Of course, if Jason avoids my fantasy bottom three, then who would join Brooke and Little David on the ugly space-age stools? That's where this season is getting tough, because I can't say Jason outperformed Syesha or David Cook, or vice-versa. Can't we just call it a three-way tie for second?

Indeed, while Syesha has never been my season 7 contestant of choice, there's no denying she was in particularly fine fettle during ''One Rock 'n' Roll Too Many'' tonight. Her interview package (as usual) was a little too model-actress for my taste, as she pestered her famous mentor with the question ''Can I be animated?'' (Um, when is she not?) But although Syesha started her number just a smidge off the beat and her last big note landed just a centimeter or two away from the shrill zone, she worked the stage, and interacted with the band, in a way few contestants have all season. And her choice of a flirty, up-tempo number and a sexy red dress was a refreshing change of pace for a contestant who's chosen ballads in seven of nine previous performances. The judges may never give her the standing O she (thinks she) deserves, but I'll say this much for her: She's never quit trying to wow 'em.

Rocker David, meanwhile, wowed in a different way, and in a way that made complete strategic sense at this point in the competition. Sure, he could've put a Rocker! (TM) twist on ''The Music of the Night'' or some other Lloyd Webber number, but after weeks of unexpected arrangements and heartfelt deliveries, the Cook's recipe needed an extra tablespoon of straightforward, spot-on vocals. Because, surely, somewhere during that unsteady opening verse of ''Always Be My Baby'' last week, the man's detractors were groaning that Idol is a singing competition. Although Rocker David didn't necessarily hit a home run tonight, he hit a double, right up the middle, which was exactly what he needed to do to secure his spot at the Nokia in four weeks. Even more impressive, he did it with his best hair ever!

Still, whatever happens at the finale, whatever horrid composition wins the Idol songwriting competition, my personal season 7 moment like this, the interval in which I believed, I flew without wings, discovered my now, and indeed, was made to feel proud, happened when Carly sang ''Superstar'' (which my Idolatry collaborator Missy Schwartz, and also Lord Lloyd Webber himself, so wisely counseled her to do this week).

Honestly, I didn't take any notes while Carly took the stage tonight. I was too busy bouncing up and down on my couch and squealing like an overstimulated teenager as the heavens parted, and the spotlights shone down and obliterated the dark cloud that's been following my favorite Irish barmaid for the last several weeks. There she was — Carly! — clad in that divine paisley explosion, shedding her insecurities, throwing her soul down on the stage for everyone to see (while hiding her controversial tattoos), and belting out a banshee (up-tempo!) rock number worthy of her Guinness-soaked instrument. The judges, naturally, could only offer faint praise. Randy didn't know if it was her best performance. Paula worried about the upper range. Simon thought it was a little shouty in the middle. Oh, and also, damn Carly for not bringing a batch of fresh-baked cookies to the judges' table!

But none of it mattered. Much like underperforming LaKisha's final, glorious surge on ''This Ain't a Love Song'' during Bon Jovi week last season, Carly's shining moment ended with a silly Simon moment — her ''Simon Loves Me (This Week)'' T-shirt. To which I say, Carly, my dear, quit trying to impress the guy. For those of us who dig you truly, madly, and deeply, there is no parenthetical required. Superstar, indeed!

Speaking of contestants who didn't worry about Simon's opinion, catch part 1 of our Idolatry interview with Kristy Lee Cook below. And then share with your fellow readers: What did you think of tonight's performances? Which contestant will go home on Wednesday (and is that the same one who should go home)? Where do you fall on the Paula-Simon debate about Brooke's stopping and starting her performance? And how did you feel about Andrew Lloyd Webber as a mentor (and as a theme night)?

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