with all your faults, I [heart] you still...

Finally. I am excited about this season once again.

Yes, I know that some people found last night's celebration of classic American music somewhat of a snoozefest, and I suppose if one doesn't much like the music, one is not going to magically enjoy it coming from the seven finalists, but, speaking purely selfishly, this is my favorite genre, and the Big Band/Standards nights have always brought me joy. Last night was one of the finest.

And, while it may just be my tunnelled perception, it looked as though the kids were having a blast. But even if they weren't, they faked it well.

So it's tough to choose a loser when so many gave such terrific performances. But not that tough.

The DialIdol results that so many of us have been watching closely this season have seen a welcomed shake-up. For the first time there is no clear, runaway winner and the pack has bunched itself up tightly, mostly within the margin of error.

Now, while so many unaccounted-for variables (such as texting, incomplete calls being counted as votes, and a self-selected group of voters, myself included, contributing to the results) make it dangerous to use DialIdol as an accurate gauge of the voting trends, one must admit it's had an admirable accuracy rate thus far.

Taylor and Pickler have, essentially, dominated the vote. Not true this week, as Taylor continues to lead, but is within the margin of error of Elliott, who surged in the voting (I still say as a result of the Bucky-less voters and in reaction to his stellar results show performance last week) to push Pickler from the second spot. Add Katharine to the mix, and Pickler has dropped to fourth, but within the margin of Chris in fifth.

How refreshing to see that the top five are getting a mix-up and that, by all appearances, we really do not have an overwhelming, presumptive final two, as we have in virtually every season until now. Makes for an exciting home stretch.

But before we get to the home stretch, we have to lose some dead weight.

At this point, the only person who is completely secure is Taylor, who turned in a Taylor-esque performance last night. Pickler, who up until now has looked untouchable, took a hard hit as really the only one of the seven to tank last night, but I have to admit, I was impressed with her admission of suckiness, which is far more refreshing than one of those half-hearted, delusional "well, I think I rocked even though the entire free world knows I sucked" speeches. (Yes, Ace, I remember Queen week.) And, considering I don't give Pickler much in the way of praise, that's a biggie.

Chris has been running the risk of hitting the boredom and predictability plateau that has killed many an Idol kid, but last night's solid and true standards rendition may have awakened some of his early fans who were reminded, like I was, why they liked him in the first place. He really does have a good voice. When he's singing and not screaming.

It's kind of obvious that Katharine is becoming more and more one of the chosen ones, as the pimping has gotten more and more obvious. But last night's "you're leagues above everyone else in this competition," might have some negative consequences, because, while no one really debates that the girl can sing, she is not vocally leagues above Taylor, Chris, Elliott or even Paris.

Which brings me to Paris. Of the seven performances, hers, while technically sound, really was the most forgettable. I had to think for a minute this morning when trying to remember them all. And she has lagged toward the bottom of online polls all season. Simon may think she's destined for the final, but I don't think she's even going to make it to the top five.

Elliott. I truly think Elliott has totally screwed up all of their plans. There is always one contestant who comes out of nowhere, even though he/she wasn't expected to be much of a contender by the powers that be. Bucky and Elliott were this year's spoilers. Now Elliott is left, having, I think, benefitted from the Bucky vote (Bucky saying Elliott was his best friend sure didn't hurt any), and gaining more and more new fans/voters with every note he sings. Simon doesn't know how to stop his momentum, and he can't pick apart his vocals, so he goes for the "personality." Actually I think personality was the wrong word. Elliott has one of, if not the most, sparkling, genuine personalities of those who are left, now that Bucky's gone. And he's got a super cool mom. But his weakness is, as it's always been, stage presence. And while some voters (me) don't give a rat's patootie about dancing and camera flirting, many do, so while Simon's comments might sway some voters away from Elliott, the backlash against Simon's comments might equalize the vote.

And then there's Ace. Ace needs to go. A week ago last Wednesday. His performance on Queen night was cringe-worthy, which in and of itself may have saved him. Bad performances/negative reviews equal avid voting. Okay performances/lukewarm reviews equal complacency. And it's always good to have one of the kids going out on a good note.

Up until last night I was sniffing a shocker coming up, but I think that's gonna be next week. The sixth place finisher is often the unexpected one. This week I think things are gonna pan out the way they probably should.

So here's my lineup:

Who I want: Ace, Pickler, Paris (Ace)
Who should: Pickler, Paris, Ace (Ace)
Who will: Paris, Ace, Chris.

And if Ace doesn't go this time, I'm gonna be booking me a flight out to Los Angeles and take him out myself.

And I don't mean on a date.

Those are mine. Now show me yours.