OK...LET'S TALK ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL FOR A MOMENT

There is no doubt in my mind that this week's show, featuring Rod Stewart coaching the seven finalists who were singing standards from "The Great American Songbook", was the best of the competition. Almost all of the contestants had their mojo going, even those like Chris Daughtry who changed his looks and usual alt-rockin' sound to perform "What A Wonderful World".

I knew all along that it would be a tough week to pick a bottom three. The only obvious should have been country girl Kellie Pickler, who admittedly butchered the 1940 Rogers and Hart classic "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" from the Broadway show Pal Joey. Shockingly, she didn't even make the bottom three. She must have one heckuva extended family back in North Carolina who hit the speed dial over and over to vote. She's great eye candy, though.

My personal pick is 17 year old Paris Bennett, who just continues to be amazing singing tunes that would simply be way too mature for a mere teenager...but not her. Tuesday night's rendition of the Billie Holliday tune "Those Foolish Things" wasn't quite her best performance, but she didn't deserve to make the bottom trio. If I were a record executive, I'd sign her and Katharine McPhee without a second thought.

Next week should be interesting. The guest coach will be operatic/love song superstar Andrea Bocelli, and the theme will be love songs.