Television

So do-overs are allowed on American Idol. Who knew?

Based on Brooke White's repeated start of "Every Breath You Take" Tuesday night, they are even encouraged. Randy Jackson called the flub "good professionalism," while Simon Cowell noted that the first part of the song "even with the mistake, was fantastic."

Wouldn't it be fun if the other contestants ran with this next week? Maybe one of them gets halfway through the song and says: "Oooh, you know what? I totally messed that up. Taking it from the top." Imagine the chaos!

No, this group is too well-behaved for such shenanigans. Except, perhaps, for Chikezie, who cannot take criticism. When Simon called him out for cheesy arm movements to the crowd during his "If Only for One Night," he went to whining. "That's who I'm singing for!" he said. "I'm sorry!"

Contrast that with Jason Castro, who seems fine and dandy about being dissed. After the birthday boy sang Sting's "Fragile," Simon accused him of having "two bad weeks, and I think it's time you start taking this a little more seriously."

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Brooke White

"You know, I can see where he's coming from," Jason said. But that's not all: "I could spend a little more time practicing," he noted. Perhaps not the smartest admission to make.

Up next was Syesha Mercado. While Jason is all "Whatever, dude," she's the typical Idol contestant: driven, focused, in it to win it. Still, for now, there's probably room for both on the show.

Joining Syesha near the top this week were David Cook (although his "brave" rendition of "Billie Jean" was taken from Chris Cornell, a fact the judges seemed to overlook) and Michael Johns, who did Queen. Again.

It should also be noted that Kristy Lee Cook made quite a comeback with "God Bless the USA," which Simon called "the most clever song choice I've heard in years." The underdog's giddy reaction afterward was infectious.

The night was less fun for Ramiele Malubay, who hit many wonky notes during the chorus of Heart's "Alone." Alas: She didn't think to stop and start again.

Darla Atlas is a Fort Worth freelance writer.