Class discussions zipped along this week, so we got done a half-hour early for a change, rather than several minutes late... which meant that I was able to get home in time to watch the tape and vote.
And, in a way, I almost wish that hadn't been the case, because given the way I vote, that meant I had to do something I really, really didn't want to do: I had to vote for Fantasia. Because as much as I don't care for her as a singer, and as much as I don't want her to win, her performance was the best of the week, and that's my criterion for voting. She sang "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" well, she put her own stamp on it, she worked the stage... she was on.
Also good this week: George, Jasmine, Jennifer, Diana, Amy. (With reference to Diana, I did find myself wondering why the camera cut away to the audience at "I can mash potatoes / I can do the twist," as it seemed relevant to know whether she could, in fact, do those two dances. And, good grief, Simon's right: there is something Leno-ish about Amy, and I never would have noticed it.) LaToya was okay, but it wasn't her best performance. (Again, ya gotta watch out for the ballads.)
I do finally get the whole John Peter Lewis squee factor. He was okay. Cute. Kinda like Clay, just without the talent. Camile was pitchy, as usual. And John Stevens... the horror. He was so out of his depth.
Otherwise... for the past two weeks, I've been forgetting to mention how nice it is that they got rid of the guest judges this season, and now they're back! What have we done to deserve this?
Who should go this week: John Stevens.
Who will go this week: I have no clue.