Haterade is back. Ryan Seacrest is back. The judges are back. The audience, who still sound like they are mice on Prozac, are back. The contestants get to go back - way back, as they tackle songs on the year they were born.

Ramiele Malubay liked to bite people. She says she used to sing Karaoke. Nooo...really? She sings 'Alone' by Heart and hopes to sink her teeth into it.

The Good - At least she picked a song that we've heard before, which makes more sense than her past 2 choices. And I like her outfit.

The Bad - People in the past have either rocked this song out or they've mutilated it worse than Duke's run in the NCAA Tournament. Consider Ramiele in the latter department. Consistently being off-pitch and the fact that she blew some lyrics didn't help. And don't blame the song on your sickness - if you're not feeling well, then you have to pick a better song that will mask your sickness.

The Verdict - Randy didn't like it this week, and I agree with him. If Syesha and Chikezie don't screw up, you can save Ramiele a spot in the bottom three.

Today is Jason Castro's birthday. He got the guitar at a young age - and he's using it for Sting's 'Fragile'.

The Good - He is markedly more comfortable when he has the guitar. He sounds more confident, musically, and it shows in his performances. A noticeable step upwards from last week, and he certainly can sing Spanish better than French.

The Bad - I've never heard that song (not that I am the end all and be all), but you're not going to get any new fans if you don't sing songs that people know and can relate to - just ask Amanda Overmyer. And don't tell Ryan that you should have practiced more - that's a sure way to lose votes.

The Verdict - After last week's sloppy 'Michelle', he needed a good performance, and he gets it. But he also needed a less safe performance, and he didn't get that. It will get him past this week, but that's not a performance that will make him a threat to win American Idol. Amd it's probably a threat to make him sit next to Ramiele on the uncomfortable chairs in the danger zone.

Syesha Mercado was a cryer growing up - and we get her baby cry again. Hopefully, her 'If I Were Your Woman' won't get us crying in agony.

The Good - She really needed - and gets - a song that showed off her vocal range. She continues her vocal prowess from last week. This is the first enjoyable performance that I have heard this evening.

The Bad - It was nice, vocally, but I could have used some more emotion. She also has to watch the high notes, which she sharpened a little. And I would rather hear a Sanjaya Malakar / William Hung duet than hear that inane baby cry again.

The Verdict - So that call from the bottom three was a wake-up, eh? Good. We're finally getting good performances from Syesha. Now she needs to keep going, because she's clearly trailing the front-runnners...but she's making strides to catch up.

Chikezie was born with a Nigerian upbringing. 'If Only For One Night' is Chikezie's choice of performance song.

The Good - It was better than last week. Then again, last week was just a mess. He also went with a slow ballad, which is exactly what he needed to do to be more well-rounded.

The Bad - But he needed to do it without making me sleepy. Way too focused on the money notes to worry about keeping the pitch for the first 60% of the song. Also a rotten choice of song, because I'm not going to enjoy something that I'm not familiar with. And don't argue with Simon - especially because he was right.

The Cheesy - Simon nailed it right on the head. Him walking and reaching out for the audience is not only unoriginal, but he's done it before and I hated it then. I certainly didn't like it any more now. Very cheesy, Chikezie.

The Verdict - This was forgettable, boring and sleep-inducing. I couldn't even tell you what he sang. I remember what Syesha sang, and because the people will be voting for her in that genre, Chikezie can ask Ramiele and Jason if there's any space available for him to sit next to them in the bottom three.

Brooke White went backwards last week. Maybe her family will pick her up as she sings 'Every Breath You Take'

The Good - She goes back to the piano to rekindle what she did two weeks ago. She selected a very good song for her range and she made the song her own, which was a plus. It was better than last week, which was a train wreck.

The Bad - Awful, awful, awful first note. You could even see her stab at it a few times. And you can see if affect her the whole performance. It could have - and should have - been much better than what we got.

The Verdict - Remember when I said that she couldn't have a second straight lousy performance? Well, that's what we got. Not nearly as good as what the judges thought. If Kristy Lee Cook actually sings well (and I'm not holding my breath here), but if she does, Kristy could get bailed out. Let's send Brooke over to join Chikezie and Ramiele.

Michael Johns was a cut-throat competitor as a child. He tries to stay in the competition with 'We Will Rock You...We Are The Champions' by Queen.

The Good - I guess he got the hint that he actually needed to show up this week. He FINALLY found the right song. He sang it like he performed the song 3,000 times...

The Bad - ...because maybe he did. Have you noticed that he bails himself out with Queen songs? (See Bohemian Rhapsody). I want to see him sing something well that isn't Queen. And that 'competitive' thing is a huge turn-off.

The Verdict - I still think he has a lot of work to do. It may be the best performance of the night so far (which it is), but with Carly in the bottom three, I can't help but wonder if Michael is just right over her. I was going to save him a spot in the bottom three next to Jason, Ramiele, Chikezie and Brooke (which would technically make it the bottom four), but I think the performance bails him out.

Carly Smithson got her name from Carly Simon. Yes she was born in Ireland. I know you're all shocked by that. She goes for 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' - and she'll need a nice performance to stick around.

The Good - A very nice choice of song. It's a great song, and a perfect song choice for her. She nailed the money notes at the end and did a great job, musically.

The Bad - I counted 5 missteps on the lyrics. She also had to make up from the first half, when she was pitchy. Perhaps the nerves from her being in the bottom three last week got to her a little?

The Verdict - I think the performance was better than what the judges thought. I also think that the Amanda Overmyer fan base will run to her performance, and from that standpoint, she should be safe.

David Archuleta may have a girlfriend, according to Ryan Seacrest - which will now disgust 80% of the women to change the channel. We then see his video and find out that the girl is actually his sister, which now disgusts me that Ryan is trying to hook them both up to the prom with each other. Shut up, Seacrest. He tries to get some of that group back with 'You're The Voice'.

The Good - He needed a fast paced song to sing, just to avenge himself over the last time he tried to sing a fast song. From a pitch standpoint, he did a good job.

The Bad - Horrible choice of song. You have no idea who sang it, or what the lyrics are - though I'm guessing that it didn't require a lot of singing ooohhhooohhh before the chorus as we get another case of lyrical dropsies. Perhaps that's why he selected the song - so he can screw up the lyrics and we wouldn't know he did.

The Verdict - Simon slyly infers that David couldn't have possibly selected that song. There's a good chance that David hasn't - David's father, who has been known as a stage dad from the Star Search years, did David no favors by giving him that song. What gives David that appeal is that he is young and attracts the kiddie base - something that he will lose if he selects songs like that. So a note to Archueta Sr. - shut up and let David be David. Because if you don't, and David keeps going down this trail, then he will be the 'shocking upset' that happens this season.

Kristy Lee Cook was born smiling. Good. She needs it, as she sings 'God Bless The U.S.A., because she needs to be blessed if she wants to stick around.

The Good - She needed a song like this. Great song choice. Yes, it's pretentious, but when you're in the bottom two, you have to pull out the stops to stick around.

The Bad - She also needed to be in pitch, which she wasn't. The first half of the song was pitchy all over the place. She hits the money note, but I don't want the cookie on the other side of the park if I have to get mauled by sabre toothed tigers on the way there.

The Verdict - This is where song selection matters. If she did this on any other song, she's gone - and I still think she'll be taking a seat next to Ramiele, Chikezie, Jason and Brooke in the bottom three (Hey, if Dial Idol can select 9 of the ten people to be called out and they give themselves credit for it, so can I), but I think that she will actually escape and sing another week.

David Cook decides to rock out on...Billie Jean? This is either going to be very good...or very bad...

The Good - A huge brave move by Mr. Cook - which works tremendously. He selected a great song that people are familiar with and performed it differently than what most people have heard it (I say most, because he pulled out the Daughtry card, which I will explain later), but either way, kudos for him to know that version of the song exists and kudos for pulling it off.

The Bad - Very pitchy at the beginning. David needs to be careful about making everything rock. He will need to expand his repertoire if he wants to win this competition. And don't take credit for that arrangement - Chris Cornell (who is one of my favorite rockers) did that version first.

The Verdict - I'll agree with Paula on this one - a brilliant effort that raises his stock tremendously. 3 straight amazing performances moves him up to the forefront - and a very credible threat to win the whole thing. Now can he do something besides Rock?

The Final Verdict - You had 3 people who were on the top of their game - David Cook, Michael Johns and Syesha Mercado. Carly will be safe because her fans will be voting for her and she'll get Amanda's votes. David Archuleta should also be ok - but his dad has to lay off and let David be David. You can take any of the other 5 and put them in the bottom 3, but I can't put 5 down there, so...

TROUBLE - Kristy Lee Cook, Chikezie, Ramiele Malubay

Ramiele and Chikezie are there because they were both bland and non-memorable. Kristy Lee is there because...well, she's Kristy Lee, but her song choice (as well as a new campaign in Colorado started by her boyfriend) will get her out of the bottom two. So who leaves? The guy who went backwards or the girl who went backwards? I'll go with the person who has given us 2 straight messes - and who will pay for it this week.

OUT - Chikezie

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