Television

Perhaps fittingly on a night that focused on show tunes, Tuesday's American Idol was heavy on the drama.

First there was guest judge Andrew Lloyd Webber. Apparently he didn't get the memo that one is supposed to rave about every singer's abilities instead of telling it like it is. A sample comment, given (sadly) to Rockwall's Jason Castro, who wrestled with the song "Memory": "He kind of understood it. I think."

Jason, who'd admitted being nervous, got through the song. It wasn't a disaster, but it wasn't outstanding. As Simon Cowell put it, "You were miserable throughout, and I was partly miserable. It's not your style of music."

But it was certainly Syesha Mercado's turn to shine; wearing a clingy red dress and standing on the piano, she captivated the crowd from the first note of "One Rock 'N' Roll Too Many" from Starlight Express. The witty romp was reminiscent of Kelly Clarkson's oft-replayed version of "Stuff Like That There" from season one.

Speaking of Kelly, neither she nor any of the other Idol alumni ever once stopped a song and started over. Brooke White is the only person who does this. As of this week, she's done it twice. It's her "thing."

Hey, why don't they all try it next time? Simon had no problem with the practice, even calling it brave. But credit Paula Abdul for being the voice of reason. With a dramatic (what else?) pause, she said, "You must never. Stop. And start."