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After the elimination last week of Stephanie Edwards, two of the twelve finalists are out, and there are only ten potential winners left (in reality, there are many fewer than that who can win this thing). Those that are here tonight can all be seen on the Idol tour later this year.

The mentor this week is Gwen Stefani, and contestants are allowed to sings songs that inspired her. In other words, it could be anything.

Melinda Doolittle
Heaven Knows by Donna Summer

Gina Glocksen
I'll Stand by You by The Pretenders

Lakisha Jones
Last Dance by Donna Summer

Blake Lewis
Love Song by The Cure

Sanjaya Malakar
Bathwater by No Doubt

Chris Richardson
Don't Speak by No Doubt

Haley Scarnato
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper

Chris Sligh
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police

Jordin Sparks
Hey Baby by No Doubt

Phil Stacey
Every Little Breath You Take by The Police

I have to start by saying that I'm not sure the songs from No Doubt could really have inspired Gwen Stefani, since she was in the band. Perhaps they got away with it because they inspired her solo career or something. I'm really not sure.

Anyway, the talk of the show had to be Sanjaya Malakar. Not because he was good, because he really wasn't. But because he had a bizarre mohawk-looking arrangement with his hair. It was scary. His vocals were odd too, but I'm beginning to believe that he'll be around for a while. I hope not, but I suspect that's the case. Still, I'll put him in the bottom three for that hair alone.

I have to say that Chris Sligh, though I like his sense of humor and he's as close as I'll get to a home-town singer this year, is really starting to make me wonder. I just don't think he has the pop vibe. Which is certainly okay. But I suspect we'll see him in the bottom three as well.

LaKisha Jones also didn't wow me. She's got the pipes, but she's also in a bit of a groove, and doesn't seem to be growing much. I'm not sure if it's me, or if it just all sounds the same. Have to keep an eye on that.

Moving up this week was Gina Glocksen. I like the rocker chick, and I hope she can keep up the pace. There's a lot of strength on the girls' side, so she has her work cut out for her. Speaking of which, Melinda Doolittle really seems to be breaking out. I think she is now the one to watch.

To round out the bottom three, I'll have to pick Haley Scarnato again. The only thing keeping her going is her outfits. She just doesn't have the talent to get up there with anyone else - even most of the guys are better than she is (with the possible exception of Sanjaya).

Though I hate to say it, I think Chris Sligh will be the one headed home. I just wish he wasn't, but I'm thinking he doesn't have his heart in the show. Nothing wrong with that, and he sure had fun with it.

Update: Chris and Haley were in the bottom three, but Phil was there instead of Sanjaya. Dang. Maybe Sanjaya will make it one of these days. Chris was the one who left, however, so at least I got that part right!