''American Idol'': Post-Parton Depression

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Anyhow, back to tonight's bottom three. Was I the only one who felt like it was total foreshadowing when the cameras cut to the contestants backstage (before a commercial break) and showed Brooke there with her arms around Kristy Lee and Ramiele, while Rocker David, Jason, and Model/Actress/Whitney-phile stood off to the side?

As for the ''Kristy's Seat'' sign trotted out by Ms. Cook, well, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. On one hand, I'll admit it gave me a chuckle, seeing a contestant gamely embrace her negative critiques and complete underdog status, but then again, there was maybe just a whiff of irritation in Kristy Lee's demeanor, an ''I don't understand how the judges/America don't think of me as a front-runner, but I guess it's just my lot in life, y'all!'' The whole moment was pretty much a wash for me.

One reader, though, made a good point that Kristy Lee's Tuesday-night song choice, the beautiful ''Coat of Many Colors,'' isn't exactly the kind of number that benefits from being condensed, Idol-style. ''Can we add 'story songs' to the list of songs that should not be cut to fit the minute and a half time frame?'' asked Lunaburning. ''Kristy Lee managed to turn 'Coat of Many Colors' into a song about how a young girl with bad fashion sense got totally PUNKED by her seamstress mom.''

And as for Brooke's lack of voter support for her performance of ''Jolene,'' while I was thrilled to see her sent back to the safety couches first tonight, I couldn't argue with those of you who thought she deserved to get a little scare this week.

''Can Brooke stop 'nannying' the judges?'' asked Kar0319. ''Telling them 'it's all right' in that placating tone when they criticize her is just so weird, like she's talking to her young charges after they've been caught coloring on the wall. And 'Jolene' was just so wrong for her — does she even understand what the song is about? I'm not sure that Brooke can get mad at anything, much less some red-haired woman trying to steal her man! Besides, in Brookeworld, that just doesn't happen! Let's all go bake some cookies!''

Finally, before we get to the reader comments of the week, a few more thoughts about tonight's results show:

Dolly Parton continues to amaze me, rocking the Idol stage at 62, and remaining blissfully unaware of Ryan's attempts to get her involved in a tussle with Simon over the latter's snide remarks about a few of her songs on Tuesday.

The only thing better than the expressions of agony offered up by the Clark Brothers during ''This Little Light of Mine'' were the ones of shock and numbness from Ryan and the eight finalists as they bore witness from the midnight-blue couches just a few feet away.

I wonder when the producers will grow tired of playing ''Taunt the emotionally fragile Irish lady!'' Probably never?

And with that, I pass the mike to you guys on the message boards:

KristyLee'sHorse: ''Kristy Lee sewed the rags together. She sewed every piece with love. She made my stable blanket of many colors that I was so proud of.''

Think About It: ''If Carly wins, she'll just use the money to buy her husband more tattoos. That's enough reason for me not to vote for her.''

To Vader: ''Yes, Simon knows a thing or two about marketing, but I have trouble trusting the opinion of a man who doesn't understand the pretty blatant metaphor in 'Little Sparrow.' He's starting to be like Randy where he learns a new word and needs to infuse it into his commentary each week. The new secret Simon word is...'busking.' Aaaaaah! I miss 'Pee-Wee's Play House.' ''

Lauren: ''Michael, David C, and Jason were incandescent this week. As usual, I played the first two guys over again and will buy them on iTunes. Hey! There's an idea — you should have to vote by buying the song on iTunes!! Everyone will make money and we will actually choose a winner that people actually want to listen to! Pass this idea along, Slezak!''

Done!

What did you think of tonight's elimination? Any pangs of sadness for Ramiele? And who do you think is most at risk singing an ''inspirational song'' for ''Idol Gives Back'' week? (Yep, they're having a special Thursday-night elimination show next week, so mark those calendars!)

How did the top 9 results show look from inside Stage 36? See Adam B. Vary's American Idol: On the Scene report

What did season 7's ''little sister'' have to say the day after she got voted off American Idol? See Jessica Shaw's exit Q&A with Ramiele Malubay