Pretty much every expectation was confounded on "American Idol" country week with Dolly Parton.
Country was supposed to be Kristy Lee Cook's strong suit, but she didn't pander and fell flat, probably sealing her early exit. David Cook didn't do the White Stripes doing "Jolene" and also fell a little flat, though that may have had more to do with the health problems that had him briefly hospitalized last night.
Syesha Mercado landed "I Will Always Love You" and sort of did it Whitney Houston style, but as Simon Cowell pointed out a few weeks ago, her voice really isn't as strong as she thinks it is. So even though she has probably be singing the song for years (unlike most contestants who had probably never heard the song they sang before last week) Mercado couldn't really turn it into something special. No matter how much she shouted.
That said, Michael Johns surprisingly commanded "It's All Wrong, But It's Alright" and Carly Smithson's ability to Celine Dionify "Here You Come Again" was interesting, though not as entertaining as the original.
The rankings:
Michael Johns, “It’s All Wrong, But It’s Alright”
Carly Smithson, “Here You Come Again”
David Archuleta, “Smoky Mountain Memories”
Syesha Mercado, “I Will Always Love You”
David Cook, “Little Sparrow”
Jason Castro, “Travelin’ Thru”
Brooke White, “Jolene”
Ramiele Malubay, “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind”
Kristy Lee Cook, “Coat of Many Colors”
BOTTOM THREE: Kristy, Ramiele, Jason
WILL BE CUT: Kristy
SHOULD BE CUT: Kristy
ACTUAL BOTTOM THREE: Kristy, Ramiele, Brooke
ACTUALLY CUT: Ramiele