Syesha's New Single

So, here’s something interesting. It seems Syesha has already released a single…

Syesha has teamed up with jazz legend Boney James for “Gonna Get It,” which was released exclusively through iTunes this week--before she was eliminated from “Idol.”

So how did this work? I have no idea. However, it’s interesting to note that James’ record label is Concord--the same label as Randy Jackson.

Hmmmm…

You can hear it for yourself here.

WKEE Goes Inside the Finale

Those of you in the Tri-State area will get a special inside look--or more precisely, listen--into the “Idol” finale…

WKEE’s (100.5 FM) morning show team, Sheila and Jim, will broadcast live from Los Angeles beginning Monday.

“On Air with Sheila and Jim” will broadcast live from 6-10 a.m. Monday through Wednesday from the Nokia Lounge inside the Nokia Theater, where the finale will take place. During the shows, they’ll conduct interviews with “Idol” participants both past and present.

Monday, Sheila and Jim will attend a party that will feature a special performance by Ace Young (Yea! Someone’s actually promoting his album!) and is scheduled to be attended by Bo Bice, Melinda Doolittle, Justin Guarini and more former Idols. Sheila and Jim will also attend the performance show on Tuesday and the finale on Wednesday.

Information provided by press release

Syesha Speaks

Thursday, Syesha had her chance to speak to the media about her future and that rotten song choice. And what we heard was a woman with a lot of confidence. Or is that cockiness?

Either way, I’m feeling a little better about the hand she was dealt…

When EW.com asked her if she knew it was going to be a David-David finale, she responded, “I didn’t get that memo.” In fact, she said she had heard rumors that it was going to be a David Cook-Syesha finale.

And what about that producers’ choice? She told TVGuide.com, “It’s not like I could change it. It really wasn’t a [singer’s song]. I wasn’t able to have back up dancers, most of the song was back-up singing, the whole studio-tech stuff. So, it was weird. Most of the song I wasn’t even supposed to be singing.”

In other words, I know they messed me over, but I can’t say that…

Does she regret choosing “Fever”? Syesha told EW.com that she doesn’t but she did have two other songs she wanted to do, but couldn’t. What were they? “I’ve been told not to say.”

Hmmm…

As for Syesha’s future, she told EW.com that she wants to do “everything. I want to make an album, do Broadway, act in films, open restaurants, homeless shelters, Lupus foundations. I want to do so many things. I’m really goal-oriented, and if you’re driven and focused it will happen for you.”

Syesha also told EW.com, “There are going to be ample opportunities to see more of me.”
I guess we’ll see…

Jeff Disses Syesha

I wasn't going to say anything since I've picked on this guy a lot lately. But after two different websites share it, I feel it is my duty to tell you...

According to MTV.com and EW.com, Jeff Archuleta did not join the audience in standing during Syesha's farewell song. His wife did, but he did not.

Can you say rude? Man, my sympathy for David just gets stronger and stronger as time goes by...

David vs. David: Who Won the Coin Toss?

Warning: If you do not want to know any details about next week’s singing order, stop reading now…

All “Idol” fans know that it’s better to go last on finale night, so the coin toss to determine order is extremely important (which makes Blake’s decision to defer to Jordin last year all the more painful, but I digress).

And, no surprise, Jeff Archuleta understands that too…

According to MTV News, Ryan’s David-David coin landed Archuleta side up, prompting Jeff to yell “Second! Second!” from the audience.

He couldn’t have given him those instructions before? They always do the coin toss after the top three results show. Do a little research, Jeff. Sheesh!

The article on MTV.com doesn’t actually say that David A. chose to go second, but considering the circumstances, I feel quite certain that he did.

“Idol” has been won by a contestant who did not go last (Ruben Studdard), but it is a lot trickier since the person who goes last gets the chance to go out on a big number, which will probably be the winner’s single.

But I wouldn’t look for any moves from the producers to make David C. look bad (as they did with Blake last year). I’m starting to think they want David C. to win this thing…

UPDATE: EW.com confirms that David Archuleta will go second. Apparently, the audience did a lot of prompting too.

Tom, It's Been Fun...

Many times this season--including today--I have mentioned my new friend Tom in Sarasota. Tom is a reporter for the “Sarasota Herald Tribune,” who was tasked with covering the journey of hometown girl Syesha Mercado. The only problem is that Tom had never watched “Idol” before.

Enter me.

It’s been a lot of fun talking with Tom each week as he started to discover all of the little idiosyncrasies of the show that we already know. And he always asked questions that made me think about the show in ways I never have before.

And quite frankly, it’s always nice to feel smart.

Here’s what Tom wrote about me on March 25th:

“Somebody in the newsroom just complimented my "American Idol" knowledge,
which is alarming, because that makes me a fraud who hasn't been properly
documenting his sources.
Well, source.

Several times a week I call Angela Henderson, who writes the "Idol
Chit-Chat" blog for the “Herald-Dispatch” newspaper in Huntington, W.Va.
Henderson is a college administrator who's been devoted to "American Idol" since
the first season. She's been kind enough to share her knowledge with me, and I
haven't been kind enough to properly credit her each time I write
something.

My excuse is that I'm trying to write quick, tight copy, and attribution
slows things down, but that's not much of an excuse.

So let me be clear: Henderson knows just about everything about "American
Idol," while I know almost nothing. She's been my expert guide this season.
Several times this year she's even guessed the songs that Syesha would sing.
Pretty impressive.”

See what I mean about feeling smart?

And yes, I’m aware that he’s wrong about me knowing everything, but it’s still cool that he would say it.

So, with the departure of the scrappy and classy Syesha tonight, I thought I would take this opportunity to say goodbye. Tom, if you’re reading this, I have truly enjoyed talking with you this season. If anyone from Sarasota makes the cut next year, feel free to give me a call…

And if anyone else out there would like to take Tom’s place in making me feel smart, you are more than welcome…

We're Finally Here! Woo-Hoo!

So, ladies and gentlemen, we are finally here. Finale Week! Woo-hoo! And as irritated with the show as I was earlier--and still am to a certain extent--I have to agree with Simon. This is going to be a humdinger. I predict that it will be the closest finale since Ruben and Clay.

For those of you who have been on this road with me before, you know the next several days will be a giant blur of coin tosses, song choices, interviews and much, much more. And I will do my best to stay on top of all of it.

And for the record, I have not changed my mind. I still feel betrayed by “Idol” and I won’t be as quick to defend it in the future. But I have devoted seven years of my life to this show. I couldn’t turn my back on it if I tried…

Strap in, folks. This is going to be fun…

And the Top Two Are...

9:56 Here we go…I’m REALLY nervous now…The two people are…David Archuleta…He’s stunned…I’m nervous again…David Cook. He shows no emotion as he gives Syesha a hug. I think he’s really sorry to see her go…The Davids sit on the couch as David A. continues his “I can’t believe this” shtick. Syesha says thank you to everyone and gets lots of screams…Wait, those screams are probably for the Davids…

9:58 She sings “If I Ain’t Got You” as images of her play on the video screen…That segue was a little awkward…Her dad sings along in the audience…Ryan motions the Davids to join Syesha on the stage…Syesha finishes and Ryan plugs the “big battle” as David A. continues to shake his head in disbelief…

9:59 And we’re out…

Darn you, "Idol"...

9:42 We’re back…This is actually moving along pretty good--minus that Fantasia whatever that was…David A. and Syesha are on the couch waiting…Now it’s David C.’s turn…I think he may have gotten a few more screams than David A. Definitely more people telling him they love him…Ryan points out it wasn’t David’s idea to audition and that he was there for his younger brother who stands up and waves. It was actually someone from the show interviewing him that talked him into auditioning. Thank you to whoever that was…Ryan brings his brother up on stage…Homecoming video…“Livin’ on a Prayer,” which you may remember was David’s audition song…David tells the weather on the FOX station…WOW! That’s a crowd. David’s stunned…He does a beautiful version of “Prayer.” Maybe he should do that for the song he’s never done next week since he only did it in the auditions. Don’t know if that counts or not…David surprises his music teacher…Those little girls are a mess. You’d think they’d be David A. fans…By the way, the song changed to “Dream On”…David says he doesn’t know how big the parade will be. I’d say pretty big…One girl holds up a sign that she drove 10 hours from Wisconsin…And finally, David cries. You know the cameras were waiting…And now his brother is crying…David throws out the first pitch at the Royals game. And it’s pretty good…

9:47 We’re back to the stage…Ryan recaps his performances…Ryan calls out Randy for being contradictory. Good for him!…David’s journey video to “What About Now?” Nice…Okay, I’m getting a little misty. Darn you, “Idol.“ I definitely care again. David C. has to make it to the finals. He just has to…

9:50 The three stand on the stage with Ryan…After the break…

Syesha's "Coming Out"

9:31 We’re back…David is on the sofa waiting…Syesha comes out…She gets some screams, but that one girl sounds like she’ll scream at anything…Syesha’s homecoming video to “I’m Coming Out”…A woman just hands her baby to Syesha without hesitation and Syesha freaks out a little. Can’t blame her there…Syesha breaks down after the mayor of Bradenton declares it her day…Song change to something moody about home…She had big crowds, but they didn’t look like they came anywhere close to David A.’s crowds…Syesha in the FOX affiliate helicopter. That’s a nice chopper…Okay, THAT’S a big crowd…She breaks down again when they chant her name…And she totally loses it in the limo…She holds a snow globe of Sarasota…

9:36 Back to the studio…Ryan recaps her performances…Ryan asks if she thinks Paula was too hard on her and she says no. Simon says she was…Syesha’s “Idol” journey to “I Believe.” So what’s the deal? Last night they screw her over and now they’re rolling out a dramatic goodbye? I guess they owe her…So does this mean we won’t hear “Celebrate Me Home” tonight? Aw, that’s a shame…Break…

David A.'s Homecoming

9:19 We‘re back…Tour plug. I’m wavering again on whether to go or not…The three are standing backstage…They’re going to start the results now?…David A. out first…I think they’re conning us and are actually just introducing the Homecoming videos…David’s video…He’s impressed that his high school cheerleaders are there. Remember, he is still in high school…David continues his modesty by saying he doesn’t think very many people will be at the mall to see him. Yeah, right…And David breaks down. That’s actually kind of sweet…David asks where all the people parked…Is that David’s mom? Why don’t we see more of her and less of Jeff?…Speaking of which, there he is with a big close-up…David sings “Imagine.” I think that should be his repeat song in next week’s finale…

9:24 We’re back to David A. and Ryan…David’s embarrassed that they showed him crying so much…Ryan recaps his performances…The girls scream at “With You.” Probably because that was the only song he did last night that they knew…Ryan reminds us it’s a close race and tells us this could be David’s last night…A recap of David’s time on “Idol.” I don’t think they usually do this. Man, we’re stalling…It’s the song they should have stuck with for the goodbye song, “Best Days”…Break…See, I told you they weren’t going to start the results yet. That was a terrible segue, Ryan. I’m disappointed in you…

Fantasia, um...

9:07 We’re back…Ford ad: “Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys…The Idols go to a fortune teller and see a glimpse of living large, with Fords, of course. That was probably the best one of those all season…

9:08 Recap…They repeat Randy calling Syesha “number three”…That recap even showed David A. struggling. How could the judges not acknowledge that just a little? It wouldn’t make a difference in the end…So did David C. switch his song at the last minute. “The World I Know” would have worked better…So who told Paula to tell Syesha she wouldn’t make the finals? I have never heard Paula say anything that pointed to a contestant…

9:11 Time for Fantasia to perform…Her song is “Bore Me”…What’s up with those dancing backup singers?…And what is up with that bright orange hair?…Sorry, I’ve never been a fan. I voted for Diana…I can’t really understand all the lyrics, but I think she’s singing about her boyfriend hooking up with another girl. I’m not sure this is all that appropriate…Did you catch the girls in the front laughing at her?…The camera catches Simon staring at the stage with his mouth wide open and then he sees the camera is on him…The judges clap for the end, but Simon clearly rolls his eyes…I’m with Simon. That was scary…Break…

Top Three Results Show: "Ain't No Stopping Us Now"

So before we actually get this started, let me take just a minute and defend myself…

Someone told me earlier that I was being mean to David A. and that I should remember he is just a kid. For the record, I have nothing against David A. I actually like him a lot. I’m being mean to his dad, Jeff, who I think could end up being David’s downfall.

Speaking of his dad, TMZ reports that he gave dirty looks to Nigel all night long and tried to schmooze with all of the celebrities in the audience. According to the report, Randy and Paula showed him some love, but there was no interaction with Simon. TMZ also said that Jeff tried to get the attention of Diane Warren, but she ignored him.

And suddenly I’m ready to forgive her for some of those sappy ballads she’s written…

Let’s get this thing started…

8:59 Intro…56 million votes…Syesha is playing with something on her back. She must be having trouble with her microphone pack…

9:00 The crowd is really excited tonight…Kristy Lee, Michael and Andrew Lloyd Webber in the house tonight…

9:01 Ryan says that history shows that getting this close and having to go home is “devastating.” Who is he talking about?…Ryan cautions Paula for her lowcut dress and it is pretty low…

9:02 Group sing, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”…David C. gets more screams than David A…Syesha gets no screams…Wonder what the Davids will sing together next week?…Yeah, I admit it, I’m starting to care again a little…They’re letting Syesha sing a lot tonight. So now they give her something to sing?…Michael Buffer in the house…And all of the top 12...Break…

Tonight's Show: I Could Care Less

So, last night I wrote that I thought the fix was in, and the producers were purposely trying to sink Syesha. Then I started watching “Women’s Murder Club” and didn’t really give it much more thought.

But then I decided to check out my friend Tom’s blog from the “Sarasota Herald Tribune” to see what he had to say and saw that Tom shared the thoughts from my blog on his blog. Now, I had read my own blog, but for some reason, seeing my words on someone else’s site--a site that Syesha’s own hometown would be reading--just got to me and I snapped.

When I talked to Tom via e-mail this morning, he told me I was taking this way more seriously than he was. I told him that when you devote five months of your life to the show and then they pull a stunt like this, you can’t help but feel like you’ve been slapped in the face.

Tell me I’m taking it too seriously, or call me a drama queen if you want, but that’s how I feel.

For seven seasons, I have defended “Idol” against conspiracy theorists who have accused the show of being rigged. No more. The curtain has been pulled back and I have seen the wizard. And I do not like what I see…

The producers purposely sabotaged the contestant they wanted out last night. I’m not saying she deserved a spot in the finals, but she did deserve a fair chance to try. And she didn’t get it.

So now, believe it or not, I could care less about what happens tonight.

I do regret that I didn’t vote a couple hundred times for Syesha last night. But honestly, would it have really mattered? I think at this point, the show is willing to do whatever it takes to get the finale it wants.

And then people wonder why the ratings are down…

DVD Review: "Season 6 Finale Performance Show--The Top 2"

So when I first heard about the release of a DVD of last year’s “Idol” final performance show, I was a little skeptical.

After all, I just didn’t think there were enough good moments to warrant a DVD.

But I’m happy to say that after watching “American Idol: Season 6 Finale Performance Show--The Top 2,” I was wrong.

There are several moments worth reliving--most of them coming from a swollen-nosed Paula. You may recall that Paula said she tripped over her dog and bruised her nose. Whatever happened, the loopiness was in full force. At one point, when Daughtry is taking the stage to sing “Home,” Paula yells, “Chris, I love you” right over Ryan’s intro like she doesn’t even know they’re on the air--a definite DVD moment.

There’s also Blake’s performance of “You Give Love a Bad Name,” which is always worth watching, and Jordin’s flawless “Broken Wing.”

But it was painful to see Blake struggle through “This Is My Now” again, although I still contend his verse was gorgeous. And it makes me wonder all over again why Blake was forced to sing the song back-to-back with Jordin (In light of recent events, I’m starting to think the producers were setting Blake up for a fall. His record company certainly has.).

The DVD also allows us to relive Jordin’s winning moment and her post-Idol crowning performance. And I shocked myself by actually tearing up during that dreadful song.

But in my defense, it wasn’t so bad in that moment. It’s when they try and translate it to anything else that it fails.

If you’re a Jordin fan, you’ll definitely want to have this one in your collection to relive her shining moment again and again.

But for the rest of us “Idol” fans, there’s the bonus disc. The featurette on Jordin doesn’t really deliver anything new, but the one on Blake shows some great stuff with Blake and Ryan at the Seattle auditions. You can tell that Ryan thought Blake was going to be a joke.

There are bloopers as well from last season’s contestants trying to tape their song intros and a few from Ryan. They’re nothing major, but some of them do give a little insight into the “Idol” process.

The real gem of this release is the “How to Audition for American Idol Guide.” I wouldn’t call it an actual how-to as much as it is just a great look at a lot of good stuff from last season that we didn’t get to see that illustrate certain qualities every “Idol” contestant must have. I love hearing Sanjaya tell us that stage presence is most important. It is what worked most for him after all.

But the best part is hearing Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe’s speech to the contestants. I thought I took this show seriously…

The one bad thing about the bonus disc is that all of the featurettes made me realize how much I missed group night this season (Bring it back!).

“The Top 2” is a DVD I would recommend to all “Idol” fans because it’s a chance to own a part of the show’s history.

I just hope this DVD isn’t the end. I would like to see DVDs of all the “Idol” finale performance shows both past and future. Think about it. Wouldn’t you like to relive Ruben vs. Clay? And how many of you out there even saw Kelly vs. Justin?

Trust me. She mopped the floor with him…

“American Idol: Season 6 Finale Performance Show--The Top 2,” from KOCH Vision, is available in stores now, just in time to get you geared up for another finale…

Photo provided by KOCH Vision

So who's going home?

So who’s going home? Do I even have to ask?

Let me say, however, that if Syesha does go home tomorrow night, and I believe that she will, that it will not be because of anything she did or didn’t do. She gave it her all tonight. She just didn’t get much help from Randy or the producers.

And let’s be honest. Maybe that was their plan…

What do you guys think? Will we get the David vs. David finale the producers have wanted all along or can Syesha play spoiler?

And am I the only one that would kind of like to see the producers’ party spoiled--as long as it’s David A. who goes home?

David Wins the Night

David Cook, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”: 15
How is it that David always makes me love songs I’ve always hated? When Ryan said what the song was, I actually said, “Oh, come on!” But as usual he made it work. I don’t know what Randy was listening to because that was awesome. How was that predictable? He totally changed the song around! And Diane Warren (who wrote the song) loved it, so who cares what Randy thinks anyway?

And why can’t she write the winner’s single? You know she’s dying to write something for either of the Davids…

The Fix Is In

Syesha Mercado, “Hit Me Up”: 14
Ladies and gentlemen, the fix is in. Why would the producers give a contestant trying to get in the finals a song with very little actual singing in it (and all the singing that is in it done by the backup singers)? Could it be because they don’t want that contestant to succeed? I think she did everything she could with the song, but you could tell she wasn’t really happy with the choice.

And haven’t they used that song in “So You Think You Can Dance” promos? Come on, Nigel. You can do better than that…

David Dares Us to Move, While David A. Puts Me to Sleep

David Cook, “Dare You to Move”: 18
So this isn’t the song that all the sites were reporting he had chosen, but when I heard he was doing this, I got excited--until I heard it. Was it just me or did it seem really short? He should’ve got off the verse quicker because his lower register was wavering all over the place. I think he might’ve killed his voice with the first one.

And finally, the producers’ choices…

David Archuleta, “Longer”: 14
As Paula said, it was “very lovely,” but did anyone else nod off? What were the producers thinking?

David Chokes a Bit and Syesha Gets the "Fever"

And now the contestants' choices...

David Archuleta, “With You”: 17
That sound you heard at the beginning was David choking. I also applaud Jeff’s--I mean David’s--choice of a newer song, but I agree with Randy that the lyrics were awkward. And there were so many of them that he couldn’t keep up and I think he forgot a few. If not for those glory notes at the end it would have been a disaster.

Syesha Mercado, “Fever”: 19
That was one of the sexiest performances I have ever seen on the show. And that dress is even better! Plus, she wisely had her best partner on the stage--Rickey Minor (Anyone else notice him trying to stare straight ahead?). And though I agree that it was a little cabaret, I respect that she at least tried something different--unlike David A.

And is anyone else getting tired of the judges trashing everyone else and giving David A. a free pass? Yes, Simon said the song was awkward, but he should have told him the beginning was a train wreck and he didn’t.

Syesha Does Alicia and David Brings Down the House...Again

Syesha Mercado, “If I Ain’t Got You”: 13
This was much better than her version on “The One,” but I wish she would’ve sat on the piano this time too. And I’m going to have to do some research on where that dress came from. Wow! But I appreciate that Simon agrees with me about Randy’s choice. It didn’t let Syesha show any originality.

But did anyone else notice when Randy said Syesha was “standing there number three.” He didn’t say top three…

David Cook, “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”: 15+
I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!! Could we just send the confetti down now? That, Randy, is how to pick a song. Did you see Simon clap in the middle of it?

"And So It Goes" With the Judges Choices

Here we are. The final three. And with each hour I waver more and more away from my original dream of a David vs. David finale.

Will tonight change that any?

Let’s get to it…

First, the judges’ choices:

David Archuleta, “And So It Goes”: 14 (out of 15 since there is no song choice category)
Nice work, Paula. This was a beautiful pure vocal. It was nice to hear David not do so many runs (Hmmm).

But the best part of that performance was when Simon slammed the mosh pit. They’ve had it coming for weeks…

Nigel Speaks Out About Jeff

Today, “Idol” Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe FINALLY spoke out about Jeff Archuleta…

In the interview with EW.com, Nigel said that Jeff “has been asked not to participate in the choice of music with David or be in the room when David is working out his routines that he wants to sing…We just want David to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do.” Later in the interview, Nigel said they were trying to “take some pressure away.”

When EW.com asked if the move was in response to the lyric change during “Stand By Me,” Nigel cryptically answered, “There was a lyric change that was a total misunderstanding. Just another, um, step along the way of us saying, ‘Okay, this is what we want to happen from now on.'”

In other words, Jeff, we’re in control, so back off…

Be back in a few…

Is Randy's Choice for Syesha a Ringer?

So how’s this for interesting…

Warning: If you don't want to know anything about the song choices for tonight's show, stop reading now...

I told you yesterday that Randy had chosen “If I Ain’t Got You” for Syesha (as reported on TV Fan) and then I blasted Randy for making such a terrible pick.

Well guess what? Syesha has already done that song on another reality show—ABC’s failed “Idol” clone, “The One.”

So, here’s the big question. Did Randy already know that and was trying to throw her a bone? There was no video on YouTube until Friday—after Randy made his choice known—but there were people involved with “One” that Randy probably works with occasionally, like songwriter Kara DioGuardi. So…

However, I think if Randy was trying to throw her a bone, he threw her a rotten one. I hope for her sake that she gives it a better attempt tonight…

Spoiler Alert: David A.'s Reported Song Choice

Warning: Stop reading right now if you don't want to know any of the songs that will be performed on tonight's show...

TV Fan, a site on EW.com is now reporting that David Archuleta has chosen Chris Brown’s “With You” for tonight’s show.

You have to hand it to Jeff—I mean, David—for coming up with a contemporary choice that will still play to his strengths…

"TV Guide" Follows the Top Three

As has become an “Idol” tradition, the top three will be featured in this week’s “TV Guide” cover story with interviews conducted during top four week…

And the magazine couldn’t have come at a more ironic time for David Archuleta.

The article details David A. in the studio recording “Sweet Caroline” for iTunes and his dad telling him what to do every step of the way. At one point, Jeff asks the engineer for a 30-second break to go over something with David, when the engineer had already told David he was doing great. After the discussion goes several minutes, the engineer declares, “Your 30 seconds are up.”

Interesting…

David, however, defends his dad in the article, saying, “[H]e’s been great. He’s given me a lot of good advice and helped me from making any dumb decisions. He understands more than anyone what I want in music, and I’ve felt really blessed to have someone like that.”

Ah, a boy’s unconditional love for his father…

So what other tidbits does the article share?

Syesha Mercado will be busy planning a wedding after her “Idol” experience is over. Syesha recently became engaged. Syesha said her “ultimate” goal was to make the top three, “[b]ut if I make the Top 3, I might decide, ‘You know what? I want to win this thing!’”…

For the first time, David Cook talks about his brother, Adam. “The sympathy vote idea leaves a real sour taste in my mouth. I swore to Adam and I swore to myself when I got on the show that if I was gonna do well or poorly, it was gonna be on my own merit.”

As for whether David wants to win, he told “TV Guide” that yes, he does want to be the American Idol. “I think it’d be a huge slap in the face to everybody else who auditioned if I didn’t want to win.”

Have I mentioned lately that I love him? I mean, check out that cover. It looks like he’s reaching right for you, doesn’t it?

The “Idol” issue of “TV Guide” hits stands Thursday…

Spoiler Alert: What Will the Top Three Sing?

Warning: If you don’t want to know any of the songs the top three are going to do tomorrow night, stop reading now.

Still with me?

“Idol” sites all over the Internet are reporting the song choices of the top three as they’ve started to leak out.

The judges’ choices always leak since they’re usually announced at one of the homecoming stops. Paula chose for David A. and she’s chosen “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel. Simon got David C. and he chose Roberta Flack’s “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which you know Simon is using as a major test. That means Syesha was stuck with Randy who saddled her with a terrible choice--Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.” Isn’t Randy always the one telling contestants not to take on the big vocalists? So why would he make Syesha take on one of them?

Does anyone smell some sabotage going on here?

The producers’ choices and the contestants’ choices have not completely come into focus. Here’s what we do know. According to several sites, David A. will sing Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer.“ Whether that’s the producers’ choice or Jeff’s--I mean, David’s--is not clear. David C. revealed in one of his homecoming interviews that he has chosen Collective Soul’s “The World I Know,” which will be fantastic, I just hope it doesn’t come off as safe.

What do you think about these choices?

Homecoming Videos

As you know, the top three had their homecomings Friday. And a simple Google search will lead you to plenty of pictures, stories and videos. YouTube alone is full of them…

Here’s a video of Syesha singing the National Anthem at a Tampa Bay Devil Rays game. It’s a pretty good performance, but it would’ve been better if she would have picked up the pace a little…



David Archuleta sang the National Anthem at the Utah Jazz game. It’s good if you can handle the constant screaming…


David Cook didn’t sing the National Anthem. Instead, he sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at the Kansas City Royals game. Since that’s not a very flattering song, here’s a video from the local FOX affiliate’s live coverage of David’s concert. It’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with him all over again or for the first time…

SPOILER ALERT: Simon’s song choice for David is revealed during the video.

How Will David A. React?

I’ve always said that there is only one person who can keep David Archuleta from winning “American Idol.”

No, not David Cook. I’m talking about David A.’s father, Jeff.

And I’m wondering if maybe that scenario isn’t starting to play out this week…

The Internet is all abuzz with speculation today about how David Archuleta will do now that his “vocal coach” dad, Jeff, won’t be there to help him. I feel quite certain that Jeff will still coach him by phone, but how will David react to all of this? Will he feel torn between the show’s vocal coaches and his dad? Will the pressure of the situation cause him to once again forget his lyrics?

Does any of it really matter?

Although most people expressed sympathy for David’s situation, one writer took a stronger stance. Ken Barnes of “USA Today” wrote a scathing post about why he’s not rooting for David A. to win. You can read it here.

What do you think? Do you think the ban will have any effect on David A.? Do you think it hurts his chances to win? Does it change your opinion of him at all?

Big News: David A.'s Dad Banned!

So it looks like all that talk about David A.’s showbiz dad was true.

TMZ is reporting that David’s dad, Jeff, has been officially banned from being backstage at the show and from rooms where David is learning or rehearsing songs.

The report says that Jeff “has badgered producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other contestants.”

So what was the final straw that caused the ban?

Remember how I complimented David on his use of some lyrics from “Beautiful Girls” during “Stand By Me”? Apparently the producers didn’t share my enthusiasm.

According to TMZ, Jeff insisted on adding a verse from “Girls,” but producers sent him an e-mail telling him the lyrics couldn’t be changed. Apparently the change would create problems with the song’s publisher and cost “Idol” “a lot of money.”

Obviously, Jeff went against the producers, ticking them off and causing the ban. He will, however, be allowed to sit in the audience.

If this story is true--and we have no reason to believe that it isn’t--it confirms Simon’s earlier comments that David is not choosing his own songs or arrangements. It will be interesting to see what he does this week without his dad on the two songs that are not his choice.

I would also like to say that this story makes me sad, because David is a very talented kid and he deserves better than an overeager stage dad. How will Jeff act on the tour? Or even worse, when they try to record a CD?