Whether it's a movie, a moment, a piece of music, the written word -- there are many things that can inspire us. However, American Idol's quest to bring some happiness and necessities to ravaged parts of Africa and North America are to be welcomed in an industry full of cynics.

The hit FOX show has teamed up with multiple organizations, charities, companies, not to mention the millions who watch the show and participate by voting, to donate money for the purchase of goods and services to benefit truly hurting people.

Before the flag of cynicism is raised among you: I have no idea how much of Tuesday's donations, for which money will be donated for each contestant vote, in addition to many other gifts and grants, will actually go toward helping those devastated by war and poverty in Africa or Hurricane Katrina here in America.

Whether the money goes disproportionately toward administrative costs as opposed to needy Navajos in Arizona or kids in poverty-stricken Kentucky, as the show indicated, is beyond my knowlegde. And, I definitely think it would be an aboveboard move by the show's executives to disclose how the money will be used, specifically.

However, putting on an event like this -- Idol Gives Back -- was absolutely the right thing to do for a show that has reaped millions upon millions of dollars from the general public. For a show that has been as big a success as it has. And, for a show whose pop-culture influence is unmatched.

The spirit is right. The effort seems authentic, so good on Idol. This is some great karma for a show many of us hope lives on for quite awhile.

Neveretheless, the music isn't always inspirational. On Tuesday, our final six were to sing songs that inspired them in one way or another.

Two positives immediately stood out to me.

First, while it's no given that Melinda Doolittle will win, I firmly believe she's garnering a grip on the trophy. Barring a true shocker, she's a shoo-in for at least the finale.

While at times some of us have questioned whether her "What, me?" would prove annoying eventually, her performance Tuesday of Faith Hill's "There Will Come A Day" was tremendous, if not inspirational. Her ability to perform consistently at an uncharted level is stunning, whether it be AI or a live concert or somebody with 20 years of experience.

Her potential problem is that consistency can breed boredom.

Heck, every once in a while, the great ones have to stun you, and nothing stuns about Doolittle anymore. There really hasn't been a down performance, so by that logic, it's hard to say that there has been an up one, if you follow.

Melinda's strongest competition, I think, Jordin Sparks, took on "You Will Never Walk Alone," or some such. It's an old tune, and I personally thought she was flat for the first half of the song and tinny with some sheep-like vibrato in the second half.

However, Jordin has had some up and down performances. She's got a great look, terrific commercial appeal and should have no problem anytime too soon.

The question is, who else can really compete down the stretch?

I'd submit to you that it's Phil Stacey, my second "positive" for the night. The 29-year-old, with some Oklahoma roots I might add, has really stepped up the past couple of weeks with soulful renditions of country numbers. Last week, he did a Keith Urban tune, and this week, he performed Garth Brooks' ode to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, "The Change."

Now, before country haters start in on how they just hate the genre, neither song is really country. Keith Urban is a pop-rocker with a slight Australian twang, and a lot of what Garth Brooks did over his career is melodic, West Coast Country pop at worst. In fact, "The Change" is an inspirational song, very much akin to showstoppers like "And I Am Telling You."

Look at the lyrics:

And I hear them saying you'll never change things

And no matter what you do it's still the same thing

But it's not the world that I am changing

I do this so this world will know

That it will not change me

When paired with the pop melody, it's absolutely goosebump worthy.

And while Phil Stacey looks a tad like an alien and sometimes sounds like he's swallowing air while he sings, he really surprised. Great command of the stage. Big voice. Looked like he belongs.

I note this as a contrast to Melinda. While Melinda's performance really dwarfed all others, in my opinion, Phil's was such a surprise, such an improvement that I think he could ride some momentum, perhaps at another contestant's expense over the next couple of weeks.

He's what you call a sleeper.

Often times, it's not about who's the best but who shows the most improvement through the course of a competition, like this or like something in sports, perhaps, who ends up shocking everyone and winning. For the record, I don't think he can win ... at ... all.

However, to underestimate him right now, at least for the other contestants, would be a mistake, in much the same way that Elliot Yamin surprised folks last year. For the record, again, I think Elliot's voice is probably the best male voice the show has ever had.

He'll never be the biggest star, but holy mo, what a voice.

We're left with Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson and Lakisha. Look, it's quite possible Lewis has a fan base to carry him into a finale. However, even if this trio goes on to successful individual careers, they're just hard-pressed to match up well against Melinda, Jordin and Phil, right now, in this competition.

Lewis sang John Lennon's "Imagine," which has a line about "no religion, too," which makes me wonder if he could be at risk given the leap some people make about a person's own belief system and the songs he or she chooses. Perhaps he has alienated some by suggesting he's not religious.

In the Bible Belt, that doesn't play.

While Chris Richardson actually sounded pretty good on Eric Clapton's "Change The World," written by the great but sometimes very disposable Babyface, not only did he go first, which never looms well for performers, but he also sang the only mid-tempoed song of the night.

In my way of thinking, on a night centered around inspirational songs, ballads should rule the gala. By standing out, methinks he could be standing alone.

As for Lakisha, I've said it since Week 2 of the finals. In the range of great black, "big girl" singers, she's out of her depth. Doesn't come close to Jennifer Hudson, and while Fantasia isn't exactly a "big girl," Ki Ki (as she's called) doesn't come close to the Season 3 winner.

Lakisha did "I Believe," which was the winner's song that year, done by Fantasia (and written by Season 1 fourth-place finisher, Tamyra Gray). The problem with Jones since that second week is two-fold: She picks songs poorly, and she shouts.

It killed a potentially great run for Mandisa last season, and it will likely spell the end for Lakisha tomorrow. However, in a season of no surprises and very little inspiration, actually, we're due a grand comeback and a giant surprise, so who knows. Maybe she gets it going next week.

The only truth this show has ever produced is to expect the unexpected when it comes to results shows. Generally, the favorite goes on to win, but often, the order of elimination is completely topsy-turvy.

However, what I hope this week in Idol lore produces, beyond all else, was evidence that in a world of corporatism, cronyism and cynicism, the most successful reality show of all time actually stepped up as one of the good guys.

Hey, I did my part. 10 votes. Ms. Melinda Doolittle.