'American Idol': Jon Peter Lewis on the Top 11

First I'd like to throw up a high-five to my American Idol column compadre Chris Sligh. Why? Because last week, he was laying down the truthiness like Stephen Colbert. If you speak Randy Jackson, he was ''workin' it out'' or ''doing his thing'' or, my personal favorite of last night, putting out ''a hot jam right there, boy!'' (But you'd have to awkwardly say it like one of my friends from the suburbs for the full effect.)

But enough uncomfortable guy-emotion. Down to business: Last night I was really disappointed — and no, not because of the theme repeat. The contestants were boring, for the most part. I found myself in between commercials slumped in my chair with the remote in hand, itching for a change. Despite its dullness, and what I think might produce the first big upset of the season, there were some bright spots. You see? I'm not all storm clouds and black-hearted cynicism. Positives first!

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