billie Jean" done this way, before...but I knew exactly how it was going to sound after the first line or two. A solid performance that will work for his fanbase and make fans of actual rock music - and Michael Jackson - squirm. He's neck-and-neck with David Archuleta for male frontrunner, but I'm happy to cast my vote for the Independent candidate and continue to support Jason Castro. He would CLEARLY do more interesting music than Cook, who, if he ever put out an album, would fill it with the same heartbreak-rock garbage Chris Daughtry has been peddling. No bald jokes. I'm done with him. He's dead to me. Enjoy the colossal mistake you're making, America.

Um...hey, I have an idea. Let's move on to our predictions. Maybe that'll lighten the mood up a little in here...

Ramiele's in the Bottom 3, overshadowed by her backup singers...along with Chikezie and David Archuleta. I know there's NO WAY he'll be in there...but he deserves it for that song choice. It feels weird putting the Annointed One in there, but I have to continue my "He's Good, But I Don't Know What He'll Do After This Contest" thing. The other two just didn't bring their A-games, and Ramiele might be seriously damaged at this point. Chikezie needs to bring back and maintain the energy. Ramiele's going home, though. Feel free to shock me, though, America! Oh, and Best of the Night were David Cook and Syesha.

I really hate it, but I have to put Ramiele in my Bottom 3. I love her, but there were some great performances, and she didn't kick butt. I'll put Kristy Lee in the Bottom 3, because she needs to go home...but probably won't. David Arcuhleta probably should be in the Bottom 3, but I'll round it out with Chikezie. I think Ramiele may go home, she's loveable but she's not picking her perfect song. David Cook, no surprise, is my shining star above all the rest. Best of the night!

Ramiele not being able to sing anything but this mythical perfect song well is a bad sign, you know. There's this ONE song that is going to make her the best? Please. She's on her cute way home...but not this week. I think Chikezie leaves, obviously putting him in my Bottom 3. I'll throw Syesha in there, too, just for good measure. Have to play Devil's advocate, you know. But, yes...this is the end for Chikezie, even though Ramiele should leave. I think being cute will save her, and it will be a terrible, terrible thing. Best of the night? Brooke, for me. She was the only one I cared much about, and the only girl who can win this competition. David Cook was good, but makes me too mad. I hate him as a human being, not just as a singer. He represents all that is wrong with music, to me. Last season, guys like Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis were doing THE SAME THING, taking recognizeable songs and flipping them all around with arrangements that fit their one trick. It's shallow and phony and I see right through it. Will America? Not this week. They won't see past Ramiele's short skirt, either. Chikezie's out, but doesn't deserve it.

***** DISCLAIMER *****
The opinions expressed by the three "FOX43 Idol Experts" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOX43, Tribune Broadcasting or FOX.
***************************