American Idol: Top 8 Finalists

(S06E28) So who exactly thought a Latin-themed night was a good idea for American Idol? I fully expected tonight's performances to be painful. However, I really didn't expect Sanjaya to sing in Spanish and give one of the better performances of the night. Unbelievable. Just when you think Idol has no more surprises left, you witness something truly shocking.

Jennifer Lopez, looking rather svelte, took time out from her busy schedule to mentor the finalists and help them find the passion in the Latin-themed music. Unfortunately, not many of them truly found their inner Latin beat. J.Lo excitedly gushed that she watches American Idol at home, and she does have her favorites. Yeah, so we've heard.

The cast of Drive, and Mickey Dolenz are in the house to watch our Top 8 fight to keep their spots in the competition. And before the hour is up, we'll learn that LaKisha tried out for Idol to make a better life for her daughter, and Jordin loves 80s music. We'll also hear a story about a cow named Simon.

The night starts off with the heavy hitters batting first.

1. MELINDA -- She sings "Sway." J.Lo tells her to go out on stage with the intention that she's the sexiest, sultriest thing around. Mindy Doo admits that will be a challenge, because she is "so not sexy." Her dress is much more flattering this week, making her look longer and leaner in her midsection. But her hair? Is that one of the bad wigs from Dreamgirls? Randy says another "solid performance." He liked it. Paula calls it "very sultry, very smooth" and a "subtle" performance. Simon says "it had to happen -- I didn't like it." He found it very "cabaret, lazy, and wooden." He thinks she's better than that. Melinda is happy because Simon wanted something bad to say about her and he got the chance. I agree, it wasn't her best, and certainly wasn't sultry.

2. LaKISHA -- She sings Gloria Estefan's "Conga", and J.Lo helps her pronounce it with Latin-flavor. And rather than give Kiki singing tips (It's not like she's going to listen anyway), Jennifer gives her some dancing tips. LaKisha comes out with overflowing cleavage that is starting to distract from the singing, especially since she's moving around tonight. The band sounds really good, but LaKisha just isn't feeling the music. She looks uncomfortable. Randy loves that Kiki was having a good time, and made it her own. He calls it "hot." Paula says LaKisha looks lovely, but she didn't feel it as much as Randy. Paula thinks it was a "safe" performance. Simon actually agrees with Paula. He says even though LaKisha was having fun, he isn't sure how much fun the people at home had (not much, Simon). Plus, he didn't think the dancing was very good.

3. CHRIS -- He sings "Smooth" by Santana. Again, J. Lo helps with the Spanish pronunciation. I have never wanted to turn down the sound, as much as I do listening to Chris murder one of my favorite songs. Poor Rob Thomas. Randy thinks he did a really good job, and calls it "really cool." Randy likes the runs at the end. Paula calls it a "hot, hot performance." She thinks Chris is sexy. Simon says it wasn't the best vocal he's ever heard, but he preferred the performance to the first two. I disagree with the judges completely. I cannot stand those whiny and annoying vocal runs. That was painful. And the guy sings like he's in pain too. Honestly, he's a lot cuter with the sound turned down.

4. HALEY -- She sings "Turn the Beat Around." J.Lo brings Blake in the room to give Haley a beat. J.Lo says Haley's going to have to "throw the song at people" if she wants to win this week. But we know, and Haley knows, what her real assets are, which is why she comes out wearing the shortest shorts possible. She also looks a little like Jennifer Lopez tonight. And yes, she's having fun with the song, but what's with all the weird faces? Randy calls it "really karaoke." Paula says it is a fun song, and she "had fun up there." Simon thinks Haley is smart to wear the least amount of clothes possible. That's all she can do, he says, and "have fun." He also felt the vocals were rushed. I don't love Haley, but the judges do seem to be a bit harsh with her.

5. PHIL -- He sings Santana's "Maria, Maria." Jenny tells him to think of somebody while singing the song. Then she claims he gave her "goose pimples." Ew. The good news is, we don't have to look at Phil's shiny bald head. The bad news is that we have to look at the dorky hat. As usual, his voice is inconsistent -- good in some places, cracking in others. Randy agrees with Jennifer that Phil didn't quite connect with the passion of the song. Paula thinks it was a good vocal. Simon found no originality, and calls it "a bit lifeless" and "flat." Simon says there is "nothing to get positive or excited about." Phil takes his lumps, and tells Simon that his daughter has a stuffed cow that she named Simon Cow. Okay, that's kind of cute.

6. JORDIN -- She sings Gloria Estefan's "The Rhythm is Gonna Get You." J.Lo says Jordin's voice is so sweet, and reminds her of Michael Jackson. Jennifer shows her how to move her body to the rhythm of the song. I'm disappointed because I really thought Jordin was going to pick a Selena song. Randy says she has the "Yo Factor on blast." Paula loves that she is "authentic" and "adorable." Simon feels the same he's felt all night -- it was only an okay performance. He's frustrated tonight. I hear you, Simon. But what did you expect on Latin-themed night? If only you had let Perla, the Shakira-clone, through during Hollywood Week.

7. BLAKE -- He sings "I Need to Know" by Mr. J.Lo (Marc Anthony). Jenny tries to get Blake into the passion of the song. Is it just the Latin music or is it hot in here? Blake is sweating up a storm on stage. When I close my eyes, I like what I hear. But when I look in Blake's eyes, I can't find any emotion. Randy thinks it's the "best song choice of the night." He calls it a "hot performance." Paula says, "it captured the essence of who you are." Simon calls it "the best performance so far." Does he mean tonight or ever? Because it was the best tonight, but not ever. Still, Blake is going to sail on through after tonight's performance.

8. SANJAYA -- He chooses a Spanish song, "Besame Mucho," and J.Lo says she loves him. She tells him to not to rush the ending. She thinks it's a good song choice for Sanji, and Jenn believes that Simon might be impressed. Sanjaya sits on the stool, sporting some subdued curls, and facial hair. He looks a little less feminine, and even more like that dude in Nacho Libre. And I agree with Jenny-from-the-block. The song works for Sanjaya. Randy calls him one of the smartest contestants he has ever met. Randy says, "that was actually really good." Paula calls it "smooth" and "very, very nice." Simon snarks that he couldn't understand a word of it, Sanjaya sang like a fourteen year-old, and "I'm going to hate myself for this -- it wasn't horrible."

So we did have some surprises tonight. Our powerhouse ladies didn't do so well with the Latin beat. And Sanjaya finally found a song he could sink his teeth into.

Who's Going Home? Haley and Phil are definitely in the bottom three. I'd personally like to see Chris join them or even go home (but he has his many fans). I also think there could be a surprise tomorrow. I think LaKisha might be in the bottom three for the first time. Melinda, Jordin, Blake, and Sanjaya, are most likely safe.

Tomorrow: Live Results Show #8 and Jennifer Lopez takes the stage.

Plus, tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Idol Gives Back event.

For more Idol coverage, check out People.com.

And vote for your favorite finalist in AOL's poll.