After escaping from the Lennon/McCartney songbook largely unharmed, the AI braintrust opted for a variation on a theme.  Steering this week into another free fall of Beatlemania, they opened wider the chest of Fab Four classics and dared the Top 11 to double dip.

The 2-hour spectacular started choppy with bewildering camerawork during the contestant intros, and then everyone just sort of stood there in a line, looking uncomfortable and awkward like a graduating class photo, or HS drama club dress rehearsal curtain call.

They continued to break in the new set by screening a Beatles bio-video-montage detailing the band’s invasion of America and the ensuing pandemonium.  Then Paula used the word, “gumption,” and we were off. 

 Amanda Overmeyer - “Back in the USSR” [video]

The two-toned wonder started her song in a made-up key that lived somewhere between floors, Being John Malkovich style. Kudos for staying true to your school, but the hard-driving, southern rock & blues vibe is a hard sell when you've got USSR in the title. 

Kristy Lee Cook - “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” [video]

The almost always eliminated Kristy Lee Cook made her selection based on the criteria of, “that sounds like a good title.”  She mixed up the arrangement pretty well and brought out a big finish, but it still fell short.  Simon said she’s not a good performer, and likened her to “musical wallpaper.”  To which she (accidentally) lasciviously retorted, “I can blow you out of your socks and you KNOW it.”  Everyone within a 1/2 mile radius began to blush.

David Archuleta - “Long and Winding Road” [video]

Redemption!  No forgotten lyrics.  No wheezing attack.  No excessive lip licking.  The boy scout is looking a little thin, however.  Simon dusted off the term “master-class,” and all is forgiven.

We interrupt this recap to bring you a SNL type parody of a commercial for the iPhone because that’s what Ryan did during the broadcast. It was an awkward Truman Show-esque live commercial about AI downloads available on iTunes.  Except it wasn’t a parody.  It just played one on TV.

Michael Johns - “A Day in the Life” [video]

Still riding the arrogant train, Mr. Johns attempted to shave down and remix a very complicated song into a 90 second Oasis rendering.  I knew we were in trouble when he said something like “I took the best parts of the song and put them all together.”  Does anyone else think he looks constipated and/or like this guy when he’s singing? 

Brooke White - “Here Comes the Sun” [video]

They hated it.  Lack of conviction.  Didn’t connect with the song.  Awkward dancing.  She’s really cute though.  Even in that dress. Following last week’s Let It Be love-in, tanking a performance was inevitable.

David Cook - “Day Tripper” [video]

Holy talk-box, Batman.  They dyed his hair.  He credited this week’s arrangement.  Simon thought he was smug and that it was predictable.  I thought it was actually pretty good.  Ryan is bringing back the word, “moshing.”

Carly Smithson - “Blackbird” [video]

Makeup is truly amazing.  It can make Carly Smithson look like Elizabeth Hurley.  Her performance was cool and controlled, creative and confident.  Go go gadget modulation.  Simon thought the whole thing was indulgent.  Indulgent?  From a girl who tattooed the number 7 on her knuckle to represent this Season of American Idol?  Perish the thought.

Jason Castro - “Michelle” [video]

Super hot in them jeans and looking like a dreadlocked Travola muppet, our true love Jason Castro showed a little more range and also learned French for this week’s charming, if not a bit goofy, rendition of Michelle.

Syesha Mercado - “Yesterday” [video]

Dressed up like Princess Jasmine, and showing off the twins, she powered through Yesterday “taking liberties with the melody” and switching up the arrangement to rave judicial reviews.

Chikezie - “I’ve Just Seen A Face” [video]

A countrified, harmonica rendering that made Simon pissy.

Ramiele Malubay - “I Should Have Known Better” [video]

Perky and hatted, the little miss displayed her bullet proof voice even though the song choice was far below her abilities and the whole thing came off “a bit amateurish.”

Tonight on FOX: One less bottle of beer on the wall, and the Top 10 are named.  Plus Season Something's also-ran, Kelly Pickler, puts on a show. 

BONUS THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: What if Kristy Lee Cook & David Cook are secretly married.  Or possibly brother and sister.  Or both.  You never see them interact.  It’s like they’re trying to keep it undercover brother.  So to speak.  Conspiracy theory or psychic phenomenon?  Ponder.

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