The Final 4

Ok, I am going to keep this short and sweet since, as of late, I have become somewhat disenchanted with a show that SEEMED to be making a comeback in the beginning of the season. At any rate, here are my points of interest about this week's performance show...

1. The show producers and judges (mainly JLo and Randy) are showing so much bias to James Durbin it has become obsurd. On the opposite end of the spectrum their excessivly harsh and Randy's outright rude criticisms of Haley (under the guise of "pushing her because she is so good") are disgusting. Meanwhile Lauren, gets the kid gloves when her performances deserve more critique and less gushing.

2. James Durbin, seriously "set the bar" with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'"?? A bar that Haley did not live up to with her emotionally powerhouse "Earth Song" performance?? Whatever! I will give him props on song #2 though. He performed without overdoing it for once. Not bad!

3. I love Scotty too, JLo...that kid is set for stardom! Unfortunately for all the Country Music labels out there who are chomping at the bit for his Idol run to end, I have NO doubt Idol will keep him under contract and cash in on him.

4. Lauren Alaina....she has a good voice but she is TOTALLY disconnected in her performances. Song #2 was better, but she still comes off awkward on stage most of the time to me. I wish the judges would actually give her some constructive critiques.

5. Althought "backtalk" from a contestant to the judges is usually frowned upon by the voting audience, I believe Haley's was justified. I was actually glad to see her stand up for herself! Then Randy wants to dump on her again by basically saying all of them were good except her. The girl was fighting SO HARD to keep back the tears. Dude, yo, dawg...isn't it time for you to retire your judging spot yet?? You are sounding kinda....pitchy... On the flip side, Haley came back and SLAYED (new Randyism) "I Who Have Nothing"!! I loved this song when Jordin Sparks did it in Season 6 and now Haley has made me love it in a whole new way!! Nice job!!

6. GaGa as a mentor? I have to say...she did great. I liked how she found areas they needed to work on and pointed it out and gave them advice on how/what to do. Hmmmm, the Judging Panel should REALLY take notes!!!

Results....As I have said in the past, I am almost certain that we will have a James/Scotty finale. However, I would be pleasantly surprised by a Haley/Scotty finale. Will Randy's rudness work in Haley's favor or will her "backtalk" be to her demise? At any rate, I think Lauren's time is up and should be sent on her way. We will see tonight!