Try not to look too far ahead, but keep your eyes on the future.

Hello again, Hello
It's time for that Idol show
Tonight we have the final five
There's just 4 weeks left
So, who will survive?
 
Hello, Brooklyn's Neil Diamond
There's no more Carly from Ireland
She could've sang your "America" tune
But she was given the heave
And she's gone back to not wearing sleeves
HELLO!
 
Welcome one and all…I expect a very big night from the 2 seventies singer-songwriter types: Our little Miss Brooke and Stoner Jason.  I also expect Syesha to do well as Neil Diamond's song are often gospel tinged.
 
Do ya wanna know how successful Neil Diamond has been? 
It's surprising. 
Only 5 other artists in the history of music (The Beatles, Elvis, Barbra, Elton, and The Stones) have more Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums than Neil. 
Neil has sold more albums than Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, & Neil Young combined!
 
Ryan sez, Each Idolator gets to sing 2 songs tonight.
The big question is:  Will Jason just think the second round was just déjà vu?
ROUND ONE:  (ding, ding)
Jason performs "Forever in Blue Jeans" as if he's Duncan Sheik, or Michael Penn.  Not bad but not as good as Will Ferrell's version… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU9lnmUHSUE
ROUND TWO: (ding, dong)
Jason's second song is another mellow tune, "September Morn".  Turn over the pillow, and go back to sleep, Jason.  And turn on your Heartlight.
 
What reason is there to review Mr. David Cook?.  He's wrapped this thing up already. 
On "I'm Alive" he mimics Neil Diamond's phrasing so well, It's scary.  Stop it, David.  You are just showing off now.  Just rest up.
 
As Ms. Paula Abdul starts to critique David after his first song, she says the oddest thing (well, not odd for Paula).  She says to David, "The two songs made me feel like you not fighting hard enough to get into the top four".  When it was pointed out that David has only sang once so far, she adds, "Oh my god, I thought you sang twice!"
 
"All I really need Is You" is David's second number (or the 14th for Paula) and it's typical David with a surprise falsetto at the end.  Give the boy the prize already.  
 
Brooke White.  High hopes for Brooke.  And yet I don't believe her on "I'm a Believer".  Classicly Juice Newton but not in a good way, tonight.
And although her second vocal on "I am…I said" was much better, weren't the vocals forced?  The autobiography from Neil, doesn't work for Brooke.  Replacing the lyric "New York City" with "Arizona" was pretty bad, but using the 3 syllable "Arizona" instead of "Phoenix" when the words "New York" pop up a second time is worse.  And then to top it, she knows the line "Lost between 2 shores" can't work for 2 states next to each other.  I'm sorry to pick on this point, but this was just a poor choice.  She am…she said, "bottom two"
 
David Archuleta.  "Sweet Caroline" has been a hit at bars and sporting events for decades.  Of course, David hasn't been to a bar (legally) yet, and his idea of a sporting event is Toy Story on Ice.  Here's a version for all my readers that are Yankees fans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VWa4GOAqTI&feature=related
Sorry, that was mean.  Wo! Wo! Wo! So Good! So Good!
David was his usual pleasant, good and polishingly boring self.
 
For his second number David croons, "America".
 
TRUE STORY FROM TOOT'S LIFE: I once sang this song at a big box store's grand opening on a stage in front of dozens of confused and sickened potential bargain hunting customers.
Afterwards a panel reviewed my performance.
Randy told me that I was "just a'right.  It wasn't feeling it.  And trust me I wanted to."
Paula said, "Of the three songs you sang tonight the fourth one was certainly the best." 
Simon said, "It was 'Orrible, and Amazing at the same time.  I mean, you are a cross between Uriah Heep and the Dixie Chicks.  It was impressive.  Now excuse me as I throw up into Paula's cup…Can someone please call me a lorry so I can get out of this dump?"
I actually won 2 tickets to see Neil Diamond at the Meadowlands for my vocals.  And then security escorted me (forcefully) out of the store.
 
Tonight, Syesha moves beyond the cloning she usually does.  Her version of "Hello" reminded me of Kelly Rowland (from Destiny's Child).  That's a fair assumption of Syesha.  She'll never be a Beyonce, but certainly she can be a secondary singer.
Her second tune, "Thank the lord for the night time" was some good old Girl Grouping fun.  Half 'Martha and the Vandellas' and half 'The Commitments', I thought this was a winner.  Certainly better than Simon gave her credit for.  And her dress was a success.  If she is gone this week and Jason stays, I'm gonna not gonna Thank the Lord for the Nightime.
 
prediction: Jason and Brooke.  Aww, Cracklin Rosie make me smile and kick off Jason