The X Factor: Live Show #8 (Semifinals)

I had a tough morning. It's not every day you wake up witnessing your cat peeing in your bed. If there is a time I have ever slow-motioned, "Nooooo" with my arms raised to the air, that was it.

Tonight's The X Factor featured the final four contestants partaking in the Pepsi Song Challenge and judges' choice. I came home late to watch it so here is my very very brief overview:

• Marcus Canty first sang Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love to You" with cheesy dancers and dried ice; he was better last week! His second song was a modern dance take on "Careless Whisper", which I quite liked.  My frantic questions: Why must L.A. always crowd him with dancers? And did you see the shot of L.A. looking hypnotized by Marcus during his performance? Why the confetti? And no more winks, please.
• Chris Rene performed Sugar Ray's "Fly", a song I was never crazy about. He looked good up there but why did America choose this song? It was too boring for him. He then played piano and sang Alicia Keys' "No One". I particularly liked the arrangement in the beginning, though I did not totally approve of the overly personal intro about his dad (call me the Grinch, but when something this far in the competition is meant to pull at the heart strings, I feel like L.A. asked Chris to give him the most sympathy-inducing life story he had).
• Melanie Amaro started off by a slightly transposed "Hero" by Mariah Carey, which at times felt like it was wavering on off-key. She had strong vocals, repetitive and over-thought arm movements, and lacked emotion. Why/how did she revert back to how she was a month ago? However, she made us all forget about this with her second song, Nina Simone's "Feelin' Good". I have never seen Melanie look better, sexier, and more confident. She sounded fantastic and deserved the judges' standing ovation. It was an unexpected song choice, performance, and proves that she needs to let go more. Her last note was spectacular.
• Josh Krajcik played to his strengths tonight and went back to his roots, easily surpassing the past few weeks' performances. He shone in both The Beatles' "Come Together" and Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah", the latter in which he played piano and sang from the heart.

My Final Thoughts
Weakest: Marcus Canty and Nicole Scherzinger
Best: Melanie Amaro and Josh Krajcik (second performances)

Bottom: Marcus Canty