Okay, while Paul McDonald can sing, and actually seems to be a musician, which is a huge advantage on this show, the whole mega-tooth-whitened hipster thing is annoying me. Also he sort of reminds me of Joe Cocker, and not in a good way.

Thank you! I think that was the thing that was bugging me. It wasn't that he was overtanned, it was the teeth. So white that they actually made his complexion look darker. Now I can't get that episode of Friends out of my mind where Ross over-whitens his teeth. "Demon! Demon!" Oh, man. That's funny.

I still like Paul McDonald quite a bit and think he was by far the best of the night.

I have had Top Chef dreams two nights in a row! Both featuring Carla! (And one in which Jimmy Carter was a guest contestant!)

So, the big deal chef from my town is gonna be on Top Chef Masters. [link] We happen to share a name, and his daughters go to school with my kids, so everyone from my state representative to the dry cleaner keeps asking me if I'm his wife. Great guy, great family, and he has a huge tattoo of a radish on his forearm. What's not to love?

BTW, Kat, I looked him up and Scotty McCreary is only 17. He may have a grown ass man voice, but he's still a baby!

Tonight I watched on Tivo delay. Singers I allowed to do the whole song: Karen, Pia, Haley (I feel like such a terrible snob for thinking she's so trashy, but she's so trashy, right?), Lauren Turner (she needs to learn to dress so she looks like she has a neck), Naima, Lauren Alaina (but just barely, and partly I let her sing because I was mystified at how a 16 year old girl can look so much like she's 35), Thia. Karen is adorable and is my pick to go far.

Lauren Alaina is 16?? I thought she was on the older end of the age range. That kinda makes the pink Toddlers and Tiaras dress she wore the other week a wee bit more understandable.

I had to miss it due to a last minute temp job assignment.

Well, that was an excellent TC - but I imagine we're going to have two eliminations prior to the actual final judging, aren't we.

Mike I. is still an asshole, but damn his dish did look awfully good.

I'll be real curious to read in the blogs about this one. I can't imagine that they were set for all 5 to go from the start. I wonder if there is a "perfect storm" option in the rules in case everyone knocks it out of the park.

I was terrified for Carla because Tom kept mentioning things about the vegetables lacking, despite way praising the broth.

I am watching Idol for the first time in YEARS...probably since the third season? Because my roommate is. I haven't watched before this week, but watched yesterday and today.

And seriously, the girls are kicking the boys' asses. Last night several times I was like "TAKE A DAMN BREATH, AND THEN SUPPORT YOUR NOTES!" Tonight, mostly just a couple girls who are pitchy. But seriously, to a couple of them, (a) You are no Kelly Clarkson and (b) You are SURE as hell no Reba. What crack are the judges smoking telling her she sounds good??!?!