Smokin' Stacey Swings Away, and Sunoco Sanjaya Strikes Out ...

Who would have ever thought that Country Week -- traditionally the most dreaded of Idol genres -- would prove to be the LEAST boring show to date? Certainly not this diva, much to her surprise and grateful thanks.

Diva 1 hates to begin by saying "I told you so" but she did say -- just last week -- that there was a performer somewhere inside of Phil Stacey. Stacey earned his highest praise ever, and rightfully so. Great vocal, great performance. Ok, bad outfit.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Georgia, there is a Sunoco gas station attendant who wants his outfit back and Bonnie Raitt wants all references to her name and Sanjaya's song stricken from the record books.

The Idols are also clearly not paying attention to the capital R Rules, as two more cardinal rules were broken: (1) never sing one of the mentor's songs, Jordin, and (2) never sing the song of a former Idol winner, Lakisha. Heed these words people! Even so...

Melinda Doolittle was back in fine form, giving the second best performance of the night. The hair extensions took YEARS off her appearance, even if the outfit was poorly chosen. One note, if Martina McBride hasn't heard the song, you can't call it "new." Hence no credit given for MD's unsubstantiated claims that this song, in fact, was recorded recently.

Jordin gets props for the third best performance of the evening in this Diva's book, although I did think it was a big nasally and tremulous. But she was dressed more like a Woodstock refugee and less like a country girl. I'll give her points, the outfit did look like it had wings (and a bit of the lame jacket she wore last week worked into the trim).

Lakisa gets props for the golden cowboy boots, the great makeup and the flattering dress. Nothing else.

Chris needs to give up his members only jackets, his nasal affection, and his cheesy camera side glare. I was reminded at points what a strong voice he has, but odds are he's in the bottom two given Hayley's absence, and the blinders the public seems to wear with respect to Sanjaya.

Last but not least, Blake. Again, I just don't get it -- he put the DULL in DULLSVILLE and the entire tv viewing population was staring up his nostrils again. We got red shoes last week for Latin week and he couldn't even muster a big belt buckle for country week? Even rascal flatts, the do gooders of country music wouldn't have worn that sweater (in fact the most conservative one just wed a playboy playmate). I expect a little less Hamptons and a little more bad boy if he's going to graduate from Boring Blake to Best.

Seriously, if things don't improve, Diva 1 could be out permanently!

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