The Final Three: American Idol

David Archuleta
First song: Sorry, he still creeps me out and I don't like this song.
Second Song: Oh NO!!!! NO!!! He can NOT do Chris Brown.
Third Song: Nope.

Syesha Mercado
First song: Goond song choice! I think she did a good job. It's still amazing to me that Syesha found her personality so late in the game.
Second song: Too old fashioned, but she looks great.
Third song: I actually liked it. Shows she can sound young/contemporary.

David Cook
First song: Wow on the song choice. He's doing a good job with it. Has this been covered by anyone else? Good job!
Second song: I didn't care for this performance.
Third song: LOVED.

All in all, my Friend & Savior, Barb, summed up the evening well:

I certainly agreed with Simon that David Cook was the winner of the night. I wasn't totally blown away with his performances, but I thought he was the clear winner. Little David sang well BUT I can't get over the fact that this is a 17 year old boy who really only shines when he sings ballads that I don't think any young people will buy. I thought he sounded and acted ridiculous with his second song (his choice). 'My boo' was HIS bad!!!!! I actually liked Syesha a lot more than the judges did. I'll be shocked if Syesha doesn't go home.

That's how I feel, too. Except I would have been meaner about David Archuleta.

AI Bans Archuleta's Dad

David Archuleta's creepy, jerky dad has been banned from going backstage at AI or from attending rehearsals. That poor kid. Can you even imagine?

My vote is still for David Cook. Altho...given the hype over the level of talent this year..in the end, it's a little bit of a letdown, isn't it? I'm just not over the moon crazy about any of them. All in all, the season's talent wasn't very exciting. I don't think they lived up to the hype.


Finalist David Archuleta will have to finish his American Idol journey without the hands-on support from his father, Jeff: The elder Archuleta had his backstage access revoked, the Associated Press reports, citing a source on the show.

Accused of disrupting production, Jeff Archuleta is being accused of overstepping his boundaries when he wanted David, 17, to alter his “Stand By Me” performance by adding a verse from Sean Kingston’s 2007 summer hit “Beautiful Girls.”

According to TMZ, which first reported the story on Friday, unnamed show sources said Jeff ignored the producers’ objections, which created problems with the song’s publisher.

Jeff Archuleta was unavailable for comment, but a friend of the family tells PEOPLE he saw no problems, and added that the reports are “getting tiring.”

Despite being banned backstage, Jeff will be allowed to sit in the audience during the live show, according to the reports.
(Source: People.com)

American Idol: The Final Four

David Cook
First song: "Hungry Like The Wolf" Great song, but I didn't love it. He seemed rushed and seemed to breeze through it.

Second song: "Baba O'Reilly" GREAT song choice. NICE. I think he did a good job.

Syesha
First song: Who would have thought she would be the last girl standing?? "Proud Mary." I LOVE this song. She looks GREAT. I have to admit - go back and look at my previous AI posts - this girl has come a LONG way. I thought she did a pretty good song and looked HOT. (I do understand what Simon said about her performance being a "bad impersonation of Tina Turner.)

Second song: "A Change is Gonna Come." Again, looks hot. Honestly, since she found a way to showcase her personality, I've been SO surprised by how much I like her. Good for her! (She still won't win.)

Jason Castro
First song: "I Shot the Sheriff." Eh. I mean, it's not a bad song choice for him, but it didn't do anything for me. I think unless he can pull off another "Somewhere over the Rainbow" level perfoamance, he's going home.

Second song: "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man." Uh yeah, bye bye Jason.

David Archuleta
First song: "Stand By Me." I'm sorry. He just doesn't do it for me. I don't even like his voice! WTF??

Second song: "Love Me Tender" If he wins, I'll puke. He's going to win, tho, isn't he?!

All in all, I felt like the songs were rushed and we didn't really get to experience the full potential of any of the finalists. However, I have to rank 'em so here it goes:

1. David Cook
2. Syesha
3. David Archuleta
4. Jason Castro

American Idol - Andrew Lloyd Webber Week

Oh no. Andrew Lloyd Webber night? I thought they weren't supposed to sound like theater performers? I anticipate a huge night for David Archuleta!

Syesha - Ugh. Why do I think she'll do well tonight? When I want her gone! She looks great. This has to be her best performance, isn't it? Well, good for her - finally! Personality!

Jason Castro - Wow, it seemed like ALW hated him. lol I think it's ok. I mean, he sounds ok. But if you listen to the lyrics it doesn't work, as my husband is pointing out. Eh, yeah. I agree with Simon.

Brooke White - Wow, ALW loved her! Oh no! I can't believe she restarted! It almost seems like it worked for her performance to do that... I thought it was ok.

David Archuleta - I thought it was good. He has a very pretty voice - but I just don't love him! The whole 7 sisters and the mean stage dad...it's just a little too much.

Carly - Loved her clip with ALW! I hope she does well tonight. She really, really needs a good night! I think it's a great performance! I hope they don't crucify her pitchiness. And she looks good! Wow. Her BEST. Don't you think?

David Cook - I just don't know what think. I don't HATE it...but I'm not sure I like it. That can't be good, can it?

Alright, here's how I'm ranking them:
1. Carly
2. Syesha
3. David Archuleta
4. David Cook
5. Brooke White
6. Jason Castro

BUT - I think it will be....Brooke who will go home tonight. Ugh - a big part of me thinks it'll be Jason Castro, tho.

Mariah Carey Night on AI

Mariah Carey week. Remember when Mariah went nutso? And she's comeback! There's hope for Britney. I mean...Brit went crazier and she's clearly less talented than Mariah, but you know what? I think she's a hell of alot more likeable than Mariah.

I think this will be a tough week.

Oh and also - what up with Mariah and Nick Cannon?!?! I kind of like it!



David Archuleta - Eeek, leather pants! Am I the only one who doesn't just love this kid? Ok, but a bad song choice IMO. But the judges loved it. Guess I'm wrong!

Carly Smithson - I hope she does well tonight. I like it! I think she chose a good song for her! All in all, I liked it - but wasn't blown away. Judges weren't either. I like how they STILL think she has it in her to blow us away, tho.

Syesha - She looks pretty. I like her dress. Good song choice for her and she's doing a good job. I still stick to my "no charisma" opinion, though.

Brooke White - "Hero." I love this song. I think she's doing a good job! She's so much more comfortable behind the piano, isn't she? I also think she looks really pretty tonight, too.

Kristy Lee Cook - Again, she looks pretty tonight. WTF?! She has really gotten better. I wanted her gone, gone, gone for weeks and now....I dunno. She's kind of growing on me. Next American Idol? No, but she's not a joke in the competition.

David Cook - Ok, I'll admit it, ya'll. I love him now. He's my fave in the competition. I loved it. Best of the night so far. Hands down. I heard David's brother was in the audience tonight. I think that's why he's crying. Ok....I love him. I'm teary!!!! I think this is our next American Idol, folks.


jason Castro - I do love his voice and his handsome face. I like it! Not was much as David, but a close second for me.

1. David Cook
2, Jason Castro
3. David Archuleta
4. Carly Smithson
5. Kristy Lee Cook
6. Syesha
7. Brooke White

But I do think it'll most likely be Kristy Lee going home this week. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Carly or Syesha go.

Tipsy Blogging: American Idol

We're 2 hours into cocktail hour here in Florida. I'm so out of the loop that I don't even know what tonight's theme is. Oooh, the excitement! The theme is "Inspirational Songs?" Ok!

Michael Johns - He's hot. Even in an ascot! Oh yeah. HOT. I'm a HUGE Aerosmith fan. I liked it. FU Randy! Why's he been so grumpy this year? He's just mad cuz he's gained some weight. Oh, my Simon. I do agree with him.

Syesha - Admittedly, she's a good singer. But she has no "star quality!" She's just lacking that something extra. Know what I mean? She's so pretty, a good singer...but then it just falls flat for me. No charisma. I actually thought she sang the song really well. No charisma.

Jason Castro - I've already said I love him, right? I love this version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." My mom is saying, "huh? Didn't that Katherine McPhee do it better that year?" lol I actually love it. I love the pureness of his voice. So good! I LOVED it!!!

Kristy Lee Cook - So far so good. She looks REALLY cute tonight and I think she's doing a good job. Which is too bad since I want her gone. Best performance from Kristy EVER. *** anyone else noticed that Simon is in a great mood tonight? ***

David Cook - I'm so glad David has changed his look. And honestly, knowing what he's going thru with his brother and what I went through with my sister makes me like him more. Beginning is rocky for me. I'm not loving it. Even tho I actually WANT to. (I actually liked the white jacket, too, Randy.)

Carly - PLEASE. I hope Carly does well tonight. Otherwise I'm afraid she's almost done....Showtime: hate her outfit. Not loving the song. I wish I thought her performances were better - because I think she has potential. But she's just not good with song choice. Ugh. Poor Carly!

David Archuleta - Not loving it so far. No. Why is it that you can be forgiven for being crappy from beginning until the middle of a song, but then you get props for "bringing it home?" I didn't like it. Bor-ing. And it's such a great song! Didn't love it.

Brooke White - Hate her outfit. Hate her hair. Like her. It's an ok performance, but I keep waiting for her to DO something with the song. Not the best of the night. Not the worst.

1. Jason Castro
2. Kristy Lee Cook (can you effin' believe it?)
3. Michael Johns
4. David Archuleta
5. Syesha
6. Brooke White
7. David Cook
8. Carly

UGH! I don't know! I actually think it's between Carly and Brooke to go home tonight.

I loved Simon tonight!

AI's David Cook: Sick Brother

I feel so bad for David Cook. I can't imagine going thru the Idol process while all of this was going on.

David Cook quickly bounced back from his brief hospitalization due to high blood pressure and heart palpitations, but the American Idol finalist is coping with more than the weekly eliminations.

His older brother Adam Cook is battling cancer, sources confirm. David hasn't spoken about it, the sources add, out of respect for his brother – and because he didn't want to seek sympathy votes. But he has performed with an electric guitar emblazoned with his brother's initials "A.C."

Cook is not the first idol to compete while dealing with a personal crisis.

"The week before we came up for the Top 24, my best friend passed away, and I was just like, 'I don't know if I can go out there,'" last year's champ Jordin Sparks tells PEOPLE. "I went to the funeral and came back and then my uncle passed away – and then my grandma ... and so I had three deaths go on during the show."

The blows tested Sparks physically as well as mentally, she said last week at a Hollywood PSA shoot for DoSomething.org and Staples School Supply Drive To Do Something for students who can't afford school supplies.

"It's hard because you have to go out there and put this smile on your face," says the singer. "It's very exhausting, and it's very overwhelming and kind of gets to you. I mean I got sick a couple times, just because I was so tired and kept trying to do all this stuff and it was crazy."

Still, if personal matters were to become very serious, it's possible that Cook would be allowed time off from the competition to be with his family.

"It's only ever happened once and that was in the U.K.," Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe told reporters in a conference call. "We gave them a week out."

David Cook Hospitalized

TMZ reports that David Cook was hosptitalized after his performance last night. He was having some heart palpatations and was treated for high blood pressure. He was released and is "doing fine."

American Idol Does Dolly

Brooke White - "Jolene" I thought it was ok. Just ok.

David Cook - So funny - he totally addressed "my concerns" in his intro. I like his hair and that he's growing the beard. I'm sure the soul patch was part of my "heebie jeebies." I don't know this song. I thought it was ok. Not the greatest, but good.

Ramiele - Don't know the song. Ready for her to go.

Jason Castro - "Traveling Through." Oh, I love the tone of his voice. LOVE! My mom just said, "I like him the best so far tonight." I agree! I loved it. Let's here what the judges say... I hate you, Simon! You're off my Celebrity Boyfriends List.

Carly Smithson - "Here You Come Again." I LOVE THIS SONG. Carly's face and hair looks pretty tonight. My mom hates her tats. Oh no!! I thought she was going to do SO WELL with this song...and I actually thought it wasn't great. And I hated her outfit.

David Archuleta - It was good. He's such a beautiful singer. It was great. Best so far.

Kristy Lee Cook - "Coat of Many Colors." I just don't like her. But I like her better than Ramiele tonight.

Syesha Mercado - "I Will Always Love You." My initial reaction is that I think it was a fatal mistake to choose this song. I was wrong. She did alot better than I thought she would. I just can't like her.

Michael Johns - Love the bluesy thing! I don't even know this song, but I like what he's doing. HOT. Love this! I think it's the best of the night. YAY on the judges reaction.

Alright! Here's how I think they ranked tonight:

1. Michael Johns
2. David Archuleta
3. David Cook
4. Jason Castro
5. Syesha
6. Carly
7. Brooke
8. Kristy

and I think Ramiele will be going home tonight!

AI: Who will go home this week?

Kristy Lee Cook is a f*cking genius. "God Bless the USA?" Brilliant. Americans won't vote her off this week. No way.

Well, I wasn't able to blog all my AI thoughts last night. I was just walking in the door to my parent's house when the show started. I saw it while I was unpacking, tho!

I thought David Cook was awesome. Billie Jean?! That was so great! I wish he could get a new haircut and lose the soul patch. Maybe that's the root of my heebie jeebies?

I liked Michael Johns and I liked Carly and I thought everyone else was just so-so. I think Chikezie or Ramiele will get the boot this week due to Kristy's brilliant song choice. I'll go with CHIKEZIE.

Amanda Overmyer Booted From AI

Amanda got the boot on American Idol last night! WHO is keeping Kristy Lee Cook in this? And don't tell me "country fans" because even country fans can hear when someone sucks - can't they??

Amanda wasn't going to be the next American Idol - so she had to go sooner or later. But I think it's too bad she won't get to go on the tour (only top 10 go on tour).

The Skinny on David Archuleta's Dad

This is what I was referring to in my AI recap this week. And this is another reason why I love TMZ! They always have THE BEST AI dirt.

David Archuleta's dad, Jeff, is a piece of work.

Sources close to "Star Search" tell TMZ that when David was a contestant back in the day, Jeff's behavior was so bad, he was eventually barred from the lot! The guards actually had a picture of Jeff's mug hanging in the guard shack in case he tried sneaking in.

We're also told the father of the year harassed Tiffany Evans, his "Star Search" rival, lurking outside her practices, even trying to coerce her into to drinking milk before a show to ruin her voice. She didn't listen (obviously) and went on to win.

Sources also tell us Daddy Dearest sometimes screamed at his son and has even withheld water during rehearsals, even bringing his son to tears.

As far as "Idol" goes, we hear papa's wrath is still in full blossom. That might explain why Jeff, who normally sits in the audience, was replaced by other family members last week. (Source: TMZ.com/pic: EOnline.com

American Idol - 11

Did you see my #4 Celebrity Boyfriend, Simon, on Oprah this week? He said he thought the final 3 would consist of "front-runner" David Archuleta, David Cook, Brooke White or Jason Castro. Can't remember if he mentioned Carly??

I like Simon's sweater. Cashmere, no doubt. He just really needs help with his hair!

First up: Amanda Overmyer "Back in the USSR." Great song choice for her! She's doing better in the competition than I though she would. I don't think she'll win - but I like her.

Kristy Lee Cook - I told my savior, Miss Barb, that I thought Kristy would go home tonight. Eh. She did ok, I guess. Hard to tell where she'll stand up at this point, my guess is toward the bottom.

David Archuleta - Poor little David's mean dad probably kept him up every night for the past week making him practice. He did great. I hope he's doing ok tho. It sounds like his dad is a real meanie!

Michael Johns - He's just not living up to expectations. He's a great looking guy, he can sing - but he doesn't have much energy onstage. I think he may be more "lead singer in a band" guy.

Brooke White - OMG. Why are people acting like they like it? She is SO embarrassingly awkward. Make her stop "dancing." Give her a guitar. A piano! Put her back on the steps! No. Way.

David Cook - Ok. I just have to get over the heebie jeebies because he's really good! But proving once again why I love him, Simon is totally right: David is a bit full of himself.

Carly Smithson - "Blackbird." Oh no - I hate her top. It's hard not to focus on it. I really liked it. I like her. I like that they showed her tatted up husband.

Jason Castro - "Michelle." Ok...it's a little cheesy - but I still like him. Oh no. Why did he just do that flippy hand thing while singing in french?! Oh I don't know, Jason. That might have been kind of bad.

Syesha - Wow. I totally agree with Paula. Totally agree with Simon, too. I thought she seemed so much more vulnerable and interesting tonight. She was good. I still don't love her, tho!

Chikezie - Hmmmm. I'm honestly not quite sure what to make of Chikezie tonight.

Ramiele - "I Should Have Known Better." Uh oh. It might be time to send Ramiele home.

1. David Archuleta

2. David Cook
3. Carly Smithson
4. Syesha
5. Jason Castro
6. Amanda Overmyer
7. Michael Johns
8. Chikezie
9. Brooke White
10. Ramiele

and I think KRISTY LEE COOK is going home tomorrow!

AI Contestants - Big Jerks?

I love TMZ's spies into American Idol behind the scenes. I totally get the vibe that there are alot of divas in the bunch this year. I think this story is probably pretty accurate!



The "American Idol" kids might be all aw-shucks on the air, but they're a lot more oh-no-you-didn't when the cameras stop rolling!

This year's crop of "Idol" finalists, according to spies at the apartment complex where they're all sequestered, "act like they're stars already" and are definitely "not nice" to the staff at the building -- and complain a lot about things like a little construction going on at the complex. "They're always hiding like they're special," we're told, and they're very aloof, especially compared to last year's crew, which was much nicer.

And it's not just their personalities that are a little ugly -- our spies snipe that they "look like sh*t" when they leave in the mornings at 7 AM. Let's be honest though -- and ya'll have seen us on TMZ on TV -- who doesn't?

American Idol - The Top 12

Finally! The big new stage - the competition finally begins! I hope everyone doesn't suck tonight. It seems like whenever they 'up' the venue nerves get a hold of the contestants on the first night. Let's hope that doesn't happen tonight!

First up, Syesha. She is not a favorite of mine. I think she's predictable, boring and a little cheesy. "Got to get you into my life." I think it's her best performance so far - but I still think she's predictable, boring and....cheesy. I just have a hard time liking her.

Chikezie - WOW! OMG, Chikezie brought it tonight! Wow! I'm so pleasantly surprised because I just love his smile and think he seems very sweet.

Ramiele - I like her, but NOOOOO! Why does she keep walking down the stairs? It's so...ick! Boring, Ramiele. Totally agree with Simon.

My boyfriend, Jason Castro, 20 years old! (Jason, I'll totally buy you beer! Call me!)"If I Fell" OMG. I love him. LOVE HIM.

Carly Smithson. Her best performance by far. I think we're finally seeing how good she is. Hey....are they purposely using the low lighting on her husband's face? is he wearing makeup? Doesn't he have tats all over his face? Hmmmmm....? Anyway, Carly was good!

Can I pause for a moment to say that Ryan Seacrest seems totally coked up!

David Cook - Once again, I like him. Begrudgingly, because he does give me a small case of the heebie jeebies.

Brooke White - I think she did a great job! I think she's a talented girl. I kinda cried!

David Hernandez - Goodbye David Hernandez. I just don't like him!

Amanda Overymyer - Dear Lord - why doesn't someone talk her into doing something with that hair?! It's awful! Just awful. But she did a great job! I think it was better than last week.

Michael Johns - "Across the Universe." Not my favorite Lennon/McCartney song. I thought it was kind of boring.

Kristy Lee Cook - Boy, I hate "8 Days a Week" done country-style. I couldn't wait for it to be over.

David Archuleta - "We Can Work It Out." I don't love it, but he's not going to get kicked off. That licking of the lips thing drives me crazy!

1. Brooke White
2. David Cook
3. Chikezie
4. Carly Smithson
5. Jason Castro
6. Amanda Overmyer
7. Michael Johns
8. Ramiele
9. David Archuleta
10. Syesha
11. David Hernandez

And I think Kristy Lee Cook is going home this week!

Idol Gossip

I was just reading on TMZ about last night's Idol. So great. Apparently Blake Lewis sucked so bad and audience reaction was so tepid that they had to tape his performance! And before the show Blake was overheard telling the judges he thought Chikezie was going to get the boot. (Didn't he read my gossip? I guessed 3 out of 4 correctly!)

Yes? No.

And in other Idol news, Perez Hilton is reporting that Season One's Nikki McKibbin is in the psych ward after a suicide attempt. Nikki's career failed to take off after her Idol run (because she sucked) and her mom died in August, which is really sad. If you remember, Nikki has a son. I hope she gets the help she obviously needs.