It’s time for another episode of my favorite addiction. And tonight we’re celebrating the hits of one of my favorite artists, Tony Bennett. He’s won 15 Grammy awards and has had a hit in every decade since the 50′s. And for an 80 year old guy he is still a great performer.

Blake Lewis is up first with Mack The Knife. Blake looks pretty cute tonight. I wish I could wear clothes like he does. If I put on that blazer I’d look like some weird small town weather forecaster. He’s a touch pitchy tonight, which is unusual for him. He was casual, cool, and contemporary. Not his best, but still good and definitely entertaining.

Ryan just announced that Kelly Clarkson will be performing on the Idol Gives Back show later this month. That is interesting, especially following all those reports saying that Kelly had no intention of ever going back to the show.

Phil Stacey is tackling a beautiful Cole Porter song, “Night and Day.” To be honest, I hated this performance. It was boring, slow, and limp. There was nothing interesting about it. Simon said it was gloomy and dark. I would completely agree. That song is such a beautiful joyful love song and it just laid there on the stage waiting for a paramedic to either declare it dead or jump start it with paddles. He totally looks like Steve Buscemi tonight. Weird.

Melinda Doolittle is up now, with “I Got Rhythm.” She’s just amazing. Brilliant! Nice smooth and soft intro, then when it kicked into high gear she was all over it! You can never go wrong with Gershwin. And now you can never go wrong with Melinda. Simon thinks it’s a problem that they can never criticize her. I don’t see the problem.

Chris Richardson is next with “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.” He’s having fun with the song and has put a nice spin on it. He doesn’t sound nearly as nasally tonight as he has in the past. He did a great job tonight. Randy thinks it was one of his best of the season. Simon thought it was really good.

Jordin Sparks is singing “On A Clear Day.” Tony Bennett commented that she was always in tune which is “unusual anymore.” Jordin is quickly becoming one of my favorites this year. She looks great tonight, her hair is flawless. She has amazing control over her voice. This song carries a high probability of getting screechy and sharp in the middle, but she was perfectly on pitch. Simon didn’t think she made it young enough, but I think he’s the high one tonight.

Speaking of which, is it just me or is Paula Abdul abnormally sharp and coherent tonight? She has offered good criticisms and hasn’t slurred once!

Gina Glocksen is covering another of my favorite songs ever, “Smile.” Charlie Chaplin wrote the song, and it’s been covered by dozens of great vocalists, probably the best version being Nat King Cole. Gina is so interesting to me because she comes across as this rocker chick with the funky hair and pierced tongue, but she comes out with this nice and controlled sensitive performance. It’s not as good as last week’s “I’ll Stand By You,” but still very good.

Sanjaya Malakar wants to make America see that he can sing. “Cheek to Cheek” is his choice. I feel like I’m watching a mediocre high school talent show. He’s completely overshadowed by the stellar band. Paula says she “gets why people love him.” He’s entertaining. Simon decided to try a different tactic tonight, he called the performance “Incredible!” complete with eye roll and sarcastic tone.

Not a single judge commented on his vocal. Not one.

Haley Scarnato is up next. During her interview, UMB looked at me and said, “Is she still on the show?” Tony tried very hard to nicely say that she had no idea what the song, “Ain’t Misbehaving” is about. Haley is still on this show, let’s face it, because of her gigantic tits and long legs. She must have an entire roll of double stick tape keeping her in her dress. Her vocals were just ok. She was in tune, she performed it well, but when compared with the other girls from tonight, it was completely forgettable. If she had been on the show last season up against Paris Bennett and Kellie Pickler, she might have had a better shot. Katharine McPhee still would have creamed her, but she would have been less likely to get lost in the mix. It could be her week to go home, since I’ve given up on hoping for Sanjaya’s exit.

Lakisha Jones isn’t throwing us any surprises by doing “Stormy Monday.” At dinner tonight, I told Othurme that Lakisha was going to pick either a Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald song tonight. *Yawn* I used to be a fan, but now, I’m finding it very hard to care about her. The vocals were good, but she didn’t bring anything special or outstanding tonight. She’s lacking the pizazz that Melinda keeps bringing to the show.

I want to pull her aside and tell her that there are other artists making music that falls in her vocal range that aren’t Aretha, Whitney, Ella, Billie, or Chaka. Not to put too fine a point on it, but there are some non-black double-monikered singers that perform songs that she could really kill.

Overall, this is one of the best shows of the season. At least 6 of the performances were outstanding.

Here’s the wrap up:

Safe:

• Melinda Doolittle
• Jordin Sparks
• Chris Richardson

Probably Safe:

• Blake Lewis
• Lakisha Jones
• Gina Glocksen

Danger! Danger!:

• Sanjaya Malakar – Man I’m getting tired of saying that.
• Phil Stacey
• Haley Scarnato