It’s the big event, the one that’s been talked about all season. The event so big it’ll take two whole nights to complete and will change the fate of millions of people around the world. It’s “Idol Gives Back”.

In what’s amounting to a vain attempt to not look like the biggest bully on the TV block Idol has touted their “Idol Gives Back” charity special pretty much all season, and much of that time has been spent pandering to corporate America to pony up their tidings for the starving children of the world. Last night that call came to us the viewers, in the form of votes for our favorite contestant. Tonight, no doubt they’ll look to get more than votes and ask for money. It’s the modern version of the telethon. Don’t get me wrong, the effort is applauded but when Newscorp can only pony up $5M and their raking in around $730k per 30 second ad spot during the 1 hour show, well, sorry but it just seems like a cop out to me. Here’s a thought, why don’t you donate ALL the revenue generated via commercials, text voting, etc., from the two night 3 hour event, then this might be more believable and not some cheap stunt to get rating at the expense of some of the less fortunate in the world.

Oh wait, lest we forget there’s a contest going on and someone is going to get kicked off amidst all this pomp and circumstance. How cruel is that? More on “Idol Gives Back” tomorrow, for now let’s look at how the contestants did.

The show was taped, and I swear but it seems the producers have just gotten lazy. Seacrest looks like he just rolled out of bed and the broadcast looked as if they just taped the dress rehearsal and went with that. Sorry Idol, but the whole thing is becoming really, really cheap. With a day less to prepare and much more intensity surrounding the show this week, the Idols have to work a bit harder this week. The theme this week is “Songs of Inspiration”. Yippie, it’s ballad week! {puke}

Chris Richardson is up first and he sang “Change The World”. Randy said it was the first time he felt Chris was in it to win and Paula was really exited and proud of Chris’s journey. Simon thought it was a good vocal, a little sexy with a bit of soul. It was ok, definitely one of Chris’s better performances, still it was just alright, nothing to really right home about.

Melinda Doolittle sang “There Will Come A Day”. Randy said Melinda had arrived (guess he missed seeing her get there some time ago). Paula said Melinda was magical. Simon didn’t think it was a copycat performance, he said Melinda made him believe she had recorded it. Again, what’s there to say about Melinda that hasn’t been said? She’s good, she’s great but she’s not going to win. Deal with it.

Blake Lewis sang “Imagine”. Randy thought it was just ok but Paula thought it was the first sensitive performance Blake had done. Simon said it felt sincere but it didn’t go anywhere. Agreed, it wasn’t bad but it didn’t go anywhere, it just kind of was, other than that, good job.

Lakisha Jones, after butchering Carrie Underwood last week, decided to give Fantasia’s “I Believe” the treatment. Randy didn’t think it was her best performance (ya think?). Paula, well, she was just at a loss but tried ever so hard to say she preferred Fantasia’s version better. Simon agreed with Paula. You know, let this be a lesson to everyone out there, don’t sing the songs of former Idol winners, they haven’t been gone long enough and no matter how good you do, you’ll be compared to them. While not as completely horrid as last week, it was only a smidgen better. I’m by no means a Fantasia fans, for the most part I can’t stand her but I will tell you this, I’d buy hundreds of Tasia’s song before I’d consider this one.

Phil Stacey sang “The Change”. Randy thought it was another strong performance. Paula thought it was Phil’s best performance and Simon has decided he really likes Phil and thinks Phil should stick with the Country genre. I want so bad to say something bad about this, I really do, but I can’t. It wasn’t blow me down spectacular by any means but for Phil, it was his best night yet. Good job.

Jordin Sparks closes the show with “You Will Never Walk Alone”. Randy said in six seasons it was one of the best vocals by any contestant ever on the show. Paula said she picked an amazing song and Simon thought Jordin was fantastic. Ditto that. Here’s the reason Melinda won’t win, she’s peaked, she doesn’t get better even week she’s just as good now as she was weeks ago. Jordin on the other hand is still growing, every week she seems to just get better, that will win her this competition.

So who’s getting shunned tonight amidst all the drama? That would be Lakisha. She should have gone home last week and I think she really knew she was going but this week will see her ended. Sorry. She’s a good singer, no doubt about that, but I’m tired of the angry faces all the time and the yelling.

Photo credit to: RealityTV Magazine