It was Candice Glover's night. She gets my votes thanks to that extraordinary "You Change."

Angie Miller continues to rise in my estimation. I have liked her more the past two weeks than I have since Hollywood.

Kree Harrison was a split vote for me. I liked her Carrie Underwood cover, found her "Stormy Weather" a snooze.

Amber Holcomb suffered from her relative lack of experience. She is a fine technical singer but doesn't always interpret them with any authenticity. I suspect she's too young.  She needs to live a little.

As for Candice, she's the star tonight. She is the best interpreter of the songs and has a voice that makes me want to listen.

The Harry Connick Jr. mentoring sessions were cool because he actually mentors, whether you agree with him or not. (He hates runs in standards, for instance.) He called out Amber on not knowing what "My Funny Valentine" even meant. He questioned Randy Jackson over Kree learning the melody of "Stormy Weather" before interpreting it.

And did Nicki Minaj at one point try to hand over a Q-tip to Mariah Carey since she thought Mariah couldn't hear what Nicki was hearing. Such sweetness and light over there on the judges' table!

Theme: Now

Angie Miller ("Diamonds" Rihanna) - She sticks to the piano. That make me think that nobody who has excelled at piano has won yet. Of course, instruments weren't allowed until season 7. Scott MacIntyre and Matt Giraud were the piano men season 8. Anyway, she brings out more sincerity seemingly when she stays behind the piano. I'm not sure why. She gave the song heft and grace, though it didn't really hit any high points. Keith wanted a moment to soar: "I kept waiting for it to happen." Nicki: "It was bland. It was lackluster. You could do a lot better." Randy: "I do like the leather shorts." (Were those shorts a play for some male votes?) Grade: A-minus/B-plus

Amber Holcomb ("Just Give Me a Reason" Pink/Nate Russ) - I absolutely love this song but Amber can't bring the pain and vulnerability that Pink can just do. It feels too robotic. She said she spent so much time memorizing the lyrics. Nicki: "I am so connected to that girl in the video footage. Big difference between that girl and this girl. The voice is there. But this particular performance, you weren't fully connected." Randy said it seems like she's working, not having fun. "It's not stellar." Keith: "The clarity and bell in your voice time and time again. It's fantastic." Grade: B/B-plus

Candice Glover ("When I Was Your Man" Bruno Mars) - Odd pick considering she's not a man. Harry is confused. I felt some cognitive dissonance as she kept singing "When I was your man," but she did it really well. Another virtuoso vocal performance. Randy: "That's how you sing a song. I don't care about the gender. That was amazing!" Mariah: "She has the musicality to change it up to suit her." Keith: "A winning performance, baby." Nicki: "That deserved a standing ovation" (belatedly) Grade: A-minus

Kree Harrison ("See It Again" Carrie Underwood) - She was told to put more heart into her songs. I think part of her problem has been a feeling of sameness. In this case, she did a non-bluesy pop country ballad and it worked well. I thought she sold it well. The best I've  seen her in awhile. Mariah: "I felt you were very connected." Keith: "It's a power ballad. There's a conflict between what I'm seeing and what I'm hearing." Nicki: "You believe what you're singing." Randy: "You got an amazing voice and that was a great vocal. I felt you." Grade: A-minus/B-plus

Then (standards)

Angie ("Someone to Watch Over Me" George Gershwin) - She played it very traditionally and it worked well. She knew the song, thanks to her mom, and got it. Nicki: "You put me in mind of a Disney princess." Randy: "I did not love the arrangement in the middle." Mariah: "You're very comfortable with a theatrical based song." Grade: A-minus

Amber ("My Funny Valentine" Chet Baker) - This was Melinda Doolittle's signature performance from season 6. While technically strong, I still don't think Amber gets the song as well as Harry Connick Jr. wanted her to. I just don't feel like she really wants him to stay! But I'm sure it was better than if she hadn't understood the song at all. Nicki: "So beautiful." Randy: "The last half of that song was unbelievable." Grade: B-plus

Candice ("You Change" Billie Holliday) - Wow! That was the best of the night by far. She felt every note. I felt every note. Mariah: "There is no critiquing." Wow! Grade: A

Kree ("Stormy Weather" Etta James version) - Harry Connick Jr. wants her to sing it simply. (He hates runs!) Another solid performance by Kree I won't remember by tomorrow. Her voice is great but somehow, she doesn't connect with me. Mariah: "I thought you'd be full out bluesy." Nicki: "I wish you had paid more attention to song choice. It means so much. Whether you put someone to sleep or give a memorable performance." Randy says she needs to stick to who she is. Grade: B-plus

Group sing: Little Mix "Wings." All those sloppily dressed backup singers were oddly distracting but otherwise, perfectly servicable.

***

The show has fallen so far off the radar, there is virtually nothing to write at this point.

Anyway, for the remaining diehards, here's the home base for tonight's episode, featuring standards and current songs. Spoilers are out there if you care. The question: is it really a spoiler if so people care?

Good news: Harry Connick Jr., someone who would make a great judge based on his past appearances on the show, is back as a mentor.

Here are the few "Idol" tidbits I could scrounge up from the past few days:

- A source told Fox News that Candice Glover is getting "personality training." Hey! I'd love to get some of that!

- J. Lo is scheduled to perform during the finale in 15 days.

- Last year's runner up Jessica Sanchez came out with a new album "Me, You & the Music" Tuesday. Reviews were generally positive as she tries to be a pop/R&B star.

- Season 7 Brooke White is starring in a Hallmark movie Banner 4th of July, which debuts June 29 and will feature original music by White. This is her second made-for-TV movie after 2011's "Change of Plans" on Fox.

- Carrie Underwood's "See You Again" is climbing the country charts and is now at No. 24, according to Mediabase 24/7. Kelly Clarkson has a new single, too, with "People Like Us." And Phillip Phillip's 'Gone, Gone, Gone" is now at No. 8 on the Hot AC chart and No. 2 on the adult alternative chart. Fantasia's "Lose to Win" is no. 4 on the Urban AC chart. Colton Dixon's "You Are" peaked at No. 10 on the Christian pop chart. ("X Factor" winner Tate Stevens' single "Power of  a Love Song" is not gaining any traction yet on country radio, stuck at No. 53.)

- Tickets go on sale Friday for "Idols Live" for Gwinnett Center August 4. While the past two seasons have been sell outs, I have a feeling this will be more like season nine: a serious struggle to fill the arena.