American Idol 2, April 29: Two-for-Tuesday with Neil Sedaka

We're down to the final five. I don't know about you, but I can hardly believe it.

Anyway, Ryan Seacrest introduces the singers, the judges (complete with cricket sound effect and a silent audience when he introduces Simon), and then the guest judge, Neil Sedaka! The final five will sing two songs tonight - one from the '60s and one written by Sedaka.

After a brief look at Sedaka's career, we shoot right into the performances.

Ruben Studdard, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"

It's nice to hear Ruben sing something other than a ballad! And damn, he can sing anything - plus he does a little moving around the stage, which is nice to see. Amusingly, as soon as the song is over, he gets this really nervous look (I mentioned it last week during the Results Show). So what do the judges say?

Randy: You sound like a winner every time you get up there.

Neil: You are a hit-maker.

Paula: You are so cool and you showed some moves - you shook what your mama gave you!

Simon: I give the song a 9, the outfit a 2. Now I know why there is a cow shortage in California.

Trenyce, "Proud Mary"

I am distracted early in the song by a backup bass singer whose voice is set way too loud. I don't dig the hairdo at all. But she goes into a whole Tina Turner thing and it turns out quite good.

Randy: You brought it, you did your thing.

Neil: Positive and uplifting, and if you find your own style they will say, "That's Trenyce." (Huh?)

Paula: Wow. You look amazing. I love the bangs. To pull off a song by such a unique icon like Tina Turner, you did it.

Simon: I thought it reminded me a bit like a drag act. Dunno why, but it did. But you made the effort.

Randy and Ryan make various comments about how Simon would know what a drag act looks like.

Joshua Gracin, "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye"

The country accent is back again! The performance, however, is boring. Dull. Exceedingly.

Randy: Good choice of song, your version was just okay. Pitchy in spots.

Neil: Good choice, there is a shy quality about you. The more you sing the better you get.

Paula: Beautiful song, but if I have a criticism, you weren't free enough.

Simon: You really have a problem in this competition. It's lucky you're singing two songs tonight, you have one more to save yourself because that was dreary.

Ryan asks Joshua about it and Josh says Simon doesn't like country, that's his thing. Ryan says we don't know what he does like. Pause. Josh: "Drag queens?" Ryan: "I didn't say it!" No, Ryan, you didn't. Joshua did. And Joshua can be voted off tonight.