It was a great week last week. Carly Smithson was sent packing and all those folk who were adamant she was a plant by the producers to win American Idol in 2008 were proved wrong.

Tonight the Top 5 are performing songs from the Neil Diamand Songbook

Everyone will be crooning tonight wont they? Or will someone be mixing it up a little and putting some new spin on a Neil Diamond classic. I guess we're about to find outn.

If you haven't already, why not join one of our Office Pools on the right and see if you can pick who is going and who is staying.

Also, If you need the voting numbers, they can be found here.

Here is tonight's recap:

Jason Castro

Original: Forever in Blue Jeans
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Not a bad performance from Jason but really, he needs to put his stamp on American Idol and be identifiable.

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David Cook

Original: I'm Alive
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This was the first performance of David's in a long time that I haven't liked. Thankfully there are two songs tonight.

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Brooke White

Original: I'm A Believer
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or the video here
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If ever anyone needed a song to be the final nail in the coffin to send them packing from American Idol then that was it. Someone else is going to have to majorly screw up in order for Brooke to stick around for another week.

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David Archuleta

Original: Sweet Caroline
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or the video here
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Finally Mr Archuleta pulls out a successful upbeat performance. Congratulations David! Well done! Finally!

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Syesha Mercado

Original: Hello Again
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or the video here
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No, no, no. Not a great start for Syesha tonight. I hope her second song is better.

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So the judges are weird tonight. Not making comments after the first performances. When it comes to the the end of the first round of performances, Paula totally messes it up by critiquing Jason's second song. Um.. say what? Yup, that's right. Obviously not paying attention and reading notes that she took from the dress rehearsal. Simon quickly interrupted to try and stop her from talking further but really, she'd already made a meal of it!

Jason Castro

Original: September Mom
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Is it just me or has Jason Castro become an even more boring version of Jack Johnson

Randy: "Dude, I dunno what's happening tonight but it was just ok. That was just another ok whatever performance."
Paula: "I thought you took the same liberty on both songs."
Simon: "We don't recognize you at the moment. No attempt to make the arrangement your own. Both were forgettable."

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David Cook

Original: All I Really Need Is You
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or the video here
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A much better performance second time around. In fact, it's really good. This could almost be a single

Randy: "I'm a huge David fan right now because you rocked the house again tonight."
Paula: "I'm so proud of you, you picked two of Neil Diamon'd less familar songs and pulled them off. I feel like I'm looking at the next American Idol"
Simon: "I thought the first song was ok, the second song was brilliant. You made the arrangement your own. That was smart."

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Brooke White

Original: I am...I said
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or the video here
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The second song was better than the first but I just don't see her as Idol material. It's time for her to go.

Randy: "Very vulnerable. That Neil Diamond song is one of the tougher ones but nice job."
Paula: "I think that what you did was you had fun and it shows your vulnerability and everyone loves who you are."
Simon: "I really hated the first song but this is the Brooke we like. It wasn't incredible but it was a million times better than the first one."

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David Archuleta

Original: America
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Two in a row? What has happened to David Archuleta this week? Is he building towards something here? This is the best he's been as far as I'm concerned as he's finally proved he can do more than simply put people to sleep.

Randy: "For a young man you are definitely in the zone right now."
Paula: "Perfect song to sing, voice is on point."
Simon: "That was a smart choice of song. That was clever. It ticked all the boxes. It was absolutely the right choice. Check, check, check."

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Syesha Mercado

Original: Thank the Lord for the Night Time
Pre-Order Syesha's version here
or the video here
1-866-43657-05 OR 1-866-43657-10

I'm not sure about Syesha tonight. She's been improving a lot but I don't feel tonight was very strong for her at all.

Randy: "I think you're finally realizing who you are. That is also in the zone. This is where I like you."
Paula: "Your first song showed a vulnerable side that is beautiful and magic. The second song showed a whole different side and that's your theatrical place and your pop side is like Corrine Bailey Ray."
Simon: "This is officially the strangest show we've ever done. I think what you demonstrated is that you're a very good actress/singer. I think you might be in trouble tonight because there are five of you left and you didn't have a memorable second song."

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A mixed bag for me tonight.

Tonight's bottom two for me would have to be Brooke White and Syesha.

I guess we'll see what happens with the results tomorrow night. Till then...