I’ve said all along that everyone votes along the demographics. This is like an election, it’s a popularity contest instead of a true talent contest. I was dismayed when I saw Ruben Studdard standing on the stage awaiting his fate. I knew he wouldn’t be voted off, but his being there while Joshua Gracin remained safe. I’m nowhere near done, read on. Being down to the final five, now the kids get to sing two songs, which adds a different dynamic. They also get to wear two different outfits, and in some cases that’s not a great thing.

Ruben Studdard opened the show strong with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. Simon had a classic one liner regarding Ruben’s leather digs by quipping, “I know why there’s a cow shortage in California”. What hurt him was his second performance of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” because it was not strong. Still, I was stunned to see that the public would rate him fourth out of those five contestants. I’m unable to use profanity here, but believe me that I was using some when I saw him fall into the danger zone.

Trenyce came out in a pathetic outfit with a desperate performance and ruined “Proud Mary” in her attempt to clone Tina Turner’s rendition. Simon likened it to a “drag act” and I agree. She had a better outfit with her second performance, and actually her version of “Love Will Keep Us Together” was very good. However, clearly this girl needs to go back to being Lashundra Cobbins for a while. Her exit was overdue, and I’m getting sick of her slapping her hand against her hip while she sings. That’s not dancing, it’s just annoying, okay?

Joshua Gracin has been on borrowed time since he abandoned country. Unlike the judges I rated “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” in the middle of the pack. He really does need to drop twenty pounds, which Simon told him weeks ago. Given a better diet he could have done it and stood a chance to win it all. Now he has Simon calling him “dreary”. His second performance was “Bad Blood” and there was no blood about it, it was just bad. He’s done next week for sure.

Kimberley Locke sang what I thought was a crappy version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” but I just don’t like the style. Her little pink outfit was sort of weird when she came back with “Where the Boys Are”. Overall, I rated her in the middle of the pack for both songs, but as the last woman standing she is almost assured a spot in the finals against Clay, who has to be considered the favorite to oppose her at this point.

Clay Aiken closed down the show with “Solitaire” and earned praise from the judges, but I thought his first song was much better. The dude owned “Build Me Up Buttercup” and in spite of Simon he is en route to win it all. Honestly, he has the most talent of the group and is the most marketable. Everyone likes him, and his voice is awesome.

Overall, I’m glad Trenyce, Lashundra or whatever the hell her name is this week is gone. If it was based on talent alone, Joshua Gracin would be long gone and I have to expect he is the next one gone. Hopefully they’ll let him sing country songs next week so he doesn’t embarrass himself anymore. Ruben Studdard probably will garner a lot of sympathy from the people who were shocked at his bottom two ranking. If I was to predict the future, I say Joshua, Ruben, Kimberley eliminated in that order with Clay winning it all. Clearly Clay will battle Ruben for the title, but demographics make it tough for two dudes to make the finals.