Can someone please tell me why Randy Jackson was so harsh with so many of tonight’s “American Idol” contestants, only to overcompensate with a positive assessment for Asia’h Epperson’s brutal take on “All By Myself”?

At least Simon Cowell was correct with his analysis for nine out of 10 contestants tonight. There was one blatant falsehood, however: After Ramiele Malubay’s song left him disappointed, Cowell still called her one of the “top three singers in the competition.” Really? Because as cute as she is, she might be in my bottom three of the remaining 20.

The good news: Carly Smithson’s back on track; Kristy Lee Cook’s voice was almost as hot as her outfit (almost); and Syesha Mercado’s off-night was almost as good as Brooke White’s best night.

1. Carly Smithson—Her take on “Crazy on You” rocked in a way that Amanda Overmyer could only dream about. And while I do agree with Cowell that she hasn’t yet found the perfect song with which to connect, the part-time bartender’s stunning show-opener was met with a lukewarm reception from Randy Jackson. What more do you want, Dawg?

2. Brooke White—White got wise, listening to the judges’ comparisons to Carly Simon and sang her perfectly fitting “You’re So Vain” in the direction of another Simon (Cowell). It worked on every level and was nicely complemented by her guitar. I can’t imagine White performing any better than this, though. If she doesn’t show some versatility in weeks to come, she might become this year’s Lindsey Cardinale in the sense that she’s quite good in a certain genre but doesn’t connect with audiences with others. Random tangent: Cardinale’s gorgeous. Sorry, had to say it.

3. Kristy Lee Cook (above)—OK, let this be said, too. Kristy Lee Cook is hot. Stunningly so. We’re talking Cardin McKinney hot, people. So if I’m overcompensating by putting her so high on the list this week, I’ll admit that her clingy, shiny attire was partially to blame. But I really enjoyed “You’re No Good,” especially when the self-described tomboy got growly at the top of her register. And, unlike so many non-Carrie Underwood “Idol” contestants who sing country because they can’t sing anything, I wouldn’t mind if Cook followed Cowell’s advice and offered a twangier sound in weeks to come.

4. Syesha Mercado—Even with a drab, dull song choice, the commercial actress’ nuanced yet powerful chorus on “Me and (Mr.) Jones” was enough for me to recognize her solid and consistent talent. And while I love her power vocals, this was proof that she doesn’t have to shout to get noticed.

After these four, however, there were fatal flaws aplenty for everyone else—especially Epperson and three other genuinely talented singers who made absolutely horrendous song choices for ‘70s Week. Check ‘em out after the break.

5. Alexandréa Lushington—She didn’t have much with which to work on Chicago’s “If You Leave Me Now,” but she made the best of the song’s limited vocals and still managed to give it a mildly relevant feel. But I’m deducting points, though, for at first poking fun at her own performance (“It’s over.”) only to defensively guard it minutes later (“I knew that the song was right for me.”). Pick a story and go with it, kid, or you’ll look like a phony.

6 (tie). Alaina Whitaker and Kady Malloy—For completely different reasons, I was equally baffled by the performances of the remaining blondes. Whitaker’s pitch problems on Olivia Newton John’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You” sounded like an amateurish high school musical audition. And Malloy’s tuneless verses on Heart’s “Magic Man” was as charmless as her pre-song video was charming. Whitaker hit a couple of nice notes and Malloy’s voice, when she’s singing notes that exist on a treble clef, is on par with any of the girls remaining. But, regretfully, I don’t think Malloy will get another chance to redeem herself.

8. Asia’h Epperson—Her low notes were sketchy. Her high notes were screechy. And she flat-out MISSED a note—meaning there was silence where a note should have been—at the start of the first chorus, which the judges blatantly forgot to mention. Points for degree of difficulty and for looking beautiful, but wow, the former cheerleader was a massive disappointment, especially compared to last week’s success. Also, who thought this performance was a great way to end the show? Bad move, producers.

9. Ramiele Malubay—“Don’t Leave Me This Way” might be prophetic. Bad sign: There are about three notes on the chorus and she missed them more often than not. Also a bad sign: Know whose hula skills were also profiled in a pre-song segment? Sanjaya Malakar.

10. Amanda Overmyer (right)—By far, the worst performance since Season 7 opened the phone lines to voters. Forget the Bride of Frankenstein hair and hideous jeans for a second. (Just try.) She missed darn near every note possible on Kansas’ “Carry On Wayward Son.” A complete trainwreck. Worse, she closed the show on the back end of the stage, seemingly wanting nothing to do with the other contestants. Other than that, she was fine.

(Photo: FOX)