The Comet’s very own Idolholic, an industry insider who chooses to remain anonymous, offers us analysis and insight into the rock-themed “X Factor” episode. Who should get sent home?

Okay, this show is theme-challenged. For some inexplicable reason, they are having a problem delivering on the concept each week. Is it supposed to simply be a Rock song, or does the Rock performance style have to be exemplified as well? And I still cannot stand the incessant, nauseating, ego-driven drivel among the mentoring panel. I still refuse to call them judges. So, cutting right to the chase, here’s what I thought of this week’s line-up:

Leroy Bell, “We’ve Got Tonight”: It is really amazing how much his phrasing is like Michael Bolton’s. He has a good voice, but he does not have the contemporary star and performance quality that is needed to make his mark on the competition. Is it because he is 60? Everyone on the panel gets that he needs to bring something else to the stage but his mentor, Nicole. She’s staying the course with his choices, but that strategy will probably not last much longer.

Rachel Crow, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”: It’s a tall order to cover a song and an artist as iconic as Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones. Rachel did a very respectable job of changing it up a bit and actually making the song current for a young audience. But maybe connecting with these lyrics was a bit of a stretch for a 13-year-old girl. Sort of the opposite challenge of Leroy, but she did it well. Her personality and confidence comes through in each round and she is not lost in a sea of background dancers and production effects.

Chris Rene, “Everything’s Gonna Be All Right”: Even though Bob Marley is a member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, this song choice just did not do it for me. The Rap/Reggae rendition missed the mark and did not fit as well within the established theme. But Chris’s heart-wrenching backstory is hard to turn away from.

Stacy Francis, “It’s All Coming Back To Me”: Meat Loaf sang it first, but Celine Dion did it more recently. And ostensibly Stacy would stylistically draw more from the latter than the former. But neither inspiration came through unfortunately. The song did not capture the essence of Rock week and, what’s worse, she was terribly off-key throughout the entire performance. I did not think she should have made it through last week and at this point I’m beginning to feel that way again.

Melanie Amaro, “Everybody Hurts”: She probably has the best voice overall of anyone in the competition. But as Simon criticized others for their non-Rock performances for Rock week, he’ll have to take it on the chin for this choice. It was one of REM’s best, but this was much more Gospel-tinged. They are critiquing Melanie for not letting go or not connecting enough, just as the Idol judges came down on Pia...and we saw how that story ended.

Josh Krajcik, “What If I Say”:A song by The Foo Fighters finally captured the true spirit and intent of the Rock theme. But, if I am being honest it was not a particularly memorable song for me. Hey, I like Josh a lot and vocally he has everything it takes to win this competition.

Astro, “Every Step You Take (I’ll Be Missing You)”: What can I say? He did not exactly fulfill the oft-debated Rock expectations with the performance. But this kid has won me over in a big, big way that I never expected when this competition began. He is the most consistent of the contestants in terms of challenging himself to bring a full-blown showstopper every week.

Lakoda Rayne, “Go Your Own Way”: You would think you cannot go wrong with Fleetwood Mac. And it fits them and the theme because they could find a niche in Country Rock. It was energetic and they have a certain chemistry that is compelling. But it just wasn’t a killer performance. Don’t get me wrong. I still like them a lot and really hope they go further in the competition.I do not want to see Paula’s category decimated three weeks out of three. But I have an uneasy feeling.

Drew, “With Or Without You”: Skillfully essaying U2’s classic certainly qualifies as a tribute to Rock royalty, so I guess the theme was satisfied. She is so certain in her career direction that we wonder if she really needs this contest. The answer is yes. Even with artistic clarity and a gaggle of teenage fans, she’ll still need the global platform that being the first winner of the US X Factor will bring.

Marcus Canty, “A Piece Of My Heart”: In theory, I’m sure it seemed like a really original idea to have him cover the one and only Janis Joplin. And guess what, the theory proved right in practice as well.  It was one of my favorite performances of the night because it was upbeat, well-rounded, polished and totally and completely unexpected.

Most likely to be in the bottom: Stacy Francis or Leroy Bell, with Lakoda Rayne still vulnerable.

SERIOUSLY…WHY ARE THEY NOT SPECIFICALLY CALLING OUT THE NAMES OF EACH SONG VERBALLY AND ON THE SCREEN???  LA AND SIMON QUESTION WHO CAN SELL RECORDS. THERE’S MORE POTENTIAL TO SELL IF VIEWERS KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SINGING!!!