Idol results show-

They can sing --- but can they dance? With the exception of Syesha- NO!!

But "Ain't no stoppin' (them) Now.

David H was in the audience. They should bring him back to coach the other two Davids on dance moves- that would make a finale for sure.

They are going to drag this out for a whole hour? Really?

Pardon me if I flip channels- Verdict with Dan Abrams is talking about Edwards endorsing Obama - Oh Ford commercial- David A sings "I've been locked up far too long" ( priceless) from the song "Heaven"

Recap of performances- reminding us how full of themselves the judges are- they all loved their own picks.

Fantasia is singing now- reminding me of how completely unattractive she is - commercial un MSNBC- She is screaming a lot and I can't understand a word she is singing. For those who pay attention she has died her hair red. Commercial.

Back to MSNBC - they are talking about the Mississippi congress seat won from the Republicans last night. Discussion ensues about how weak the Republican hand is for the fall and how the Rev Wright and race issues are dead (that won't stop them).

Back to Idol- 20 minutes in. David A takes the stage first- we get to see his Utah homecoming.
he cried because of the huge crowds- if he wins this thing the crowds and popularity will rip him apart. Does the world need another Donny Osmond?

Then we see David's journey from the beginning.

Ad for "Ironman." If you haven't seen it, do.

Syesha is next to take the stage. Then we see her trip home to Sarasota Fl.
This is not as fun to watch- less crying, less people grabbing at her, etc. Crowds are smaller.
And a montage of her trip from the beginning.

MSNBC is discussing Clinton as VP and whether it will/shouldhappen. There are lots of reasons why I think that is a bad idea. Abrams has challenged Obama supporters to explain why Hillary Clinton should not be offered the VP spot. ( He is under the impression that the only reason she will not be asked is because they don't like her.) I say that's a good first reason.

David Cook takes the stage. My guess is that for his trip to Kansas City is there will be a lot less crying. David explains how he did not intentionally audition but was supporting his little bro., Andrew. That's kind of neat I guess, unless you are his little bro.

The guy is smooth- I just find him quite homely. He is singing on stage and they show a clip of his bro (Andrew) singing in the crowd.

I was wrong- the tears are flowing- How sentimental!

Judge comments on the songs from last night and the recap of his journey.

The three take the stage- must be time for a commercial.

Randy congratulates the all- Paula tells them great things are to come and something about creating moments and the world will watch- Simon says the final will be a hum-dinger next week.

David A and David Cook will be in the final. Gee- no one saw that coming.

American Idol- Top 3

Simon says David C wins the night. I disagree. Pure and simple, I don't like this guy. He mumbles. I am fairly certian, based on tonight, that he does not really want to win.

The only thing that saves Cook is that Syesha was worse without trying. She clearly wants to win but she has missed one key opportunity. The only female left could have played up the sex appeal and she missed the boat, even while singing "Fever", a perfect song for the strategy.

Archie was the best of the night but he has definite limitations. Kid can't dance and sounds better when you close your eyes.

By the numbers Archie with 11, Cook with 9.6 and Syesha with 8.7.

Syesha will likely go home.

Idol Results- if anyone is paying attention tonight

51 million votes cast- one million votes separate the top three. Jason must have gotten much fewer.

Recaps remind us of the disaster that was last night.

Archuletta is out first. Predictably safe.

Much filler with Idols seeing Circ de sole' "All You Need is Love"

David Cooke takes the stage so he undoubtedly will be safe. Wow surprise, he is safe.

Jason and Syesha take the stage together. Then they go to a break.

Then Ford commercial and phone calls. (This fluff has got to be eliminated next year.)

Maroon Five takes the stage to sing. I am thinking about a point which is pronbably obvious, but I am really bored and checked out for the season. This results show is an hour-long commercail for Coke, Ford, Sony, Fox TV and I-tunes.

They could spend five minutes telling us Jason is going home, instead we get an hour of crap.

Bo Bice sings a souhern rock song from his new album- it didn't impress me. Then he gave advice to the idols- to practice (too bad Jason didn't hear that one sooner). Then a commercial.

Finally the judge comments for Jason and Syesha. Jason says someone told him he shot the tamborine man. He thought it was funny.

Jason is going home- Duh!!!

Whne asked if he was relieved he said , "A little, they have to do three songs next week. I don't know what I would have done.

Idol - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night.

Could have been a great night. Each of the contestants chose songs that ft their stage personas.

Unfortunately, Jason has obviously checked out. He should go home. He scored a 4 out of a possible 12- the lowest score possible.

David Cook was also a big disappointment. If the stoner vote keep Jason around David is in real trouble. He scored 8.5.

As I said last week, Syesha could win this thing. She took the advise of ALW to heart and has given rock solid performances each and every time she has taken the stage. Her "Change Gonna Come" was her best performance of the season. Her overall score was 10 of 12.

David A gave two solid performances. I felt the judges were a bit generous for his 'Stand by Me' but he made up for it with a "Love Me Tender' that he could have done acapella. His overall score was 11 of twelve.

Jason was so bad, including a completely flat ' I shot the Sherif ' and forgetting the words to "Tamborine Man" (how is that even possible? My guess is this guy wants to go home.

Just listened to David Cook's "I'm Alive" studio version.

His voice is more relaxed at the beginning. I still think this guy comes across as a 'one-trick pony', which happens to be my gripe about the other two guys as well. Cook probably has the greatest capacity to overcome that - see "music of the night"- but he continually chooses not to do so. He had the perfect opportunity to do something different with 'AIRNIY' and went for the voice grinding rock version again.

"I'm Alive" was probably the best performance of the night but it ended up being overshadowed by style when he did the same style for the second song. If Cook continues to do the constipated rocker thing, and Archuletta continues to do the smarmy cute kid telle tubbie thing, and Jason continues to do his laid back stoner with a guitar thing- Syesha need only continue to act the part of each song (stunning advice from ALW, btw, as to how it has transformed her) and she is poised now to win it all.

Idol Results Show - Final Five - Neil Night

The medley salute to Neil starts with Cracklin'Rosie, making me wonder why Jason didn't do this one last night. Next the girls do song sung blue and together they do Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show. The best part of that was Castro's singing which was better than it has been in weeks.

Reports on-line tell us that last night's show was the ratings winner of the season. Also, from talking to others who watched the show for the first time, they thought Syesha was the best of the night and many of them voted. Maybe I, like so many others, am jaded about her because of her past performances but based on this informal survey I want to say again that a woman- Syesha in this case- could win it all.

Constantine and Gina are in the audience. Big woop!

Then a two and a half minute recap of the shlock fest that was last night. I have to say that- as much as I looked forward to this night, it was not great. And I simply do not like the style of one David Cook.

Jason Castro is first on stage and is safe. This could be a shocker ending. The good news about this is that he gets another week to redeem himself, and more importantly I never need to hear him sing Neil again. The kid is teflon.

David A takes the stage. He is also safe.

Then a break. But there is an extended preview of "So You Think You Can Dance."

David Cook takes the stage- I thought it would be one of the women. He is also safe.

That puts the two women together. But I do not know if it is fair to assume these are the bottom two. If we get to hear Brooke do 'I Am I Said' and Syesha do "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime", I can live with that if I have to.

Then Natasha Benningfield (?) took the stage. What would Simon say of that performance if he was asked? Ryan Seacrest called her 'a pocketful of sunshine.'

Then the pre-recorded questions:

Why is Paula always nice? (because what they do is hard)

Will Paula do anymore music videos with Randy? (no serious answer)

Which of these performances is most memorable- kiss with Paula or kiss with caller?
(no serious answer but it was fun- this woman was Simon's first kiss)

Next up Neil Diamond :-)

Ford Video "Catch the Wind" boring

Neil sings "Pretty Amazing Grace"

Great performance in cluding Neil's complete band and back up singers. Neil tells the contextants not to listen to Simon- making indirect reference to a small spat between he and Simon in one of the earlier seasons. Simon said something like a singer such as Neil Diamond would never have survived American Idol. Neil said something like- AI produces singers by type according to what producers are looking for.

Brooke is going home- in a very sloppy sobbing kind of way.

At this point- like it or not Syesha has the greatest versatility. I will say again- she could win it all.

Idol night recap - Neil Diamond Night

Jason wasn't great- but like Randy says, I didn't want to hit him. he botched the lyris on forever in Bluejeans- but the condensed version of the song makes that less noticable. Oddly I liked September Morn for exactly the same reasons the judges hated it. I was glad he didn't go with his usual urge to 'Jasonify' it. My calculations put him tied for last.
David Cook, contrary to the judges opinion "I'm Alive" was the better of these two performances. When he sang "All I really need..." I wanted to hit him. Was he constipated or something?of course, the judges got this absolutely wrong. His overall score was a 10 and he will likely be safe, deservedly so- but I still think this guy- like Jason and like David A- is palagued with limited range in style. I would have preferred a straight performance of 'AIRNIY' consistent with last weeks performance. This would have given him extra points for mixing it up a bit.
I have wanted to hit Brooke for a long time. her performance of I'm a Believer didn't help her cause. Her performance of IAIS was weak but I didn't puke or anything. I thought the idea of following Neil's advice about changing the lyric was fine but could she have changed out the word 'shores' for 'homes.' It would have sounded less idiotic and she wouldn't have had to grin like a moron in the middle of the song. Her total score was a 7 but the judges were very generous.
David A, did a cute little arrangement of 'Sweet Caroline' that was both refreshing and sappy at the same time. His version of 'America' was also fresh but it felt like it should have been on "Disney Idol" or something. I don't know yet how I felt about his ending but I think Simon was right that it was a smart choice. His overall score is a 10. he and the other David are likely to return.
Syesha Stank it up on Hello Again. Thank the Lord for the Nighttime was too slow- It was too Slow!!! Where's the groove? I want more Boom Boom Boom!!! She may have a carreer on stage but she is not the American Idol. her total score- again because of generous judges was a 7.
Jason or Syesha or Brooke are even money to go home.
Here's the real problem with this season. The competition has been reduced to one of style and the contestants are pigeonholed.
Cook is the 'rocker' and is forced or forcing himself into that mold. Archie is a prodigy who attracts tweenies, mommies and grandma. Jason is the laid back stoner guy who doesn't take anything seriously (except his hair). Brooke is country and Syesha is the show girl (no, not like that).
So, what happens if their producer created personas fall apart?Then we are left with an American Idol who will make one album and disappear into the wilderness.
From what I have seen, I would be okay with that.

Idol results show- Top 6 become Top 5

Andrew Lloyd Webber discusses what it is for these contestants to perform for the panle, for the audience and for the viewers at home. He reveals that Jason did not take his advice 'at all.'

W and his wife thank the viewers for Idol gives back. There was $65 million raised- $35 shy of their goal.

The Davids take the stage. Ryan evaluates the two performances based on the Judges comments. Cook and Porkchop are given a chance to talk about what it felt like to perform Webber songs and then are pronounced safe.

Before the break they cut away to the four remaining contestants and jason is in the middle of an enormous yawn.

Syesha and Brooke take the stage- same routine with the comment from last night. My guess is Syesha is safe based on last night. Brooke will take the first stool. But then I would be wrong and Syesha is in the bottom two.

Carly and Jason both take the stage- either of these could be in the bottom two and either could go home. Karly is in the bottom two.

Between Karly and Syesha it should be Karly that goes home.

I like this. It is much more humane to have them sing before kicking them to the curb.

Carly is going home. That makes sense.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber Night on Idol

The main reason I liked this night is because we got a chance to see different sides of these candidates. My favorites of the night were Syesha and David C specifically because they were so different from what we have seen before and they shined in the context of these performances.

To a degree the same thing can be said for Jason but he will invariably be compared to Barry Manilow and Barbara Steisand. In comparison he pales.

David A did what he was expected to do. The weak performances were Brooke and Carly-either of these could go home.

By the numbers- Syesha and David Cook with 12, David A with 11, Jason with 10, Carly with 9 and Brooke with 4.

I have to say also that the false start thing worked for her once. Tonight it just looked lazy.

Idols Results Show--

Review of the night before- reminding us of how boring it was-

Jason will start the group on the left, David Cook will starting group on the right, Carly joins Jason on the left, Kristy Lee joins David on the right, Syesha on the left and Brooke on the right.

Then they switch things up switching David C and Syesha. Kristy goes home. It was much mor eboring than that but my computer deleted the details as I was typing.

On to Andrew Lloyd Weber night.

Idols Results Show--

My Idol hopes for Neil Diamond Night

Okay, I am fairly certain it will be five contestants- the three guys and two girls.
Doing this excercize revealed to me why David C should win- even though I am not a huge fan- he is the most versitile.

It was hard to pick for David A because, frankly, to hear this kid sing some of these lyrics would be downright creepy.

The other consideration is that many of Neil's popular songs would be sing-songy and many of the ballads are simply too long to make sense when condensed into the time-frame of the show.

Who knows what will be done, really. I would hope Neil would get some sort of a veto on staple songs like IAIS and we will likely see some sort of group medley on Wednesday night.

I am not even going to guess on which girls will still be around since I find it quite unlikely that any of them will win.

So, these are not so much guesses or predictions. They are a wish list. Here goes:

David A.:Shilo, Heartlight, I’m a Believer

David Cook: You Got to Me, Kentucky Woman, Cherry Cherry

Jason: And the singer Sings His Songs, Glory Road, And the Grass wont pay no Mind - even money bet on 'Canta Libre' since Jason has a penchant for spanish language songs.

Girl One: Hello Again, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, September Morn

Girl Two: Beautiful Noise, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime,Morningside

This little game points out some real problems for some candidates.

Jason becomes more likeable to me with each week but his style creates limitations as to how far he can go n the competition. Even my picks for him do not offer any real opportunity to stretch which he will need to do if he expects to win.

Same thing with David A.- the kid is cute but he is just a kid. I think he will not pass muster in the final three and will lose out to the maturity of Castro and Cook for the final two. His only attempt to pick up the tempo during Beatle's week did not work. I'm a Believer gives himt si chance but the song does not show off his voice.

The MOR stuff is a safe bet for the MOR girls I include "Thank the Lord..." and "Beuatiful Noise" in this mix because any of these contestants could choose this one to demonstrate an ability to 'shake it.'