Harry Connick Jr. (HCJ for future reference) mentoring for Frank Sinatra theme week – seems quite appropriate, but as I said last week (and what proved to be true after viewing the performances) is that this genre of music is far too challenging for the majority of these contestants, and resulted in more than one train wreck tonight.  But I must say that I did thoroughly enjoy looking at HCJ – I had kind of forgotten how pretty he is, and what amazingly blue eyes he has.  Absolutely yummy!  His “Nawlins” accent is so sexy – double yum!  And is it just me or did you notice that HCJ is like a taller, better looking version of Ryan Seacrest?  Moving on…

There were several stars in the audience tonight – the Sinatra girls (of course) were there to bestow upon Lord Cowell a monogrammed hanky from their father.  Yeah – like that was genuine… they probably had it made yesterday!  I saw Rob Reiner in the audience as well – “Meathead” was getting’ his Idol on tonight!  Sir Anthony Hopkins showed up too – immediately after finishing his favorite meal of liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.  Ah yes – the audience was in rare form tonight! 

I must say that HCJ was the most “hands-on” mentor I think we have ever seen.  He was very nurturing, yet revealing his sense of humor and wit, and I honestly believe he genuinely cared about those contestants!  He and Ellen seemed to have some sort of sibling rivalry going on throughout the evening, which honestly I thought lightened what could have been a very heavy and dull performance show.  So here we go… 

Aaron Kelly, 16 years old from Sonestown, PA

Aaron sang “Fly Me to the Moon” – this kid with his Chandler Bing look bored me and I think the judges gave him for too much credit… well, until we got down to Kara and Simon, who always keep it real!  “Commanding the stage?  Charisma?”  Yeah, you said it Kara – those are indeed characteristics Aaron lacks.  I mean, could he BE any duller?  (Said in my best Chandler Bing voice.)  Aaron is undoubtedly a weak link tonight.

Casey James, 27 years old from Fort Worth, TX

Casey sang “Blue Skies” tonight – for which he totally needed to let his hair down (figuratively and literally)!  I did not enjoy looking at Casey tonight and it was not just because his hair was pulled back.  He was tense without his guitar, holding that microphone – just uncomfortable all the way around.  And Lordy Loo – did you notice all those rings he was wearing tonight?  I think there was one on every finger, which was rather “Adamesque” (direct reference to the amount of jewelry Adam Lambert wore every week on the show).  He did not sound as good without his guitar and the confidence that accompanies it – and quite honestly, he was awkward and just may be a weak link tonight!  The saving grace of course, being that he has a gig waiting for him back at home… $50 to play at the Circle M (which I am fairly sure is a local convenience store) AND free food too.  Rock on darlin’!

Crystal Bowersox, 24 years old from Elliston, OH

Crystal’s face looked beautiful tonight as she sang “Summer Wind” – I have always said that she cleans up well.  But OMG – did you get a glance at that billboard-sized tattoo of the planet Venus (or something along those lines) on that girl’s flip side?  Jeez Louise – it covers her entire back, which she proudly displayed with her backless, strapless dress.  And her hair… where to even begin with that mess.  From the front it looked lovely, but from the back it looked like a large rat’s nest helmet all Medusa style… like snakes were crawling right out of her head I tell you!  I guess it’s probably hard to tame dreads that have been in place for a number of years.  Eck!  And the cherry on top was the peacock feather roach clip she had attached to her earring – just one… because that’s the cool way to wear it and two might just be too over the top for public consumption.  Good Lord – you can dress her up, but really, you just cannot take her anywhere!  Nonetheless, I thought she sounded pretty good and quite frankly, she did the best with what she had to work with.  I mean, I could give a rat’s ass what that song meant to her personally.  This competition is not about anyone’s personal drama – it is about who can sing the best… PERIOD!  Crystal is in no danger of departure, but I sure hope she gets back into her groove – I think she may have gone kind of soft on us, which is a real turn off for me.  I like that girl we first met – you know, the dirty, (probably) smelly, unkempt one who you might fear would knife you in the subway, but really, she was just there with her open guitar case, hoping for donations of loose change as she sang an Alanis Morissette song with all the conviction she could muster.  Yeah – that girl! 

Michael Lynche, 26 years old from Astoria, NY

Big Mike, who I will from here on out refer to as “Pimp Daddy” (or PD for short) sang “The Way You Look Tonight.”  And as badly as I wanted him to fall on his face, he really didn’t.  The judges praised his vocals and charisma, but I was too distracted by his outfit to really pay too much attention to his vocals.  His suit reminded me of Huggy Bear from the original Starsky & Hutch series, yet his undersized hat screamed game piece!  Hey Big Mike -- Mr. Monopoly (or Rich Uncle Pennybags) from the classic Monopoly game called and he would like his top hat back!  And to top (or top hat) it all off, my observation is that PD is really quite pompous – which is another total turn off for me.  So perhaps he should now be referred to as “PPD?”  Sadly, I think PPD will be around for yet another week – but still has no real chance of winning.  (And thanks to Nancy and Tim Trenger for that awesome Monopoly reference!)

Lee Dewyze, 23 years old from Mount Prospect, IL

Ah yes – and they did indeed save the best for last!  Lee sang “That’s Life,” which I thought was a fitting and fun song, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed!  Lee looked amazing tonight as well – and HCJ thought so too.  I think there may have been a little man crush going on before our very eyes!  By far, Lee provided the very best vocal of the night and was adorable doing so – he has really come into his own with his charming personality and infectious smile on stage.  But enough already with the hugging!  Get off HCJ on stage please – makes you look like a sissy!

So there it is folks – your Not-the-Most-Awesome Idol Mom’s thoughts on tonight’s show, with my prediction being that Aaron will be headed home tomorrow.  Until then – sleep well friends!