First DWtS, now AI...what happened to these promising season? What a terrible week on AI. Seriously, could they have picked lamer songs? The judges, the contestants, the producers. Lame.

And I did the math, by the way: This is the semi-finals, but they kept them to a minute thirty. So in an hour show, 14 minutes is singing. We know 20 minutes is commercials. That means 25 minutes is pure crap.

Grumble, grumble. Again.

Well, i guess I'm obligated to soldier on despite my personal resentment, so here goes:

1. David A. was first with the judge's pick: And So It Goes, by Billy Joel, chosen by Paula

Close your eyes. I've discovered this is the solution to my David A. problem. If I just don't look at him and his awkward, stilted, traumatized physicality, then I can enjoy his voice...in fact it can lull me into a hypnotized stupor. This was the song that killed Carmen Rasmussen in week 2, but David A. did it more justice...as long as you didn't look at him.

David's own pick for himself was With You by Chris Brown

OK, it's kinda hilarious trying to picture David A. as some smooth R&B singer. The controversial "my boo" lyric was the least of his problems. I mean at least he remembered "my boo" without trouble, because throughout much of the rest of the song he seemed very close to losing the lyrics. Which made him terminally behind the beat. There were moment when he seemed relaxed, he smiled, he was almost enjoyable to watch and listen to. But much of it was rough.

Finally, the producers saddled David A. with Longer, found in the dictionary under "treacly ballad", by Dan Fogelberg. I sang this song at quite a few weddings...IN THE LATE 70S AND EARLY 80S PEOPLE!!!! David A. was in his own little world on this one, barely listening to the background singer and therefore being always off from her. Again, close your eyes, and there is some pretty singing going on there. But keep 'em closed.

2. Syesha's judge's pick was: If I Ain't Got You, by Alicia Keys, chosen by Randy

Really? Saddle her with this song that has sent many an AI contestant out of the audition room or even off the show, head hung low? Nice work, Randy. This was a completely copycat vocal performance, and for what it was worth as that, she did fine. I like her voice...she really does do the most to bring vocal variety to her performances. Vocal range, dynamic range, different textures. But is she wildly special? Nah.

Syesha's own pick for herself was Fever by Peggy Lee (although she did more of a Madonna version.)

Good, but still copycat. She is just sucking wind at trying to communicate who she is, at making every song seems like hers, rather than trying to become what she thinks every song once was. Nice voice, and certainly nice to look at. But ultimately...do we care?

Finally, the producers saddled Syesha with Hit Me Up by I don't even know who, from the movie Happy feet. About penguins. Such a weird song choice. This frenetic song never seemed to become a song, it always seemed like she was getting through an extended intro...and then it was over. Terrible choice of song...and she seemed to know it. She looked like she was "gamely" attempting it, but that she knew it was the death knell for her. Which it probably was.

3. David C.'s Judge's pick was The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack, chosen by Simon

It was...boring in the beginning, more interesting as it went on, and finally did manage to work because he built to some really well-executed high notes.

David C.'s own pick for himself was Dare You To Move, by Switchfoot.

I like Switchfoot actually, but let's be kind and say this song doesn't lend itself to a minute thirty very well. Plus he had some vocal issues, like maybe he blew it all out on the aforementioned high notes. There were both rough notes that didn't sound nice, but also pitch issues. It was not good. (And on a side note: the sign Cougars 4 Cook? Also not good.)

Finally, the producers saddled him with I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing, by Aerosmith. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Oh, what? I'm sorry. See, I don't need to hear that song ever again, and I could always use a little cat nap, so you know, I'd rather catch some zzzs than hear this stupid, boring song (especially when sung pretty poorly, as David C. did.).

Gah! The whole show...what a disappointment.

Bottom line for the Bottom 2:

Well, I imagine it's a done deal that Syesha is out of here. I can't remember if they even do a bottom 2, do they?

Despite last night's roughness I still would root for David C. over David A., hands down.

But what did you think?