Please excuse the combined notes for the episodes in this thread, as I was away on vacation last week when “Idol” aired.

– Obviously the big news surrounding the show this week was the elimination of Jermaine Jones, not by America’s vote, but from “Idol” producers. If you’ve read my notes on the show this season, you know I wasn’t a fan of Jones for this show from the outset. I thought he had a great voice, but ultimately did not think he was the right fit for a show essentially trying to find the country’s next big pop star. There was something else about him that rubbed me the wrong way as well, and apparently I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. Jones had four outstanding warrants stemming from all sorts of run-ins with the law, from harassment to open containers of alcohol in public. He shouldn’t have been on the show in the first place, gets a second chance from the judges for essentially no reason, and then still finds himself off the show. Jones lied and ultimately cost someone else their dream. Now, instead of hoping for viewers to vote for him, he’ll have to hope for a judge to show mercy on him.

Contestants
– I enjoyed Phillip Phillips this week, which I don’t think I could honestly say… ever.
– Jessica Sanchez is clearly the odds-on favorite to win, and she showed why with her performance.
– Elise Testone proved that she’s great… with the right song.
– Something we haven’t seen a lot of this season – JLO criticizing Randy Jackson for his criticisms, as she did after Heejun Han’s performance. Sorry Jennifer, Heejun deserved it.
– Deandre Brackensick can do no right with me, sorry.
– “One Sweet Day” came out the year Shannon Magrane was born? I feel old. Poor song selection but still love her voice.
– Colton Dixon is still ready for a hit radio single, like now.
– Erika Van Pelt is usually great, and had her first OK since joining the show. Even her fellow New Englander, Steven Tyler, criticized her.
– Skylar Laine knocked it out of the park, again.
– Joshua Ledet still has the best voice of the finalists. Not sure if he’ll win, but wow he can sing.
– Even with a tough song, Hollie Cavanagh did a great job.

Ultimately Shannon Magrane’s poor song selection led to her demise. If she would have stayed in that “Lauren Alaina/country lane” she would still be on the show, but she didn’t and she is not.