lose one, lose another...

Jon Bonjovi is in the house, rocking with the kids. Two are gonna bite the dust after tonight, because we just couldn't, apparently, bear to execute an Idol kid while attempting to raise gazillions to feed the starving children all over the universe.

So they say they're gonna add last week's votes to this week's votes, allowing for the possibility that one of the kids who didn't place last either week to get kicked to the curb.

I hate double boots.

But THIS is American Idol.

And in a bizarre double elimination night, where the President and First Lady close show and Chris is better than Jordin, anything can happen.

But anyway, here they are, my early impressions, subject to review and revision and, as usual, from worst to first.

Jordin Sparks (Livin' on a Prayer). Jordin is second up, and apparently had a tragic hair accident on the way down the hall. Gratefully, she is the first person to admit the performance was, well, not good. It was frenetic, bordering on shrieking, according to Simon, but she accepts the unanimous poor reviews graciously, which is gonna save her. That and the body of work she's turn in so far.

Chris Richardson (Wanted Dead or Alive). Chris makes sure to let everyone know that he knows that Daughtry recorded this song last year, wisely avoiding the LaKisha remarks. And he turns in a perfectly acceptable, if a bit strident, version of this BonJovi classic. Simon gives him a half and half shot of surviving tomorrow.

Phil Stacey (Blaze of Glory). Phil says he's been practicing this song with his comb for 15 years. Practice, obviously, pays off, as he opens the show schmoozing with the audience and has a little exchange with Randy before hitting the big stage. Randy says it's his best performance aside from country week. Paula says it's the best show opener all season, and Simon tells him he'll probably not last to next week, which is sure to light a fire under his voters. Aside from Jordin, Phil is the one who's shown consistent improvement, and I think he deserves to continue to next week. That was a solid performance.

LaKisha Jones (This Ain't a Love Song). Everything that LaKisha has done wrong since her first performance she corrects, except, regrettably, the wardrobe. She kicks off her performance with an abundance of personality, answering another of those insufferable viewer questions. She then wraps her arms around the soulfullness of the number and squeezes it to near death. And, just for good measure, a beautifully-measured stop at the end earns her a kiss from Simon.

Blake Lewis (You Give Love a Bad Name). I am loving Blake's new hair color, but not as much as I loved this performance, part beatboxed, part sung, fully performed. Randy hands him the award for the most original rendition of a song. I give him the award for most enjoyable performance of the night.

Melinda Doolittle (Have a Nice Day). MindyDoo says she doesn't know how to rock. Bon Jovi tells her to "take it to church." And she does. The judges invoke the holy name of Tina Turner numerous times. I just say it was the best vocal of the night.

Okay, now the tough part. We're killing two. Or so they say. If last week taught us anything, it's not to believe what they say.

Who I want: Chris and Phil.
Who should: Chris and LaKisha.
Who will: Chris and Phil.

So? What's your gut telling you?