by David McAlpine

Last night on American Idol, it was the battle for the semifinals. Each contestant was given two songs to sing: one that "inspires them" (cue the groans from the audience, since we've seen enough crying this season), and another song from the Leiber & Stoller songbook with tutoring from none other than Lady Gaga.

But before we can get to the singing, we get to see the voted off contestants go home first. You know, it's the standard "Idol" welcome--confetti, screaming fans, crying teenagers--the whole shebang.

James Durbin started out the night with "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, the song that inspires most people from children of the '80s to drunk "Idol"-wannabes in karaoke bars. He starts out with lots of references to the crowd (which I guess makes sense, since they might inspire him. too), but it doesn't seem to mark anything special. When I think inspirational, I think emotion, and it seemed just plain enthusiastic to me. The judges enjoyed it, but no one seemed blown away.

Haley Reinhart's inspiration comes from "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson. So she's inspired by all the problems in this world? Don't get me wrong, I like an artist who is philanthropic, but this seemed a little sketchy to me. Especially when Haley started yelling it, rather than signing it. She was really, *really* stretching for the notes, and the judges hit her hard for it. Steven liked it, but it seemed like he was just being nice.

Scotty McCreery (now "Scotty the Body," thanks to Ryan) sings "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?" by Alan Jackson--the post 9/11 memorial song that's chock full of country and tears. There's nothing great about it or outstanding, but he does squeeze out a tear at the end, which is a sickeningly perfect way to end the song (sorry patriots, but I thought it was a little much). The judges loved it and completely bought into it. Jennifer especially loved him, saying she loves what he stands for. Of course she does, the song was about one of the worse attacks on the country in American history--you can't not love what that stands for.

Lauren closes out the segment with Martina McBride's "Anyway." You want an inspirational song? Here's an inspirational song--telling everyone that they should do what they want to do, no matter what other people think. She's really feeling it in front of the microphone, and the judges think she finally reached her potential this song. According to them, she's back in it to win it (possibly because Haley was so bad?).

Then Ryan makes it super awkward: he wants to judges to declare a winner of the first round. Jennifer refuses to give an answer, but Randy lays it out: Haley is probably going home. Ouch.

Round two is where Lady Gaga comes in, and she looks scary to say the least. Not only is she here to mentor the contestants, but she's here to put some oomph into their performance.

First in the second round in Haley, who still looks a little shaken from her first performance. She's singing "I Who Have Nothing," the song that put Jordin Sparks on the map in Season 6, so she's got big shoes to fill. But man, did she fill those shoes. it was an eerie performance and her screaming finally worked. She was completely on the entire time and it was clear that she was telling the judges, "Screw you, I deserve to be here." And after that performance, deserve it she does. She gets a big standing ovation from the judges and all of a sudden she's the one to beat this week.

Scotty is next singing "Young Blood." He's afraid of Gaga and he doesn't seem to get much face time with her, but he makes his song fun and enjoyable--it's a performance side of Scotty that we really haven't seen yet. The judges like that he had a fun time, but they didn't really say anything about his vocals because they just weren't that special.

Lauren is third singing "Trouble." Is it bad that I really haven't heard of most of these songs? I guess it's a positive considering I don't have the real thing to compare them to. Lauren's main concern is that the lyrics (which are basically "I'm evil" over and over and over again) will persuade America *not* to vote for her because they'll think that she's, well, evil. Let's be honest, though, she doesn't really do a good job selling evil because she's the exact opposite. But you can tell she's having fun trying. Jennifer saw some performance quality, while the judges thought it was just enjoyable.

James is last with "Love Potion No. 9." Lady Gaga really went to town on James, trying to get him to move during his song. He just looks scared, and his performance kind of suffers. The song is more rock than it is suave, cool soul, but he does a good job making it his own. The judges thought it was his moment and definitely really sold it.

So after four pretty solid performance sets, Ryan tosses in his own two cents: Chris Daughtry went home this week in Season 4 (i.e. vote for James--nice one producers). Who's going to move on to the final three? It seems to me like Haley really killed her chances with that first performance.

Find out who gets kicked off of American Idol Wednesday at 10/9c on FOX.

(Photo courtesy of FOX)

Reach David McAlpine here. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidMcAlpine