So here are my on-the-fly thoughts on tonight’s episode as the “American Idol” contestants sing the Beatles.

Amanda Overmyer: She did “Back in the U.S.S.R.” and sounded petrified. This song does have a melody and she should find it. Things picked up a bit toward the end, but the whole first half really was a muddle. I was hoping she’d do “Oh Darling,”, a ballad with a hard rock edge; I have to think it would have sounded a lot better than this one did. And will someone please tell her to stand up straight when she sings and quit bending over like she has a terrible pain in her belly.

Kristy Lee Cook: Wow, that was an interesting arrangement of “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” and I really liked it. This is not one of my favorite Beatles songs, I think because it’s so boring and sing-song-y. So when Kristy came out with this version, I was surprised in a good way. This is the first time she’s impressed me both with her interpretation and her singing. I think the judges are full of garbage on this one.

David Archuleta: He tackled one of my favorites, “The Long and Winding Road.” I don’t think this kid can sing anything except the slow ones; will he ever sing something upbeat where he actually has to move? And why isn’t Simon calling him out on that? Seriously, he sings OK but the horrible Sleestak intake of breath is going to drive me crazy and that wild lip-licking between phrases does nothing for him.

Michael Johns: He sang “A Day in the Life” and I really don’t think that’s a good choice. He said he loved it which usually is the kiss of death. I mean, just because you love it, doesn’t mean you should sing it. But at least when he sings, you feel like he’s really behind the song. I still like this guy and I want him to stay, though this one sounded pretty bad.

Brooke White: She sang “Here Comes the Sun,” which is a George Harrison song, so they must have gotten ahold of that permission as well. Anyway, it was dull, though I did like how they had the stage all orange-colored. Her dress was awful, though. I love how Brooke just tells her fans, “It’s OK, you guys.” Puh-leeze. And she can only sit at a piano when she sings? Time to branch out, Brooke.

David Cook: He rocked “Day Tripper.” I don’t like the guy because he’s two-faced but as far as his singing, he did a great job on this song, except for his funky semi-solo on the voice-box which just sounded weird. Please, lose the “I am a rock god” posturing and please, David, please … the hair. The hair! Spiky bangs = obvious comb-over. It has to go. Shave your head and deal with it.

Carly Smithson: “Blackbird” is one of the best Beatles songs ever (thanks Paul!) but her version was just kind of boring. It built a little and got better toward the end but it didn’t wow me. I like her voice but it never seems like there’s any real feeling behind it. And when is Carly going to get some wardrobe help? Her outfit last week was weird and this week’s giant rose-petal neckline blouse this week was just as strange.

Jason Castro: He sang “Michelle” which is my second most hated Beatles song ever. Even Paul said he wrote it just as a lark, trying to be all avant garde. Castro didn’t hit a lot of the notes, which is a problem. It’s like he was just barely missing them and it was painful. This is the worst I’ve ever heard him. And it seems like he knew it because it sort of turned into a joke halfway through. That was bad, Jason.

Syesha Mercado: She took on “Yesterday,” which has to be pretty brave. I thought she knocked it out of the ballpark. She sounded great. Paul would hate it, but I liked it.

Chikezie: I love that he chose an older Beatles song but I didn’t like how much he slowed it down. “I’ve Just Seen a Face” is a great uptempo song. He did a good job on it, and it sort of grew on me as a ballad. And then just when I was getting used to it, he took it to its original tempo and put a bluesy, bluegrassy spin on it. This guy looks so relaxed up there and like he’s have a wonderful time. He owns the stage when he’s on it and I loved it.

Ramiele Malubay: She sang “I Should Have Known Better” and she really should have. I don’t think she’s cut out for this competition anymore. She can carry a big ballad but she just doesn’t have the presence or enough interest to stick through a normal song. When she hit a couple of the high notes, she sounded fantastic and I kept wondering why she couldn’t sound like that through the whole song.

Totally random thoughts about tonight’s show:

It’s painfully obvious that the judges are pushing some and burying others. Way too obvious.

Someone please tell the audience to quit waving their hands. That couldn’t look more cheesy if it were on “Star Search” (which formerly starred David Archuleta).

The product placement is getting out of control. We have movie tie-ins and tonight Ryan did a long promo on the iPhone and then he actually made the judges hold up their Coke cups. Knock it off!

And finally, the quote of the night from Paula: “He (Simon) said it was called ‘Sparrow’ before it was called this (’Blackbird’). I don’t know if that’s true.”

Who could go home? Ramiele, Michael, Kristy Lee.

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