Nadia, Scott born to be bad on ‘Idol’

Scott Savol, 28, Shaker Heights, Ohio: Savol sang "She's Gone" by Daryl Hall and John Oates. Hall and Oates were in the audience, which Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest seemed to think was akin to performing "My Way" in front of Sinatra. Maybe Savol can use that as an excuse, because the performance got off to an awful start before it was partially salvaged by the chorus. Pitchy in spots and wavering from key to key, Savol has certainly had better days, and may not have earned the right to any more of them on "Idol."
Grade: C-
The judges: "You try performing in front of Hall and Oates!" – Paula Abdul.
"I wouldn't do it. But I would have my low notes in tune." – Randy Jackson.
Stay or go: Savol was one of the bottom two last week, and he's in danger of a similar fate this time around. He and Turner are in the biggest danger of being voted off.

Carrie Underwood, 21, Checotah, Okla.: Apparently shocked and saddened that Randy Jackson called last week's performance boring, Underwood went rocking with Pat Benatar's "Love Is A Battlefield." She mixed up some of the words, but odds were that nobody in the audience noticed until Randy pointed it out in the comments. It wasn't her best showing, but combined with her earlier choice of Heart's "Alone" it shows that she's more than a country girl trying to pose as a pop star. Moreover, it was a whole lot livelier than last week's effort.
Grade: B
The judges: "It was a little like watching a kitten trying to be a tiger." – Simon Cowell.
Stay or go: Underwood was successful in playing the role of a rock star. Sure, she forgot some words, but she could have been singing in Ancient Greek and gotten enough votes to move on. She's perfectly safe.

Constantine Maroulis, 29, New York: No singer has stepped up more than Maroulis. He's one of only three singers who hasn't been in the bottom three (along with Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood), and will avoid that again this time around after his version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." More than anyone else, Maroulis has played to his strengths, and his irreverent side has shown through.
Grade: A
The judges: "You're the one to beat in this competition." – Paula Abdul.
Stay or go: Paula's statement may be a little too strong, but Maroulis has to be considered one of the favorites at this point. He'll stay.

Craig Berman is a writer in Washington, D.C.

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