Few opinions change
on ‘Idol’ rebroadcast

Scott Savol, 28, Shaker Heights, Ohio: Savol picked "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins. Helped by a strategic removal of his glasses before the line "take a good look at me now," it was another strong performance from a contestant who needs one every week. But Simon was less of a fan, which really seemed to aggravate Savol. He rolled his eyes when Simon expressed his ambivalence, and it might not be such a great idea for Savol to antagonize someone with Cowell's potential to eviscerate a performer onstage.
Grade: B
The judges: "I feel like you're getting better every week. I think you're in it to win it as well." – Paula Abdul.
Stay or go: Abdul's praise aside, Savol's a long way from being at Underwood's level of security. He'll probably make it through the week, however.
Upon Further Review: All the attention in the rebroadcast was focused on Simon, the judge who consistently likes Savol the least. That can’t be good for his chances, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him in the bottom three this week.

Bo Bice, 29, Helena, Ala.: Bice said he picked "Time in a Bottle" because Jim Croce is one of his heroes, but another motivation was probably to show his softer side. Beginning the performance sitting casually in front of the video screen, it was the classic ballad that wins fans and influences people. The judges and the audience loved it, and Bice is still among the favorites to win this completion.
Grade: A
The judges: "Every time I see you perform, it's like I'm seeing someone who's already made it." – Simon Cowell
Stay or go: Bice is perfectly safe.
Upon Further Review: Ryan told Randy Jackson that he’d seemed the least impressed with Bice the previous night, but if that were the case, a good night’s sleep had totally changed his tune. Randy was effusive with his praise for Bice showing his “sensitive side.”

Nikko Smith, 22, Town & Country, Mo.: Smith turned Sisqo's "Incomplete" into a full-scale show, showing up in a long coat and hat and styling throughout the performance. Paula Abdul, who's clearly Smith's biggest fan, was moved enough to lock lips with Simon after Cowell praised the performance. Smith just has to hope that Abdul's ardor translates into votes.
Grade: B-
The judges: "Give or take a few pitch problems, it was by far your best performance." – Simon Cowell.
Stay or go: Even with his best performance, Smith has to consider himself in trouble because he's already been voted off the show once. He'll probably make it to next week, but it wouldn't be shocking if he were in the bottom three.
Upon Further Review: Smith was one of the big winners on Wednesday, getting his ego stoked by Paula (“You even sound better hearing it again!”) and Randy (“That was the best performance of last night.”) He went from being on the bubble to an obvious keeper.

Vonzell Solomon, 21, Fort Myers, Fla.: Solomon, in her first week singing as a 21-year-old (her birthday was Friday) went with "Best of My Love" by The Emotion. One thing's for sure – it was the best of Solomon's world. She came through with a nice performance on a night she sorely needed it.
Grade: B
The judges: "Your personality came out, but more importantly your vocals came out." – Paula Abdul.
Stay or go: Solomon is probably safe, but she's another performer who may wind up in the bottom three simply because everyone else was strong as well.
Upon Further Review: Solomon was another big winner in the rebroadcast, with all three judges plus Ryan Seacrest agreeing that she was great on Tuesday and is getting better every week. Simon praised her for having fun, saying that “This isn’t life and death, this competition. You should have fun.” Perhaps Simon should remember that kum-bah-yah attitude the next time he wants to eviscerate someone.

Constantine Maroulis, 29, New York: A 29-year-old from a hard-rock band taking on the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You"? It was an odd choice for the rocker, and the other members of Pray for the Soul of Betty were probably throwing up in the bathroom afterwards, but Maroulis made it work. He has all the mannerisms of a rock star, and that's enough for now.
Grade: B-
The judges: "You pulled it off, in a little over-the-top kind of way." — Randy Jackson
Stay or go: Maroulis is still a distant second to Bice on the rock-star-o-meter, but it would be a surprise if he were voted off so soon.
Upon Further Review: The judges softened their already tepid criticisms of Maroulis — Simon just said he found the notion of a hard rocker singing the Partridge Family song comparable to “someone from Metalica singing Donny Osmond’s greatest hits.” But Paula responded by giving Maroulis way more credit than he deserved, saying Maroulis was attempting to allude to David Cassidy's status as a pop idol in the 1970s. Because he’s not an idiot, Maroulis ran with that explanation.

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