Idol: Top 5 Sing Neil Diamond

Tuesday’s Top Five contestants — David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Brooke White and David Cook — doubled up on Neil Diamond songs on an off night of Idol performances.

Was it a Diamond overdose or something else? The whole night seemed strange. Ryan Seacrest admitted performing Neil Diamond tunes with a hairbrush in front of his mirror, Syesha Mercado sang barefoot, Jason Castro “started choking” after a second performance that a confused Paula Abdul critiqued before it even happened.

What was up with last night’s Idol?

Get a rundown after the jump.

Jason CastroSang: “Forever In Blue Jeans” and “September Morn” Neil Diamond said: “Jason will do great when he gets on stage.” Verdict: Didn’t happen.

David CookSang: “I’m Alive” and “All I Really Need Is You” Neil Diamond said: “I got goose bumps.” (David said: “I got bangs.”) Verdict: Paula said it best: “I feel like I’m already looking at the American Idol.”

Brooke White Sang: “I’m A Believer” and “I Am … I Said” Neil Diamond said: “I was very pleasantly surprised.” Verdict: Simon called her first song a “nightmare.” It was somewhere in between.

David ArchuletaSang: “Sweet Caroline” and “America” Neil Diamond said: “He’s kind of a prodigy.” Verdict: America kind of agrees!

Syesha MercadoSang: “Hello Again” and “Thank the Lord for the Night Time” Neil Diamond said: “She did a beautiful, beautiful job.” Verdict: She’s great but forgettable. Maybe America should write “Vote for Syesha” on their hand.

Tell us: Who did the best with the Neil Diamond songs? Who will be out on Idol?F Micelotta/American Idol 2008/Getty