Next to grace the stage is Neal E. Boyd. We are reminded that he is an insurance salesman, that he came from nothing, that he cries a lot, and that he performed a risky song last week to sluggish applause and criticism from the judges. Not mentioned? His mother. Mamma Mia! Neal E. Boyd is bringing the opera this week. He is standing on a raised dais in centerstage wearing a tuxedo (and his backwards hat). He has a mini-orchestra backing him and an invisible children's choir who pipe in at the appropriate time. He really is much better when performing opera. The judges look entranced. Especially The Hoff, who is sitting up straight and looking mesmerized. When the song ends, Neal E. Boyd whips off his hat and claps for the orchestra. He has a perfectly nice full head of hair, so there really is no justification for the hat. This time The Hoff starts off the judging, so Sharon and The Hoff's agents must have demanded some sort of round-robin thing, since Piers talks so damn long and hogs up all the air time. The Hoff tells Neal E. Boyd that he is honored to have been on this journey with him. Didn't he use that same line last week with Queen Emily? Get some new material, Hoff. And it's not the freaking Razor's Edge. It's a so-called reality show. The Hoff tells Neal E. Boyd that he is what this show is all about. Which he has told about twelve people during this "journey." He is honored (some more, apparently) to be on this journey with him. Piers is feeling strange and uncomfortable because he has to agree with The Hoff on national live television. Awkward! Sharon claims to have heard that song so many times on so many different occasions, but never more beautifully. I know it's urbane and highly refined and the realm of society elites, but why does everyone have to love opera if they want to appear cultured? Sharon is married to Ozzy Freakin' Osbourne. Do we really have to believe that she goes to a lot of opera performances? Neal E. Boyd cries as we head to commercials.

Eli Mattson is next, which, if my math is correct, means that Queen Emily has landed in the coveted final spot for the evening.