Whoa! I thought American Idol would get better with Sanjaya gone, but I was wrong…again. Last night, Jon Bon Jovi was the musical mentor, and he had very little to work with. The real standouts were Melinda Doolittle and Phil Stacey.

Poor Gina Glocksen sat in the audience watching her former competitors take on a genre that she would’ve owned. I wonder if she laughed as much as I did.

First off, some of the hair was hideous. Why did Blake go and color his blonde locks? He looked like the love child of Simon Le Bon and Boy George. (If you understand that reference, thanks. I don’t feel so old.) To borrow a phrase from Mr. Simon Cowell, “it was ghastly.” Jordin’s crimped mess of hair was just a wreck. The hairdresser should be shot.

Jordin also did a really bad rendition of “Livin’ on a Prayer.” She’s actually gonna need to if she hopes to survive the bloodbath tonight—remember two idols are going home.  Blake ‘contemporized’ “You Give Love a Bad Name”. Simon said that half of the people are going to hate it—I fall into that category—and the other half are gonna absolutely love it. I’m not so sure about that, but…I’m willing to bet that people who voted for Sanjaya might think it was cool.

Hey, I’m a purist. I love Bon Jovi as is. Blake didn’t improve upon it in my opinion. He should go if only because he colored his hair and beat-boxed through part of a once-cool rock song. Thanks for ruining another one of my favorite teenage memories, Blake.

Phil was good. “Blaze of Glory” was a great choice for him. He’s got a country/rock edge, and I think he’s safe. The dark horse continues to ride.

Chris Richardson was pitchy on “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Truthfully, I know which way I want him right now, and it ain’t alive. I predict he’ll finally get his walking papers.

LaKisha had a great performance with “This Ain’t a Love Song.” She brought soul to the rock and made it bluesy and beautiful. However, her spandex shirt was off-putting. The poor gal couldn’t even sit down for fear of busting out of her Lane Bryant jeans. She also kissed Simon which prevented me from voting for her. I just couldn’t get the image of her and Simon’s embrace out of my head. Yuck! Not to mention, LaKisha said she never heard Bon Jovi music. I believe that about as much as I believe that Melinda doesn’t know she’s a great singer. C’mon now.

Finally, Melinda owned the night. I am now a fan. All Hail Melinda. “Have a Nice Day” harkened back to a Tina Turner type of performance. Melinda is looking cuter each week. She’s like Kelly Clarkson. She can sing anything and is ready to become a star. Let’s finish the competition already, and let Melinda move on with her career.

What do you think?

Melinda sings “As Long as He Needs Me” during British Invasion Week. This is really a cool performance. Revisit it here: