After last week's stunning (and in some quarters, highly divisive) elimination, this week's 'X Factor' performance show felt a little anticlimactic -- especially since we didn't have Blanket Jackson in the front row showing us how not to emote.

The theme was a little vague this week, promising popular songs sung in a dance style (as you can imagine, Josh Krajcik was somewhat perturbed by this development). And, because of a vaguely-explained technical glitch that prevented the contestants from singing Pepsi Challenge songs, we were also treated to tunes of the contestants' choosing, which were all put together in under 24 hours. (It showed.)

Hit the jump for our take on the final five's double performances, and place your bets on who is most likely to go home.

It was Michael Jackson week on 'X Factor,' and, for reasons probably known only to Simon Cowell, another excuse for a double elimination.

Thankfully, the poor Jackson clan weren't subjected to the results show as well as the performances (Blanket thanks you, Fox) and we're not about to prevaricate either. The remaining contestants sang 'Man in the Mirror,' with Marcus and Melanie acquitting themselves well while Chris Rene missed more notes than he hit.

Despite Steve Jones' hyperbole, only Melanie turned in a performance really worthy of the artist they were celebrating, meaning that many of the acts should've been in danger of elimination. The two artists who were sent home were ...