X Factor USA - Top 5

With no dead people to milk for ratings this week, X Factor USA had to create its own little dramas.  Simon declared war on the other judges for the "betrayal" of the previous week, even though pinkie ring Steve still couldn’t manage to get any comment from him over the elimination of Drew, whilst Nicole continued her decent into madness and full blown possession.

With only five contestants left, they got the chance to delight or bore us twice. 

In round one the contestants had to perform a hit dance song. Melanie Amaro started with a power performance of Someone Like You by Adele. The dance version.  With flashing lights and gyrating gimp suits.  Very impressive.

Pimped out Marcus Canty continued to deliver style over substance with Chaka Kahn's  Ain't Nobody. The judges still seemed intent on praising and promoting him even though his thin nasal whine does not translate to the general public.

Mini Beyonce, Rachel Crow, charmed her way through  B.o.B.'s Nothin' On You but her vocals sounded slightly strained.  The best moment came when she effortlessly put LA Reid in his place when he tried to criticise her song choice.  Such a little spitfire: might be more cute factor than X Factor, but she gets the job done.

Showing improvement on last week’s poor performance, the last remaining member of Team Nicole, Josh Krajcik growled out Rihanna’s We Found Love. When Simon and LA Reid still did not like it, Nicole gave into the dark side once again,  pushing the limits of the age restriction on the show.  Could someone please call an exorcist? There is just way too much nasty crammed into that little frame.                         

Very poor vocals from Chris Rene on TI & Rihanna's Live Your Life rounded out the first half.  He was so busy “keeping it real” that he looked part robot man part spastic clown.  The judges still seemed to love him though.

Round two delivered some more manufactured drama.  Due to a glitch with the intended Pepsi challenge, the contestants had to perform their own save me songs instead with only 24 hours notice.

Melanie aimed very high with the Witney/Mariah power duet, When You Believe and delivered the performance of the season so far.  I’m sure X Factor USA will still deliver some more petty dramas and theatrics, but this competition is essentially over. Melanie has won. Even if her sermons and that Caribbean accent are getting a bit much.

Marcus pouted and channelled Marvin Gaye.  Nicole and Paula gushed. LA Reid compared him to Muhammed Ali. Which, come to think of it, is quite accurate. 

The short preparation time hurt Rachel Crow’s performance of MJ’s Music & Me.  Pitchy and whiny, not even her sparkly smile at the end could save this stinker.   Possibly the worst performance of the night.

Josh finally got rid of the skanky dancers (a la Nicole) and returned to his former glory with Something by The Beatles. Special mention to poor Josh.  Having Nicole as a mentor cannot be easy.

Chris Rene finished the show with another of his own creations. It started off well but then went nowhere, like he didn’t have time to complete it. A very amateurish end to the show.

With over the top tension between the judges, tomorrow night's elimination promises to be another howler.

X Factor USA airs on M-Net on Saturdays at 18h00.