Mariah Carey night on American Idol began on a rather solemn note, as host Ryan Seacrest remarked that all were “still feeling the shock waves here after last week’s surprising departure by Michael Johns.” As a chorus of boos filled the theater, he reminded us that “every single vote is vital.”

But really, all that’s old news. Tomorrow someone else will be kicked to the curb and it will time to interview them. Who will it be?

Superstar Mariah Carey mentored this week, and at the outset I was afraid for the Idols. Carey is a diva unlike any other - a harder theme night could hardly be imagined. She looked fabulous for her mentor sessions, and seemed completely at ease with the cameras and contestants. Were the Top 7 just as comfortable with her songs?

David Archuleta began the night with “When You Believe,” yet another hardcore message song from the kid. It started out a bit breathy, but again David found his stride when he got to the chorus. He hit the falsetto under Carey’s advice and it all worked out perfectly. Randy Jackson admitted “I was a little worried about tonight,” but reiterated that “if you can sing, you can sing anything.” He finished off his praise by crying “that was the bomb, baby!” Paula thought Mariah would be proud of David. Simon called it “very, very good,” and told him “you performed that very well.”

Carly Smithson chatted it up with Ryan about the absence of Johns before she took the stage to sing “Without You,” offering up another beautiful performance. She did seem a little out of her element in the song, though she did look great. “I like that you challenged yourself,” Randy lauded, calling the performance “pretty good, pretty good, pretty good.” Paula Abdul admired Carly’s “vocal restraint.” Simon posed a question, “could you pull it off on the night? And, I don’t think you did.” He criticized Carly for “over-thinking it,” and called hers an “okay version.” I actually sort of see what he’s getting at with these comments, and I rather agree. Song choice, Carly, song choice.

Syesha Mercado delivered “Vanishing” with absolutely amazing vocals. Looking gorgeous in gold, she showed off her impressive range and hit every note perfectly. The finish was likewise incredible. For weeks now, Syesha has impressed me. And for weeks now, the judges have bashed her seven ways from Sunday. It’s obvious they have their certain favorites, but this is starting to get ridiculous. After completely nailing the song and thrilling me to the core, the judges offered only lackluster praise. “I like that you’re bold,” Randy told her, saying “you did a good job,” though he did comment on a “couple pitchy moments.” Really? Where? Paula (who by the way looked terrible) called it “unbelievably magical.” Simon Cowell announced that “technically, it was very, very good,” but he didn’t seem to like the song choice at all. Seriously, what is going on with this?

As Ryan and Syesha exchanged comments on stage, Simon Cowell announced “So far, David Archuleta has stolen the show - and he’s the one to beat.” But all that would soon change.

Brooke White, in yet another terrible dress, of course picked “Hero.” Saw that song choice coming four weeks away. Brooke of course sang it from behind the piano and changed up the song to suit her own style. Her vocals were good - not jaw-dropping, but good - but I’m not sure I liked the arrangement. I’m quite sure I don’t like Brooke White. Randy called her performance “kinda cool” and “pretty good.” Paula thinks Brooke is “authentic” and found it a “very brave thing to do.” Really? After she’s done practically the same bloody thing every single week, it’s brave now? Simon summarized perfectly: “It was a bit like ordering a hamburger, and only getting the bun.” He clarified a moment later: “I don’t think your voice is was strong enough for that song.” But really, Brooke was in a tight spot with Carey songs anyway, and it seems she can do nothing (not even suck all the fun out of every song she’s ever sang) to get herself eliminated.

Kristy Lee Cook chose “Forever,” a song choice which only called attention to her rather weak vocals. She did manage to get a little bigger toward the middle of the song, but all the notes sounded somewhat sharp to me. “I didn’t think that was amazing,” Randy admitted. “You definitely started steppin’ up at the end,” he added encouragingly. Paula gushed, “I’m like, blown away,” leaving me wondering what I’d missed. She also liked the arrangement and told Kristy “I’m proud of you.” Simon gave her some rather ambivalent praise. “You didn’t give me chills,” he told her, but added, “I think you managed with what you could.” He did, however, find the performance a little “whiny” and admitted “it just wasn’t good.” It rarely is with this one. “And you look beautiful!” Paula cried to her moments later. I found it all - even the outfit - a little old-fashioned.

David Cook chose to give “Always Be My Baby,” that whiny, depressed, gravelly rocker feeling he does so well. For that sort Creed-ish vibe, it was pretty good, but Cook is still running around the stage with a death grip on the mic stand and wearing weird outfits. He did give the song a good ending, always important on Idol. And because he is a favorite, the judges were blown away by this carbon-copy rock star-style performance that seventy thousand other Joes could have done with quite a bit more finesse. “You’re ready to make an album,” Randy Jackson told him, making a big show out of standing up to give him applause. “That song could be in a movie soundtrack right now,” Paula enthused. “You’re it!” She cried. “It was like sort of coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air,” Simon grandly proclaimed, to the delight of every female in the room. He called it “original,” “daring,” and said the performance “stood out by a mile.” Cook then cried with joy at the judges’ praise. Give me a break.

Upon return from commercial, Ryan Seacrest gleefully jumped into the audience to rip a sign from a fan’s hands, tearing it straight down the middle. The sign, of course, read “Simon for President.” Indeed, the debates would be a hundred times more entertaining. Sadly, Cowell could never run for the office - he wasn’t born in the U.S. But, it’s an idea.

Jason Castro closed the show with “I Don’t Want to Cry.” His usual laid-back vibe was evident, and Castro was most certainly in his element as he commanded the stage. He started out sounding exceptional and stayed that way throughout, captivating me so thoroughly that I was ready to dub his the best performance of the night. Randy Jackson wasn’t feeling the same. “I didn’t really love that,” he stated decisively. “I felt like I was at a weird luau and someone was playing some music in the distance.” Jackson finished with, “I didn’t get it.” Paula was quick to rush to Castro’s defense.  “I’d love to be at that luau and listening all night long,” she told Jason. “You are amazing,” Abdul smiled. Simon agreed with Paula for a rare change, calling Castro’s a “cool version” of the song and saying “the guys completely won the night.”

But will the votes reflect the same? Today many Idol fans no doubt have sore fingers after logging in as many votes as possible for the ones they love best. The memory of Michael Johns has not yet faded, and many will fight to keep their favorites in the running. Where will that leave habitual bottom-three contenders Kristy Lee Cook and Syesha Mercado?