Simon Cowell started the American Idol results show by saying how great everyone was and how wide open the competition is this year. He couldn't be more correct. That's why we saw Adam, the favorite all year, nearly exit the stage while the previously ousted Matt Giraud (who I've been calling the most talented competitor all year) got the cruelest boot.

In fact, there were two favorites in the bottom three this week. Probably the two most likely to win the entire competition had to sweat the longest last night. And at this point, it wasn't that much of surprise with the depth remaining. It may even help their chances to win.

Who should win Idol?

Adam Lambert

Allison Iraheta

Danny Gokey

Kris Allen

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Before we handicap this riveting race, I've always thought it would be great if the judges actually evaluated the endless performances on results night. Since they can't do that, I've taken it upon myself to dole out some grades.

The George Gershwin standard is an good showy song choice for this exercise. The choreography was lacking - especially the "Love Shack"-style intermittent dancing forward, but the Idols attempted to make up for it with some strange embellishments. These didn't always work, but at least they provide good opportunity for mockery along the way. All in all, a solid performance, and very nicely lip-synched.

Grade: B-

First of all, the mic stand had more curves than the singer. Seriously, does Natalie Cole weigh about four grams or what?

An odd attempt at a stately performance from somebody who continues to gravy train her family name like nobody else in show business. It's funny to see an 80s pop star most famous for freebasing cocaine coming out like she's a member of her father's generation. Her vocals really leave a lot to be desired: A lot of screeching and a lot of flat notes.

Nice try, Natalie. Have a slice of cake and maybe we'll talk.

Grade: C-

In "Ocean's Twelve" there's a very funny scene where George Clooney goes around asking members of his crew whether or not he looks 50. I wonder if Taylor Hicks has that same conversation with his band members every night.

This isn't a bad song, but not a good song either. It's like a middle-of-the-set number for the guy who opens for the guy who opens for B.B. King's opening act.

Taylor looks very confident with the guitar and actually shows flashes of being a star. He still didn't deserve to beat Daughtry, but he's not the total fluke "American Idol" winner that everyone seems to think he is.

Grade: B-

Foxx has such an odd career. Nobody seems to bat an eye at his musical work at all. It gets virtually no hype no matter how successful he is. Yet he never enters the realm of an actor trying to sing. It's like he's two separate people when he's either acting or singing. Very peculiar in this world of over-dissecting celebrities.

This song keeps with the tradition of chart-toppers that I've never heard before in my entire life being performed on the show. I think they've done five number one hits on the show this year and the performances remain the only time I've ever heard these songs. Guess I need to tune in to top-forty radio more often.

This is probably the worst of those number songs (only because I don't count that thing by Flo Rida as music) with a ridiculously processed vocal track. Seriously, I could sound exactly like Jamie Foxx with that much production on my voice. Hell, my dog could rock the mic with similar aplomb.

Grade: D

What did we learn? The supposed amateur singers were actually the best people on a show stacked with pros. Just another testament to the quality of singers this year.

Now how about those power rankings:

1 (Last Week's Rank: 2) Kris Allen

It's time to go out on a limb. Everybody is picking Adam to win this competition, but it's starting to look like Kris is the one who will end up on top. He gets so many cheers and screams every time his name is mentioned, and he always gives a creative and artistic performance with dynamite vocals. Plus, he has a better lock on the girl vote and old person vote (probably the two largest viewing blocs) than anybody else. It was the perfect time for him to land in the bottom three - now voters will rally behind him thinking he's vulnerable.

2 (1) Adam Lambert

It certainly won't be a surprise if Adam wins, he's clearly the favorite based on the judges' reactions and the widespread consensus across the blogosphere, but you wonder how far he can go with the old people his unique style is freaking out. He probably deserves to win more than anyone else; it's just hard to think he will overcome his lack of votes from the seniors who dial in.

3 (4) Danny Gokey

Gokey is again becoming a real contender in this competition following a stellar performance last week. If he can continue to work the mic, and the stage, like he did to close his song on big band night, he could make a run from also-ran with a stellar voice to being the "American Idol".

4 (3) Allison Iraheta

Allison. The only girl left. The only young singer left. A dynamic performer with incredible range and the confidence of a seasoned pro. Yet she sits at the bottom of the power rankings. If that's not the purest example of how close together the competitors are, nothing is.

Story by Andrew Payne

Starpulse contributing writer