This is take two of this week’s AI post, and if memory serves the first thing I said in my original post was that the theme of last night’s show – songs from the years the contestants were born – would no doubt make me feel like I was 109.

But you know, in retrospect last night’s show didn’t make me feel like I was 109 at all.

In fact, I didn’t feel a day older than 102.

And if you think I can remember all the song titles from last night, then CLEARLY YOU HAVE OVERESTIMATED MY SHORT-TERM MEMORY.

Ramiele Malubay – “Alone” – Big song. Big voice. But a little pitchy on those big notes. I thought she was leaps and bounds better than last week, and she is definitely talented – but she still hasn’t wowed me performance-wise.

Syesha Mercado – “If I Were Your Woman” – I barely remember this song from when it was released, but I definitely remember her performance from last night. She did really well. And this may sound nit-picky but I really don’t mean it that way, I am merely making an observation: I still don’t feel like I have any sense of who she is. It feels like there’s an emotional distance between her and the audience – and I wonder why that is?

Carly Smithson – “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – There’s no question that she has an incredible voice. But she’s not really doing anything unique with the songs that she sings – which is why this song just felt like a cover of Bonnie Tyler’s version from 1983. And unfortunately, I don’t think that’s good enough to keep her in this deal for more than a couple of weeks.

Jason Castro – “Fragile” – I loved this performance. I think maybe I’m just a sucker for someone who plays the acoustic guitar with a really laid-back vibe. And I mentioned last night that this song reminds me of riding around with my high school friend Ricky and having Very Philosophical Discussions, so there’s definitely an element of nostalgia there that appeals to me. So while Jason needs to step it up a little in terms of showcasing his originality, I think he did well enough to stick around for next week.

Chikezie – Some Luther Song – I like it better when Chikezie sings upbeat stuff because his enthusiasm is contagious. And I am all about some contagious enthusiasm. But still, he has a great voice, and I think that as he gains confidence as a performer, he’ll get stronger in terms of singing ballads. And last night’s song wasn’t nearly as bad as the ballad he tried to sing the first week, so that’s an improvement. Right?

David Archuleta – “You’re The Vision” – This was probably my least favorite performance of the night, and I typically enjoy the young David Archuleta. But the song was wrong, all wrong for him – there was nothing fun or youthful or carefree about it. I told Big Mama earlier today that I wonder if this is when being 17 starts to hurt him a little – because he hasn’t really figured out who he is musically. And the songs he’s choosing – or that someone is choosing for him – reflect that.

Brooke White – “Every Breath You Take” – I thought this song was a huge mistake before I watched the show. Then I saw her performance and realized I was wrong. I did agree with the judges that the whole thing got a little cheesy when the band came in, but regardless, she took a song I’ve never really liked and made it totally interesting. Well done.

Michael Johns – “We Are The Champions” – Hands-down his best performance so far. I was tickled to death for him. And sort of proud. He really took command of the stage, and while his vocals probably weren’t the strongest of the night, he had that audience in the palm of his hand.

Kristy Lee Cook – “God Bless the USA” – I would have never, ever suggested this song, because I think it’s a little tired, but it was absolutely a great choice. She seemed comfortable and confident. Good for her.

David Cook – “Billie Jean” – I thought it was brilliant. TRIPLE LOVED IT. We immediately rewound the DVR and watched his performance again. And loved it even more the second time. Which I guess means that I QUADRUPLE LOVED IT. Oh yes I did.

Should go: Ramiele

Will go: I’ve changed my mind since last night…now I think that either Kristy or Carly will go.

Best of the night: David Cook

If you didn’t get your link added last night, you can do that now…just add your specific URL to the Mr. Linky below. Thanks, y’all!

Edited to add: we had a little Mr. Linky malfunction (my fault, not Mr. Linky’s), so some of you may have to add your links again. I am so sorry. No kidding: this blog has given me a run for my money today. But that is okay. Because I’m totally putting it in time out and it had BETTER NOT talk back to me.

Yay, Beatles. Again. For the second week in a row.

Yay. Woohooyay.

Don’t I sound enthusiastic?

Amanda Overmyer – “Back in the USSR” – I still think those pants from last week are rockin’. In case you were wondering. And does anybody remember Billy Joel’s version of this song? I haven’t thought about it in years, but I found myself wishing for it a little bit tonight. I think Amanda is great, and I’m officially a fan, but I think this was the wrong song for her – she seemed bored, almost. And I think she’s doing the same thing over and over each week. At this point it’s time to switch it up and surprise us just a little bit. I still don’t feel like I’ve really heard her sing.

Kristy Lee Cook – “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” – Okay. This is tricky. Because she started off really, really well – to the point that I was thinking we had a comeback of gigantor proportions. But as soon as the band kicked in, she got a little off-pitch and seemed to lose her footing. It was better at the end, though – and even with the rough parts, it was leaps and bounds better than last week.

David Archuleta – “The Long And Winding Road” – So that? Was GREAT.

Michael Johns – “A Day In The Life” – I don’t think there’s ever been an Idol contestant I’ve wanted to enjoy more than I want to enjoy Michael Johns. But y’all? Week after week I feel like he’s just a little bit short of being really memorable. And tonight was the same sort of deal. I wanted him to just BREAK OUT and wow us, but it felt like both he and the song were sort of scattered. And that makes me a little bit sad.

Brooke White – “Here Comes The Sun” – For what it’s worth – and it’s no reflection on Brooke – I think that this song is really, excruciatingly boring. And Brooke seemed just a wee bit uncomfortable without having a guitar or a piano or anything in between her and the audience. But still. I love her voice. And furthermore, I thought that her dress was absolutely adorable.

David Cook – “Daytripper” – I could have done without the Roger & Zapp-like voice box action, but I thought this performance was pretty memorable. However, I think he has to be careful not to look like he’s doing his very best Daughtry impersonation week after week. I think he’s going to have to mix it up a little bit next week and show us that he can do something different.

Carly Smithson – “Blackbird” – This is actually one of my favorite Beatles songs – thanks to Sarah Mclachlan’s cover of it back in the early 90’s. And while I liked this performance, I didn’t love it. I don’t even know if I can explain why. I think that she’s super-talented, but she didn’t do anything tonight that blew me away.

Jason Castro – “Michelle” – I’m worried before he even starts because I think it’s dangerous to sing a song that has different languages in it when you don’t in fact speak those languages. And like “Here Comes The Sun,” this song is just a little boring to me. And because it’s a little boring, I don’t think Jason’s personality came through. I would have loved for him to do a crazy new take on it – really rock it out – but as it stands, it was just a’ight for me.

Syesha Mercado – “Yesterday” – I think this was her best performance so far. Hands down.

Chikezie – “I’ve Just Seen A Face” – So the arrangement was a little strange and surprising – to say the least – but hey, I wasn’t bored. Which is more than I’ve been able to say the rest of the night. And in the end, I really liked it.

Ramiele Malubay – “I Should’ve Known Better” – Hey y’all? I totally think that Paula picked out her outfit. I really do. And as for the singing, she still doesn’t seem entirely comfortable on the stage. She did better this week, but I felt like she got lost in the song.

Should go – Ramiele

Will go – Ramiele

Best of the night – In all honesty, y’all – IN CASE YOU DIDN’T NOTICE – I was bored out of my mind tonight. And it felt like the contestants were in the same boat that I was. But if I have to pick the best, I’d say David Archuleta.

Here’s to hoping that next week is better.

And if you want to link to your specific post about tonight’s Idol, just add the URL for your specific post to the Mr. Linky below. Thanks, y’all!

I totally stole that title from an IM Big Mama sent me a couple of weeks ago, by the way.

But I’m terribly excited because apparently you – yes, all of you! – can click here.

And watch (almost) any TV show you want on a new site called Hulu.

FOR FREE.

I’m all over it, my friends.

So I guess I’ll see y’all sometime in 2018. When I finish watching all the TV.

(Hat tip to Throwing Things for the link, by the way.)

(and p.s. – Hulu has free movies, too.)

(and p.p.s. – For obvious Hulu-related reasons, this is shaping up to be the BEST! DAY! EVER!)

edited to add: before you sign up for Hulu, be sure to read this comment from Shauna. Great info.

So I just started watching, and I’m intrigued by Ryan Seacrest’s declaration that there’s “a whole new look.”

But now that I’ve seen it? WAY COOL. Love the band being up high…and I also think it’s great that the audience is up so close.

And I’m sure that you, you know, CARE WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE SET AND ALL.

However, I do not know what to make of Simon wearing a white shirt. All I can guess is that his closet was in a hot mess and he accidentally picked up a shirt that wasn’t black.

Also: I see we have us a Beatles theme night.

(I am refraining from mentioning how I don’t love The Beatles because that seems to raise all sorts of ruckus whenever I mention that. And I would hate to raise a ruckus.)

(Peace and love, all you Beatles fans. Peace and love.)

So here we go.

Syesha Mercado – “Got To Get You Into My Life” – I just think she’s adorable, and her smile is contagious. I didn’t love her version of this song, mainly because it felt a little bit like a wedding reception to me. And it would be a great song at a wedding reception, but if the goal at this point in the competition is to be super-memorable, she missed the mark a little bit.

Chikezie – “She’s A Woman” – Since I haven’t been blogging during the top 24, I haven’t gotten to say this on the blog, but I ADORE THE CHIKEZIE. HE MAKES ME HAPPY. I’ve loved him since the auditions. And I TRIPLE LOVED his version of this song. Chock full-o-personality. And while granted, it wasn’t exactly the most controlled performance I’ve ever seen and / or heard, it was loads of fun. And I still adore the Chikezie. FOREVAH.

Ramiele Malubay – “In My Life” – HELLO, Sassy McHighlights! Methinks Miss Ramiele has a Hair Wizard of her very own. And as for her performance, I was a little disappointed that she didn’t sing something a little showier, mainly because she has such a big, wonderful voice – and she didn’t really get to use that big, wonderful voice on this song. I thought the last half of the song was better than the first, but again, like the first performance, it was nothing super-memorable. I felt like she was holding back, playing it a little safe – and I wish she had done something a little more FIERCE.

Jason Castro – “If I Fell” – I find young Jason to be utterly charming and talented and delightful. Tonight’s performance had a decided Jack Johnson-ish vibe to it, and my problem with that it didn’t do anything to give me a stronger sense of who Jason Castro is. I just know that he can sing like Jack Johnson. And I think it’s time for him to maybe stretch a little more so that we get a better idea of how unique and wonderful Jason Castro is instead of being reminded of other musicians when he sings.

Carly Smithson – “Come Together” – Would it disturb you to know that I would like for Carly to come live with us just so I can listen to her accent all day long? Because I am FASCINATED by her Irish accent. I just felt the need to share that. And remember when I said I wish Ramiele had done something a little more fierce? Well. Carly was FIERCE FOR DAYS. Phenomenal. She was so confident and commanding and dead-on. Loved it. And as a sidenote, I would just like to add that her eyes are gorgeous, thank you.

David Cook – “Eleanor Rigby” – I SO LOVED IT. And honestly, I was a little worried when I saw that he was performing without the guitar, but he did not disappoint. It was the first song tonight that I would pay cash money to download from iTunes…I thought it was brilliant.

Brooke White – “Let It Be” – She may well be the most likeable person I’ve ever seen on television. And I had goosebumps the whole way through her performance tonight. She seems to sing straight from her heart…I think she’s the real deal, no doubt about it.

David Hernandez – “I Saw Her Standing There” – I love that he has a big voice and isn’t afraid to showcase it. This song isn’t my favorite, but he certainly made it fun. But it didn’t really go past “fun” for me – it just wasn’t in the same league as what Brooke or David or Carly did tonight. It felt like a really good number in a high school musical review. and that’s fine – but probably not enough to make the top four or five on AI.

Amanda Overmyer – “You Can’t Do That” – First of all, I AM WILD ABOUT THOSE PANTS. Second, this was such a fun performance. I don’t think her vocals were the strongest of the night, but she is really fun to watch, and I enjoyed her a whole bunch.

Michael John – “Across The Universe” – I think he seems so sweet and warm, but he hasn’t really blown me away yet. I keep waiting – because I know he has it in him – so I have big hopes for next week.

Kristi Lee Cook – “Eight Days A Week” – I think the whole country approach was a little bit of a miscalculation on this song. It almost seemed like she couldn’t keep up with it. I have really enjoyed her in the previous weeks, but she wasn’t nearly as strong tonight. I don’t know that the outcome would have been any different if she’d sung a straightforward version of this song; I think she probably just needed a different song.

David Archuleta – “We Can Work It Out” – Oh y’all. I wanted to crawl through the TV screen and hug him. But you know what? He sang those ad-libbed lyrics better than most people sing the real ones. And I know he’ll bounce back next week. He is so unbelievably talented – he just had a little bit of an off week.

Should go: David Hernandez – For me, he was the weakest of the bunch.

Will go: Kristi Lee Cook – I’m not sure she can bounce back from what happened tonight.

Best of the night: For me, it was David Cook – with Carly a close second.

If you want to add your post to the Mr. Linky, please link back to your specific post, not your general URL. Thanks!

So tomorrow night, I’m going to start the 2008 American Idol live-blogging.

And really, I should say “live blogging,” because odds are it won’t actually be live at all. More likely it will be “once-we-get-the-child-to-bed-and-turn-on-the-DVR blogging.” But that phrase doesn’t have as much of a ring to it. So we’ll just stick with the whole “live blogging” designation and pretend.

‘Kay?

And if you weren’t reading here last year, here’s how the whole AI sort-of-live-blogging works.

I’ll write a post with my reactions to the night’s performances, and I’ll put up the post just as soon as I’ve given it a cursory round of proofreading and and run it past my BooMama legal advisory committee.

Which means that I will write my post and read parts of it aloud to my husband, who has absolutely no legal background whatsoever but does watch a good deal of “Law & Order.”

So, hello? He’s, like, TOTALLY QUALIFIED to be my legal advisory committee.

I’ll put up a Mr. Linky with my post, and then you, the internets, can link back to your own specific post about this week’s AI. And while I encourage you to by all means state your honest opinion about the performances, I also encourage you you to remember that we’re talking about real live people with real live feelings. And who probably make extensive use of some real live Google each week after they sing.

Plus, we wouldn’t want to upset any contestant’s mama by saying insensitive things about her baby. Oh no ma’am(s) (and sir)(s) we wouldn’t.

In fact, the phrase “Don’t hate; appreciate” comes to mind. Though I have no idea why. Except that apparently I’m now 22 again. And using all manner of slang.

Anyhoo.

I think that about covers it.

And if you have any questions, just shout me a holla.

Word.

Yesterday I told Big Mama that we’re expecting some wintry weather here this weekend, and she said, “Oh, you’d better believe that there are some people at the Alabama TV stations working on some SERIOUS graphics for their weather forecasts right about now.”

I totally agreed with her. Because in my opinion, there is probably nothing a meteorologist enjoys more than the opportunity to run into the graphics department of his news organization and say, “The weather’s getting CRAZY out there! Let’s call it TORNADO FEST ’07!”

Or maybe HIP HIP HURRICANE ’08!

Or FUNNEL CLOUD FEST ’05!

Anyway, Big Mama reminded me that last year she and her family experienced ICE STORM ’07, so I predicted that this weekend, in my neck of the woods, we would more than likely see coverage of WINTER STORM WATCH ’08.

But as it turns out, I was wrong.

And really, what you’re about to see is so much better than I could have ever imagined, and it makes me so stinkin’ happy that I want to clap until my little soon-to-be-gloved hands fall off:

OH. BRING IT.

Welcome to ALABAMA FREEZE (’08!), everyone.

Rest assured that I’ll be bringing you all the up-to-the-minute news about this history-making WINTER WEATHER EVENT.

After all, it’s not just any ole day when six whole snowflakes fall on our driveway.

I do hope you’ll stay tuned.