Adam Lambert Jumps the Shark, Danny Gokey Shines

Tonight, the American Idol contestants had the assignment of singing standards from the Rat Pack era.

There was a celebrity working with the contestants this week -- Jamie Foxx.

I thought each of the five remaining contestants had a good night.

Kris Allen ("The Way You Look Tonight"), Allison Iraheta ("Someone to Watch Over Me"), and Matt Giraud ("My Funny Valentine") all did well.

Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert were the last to perform.

Danny was dressed in a suit and looking really great. He sang better than he looked. He had his best performance in weeks, singing "Come Rain or Shine." He was phenomenal. His vocals were fantastic.

All the judges loved him. Randy thought he was great. Speaking of that Rat Pack swagger, Kara told Danny, "You had swag tonight." He really did.

Paula called the performance "stellar" and Simon said, "That was outstanding."

Adam was the last to perform. He sang "Feeling Good."

This was the night that Adam jumped the shark. He's been teetering on the edge of going over the top and he finally went a shrill screech too far.

Adam has always been theatrical but this was ridiculous. Dressed in a white suit and white tie paired with a black shirt, Adam stood at the top of a long staircase bathed in hot pink lights.

He dramatically made his way down the stairs. He had swagger, too, but it was sort of a Liza Minelli kind of swagger.

Adam has such an incredible voice and he's so incredibly talented that he doesn't need to go over the top like that. Rather than toning it down and reining it in, he vamped it up, WAY up.

Randy thought it was too theatrical, my thoughts exactly. As usual, Kara showered Adam with praise, calling him "sleazy." I think she meant that in a good way. Paula said that it's like this is the Olympics and Adam is Michael Phelps. Simon commented on his memorable entrance.

I don't think there's any question that Danny Gokey won the night. It belonged to him. His performance was so Rat Pack.
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Video: Danny Gokey, "Come Rain or Shine"



Video: Adam Lambert, "Feeling Good"