Who's Born to Be An Idol? It's All In the Delivery

CENTURY CITY, Calif., March 25 The 10 remaining Idolettes are forced to sing songs from the year they were born, while the cast of the sitcom " 'Til Death" mugs in the front row of the audience and show host Ryan Seacrest pimps Coca-Cola's new cup designs.

Ramiele Malubay is first at bat in last night's "American Idol" performance show, which means she's probably the next to go, particularly after shouting her way through "Alone" while dressed in Ed Grimley's shorts. Judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul explain that Ramiele is sick, but nonetheless criticize her performance while heaping praise on her for her singing-while-sick bravery. Judge Simon Cowell says it was good enough to get her through to next week, which is a pretty strong statement given he hasn't yet heard anyone else perform.

Jason Castro puts a stoner Spanish spin on "Fragile." Randaula likes the Spanish thing but Simon thinks it was like someone busking outside the subway. Jason agrees his playing was sloppy and says he could have spent more time practicing. The Mosh Pit Chicks don't care; they love his dreadlocks and his beautiful blue eyes.

Syesha Mercado does her creepy disembodied baby cry and follows it with "If I Were Your Woman." Ick. Ick. Ick. Randy shouts it's "stellar" and "unbelievable" and says he's totally shocked because now there is another competitor in the competition. This smacks of desperation -- like someone who was told that afternoon his gravy train lost viewers on performance night last week from the first hour to the second. Paula says Syesha is now the dark horse in the competition. Simon calls it her best performance to date, but not as good as Randy said.

Chikezie Eze turns lounge lizard for "If Only for One Night," reaching into the Mosh Pit to touch the girls' hands; they squeal in delight. Randy calls it "old school." Paula calls it a "good throwback." Simon calls it "cheesy."

Nanny Brooke White sings the Nanny Anthem, "Every Breath You Take." In an "Idol" first, she starts her song, stops and starts over again. Randaulamon and even Seacrest have fallen back under her spell, lavishing praise on her for her mistake, saying it demonstrates her professionalism.

Michael Johns finally finds a way to sing a Queen medley of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions." Randaulamon calls it his shining moment, which is the judges' standard reaction when an Idolette does Queen.

Carly Smithson, having been nicked for singing "Blackbird" last week, which landed her in the bottom three, takes no chances and belts the life out of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" -- and gets nicked by the judges again.

David Archuleta, this year's winner, sings theme-park tune "You're the Voice" but only after getting the Mosh Pit Chicks overly excited with news he may miss his high school prom.

Randaula likens it to singing the phone book, saying David A. does it very well. Simon doesn't believe he picked that song himself.

Kristy Lee Cook shrewdly chooses "God Bless the U.S.A." and gets the audience in a positive frenzy, costing Aussie Michael and Irish Carly a few thousand votes. Randy is proud of the song. Paula is prouder. Simon calls it "the most clever song choice" ever.

David Cook does Chris Cornell doing "Billie Jean," while the "Idol" producers pump blue smoke onto the stage. The audience loves it; David C. simpers. Randaula calls it brave and original and brilliant. Simon knew it would be either "insane" or "amazing" and he's going with "amazing."