Since this was a week for the songs of Queen, I had expected — even hoped for — a train wreck. But the only time I heard the steel wheels screech was during Kellie's performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody," a move so unnerving that, if I was grading for hilarity alone, she would get an A. Since hilarity is not exactly what the show is about, she gets a D.

And a D to the show for mentioning the "tragic loss" of Freddie Mercury without saying what caused that loss.

Back to Kellie: At least, as the third performer of the night, she probably made everyone forget the wan show-opener by Bucky (a countrified "Fat Bottomed Girls" that I'm giving a C) and Ace's ill-considered "We Will Rock You."

Of course, the bad thinking came before he sang when Ace was caught on tape telling the guys from Queen how he would like to arrange THEIR song. Then came a "We Will Rock You" utterly lacking in vocal authority; he reminded me of some bygone, underage teen idol trying to cover a hard-rocking hit while not rocking too much.

Chris once again showed some smarts by going for "Innuendo," a song little-known enough that the viewers won't automatically hear Queen in their heads and make tough comparisons. (Translation: I didn't know the song.) Good but not goosebumping. C plus for performance, B plus for song choice.

Katharine, one of two singers who changed their song selection during rehearsals (Taylor was the other), went back to her ballad base with a straightforward "Who Wants To Live Forever." C for her, and an A for Simon for being honest about how the show really works — telling Katharine she should be grateful to the director and lighting director. After all, the presentation can help — and hurt — a singer. (See my earlier notes about Mandisa.)

Look again at tonight's show and see how hard they're working at making all the women seem dramatic, especially in the use of closeups; as Amy Gustafson says on our podcast tonight, the show is aware that the men outnumber the women right now and "Idol" probably doesn't want to lose any more women. (Let's hope, then, that Terry from "Survivor" doesn't try to coach them.)

Elliott's "Somebody to Love" was all right — even if he had never heard the song before — and had some verve. C plus.

Taylor, eek. If you're going to kick over a mike stand, you need to hit it on first try."Crazy Little Thing Called Love," my eye. D as in dump him.

Then Paris closed the show with — funny how these things work out — "The Show Must Go On." I've said my piece about the outfit. The vocal gets a B plus.

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