American idol went to dollywood on tues night, and all the idols were ready for one big old hoedown. Dolly came to visit the remaining hopefuls on Saturday and each of them chose (or they chose a song, but if they aren't the producers favorites had to choose another) and sang their rendition of one of dolly's 3000 songs.

I must admit--I'm a big fan of country music, and I do love me some dolly--especially JOlene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, but i was quite pessimistic about this particular show--because her songs are generally geared for a woman to sing (though how great would it have been to see archie begging jolene not to take his man?). But, the idols pleasantly surprised me--some did incredibly well, while others struggled a bit. And when I say struggled, I mean lullaby maluby couldn't get the notes straight and bored me to tears, while i was afraid kristy lee would get a splinter in her foot and make ryan seacrest take it out on live tv. Now that would be some good stuff right there. Seriously though, let's discuss how each of the idols did this week with dolly parton.

First up is the PG rated, puppy dog, sweet as pie Brooke White. I like Brooke, and I think she is a sweet girl, but why, why, why did she get JOlene? WHy did they not let Carly have it? Carly wanted it, and she would have owned it--why Brooke, why did you get it? Anyway, She sings Jolene (my favorite dolly song by a mile) and she plays guitar. I thought she sang pleasantly, and she hit the notes right, and it was an ok performance. But, for some reason I just don't buy that Brooke was truly begging Jolene to not take her man. I mean she was smiling as she sang that Jolene's beauty is beyond compare with flaming locks of auburn hair with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green. She smiled when she sang please don't take him just because you can, and she smiled as she was singing that she could never love again he's the only one for her, and she just can't compete with jolene. Am I the only one that thinks that is odd? To me, that song should be sung with the raw emotion it is supposed to evoke. And, Brooke left me emotionless. I don't buy it. Brooke is not competing with Jolene, and honestly I think Brooke wants for Jolene to take her man. Can we do this thing over and give Jolene to Carly please?? Overall the song was ok, Brooke was ok, and she didn't talk as much during the judges critiques (thankfully). Randy and paula liked it, but Randy admitted that it wasn't her best. Simon, like me, didn't see the emotion that the song should have shown from Brooke. Brooke landed in the bottom 3 and i wasn't surprised. A little tidbit--when Brooke was told she was in the bottom 3 they went to commercial, and she was so upset she was hyperventilating--carly had to get her together before the cameras rolled again (poor brooke, I know that was tough, especially when you haven't yet seen the bottom 3). But she lives to sing another week, and we get to hear Brooke sing songs of inspiration next week for Idol gives back.

David "the rockstar" Cook. David is the best at making a song stand out--he is the resident rockstar and I get excited to see what he's going to do with a song every week. I think this guy will make it to the finale if his health stays in check (his hospital visit was scary). David chose to sing Little Sparrow--and yet again he proved to be the star he is. Another stellar performance from David. And more impressive is that he almost collapsed right before going on stage to sing because his blood pressure was so high. He is awesome. Thank god he is ok, and was back on wednesday. The judges all 3 loved him, and there's not much more you can say about that. He is awesome.

Ramiele--poor, poor ramiele. I felt for her this week, I really did. It was time for her to go, but i still felt bad for the girl. But, the good news is she is going on tour and she is about to make some mad cash--i mean mad cash. So, Dolly is excited to see that there's someone on the show that's as small as she is. I don't know if it's me or not, but I never realized Dolly was that small--I guess her assets make her look taller or something. But, anyway, Ramiele chooses to sing DO I ever Cross Your Mind--seriously, she chose this song? NO she didn't--she Chose I will Always Love YOu, but that went to Syesha. SO she was stuck with her second pick. And, it proved detrimental. Ramiele lost her confidence after her Dusty SPringfield performance and she just hasn't gotten it back. I think she has a great voice, but she needs to find the confidence, and work on her stage presence. She was pitchy through the whole song, and she really did not look like she was having fun up there at all. I didn't buy it, and I knew she was going home. It was her time--it has been Kristy's time for several weeks now, but she keeps on going and going -- Thank you vote for the worst. So we said goodbye to rami, and she will be fine--believe me she will be fine.

Archie--I need to start this by saying I find it very hard to root for Archie--he has way too much support and too many inside perks that are incredibly unfair and i just can't support him. IN addition to that, i plain and simple find him boring. I leave the room when he comes on because i know he will be singing a ballad, i know that i probably won't like it, and i don't like the way his mouth moves when he sings--it bothers me--i know that's bad, but sue me--I DON'T LIKE HIS MOUTH and i wish he would go home. He's boring. He has a great voice, but no charisma at all. And, i just can't help it. I'm not an archie fan, and I never will be. Anyway he sang Smokie Mountain Memories and for the first time all season he actually sang a ballad. I was impressed....no, really a ballad. He sang really well, the judges loved him, and i think he needs to go to disneyworld. He will be the next american idol, mark my words. I will gladly eat crow if he's not. So there you have it--

The irish girl--my favorite girl--Carly Smithson--I know I"m biased, but I love Carly. ANd she deserved to sing jolene dammit. I had visions of how well she would have sung jolene, and they were all dashed by brooke white. But, i am not bitter. Carly sang Here We Come Again, and I will admit, I was worried about it. It's sort of a more cheesy song, and i didn't want her to seem out of sorts--i mean carly isn't cheesy she is hardcore--just look at her. But, she took that dolly parton song made it into a ballad, and rocked that joint. Vocals were flawless, song was beautiful, and it showed that Carly means business. It was THE BEST OF THE NIGHT and i don't care what simon or any of the judges say--carly was the best BY A MILE. And damn simon to hell for making her cry about her fashion sense--can't you see she is different and unique? I think Carly should stay just the way she is, she has charisma, she has stage presence, and that little irish girl can sing--I'm rooting for you Carly and hope you make it to at least the Final 3. At least she gets to be there for Idol gives back where she gets to meet her favorite group of all time-HEART--Can I get a hell to the yeah??

Jason castro--he sang traveling through--and he was alright-just aight

Kristy Lee Cook--So the country resident made it to Dolly night--and funny thing--she didn't impress me. She sang Coat of Many Colors--and she sang fine--but i don't believe she actually had to make herself a coat--not for a minute. ANd what happened to her shoes? Did ryan steal them from her during the commercial break? DId Simon? Girl put on some shoes, no need to go barefoot on that big old nasty stage. But, I digress. Kristy is one of those contestants who is just forgettable--she sings ok, she's a cute girl, but I have yet to remember any of her performances. I can't even tell you what she sang last week. And, I had to go and look up what she sang on Dolly night. I don't think that's a good sign. Luckily for her she wasn't as bad as ramiele, and she has the backing of vote for the worst. But, my guess is she will be singing her swan song next week.

Syesha Mercado--Am I the only one who is mad that she sang I Will Always Love You? I mean how predictable is that? That's my only problem with Syesha--she is far too predictable--she doesn't really ever try to go outside her comfort zone or challenge herself. SHe always picks the song you expect for her to sing. I thought she did really well with IWALY, but no one will ever compare to Whitney's version so it's really not good to sing that song -- or any whitney song for that matter. Hopefully we won't get the greatest love of all next week--but we might. I think Syesha will leave after Kristy. She's cute as a button though and she can really sing. I like syesha and want her to do well. I just want her to stretch herself a little more.

MIchael Johns--How hot is he? I mean seriously--how hot is he? I love watching him, I love looking at him, I love listening to him talk, and I love to see him perform on stage. He is one of those contestants who really knows how to work the stage and has more charisma in his pinky than archie has in his whole body--yes i said it, and you know it's true. He sang a song I had never heard before--It's all wrong, but it's allright. Can't say it was my favorite song, but he sang it so well i forgive him the song choice. I like everything he sings--or maybe i just like looking at him I don't know. But, I want to marry that man--i really do. I know he's already married, but he is who I want. I MUST HAVE HIM.

Overall the night was filled with surprises, some good, some bad, but in the end, we were led down to 8. Tune in next week for Idol Gives Back and vote for Carly Smithson..LOL

kwtaylor