Was it the guys or the girls that blew PAULA ABDUL away after performing renditions of MARIAH CAREY songs? Paula confesses to ET that even she would be a little scared to sing a Mariah song, saying, "Mariah's brilliant. ... She's a brilliant melodic writer and they are not easy melodies to sing."

Paula addresses other hot topics including: Were the judges too harsh on BROOKE? And did having his sick brother in the audience help DAVID COOK? In our exclusive post-show interview after Tuesday night's "American Idol"!