Steve Eighinger's American Idol Blog

America got it right: Start the countdown for David vs. David

David Cook and David Archuleta, the dream matchup we have waited for in the American Idol finals, became a reality in most dramatic fashion Wednesday night. For the first time all season, my palms were sweating when Ryan Seacrest (finally) got around to telling us who was going to the championship round in the hour-long show's closing moments.

How big was this? This week's 56 million votes should be indication enough, but when the show ended, I switched to the Detroit vs. Kansas City baseball game on DirecTV (the Indians-A's had already ended, for those wondering) and the first thing I hear is the broadcasters talking about David Cook reaching the American Idol finals.

Unbelievable.

"I have not seen any celebrity come to Kansas City with the fanfare he had," said one of the Royals announcers. "This has put Kansas City on the (national) forefront."

David Archuleta was the golden child, almost from the beginning of the four-month season. And deservedly so. Archie has taken some flack for his over-aggressive dad, for licking his lips too much in the early going and even for singing with his eyes shut, but he's a likeable teenage kid. Good for him.

David Cook is another story altogether. He was little more than an afterthought until about the round of 12 when we, as Idol Nation, suddenly realized this guy is talented. Really, really talented.

My first finals prediction is this will be the best championship show since Ruben vs. Clay in 2003. I'm certain of it. But more about that in the days to come. Keep checking back here for Idol finals news.

And let's not forget Syesha Mercado, the third-place finisher. While I don't think she could have ever won an Idol competition, there were probably at least three seasons she could have at made the finals. She was in the right place but in the wrong year.

Syesha was up against a pair of juggernauts in David and David and never had a realistic chance, but she will have no trouble carving out a musical career. Enter another Andrew Lloyd Webber reference right about now.

Paula Abdul, the judge we love to hate -- or at least make fun of -- captured the moment, and did so perfectly.

"The world will remember these three," she said.

I think she's right.

David, David and Syesha were the best of the best season ever of Idol. (Well, except maybe for Michael Johns, Asia'h Epperson and Amanda Overmyer.)

TRIPS BACK HOME

I guess I'm just a softy at heart, but I love it each year when the Idols go back to their hometown for a welcome-back celebration. When David Archuleta sang "Imagine" at his high school in Murray City, Utah, I had chills.

And when Syesha cried in the back of the limousine following her welcome home, wow ... what great stuff.

And when David Cook got choked up at his parade in Blue Springs/Kansas City, Mo., I was wiping a tear from my own cheek. (Have I ever said how much I love this corny show?!)

FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"You can't help but think there is something bigger than you going on." -- David Cook.

IDOL SUPPORT GROUP

I'm considering starting an American Idol support group after next week's finals. Why? My gosh, do you realize how long it is until January when this whole deal starts up again?

I think I'm already getting depressed.

David vs. David one vote from becoming a reality

Syesha had her chance, but there
doesn't seem to be any way she prevents
a David vs. David finale.

This is always one of my favorite weeks of any American Idol season, when the judges, producers and singers each get to select one song.

This normally separates the field in dramatic fashion, and Tuesday night was no exception. We have felt for weeks, maybe months, that the two Davids -- Cook and Archuleta -- were destined for the championship round.

This proved it.

Who's going to win? I have no clue. Both of the Davids obviously have tremendous fan bases. This will be the closest voting in the history of the competition, and deservedly so. Not since Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken have two finalists deserved to be co-Idols.

BREAKING IT DOWN

We're not grading on any sort of curve. This is the semifinals, and the Rotund Stuffer is getting harder to please.

I was looking for something special, something that screamed at me that said he or she was extraordinary. I felt that in a few performances, but not to the extent where I any clear-cut favorite  emerged going into the finals.

ONE MORE THOUGHT

Before we get started, did anyone other than myself think Paula had some Botox work done lately?

ORDER OF SONG SELECTION:

Here was the order of the evening:

Song 1: Judges' Choice.

Song 2: Idols' Choice.

Song 3: Producers' Choice.

DAVID COOK

Song No. 1: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," Roberta Flack, selected by Simon Cowell.

Performance: The sight of his mother standing above the crowd as he sang this classic was the stuff of legends. Cook is on his way to becoming an American Idol legend, and this will be remembered as one of his top three efforts in a catalogue of great performances. Score: 9

Song No. 2: "Dare You to Move," Switchfoot, personal choice.

Performance: I had to agree with Randy, it actually was a little pitchy. And it felt much like his "Baba O'Riley (Teenage Wasteland)" from the previous week. Just when it appeared to hit its zenith, it was over. Score: 7

Song No. 3: "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing," Aerosmith, producers' choice.

Performance: When he hit that last power note, I felt what Simon said moments later, "David Cook wins the night." Score: 8

Total: 24.

Comment: He came from nowhere, was not even considered a factor when the round of 24 began. Now he is the man to beat, and that is going to be tough. Very tough.

DAVID ARCHULETA

Song No. 1: "And So It Goes," Billy Joel, selected by Paula Abdul.

Performance: Just about flawless, although a little more musical accompaniment would have accented his vocal even more. The kid can sing. The kid can definitely sing. Score: 8.

Song No. 2: "With You," Chris Brown, personal choice.

Performance: Wow. It was so refreshing to hear the teenager sing a teenage song. This went a long to further establish his credibility. It may not have totally worked, but a less-than-perfect Chris Brown offering may have been better than nailing a Michael Bolton or John Tesh effort. Score: 7.

Song No. 3: "Longer," Dan Fogelberg, producers' choice.

Performance: Diminutive David's best performance of the night. I was never a big fan of Dan Fogelberg or his lyrics, but he made me like this song. Score: 8.

Total: 23.

Comment: Give him credit, especially with all of the trouble surrounding his overzealous father. He came through in style. There were no MOMENTS, but there were three solid performances. We'll see him in the finals next week.

SYESHA MERCADO

Song No. 1: "If I Ain't Got You," Alicia Keys, selected by Randy Jackson.

Performance: Rather boring. Nothing special. Guess I'm a majority of one, because Randy, Paula and Simon all provided positive feedback. Sorry, the performance did little to change my mind that Syesha is No. 3. Score: 4.

Song No. 2: "Fever," Peggy Lee, personal choice.

Performance: This one really surprised me -- I loved it. Absolutely loved it. If nothing else, it showed more and more her future is on Broadway. This was everything "Proud Mary" wasn't the week before. Simon may have had a point about the song not as contemporary as it could have been, but he was wrong when he said the performance was lame. I have a feeling that Lord Bulbous, Andrew Lloyd Webber, was watching and smiling. Score: 10.

Song No. 3: "Hit Me Up," Gia Farrell, producers' choice.

Performance: Better than the first, much weaker than the second. Score: 7.

Total: 21.

Comment: I tried to think of a season in which Syesha might have won the competition and I couldn't. I think she may have finished second to Fantasia Barrino in season three, but she could never have finished first. That said, it doesn't mean she can't -- or won't -- have a great career.

THIS WEEK'S RANKINGS
Last week's rankings are in parentheses

1. (1.) DAVID COOK: Meet your next American Idol.

2. (2.) DAVID ARCHULETA: But the little guy will make it interesting.

3. (3.) SYESHA MERCADO: She fought a good fight.

READY, SET, GO: Syesha, it's been a great journey.

Dreaded ending: Jason had his moments, but it was time

There were no tears, only
smiles after Jason Castro's
elimination on Wednesday.

He handled it well.

Jason Castro left the American Idol competition the way he came in -- with a smile and having a good time. In between, he provided us with some of the season's top performances.

And unquestionably, some of the worst.

When he was told he had been eliminated Wednesday night, there were no tears, only smiles.

He knew it was time.

"Next week we would have had to sing three songs," he said. "I don't know what I would have done."

We don't either, Jason.

Admittedly, I was pretty hard on him in yesterday's blog, but fact was he was terrible Tuesday night.

In parting fairness, however, when we look back at season seven of this marvelous show, Jason Castro will definitely be one of the highlights, and not only because of those crazy dreadlocks. His interpretations of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen and "Somewhere over the Rainbow" by Israel "Iz" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole were tremendous.

Yo, Jason, thanks for the ride. Parting is such sweet sorrow, dude.

THE FINAL THREE

Looking at the final three from all seven seasons, I'd have to rate this year's trio No. 2 all-time.

Post-Idol success was not considered in the following rankings, simply that season's overall quality of performances.

Here are my rankings, see if you agree:

1. 2003: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberly Locke.

2. 2008: David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado.

3. 2005: Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon.

4. 2006: Taylor Hicks, Kat McPhee, Elliott Yamin.

5. 2002: Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbin.

6. 2007: Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle.

7. 2004: Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, Jasmine Trias.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Best No. 2 finishers

1. Clay Aiken
2. Blake Lewis
3. Bo Bice
4. Kat McPhee
5. Justin Guarini
6. Diana DeGarmo

Best No. 3 finishers

1. Kimberly Locke
2. Elliott Yamin
3. Melinda Doolittle
4. Nikki McKibbin
5. Vonzell Solomon
6. Jasmine Trias

The championship vision is David vs. David

I have seen a vision.

And it is good.

If ever there had been any doubt who will -- well, make that SHOULD -- be in the American Idol finals, that question was settled Tuesday night.

David Cook, meet David Archuleta. See you in the championship round.

Syesha Mercado, meet Jason Castro. Could we have a double disqualification Wednesday and be rid of both of you, reminiscent of the 1988 unification pro wrestling bout between Jerry "The King" Lawler and Kerry "The Modern Day Warrior" Von Erich? Sometimes a double-DQ can be just what is needed.

Why put us through another week of waiting for the David vs. David matchup we have been talking about and waiting for months to materialize. We are THAT close.

David Cook, 25, is so confident, so intelligent of a musician and so aware of what is needed to be a rock star it will be a crime if he is denied a chance to vie for the championship .

David Archuleta, 17, possesses none of Cook's natural savvy, but the boy can sing. And in recent weeks, Little David has shown us some different sides of himself, levels of talent we had begun to question and wonder if they even existed.

While I graded Cook slightly better (see below) than Archuleta during Tuesday's quarterfinals, the night was realistically a toss-up. We could spar about who had the better night between now and next week and would not get anywhere. It would resemble one of the conversations with my life coach and blogging cohort, Kelly Wilson. We go round and round about something almost every day -- and even though I am most certainly right about whatever the subject might be -- there is never a true winner in our verbal volleys.   

Let's break down Tuesday night:

DAVID COOK

First song: "Hungry Like the Wolf," Duran Duran.

Song selection: 9. It would be difficult for Cook to screw up a song selection too badly because of his incredible versatility.

Performance: 8. For Cook, it was not spectacular, but it was solid. On Cook's worst nights he is normally better than any of the other competitors. He seems to have this incredible feel for the stage. That is one major, major advantage he has over Archuleta. More than anything else, it comes from experience.

Second song: "Baba O'Riley," The Who.

Song selection: 10. A great, great choice. The song is often referred to as "Teenage Wasteland," but by whatever name you know it, David Cook nailed it. I only wish he could have sang more of it.

Performance: 9. Not a "10" because I thought he slightly muffed one line in the middle, but I realize that's like criticizing Rod Stewart if he blows one lyric in a two-hour concert.

Total: 36

DAVID ARCHULETA

First song: "Stand By Me," Ben E. King.

Song selection: 9. This was a natural selection for his style. I was impressed that Archie went retro on us with a pair of older selections. He often says he is not that familiar with some of the older music, but I think he might be trying to fool us by playing the young-and-innocent card.

Performance: 7. It wasn't awe-inspiring, nor on par with either of Big David's, but it was light years ahead of the night's third male contestant. More about that in a minute.

Second song: "Love Me Tender," Elvis Presley.

Song selection: 8. This was a strange one for me and I wondered what he would do with it, play it straight and add his own touch.

Performance: 9. He added his own flair and it worked well. While not as adept as Big David when "making a song his own," he is learning and learning rapidly. He remains the best balladeer of the bunch, which could come in handy in a couple of weeks.

Total: 33.

SYESHA MERCADO

First song: "Proud Mary," Tina Turner.

Song selection: 10. A tremendous song for her to do. I was genuinely excited and thought the Syesha roll might continue for a third week.

Performance: 3. I was wrong. It was stilted and lame from the start and I simply wanted it to end.

Second song: "Change is Gonna Come," Sam Cooke.

Song selection: 3. This was a night to rock, and this was not a song to pick. This was not a night to make a political statement. Yes, there is plenty wrong with the world where we live. But I don't want to have to think about it between 7-8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Performance: 8. Nothing technically wrong with her pipes or the performance, but I would have rather heard her sing "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne.

Total: 24.

JASON CASTRO

First song: "I Shot the Sheriff," Bob Marley.

Song selection: 2. It's a stupid song. It was always a stupid song. It will always be a stupid song. 

Performance: 2. You saw it. You get a "1" for just finding your way to the stage. I gave him a "2" because he didn't forget any of the words ... at least I don't think he did.

Second song: "Mr. Tambourine Man," Bob Dylan.

Song selection: 1. Another terrible selection for this stage of the competition. It boils down to little more than a sing-a-long.

Performance: 1. He forgot the words. It's the final four and he forgot the words. Overly critical? I don't think so. We pummeled Brooke White earlier in the competition for the same thing. "Jason, I'd pack your suitcase," judge Simon Cowell said. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Total: 6.

THIS WEEK'S RANKINGS
Last week's rankings are in parentheses

1. (1.) DAVID COOK: This guy might be the most accomplished artist EVER in this competition. He's not as over-the-top as Bo Bice was and he has a better stage presence than Daughtry did.

2. (2.) DAVID ARCHULETA: I still think that 10 years from now we will be talking about him as the second coming of Josh Groban. And believe me, that's not a bad thing. I don't think Archie will be a rock star, but he will be tremendously successful. He will immediately be a major star on the adult contemporary scene.

3. (3.) SYESHA MERCADO: A year from now, Syesha will be starring in an Andrew Lloyd Webber production somewhere. And believe me, that's not a bad thing either.

4. (5.) JASON CASTRO: He may have turned in the worst overall night in the seven-year history of American Idol.

READY, SET GO: Jason Castro. Anyone else would be a travesty.

It's a sad day in Idol Nation, but Brooke deserved to go

Brooke White was adorable and a sweetheart,
but her performances had tailed off
noticeably in the past month.

I'm sad today.

I'm sad because I'll miss Brooke White, the latest American Idol finalist to be ousted.

Sure, it probably should have been Jason Castro, but Brooke deserved to go, too. For the most part, her performances have tailed off noticeably during the last month.

But through most of the season she was adorable, a sweetheart. For one three-week period, I even wanted to marry her.

The casual watcher of American Idol cannot understand the emotional attachment that develops. We've been living and dying with these people for more than three months, sometimes as many as three times a week.

It's not easy being an Idol fan. At times, it can be excruciating.

The final five minutes of Wednesday night's show represented some of the most heart-stopping television I have ever seen. Brooke's final song was tough to watch, and when she turned and walked away I didn't want the show to end.

I'll miss you, Brooke.

NEXT WEEK

Supposedly, the theme will be songs that shaped/inspired rock and roll. The finalists will have a catalogue of 500 songs from the Rock Hall of Fame -- in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio, home of Grady Sizemore, C.C. Sabathia and the Cleveland Indians -- to choose their material.

At last, and in fairness to the Idol finalists, this is something that could provide some awe-inspiring efforts. Of course, with Jason, you never know.

IDOL THOUGHTS

More from Wednesday night:

• Neil Diamond's "Pretty Amazing Grace" was pretty amazing. I listened to it twice after getting home from the Deery Brothers Summer Series event at Quincy Raceways (this is what you call a shameless cross promotion).

• Natasha Bedingfield was pretty sweet, too. Let's make her a regular.

• 45 million votes this week. Holy crap.

IDOL MOMENTS

Here's my top 20 performances of the season to date:

1. David Archuleta: "Imagine."

2. David Cook: "Hello"

3. Syesha Mercado: "Hello Again."

4. Jason Castro: "Hallelujah."

5. Jason Castro: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

6. Ramiele Malubay: "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me."

7. Syesha Mercado: "One Rock and Roll Too Many."

8. Kristy Lee Cook: "God Bless the U.S.A."

9. Brooke White: "Here Comes the Sun."

10. David Cook: "Billie Jean."

11. Brooke White: "Every Breath You Take."

12. Amanda Overmyer: "I Hate Myself for Loving You."

13. David Cook: "I'm Alive."

14. Asia'h Epperson: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

15. Michael Johns: "We Are the Champions."

16. Asia'h Epperson: "Take Another Piece of My Heart"

17. Michael Johns: "Light My Fire"

18. David Archuleta: "The Long and Winding Road."

19. Jason Castro: "Daydream"

20. Neil Diamond: "Pretty Amazing Grace." (What a great song!!)

Free Asia'h Epperson.

Paula's latest behavior defies explanation

Tuesday night's behavior was one of the
weirdest episodes yet for Paula Abdul.
(Photo courtesy of Entertainment Weekly)

Wow.

I was going to do a separate piece on Paula Abdul’s latest on-air behavior Tuesday night following the Wednesday results show, but in the name of national security and Idol Nation, I feel a call to duty.

There is the possibility there will be some lame explanation tonight for her behavior, but whatever the reason — medication or simple meltdown — it was one of her weirdest episodes yet.

She seemed totally flustered about midway through the show during the judges’ comments dealing with the five performers’ first of two numbers.

For some reason, Paula thought Jason Castro sang two numbers (no one had performed twice yet) and began critiquing his “second song.” Even the Jeff Spicoli-esque Castro seemed confused.

“This is so hard,” said Paula, totally flabbergasted when both fellow judge Simon Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest attempted to rectify the situation.

Every on-camera face near Paula carried the same, blank expression. This was one of the strangest on-air occurrences I have ever seen.

“Strange” seemed to be the buzzword of the night after that, especially when Simon officially labeled the production the “strangest” show in Idol’s seven-year history.

Conspiracy theories would suggest it was all staged to promote conversations around the water cooler today, but I seriously doubt that possibility carries any credibility at all.

Paula is just not right. There’s something missing in the common-sense department.

In a blog earlier this week I suggested it was time to replace her, and was met with surprisingly strong criticism.

For those who supported Paula, were you watching Tuesday night?

Syesha was solid again; can she pull off an upset?

Are we seeing a new contender emerge
in Syesha Mercado, or just a late tease?

I left Tuesday night's performances at least slightly confused, partly because I felt the final five American Idol finalists would have offered stronger overall performances with the Neil Diamond catalogue as a backdrop.

That aside, I am also confused because I'm not sure if we are seeing a new contender emerge -- or it's just a late tease.

Sassy Syesha Mercado is complicating things.

One week after she wowed the world with "One Rock and Roll Too Many" during the tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber (he of the large, bulbous head), Syesha drops another honest-to-goodness bomb with "Hello Again" and is respectable with "Thank the Lord for the Night Time."

"Hello Again" was spellbinding. She unveiled not only another side of her ability, but the new 'do and the bare feet all added to the fabric of the performance.

I'm (fairly) confident Syesha will survive the week, and if so, next week should tell us for sure if she is the real deal -- or not.

The Idols sang two songs apiece, and I graded each on a scale of 1 to 10 for a composite score for the night. Syesha's "Hello Again" was the only 10, and she tied David Cook for the overall evening lead with 16.

Here's how I broke down the performances down:

SYESHA MERCADO

Hello Again: Simply breathtaking. Tremendous, tremendous effort. It was a perfect interpretation and a perfect song selection for her. Score: 10

Thank the Lord For the Night Time: She altered the original version, and it didn't work quite that well for me. It was more off-Broadway than spot-on pop. Score: 6

Total: 16

Comment: I'm honestly puzzled. Part of me says she could actually sneak into the finals ahead of David Archuleta, and part of me says the last two weeks have been more fluke than substance.

DAVID COOK

I'm Alive: Another almost-flawless performance by the almost-flawless performer. He did Neil Diamond justice. Score: 9

All I Really Need is You: I wasn't familiar with this at all, and while the judges seemed to go ga-ga, I thought it was ... well, interesting at best. Score: 7

Total: 16

Comment: This is your next American Idol, folks. Don't kid yourself.

DAVID ARCHULETA

Sweet Caroline: Simon Cowell's panning of Little David's effort was ridiculous. Archuleta had the crowd into the song, one of the all-time best sing-a-longs ever recorded. What more could you ask? No wonder we broke away from England. Score: 8

America: The diminutive one played the Kristy Lee Cook card, pulling out a patriotic song, and while Simon DID give him credit for this selection, I thought it fell kind of flat. Little David did not have the same feeling as Neil Diamond was able to invoke, but then Neil's about 80 years older than our favorite mighty mite. Score: 6

Total: 14

Comment: A solid, if not spectacular week. He gave us some needed up-tempo material, and it was better than expected.

BROOKE WHITE

I'm A Believer: First of all, I didn't like her parlaying a song Neil Diamond did not record. He wrote this for the Monkees, who had a hit with it about the same time Neil did with "Cherry Cherry," which WOULD have been a great song choice. Secondly, she looked like Juice Newton standing up there, swaying back and forth with that huge guitar. Score: 5

I Am, I Said: She struggled in parts, but this was the Brooke I truly, truly enjoy, and this is where she will carve her career -- sitting at the piano and playing her songs. Score: 6

Total: 11

Comment: Brooke should be thankful Jason's still in the competition.

JASON CASTRO

Forever in Blue Jeans: Not bad, and actually an excellent song for his style. I thought he might be in for an above-average night. Score: 6

September Morn: I thought wrong. This was an abomination. There was not one redeeming second. I gave him the score I did, because he remembered the words and looked good. Score: 3

Total: 9

Comment: The final score was probably generous. I think Jason knows it's time for him to leave and has accepted it. If anyone else is axed, based on Tuesday night, it would be a shame.

THIS WEEK'S RANKINGS
Last week's rankings in parentheses

1. (1.) DAVID COOK: I think his his best is yet to come, and that is saying something.

2. (2.) DAVID ARCHULETA: Satchel Paige once said don't look back, because something might be gaining on you.

3. (4.) SYESHA MERCADO: Finally showing some of that flash we saw back in March.

4. (5.) BROOKE WHITE: She's mounting a mini-comeback, but it's too little too late.

5. (4.) JASON CASTRO: It's over.

READY, SET GO: Dude, it's time.

Come on Idol Nation, it's time to replace Paula!

The frustration of listening to Paula Abdul's insane rambling
and constant interruptions of Simon Cowell has led to this:
It's time to get rid of Paula.

OK, it is time.

We have been patient for all these seven years. We have put up with the mumbo-jumbo quite long enough.

No longer can we -- and by "we," I mean me -- tolerate that deer-in-the-headlight look and analysis that insults the very definition of the word.

It is time for Paula Abdul to be replaced as an American Idol judge.

And no, it will not tamper with the chemistry of the show. Randy Jackson could be replaced, too, but he's harmless and kind of funny now and then. Paula is simply harmful to the show. Simon Cowell is the only irreplaceable part and we -- and by "we," I mean me -- love him dearly for what he adds to the best show in television history.

For anyone who at any time in the past seven years has watched American Idol at any length, you know of what we speak concerning Paula. The frustration of listening to her insane rambling and constant interruptions of Simon has driven us -- and by "us" I mean me -- to this.

Idol Nation, unite behind me. We can make this happen.

Here are my top 10 picks to replace Paula. Feel free to leave your own ideas as well.

1. AMY GRANT: She can easily represent the "nice" judge Paula is supposed to be, but yet offer an intelligent critique -- what a concept! Amy could also bring a view from two genres that are currently missing on the panel -- country and the ever-increasing impact of contemporary Christian. And she also has a few skeletons in the closet, so she's no Shirley Temple.

2. TINA TURNER: Her age, 68, might be a worry, but has any entertainer accomplished more than this Private Dancer? Paula has gone on record saying she considers herself the "total (entertainment) package." No, Paula, Tina Turner is/was the total entertainment package.

3. JANET JACKSON: A younger version of Tina Turner who, we think, has learned to keep her clothes on when in front of the camera.

4. CYNDI LAUPER: Think about it. Yeah, it would work.

5. JEWEL: Intelligent, great singer, and she got that snaggletooth thing fixed a few years ago.

6. FERGIE: Only because I know Simon could talk her into doing that one-handed carthweel every so often.

7. ANNIE LENNOX: The only knock against her would be it would put two Brits on the panel and the show, lest we forget, is AMERICAN Idol.

8. SHERYL CROW: Folksy, yet a little bit edgy. And anyone who has covered a Rod Stewart song gets my vote.

9. GLORIA ESTEFAN: Kind of over the hill, her best days are behind her ... oh wait, that's Paula.

10. BRITNEY SPEARS: Come on, the possibilities are endless.

Idol Nation forgives bumbling Brooke, sends Carly packing

Despite her gaffe on Tuesday's show,
Brooke White survived Wednesday's
elimination ... somehow.

I'm not sure if Brooke White even knows who Bill Buckner is, but she needs to meet him. She needs to get to know all about him.

It was 22 years ago when Buckner, playing first base for the Boston Red Sox, committed an infamous error in the sixth game of the 1986 World Series. His mistake triggered a Mets comeback that ultimately ended with the Red Sox being denied a World Series championship that looked to be theirs.

It took Red Sox fans 22 years to fully forgive Buckner, finally welcoming him back earlier this month to throw out the first pitch in their home opener.

Brooke learned all about that kind of forgiveness between Tuesday and Wednesday night editions of American Idol.

After committing the ultimate mistake for a singer -- forgetting the words on live, national television -- the entire western hemisphere was certain Brooke would be voted off the show.

She wasn't.

In one of the most surprising results shows in the seven-year history of Idol, White's obviously substantial fan base responded en masse to keep her alive. They forgave her for the gaffe.

Instead of having to live with such an error for 22 years, Brooke had to suffer for roughly 22 hours.

Somehow that doesn't seem fair.

Brooke truly deserved to go. She has struggled for a month as others improved and impressed. Yet her early work -- some of it quite substantial -- wound up carrying her through what looked to be her darkest hour.

After her finest performance, Carly Smithson
handled her exit like a professional.

What else that was not fair was what happened to Carly Smithson. Fresh off what was arguably her finest performance as an Idol -- singing "Jesus Christ Superstar" -- the Irish lass was sent packing.

Smithson and Syesha Mercado, herself coming off a phenomenal "One Rock and Roll Too Many" effort, made up the bottom two, much to Brooke's obvious surprise.

Carly handled the final verdict like a pro. We give her full credit. There was no whining, she was thankful for the opportunity she's had -- and will have. A recording contract surely awaits.

Carly, we gave you a lot of grief during this competition, and most of it was deserved. But we'll miss you and your tats.

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

We're down to five and Neil Diamond Week awaits.

The collection of Neil Diamond masterpieces offers a potentially great lineup of songs. I would imagine this is the week where the Idols start singing two songs apiece. It would seem such a waste to use only five Neil Diamond offerings with the catalogue that's available.

Here is what I think a perfect Neil Diamond song for each remaining Idol would be:

David Cook: I Am, I Said

Comment: If he chooses this selection, they can start engraving his name on the championship trophy (or whatever it is they receive). I guarantee it.

David Archuleta: Heartlight

Comment: I know Little David is going to pick a slower song and I know the judges -- and America -- will start to get a little more irritated. But I do think he could turn in an overpowering performance with this Neil Diamond classic.

Brooke White: Sweet Caroline

Comment: She could get the audience involved in this one and win back some fans I think she has lost -- like me. Plus, she could stay within her comfort zone behind the piano. This could all be reminiscent of a scene from the movie "Beautiful Girls."

Syesha Mercado: You Got to Me

Comment: This up-tempo number is actually my all-time favorite Neil Diamond song, and I think Syesha needs to keep her momentum going with an uplifting selection. Plus, for those of you who claim to be a child of the '60s or '70s, doesn't she remind you of Freda ("Band of Gold") Payne?

Jason Castro: Song Sung Blue

Comment: Give him his stool, his guitar and let him get back in his element. This is the perfect song for him, and he'll need one to survive another week.

The man with the big head can sure write some songs

Where do I begin?

With Syesha and her MOMENT?

Or Brooke's excruciating gaffe?

Maybe David Cook's latest "he's done it again" performance?

This had to be one of the most pleasing American Idol Tuesday nights in recent years. From the brilliance of at least three of the remaining six, to some unintentional comic relief from our boy Jason Castro, this was truly magnificent viewing.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was the guest mentor and he was insightful and entertaining. His resume -- from "Jesus Christ Superstar" to "Cats" -- speaks for itself, but the thing I enjoyed most about him? The man has a huge, bulbous head. Absolutely huge. (If you wonder why this impresses me so much, just check my blog logo.)

Syesha Mercado was one of two I definitely felt would be a candidate to receive their ticket home this week, but she was brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Syesha blew the doors off "One Rock 'N Roll Too Many" from "Starlight Express." Is there any doubt she will follow Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson to Broadway?

This was Syesha's MOMENT, hands down. I felt good for her, especially after all the verbal abuse she has taken, much of which has been deserved.

The other member of the final six I felt going in was a distinct possibility to get the boot was my ex-girlfriend, Brooke. And after last night, I have some advice for the woman I once envisioned as my wife.

Start packing, babe.

For the first time in Idol history, a finalist had to restart a song on live TV.

"I lost the lyric," Brooke said afterward.

"You must never start and stop," said the beacon of reason, judge Paula Abdul. (Might have been the first thing that made sense that she's said all season.)

It was painful to watch Brooke work her way through "You Must Love Me" from "Evita." It was difficult to concentrate on her performance following the restart, for obvious reasons. It had to be the longest two minutes of her Idol life.

While Brooke handled the situation with class and grace, it was still a massive, massive goof. At this level, those kind of things simply cannot be overlooked.

David Cook blessed us with "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera." How good was it? I didn't want him to quit singing -- and just between you me, I'm not a real big Broadway type of guy. Just ask my blogging cohort, Kelly Wilson, who let me know Tuesday afternoon what Broadway shows some of the songs the Idols would be singing were from.

I can't say it enough -- David Cook is an incredible, incredible talent. I think he could sing the back of a box of Cheerios and make it interesting.

AND THEN THERE'S JASON ...

He's not the best, and never has been, but he's always been my favorite, at least among the guys. (By the way, have they allowed Asia'h Epperson to rejoin the competition yet?)

Poor Jason was simply in over his head with his offering of "Memory" from "Cats." He admitted he had limited knowledge of this genre of song. You and me both, buddy.

"I didn't know a cat was singing this," he said in the prerecorded interview.

But how can you hate our resident Jeff Spicoli, complete with a never-seen-before white suit? I think he's safe for at least another week. I'd hate to see him go out like this.

LITTLE DAVID AND CARLY

As I'm writing this, I am simultaneously realizing there was not a horrible performance the entire evening -- Brooke's gaffe and Jason included -- and that in itself is cause for celebration.

Almost overlooked was another quality effort from diminutive David Archuleta. He performed "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera" and did it flawlessly. The more I think about it, the more I think David may be headed down a career path similar to Syesha.

There have been nights when Carly's "Jesus Christ Superstar" would have been the performance of the evening. It was just her luck to have Syesha have her MOMENT, Brooke steal some of the thunder in an incredible negative sense and David Cook be ... well, David Cook. It was no nice to see Carly smile and dress in something besides black (even if brown is a close cousin).

THIS WEEK'S RANKINGS
Last week's rankings in parentheses

1. (1.) DAVID COOK: Simon Cowell said he preferred David's grittier side. I'm not so sure. He was tremendous in this style.

2. (2.) DAVID ARCHULETA: Next week could be a test for Little David. He needs to show he can look as confident moving around the stage as standing still. Neil Diamond Week should provide that opportunity.

3. (3.) JASON CASTRO: This was his mulligan. He really didn't have a chance.

4. (5.) SYESHA MERCADO: I think she's safe, so putting back-to-back weeks together is now an absolute necessity.

5. (7.) CARLY SMITHSON: For the first time, I can honestly say I would like to watch her performance again.

6. (6.) BROOKE WHITE: It's been a great ride, Brooke. Thanks for the memories. And if the recording thing doesn't work out, you know how to get a hold of me.

READY, SET, GO: Brooke.