Handicapping Week 11 of 'American Idol'

When the history books reflect on the Final Four performances on American Idol, the record will show it was a most peculiar night. For the first time, the contestants had to perform twice in one night. And for two, the strain of recording the American Idol single was apparent.

So this is how we'll do it. We'll rank the first set, the second set, and then the overall. First round results:

1. Justin Guarini, "Get Here" - Not that Justin was so phenomenal, he was the least bad. We've heard him do "Get Here" before, so that kind of killed it a bit, and he made some ill-advised vocal choices, but he delivered the goods basically. Paula managed to contain herself, a sign that he could have done better.

2. Kelly Clarkson, "It's Raining Men" - There's no reason in the world why Kelly should have had to perform this dinosaur. She seemed like someone made her do it. She wasn't into at all. But, a half-assed Kelly is better than Jennifer Lopez 365 days a year.

3. Nikki McKibbin, "Mary Jane" - Nikki finally got to do the stuff she wanted to do, and she didn't look like a big walrus in cage full of doves for once. I won't blow the comments, but I really do wonder if the judges watch the tapes after the show. I think the crowd noise and acoustics seem to favor McKibbin. She looked far more confident than she had in weeks.

4. Tamyra Gray, "New Attitude" - Oh man, this was just dreadful. I never thought I would say that about Tamyra. It's like finding you are adopted. The whole view of my world was twisted for a while. Then came round two.

Round Two:

1. Kelly Clarkson, "Surrender" - Wow. An absolutely star-making performance for Kelly. Yet, another blockbuster. Her command of the audience is the thing that is never mentioned. Notice, there is never hollering when Kelly sings, she demands that you listen. And you should thank her.

2. Tamyra Gray, "Feel The Fire" - A vast improvement, the ol' Tamyra that we wanted to see. I was waiting for her to take "Fire" to the next stratosphere, but she never did. We understand that there were reasons why she wasn't in full fiddle, but ultimately, Tamyra satisfies. Again.

3. Justin Guarini, "PYT" - First of all, his pants scared the hell out of me. I can now say I know exactly what his testicles look like. And this is not wisdom I wanted to acquire. Some wisdom I would like to acquire is why he chose "PYT." Again, a song that does not show his vocal range, he danced more than he ever had, and he was charismatic enough that the votes he usually gets he will likely continue to get.

4. Nikki McKibbin, "I'm The Only One" - I'm the only one who heard her, I think. And I don't think what I heard was good. She was flat-out outclassed and it insults me that she is still here. It is not lost on me that I have decreed that she is the one who will leave for three weeks in a row now. Could I be wrong again?

Ultimately:

1. Kelly Clarkson

2. Tamyra Gray

3. Justin Guarini

4. Nikki McKibbin

Goodbye, Nikki. She can't survive this week. She can't possibly, because someone who deserves to be in the final three won't be if she is there. No way that can happen, America. Please, restore my faith. I need to believe again!

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