Hey Idol fans last night the herd began to thin out. The remaining nine contestants, singing from Dolly Parton's songbook were mostly just so-so.

Brooke White was the first to take the stage and tackled "Jolene." Sticking to a fairly traditional version of the song, she got a thumbs down from almost always perky, happy Paula Abdul. Simon said it lacked any emotion. Brooke has been a front runner until the last two episodes.

Things went better for my favorite-- rocker David Cook, who turned up with an attractive new hair cut. Singing "Little Sparrow" he got positives from Randy on his personalized version.

"You're a rocker, but I like how you've been showing you've got this unbelievable range," said Jackson.

David is star quality. And, he's so human. Last night he was taken to the hospital after having heart palpitations. His blood pressure was high and he was under stress having learned earlier that day his brother who is suffering from cancer had a setback.

Ramiele Malubay took the stage next, performing a simple version of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?" which left the judges with little to say. I think she left all of us with "little to say." Bu-bye Ramiele.

Dread locked Jason Castro managed to fair slightly better with "Travellin' Through," which received praise from Paula but not from Simon. Jason was one of my favorites early on but his last two performances have been ordinary.

Irish-born- Carly Smithson took the stage next with "one of the better performances of the night," as Randy dubbed it, choosing "Here You Come Again." Simon, however, slammed her not for her vocals, but for her choice of clothing.

"At this stage you've got to start looking like a star and you're not progressing at the moment," he said. I have to agree with Simon on this one. Carly would not have placed in anyone's best dressed list with the extreme outfit she sported last night.

Seventeen-year-old David Archuleta sang "Smoky Mountain Memories." This may be one of my favorite renditions this season. Simon and Randy raved, "This week, you were absolutely on the money," from Simon.

Wallpaper flower Kristy Lee Cook, who managed to stay out of the bottom three for the first time last week, put in a good performance, taking on the Dolly classic, "Coat of Many Colors." Paula liked it. While Christy has a good voice she is just plain devoid of personality.

Syesha Mercado boldly chose Dolly's "I Will Always Love You," originally sung by Whitney Houston. She may be going home tonight.

Finally, Aussie Michael Johns took the stage for "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right. Randy gushed over this one, "You keep bringing it up every week," Randy enthused. "That was a blazing performance dude." The man can bring it home every time.

At this point the men are once again towering far above the women. My bets for the final four are on Michael, and the two David's. And, Carly still has a shot if she can find a better look.

I think we'll be saying so long to Syesha or hopefully Christy.

For those of you who don't give a flying fig about Idol, there is a great Star Wars weekend coming up or you could just read a good book. I suggest "American Idol--Search for a Superstar" for a good read.