I had to plead with you to vote for him, but regardless of how many people actually read the article, Clay Aiken’s rendition of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” put him into the finals. Simon called it a “fantastic performance” and all I have to say is he needs to keep his eyes open and head still. You can’t get a personality overnight kid. Let it grow.

Speaking of personality, Chip Days tried to find one by singing the “other” MJ’s “Rock With You” and I thought he found his groove. Simon said he was “capable of better” and it was a “terrible audition”. Case closed, he didn’t move on. Go ahead, push read more.

Kimberly Caldwell opened the night singing about the Earth moving under her feet. Simon called her unimpressive to which she moaned to Ryan Seacrest “I over focused myself”. Okay Britney Spears junior, whatever. Randy Jackson had to use “his” pick on her because the producers wanted her so she advanced, not surprisingly.

Nasheka ruined Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings” by blackening it up, although Simon did utter that she “did brilliantly”. I’m thinking he reconsidered when watching the show on the “tele” later on. Thankfully, she is gone.

Carmen Rasmusen said she was singing country, but the song she performed was about as much country as Shania Twain. Norcaldoll liked it, so that was where our votes went. Simon said it “wasn’t good enough” but apparently changed his mind based on image because he picked her to move into the finals.

Olivia Mojica butchered another song favorite of mine, Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me” from a great movie. Simon referred to her as “childlike” and her stint on AI2 is now over.

Janine Falsone performed “We Belong to the Night” which is yet another song I like, and her version sucked. On the upside, Simon called her a “beautifully sexy girl” which was not enough to extend her into the final round.

Aliceyn Cooney was yet another ambitious performer singing yet another favorite song of mine with “In the arms of the angels”. They should have called this “norcalfella’s favorites ruined forever”. Simon said “I’m not jumping out of my chair” and it was evident that she had not done enough to advance because she sang about angels every time out. Her AI2 dreams are now dead, hence the irony.

Trenyce came out in a hot pink skirt and trashed “Let’s Stay Together” which is a classic. Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson both loved her, while Simon said he was “not quite as excited”. To spite Simon, Paula picked her to move on. Totally undeserved, but whatever.

So the foursome of Clay Aiken, Kimberly Caldwell, Trenyce and Carmen Rasmusen advanced. I pegged Clay and Kimberly, and also said one of the jilted gals would advance. Hey, that’s not bad. Chip ultimately was ditched for Trenyce, which is a crime in my book. He could have developed into quite an artist. However, with a trio of black dudes already in the dirty dozen and no heir apparent to Christina Christian in sight, they had to push her on.

I’m feeling pretty good since we voted Carmen, and pushed for Clay. Regarding the other 8, Charles Grigsby is fantastic, Corey Clark is a Klown, Joshua Gracin is already a hero with a great voice, and Julia DeMato is a snobby brat. Ruben Studdard is deserving, Vanessa Olivarez has spunk, Kimberley Locke I liked before she opened her fat mouth (to talk back) and Rickey Smith is a joke.

As much as “I’m a Celebrity…” floundered, this is really the musical version of that show. Instead of living in the rain forest, they live in a plush house. Instead of plunging into a pool of snakes, they sing in front of Simon. Same stuff. To establish my fab five, I’ll take Gracin, Grigsby, Aiken, Studdard and Olivarez. That’s based on talent, not how well they will do in the voting. We all know from the original show that talent doesn’t win. I’m done for now, but I welcome your comments.