Adios Haley Scarnato

Is there a master class curse? First, Tony Bennett gets the flu, and now rumors are circulating that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are separating.

While on the topic of Jennifer Lopez, we here at AI HQ have to eat a little crow for all the bad things we said about her running this week's master class. She was impressive. In fact, I'd say she came over as more helpful than Gwen Stefani. And, she was strong both in her performance and her brief Q&A afterwards on Wednesday night, too. Agree?

Unfortunately, Jennifer Lopez's advice didn't translate on the small screen. Tuesday night's show was just not good as it had terrible all around performances (Haley, Phil), disappointing performances by solid contestants who we usually think of as strong (LaKisha, Melinda?), and creepy performances by losers (Sanjaya). Yo no te quiero.

In fact, the only person who exceeded expectations at Idol HQ was Blake, and that was probably he's been so disappointing recently. But you see, give him a song that doesn't test his range, and his solid voice mixed with his performance-ability can make him a very strong contestant.

Maybe the contestants should have spent more time paying attention to J. Lo while they surrounded her on the floor and looked up at her like she was teaching them kindergarten.


Here's my Sanjaya bit for the week:
Who was that loser that needs to show the world that he owns Sanjaya's sister? I mean, you really need to wrap your arm around her to show the world she belongs to you? That family attracts creeps. I wish there was some way to show that guy that Sanjaya's sister is not that his possession.....but how?


Anywhoo, to no one's surprise, Haley got the boot this week. She had one of the worst performances of the week AND she wasn't very strong to begin with, so it really didn't shock anyone, did it?

Poor Brooke Stafford...She gets this week's booby prize for having Haley the highest out of anyone in the pool (she had her 5th). The loss of Haley knocked her down from 3rd to 7th.

Since everyone almost had Haley out already, not much happened this week in the standings. Lisa Wagner still remains atop of the heap with 140 points (298 max). She is one of a few people who is now 5 for 7.

Right on her heels remains Matty Lane who also has 140 points but with a max of 250. With such a low max score, Matty's going to need some bazookas to shoot down the competition ahead of him.

Kendra picks up the slack left by Brooke and moves up a spot to 3rd overall. Kendra, like a lot of people, is also 5 for 7, but can go 5 for 6 next week! She has 131 points and can max out at 298.

Team Zach & Sarah are still hanging around, too. Like Kendra, they have the chance to go 5 for 6 next week. Currently, they have 131 points and can max out at 279. Right now, they're in 4th.

In 5th sits Jane LeBlanc. Jane also has 131 points and can max out at a very respectable 272. Although, really, finishing in 5th place isn't a lot of fun. Bags full of cash is what you want, and that's what you'll get if you finish in 1st or 2nd.

Finally, Chris Serico has shot up the standings and is now sitting in 6th place. How has he been able to do it? Sanjaya. Serico has Sanjaya higher than anyone else in the standings, and he's been riding his coattails as far as that creepy twerp will take him.....Fortunately, Chris has Sanjaya going home next week. We all hope you're right, Chris. Serico is in excellent shape now with 129 total points and a max score of 298.

Wondering who the top 10 are in max points? Here they are (looks a lot like last week):

1. Marybeth - currently 8th - 303 points
2. Missy - currently 12th - 301 points
3. Lisa W. - currently 1st - 298 points
3. Kendra - currently 3rd - 298 points
3. Chris S. - currently 6th - 298 points
6. Will - currently 9th - 295 points
7. Kristin - currently 22nd - 286 points
8. Julie - currently 13th - 283 points
9. Jennie - currently 20th - 282 points
10. Team Zach & Sarah - currently 4th - 279 points
10. Amy Y. - currently 10th - 279 points

Everyone psyched for country week next week? I'm not. I think I'll just sit at home and eat my homemade fritatas.

The Master