Tonight, apparently, we are going "big time"; this means that we're watching these kids sing music from the movies, in the presence of Quentin Tarantino, also from the movies. I'm not sure what the point is, of having him here, since he doesn't sing and only knows about music from movies he's seen or whatever is most desperately interesting. I like the movies that he makes but I no longer care particularly for him, because not only did he lose his unique looks but he's managed to make of himself a caricature of himself, which was already a caricature. Which does my head in, but also makes him the opposite of Kevin Smith, a charming man whom I love deeply but whose career, creatively, seems to revolve around creating irritating characters and then making them do irritating things.

Ah, he was a guest judge on this show in Season Three. Which was before anybody thought to pay me to watch this show. And now look at us, you and I. And look at QT, who has some kind of seriously troubling haircut happening, and how he's sitting in the audience watching this go on, and I guess taking part in the mentoring somehow this week. Really? I feel like maybe they explained why this was a good idea five years ago, but I'll be damned if they've done it this year.

Continue reading this entry on Television Without Pity.

If you TiVo American Idol (like I do), then you may have missed Adam Lambert's performance. The show went over by seven minutes, so most people's DVRs cut off Adam's rendition of Tears for Fears' "Mad World."

Luckily, Ryan Seacrest's peeps put the video online. Check it out:

On tonight's American Idol, host Ryan Seacrest announced this season's "big twist."

It's actually pretty interesting.

In order to prevent the best singers from being prematurely eliminated -- like what happened to Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry and Michael Johns -- the Idol team has introduced "the save."

For the rest of the season, the judges have one -- yes, just one -- save. So, if someone gets sent home who the judges think deserves a second chance, they can save that person from elimination. No one will go home that night, but two people will go home the following week.

Considering the judges can only use this save once, I have a feeling they'll wait until it gets down to fewer contestants. I can't imagine they'd waste it now, since we don't know the singers well enough to know if they really deserve to stay.

What do you think? Do you like the new rule? -- Jacki Garfinkel

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A little while ago, Ms. Paula had commented that she didn't like the idea of four judges. (And really, why would she? She has so much less camera time!)

Well, apparently newbie Kara didn't like that criticism. So, in true celeb fashion, she fired back, releasing this statement to Access Hollywood:

"Paula has a right to her opinions, but I was disappointed by her comments, and hurt that she did not address them to me in person."

Of course, Kara added that she's excited for the rest of the season. How could she be? Now there's going to be drama between the two judges... and they have to sit next to each other. Awkward!

What do you think? Should Kara have kept her mouth shut? Should Paula have not opened the can of worms in the first place? Should Idol get rid of Kara next season? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments section! -- Jacki Garfinkel


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American Idol now has a rock star to add to its roster of talented #1 musicians.  Season Seven's winner is David Cook, a self proclaimed "word nerd" who came to the auditions with his brother -- not to audition -- but for moral support.  David, not his brother wound up getting that golden ticket.  And he didn't stop there.  Cook's strategic performances took him all the way to the top. 

This is one proud moment for the Kansas City bartender and his family.  And this is really the fresh rejuvenation that American Idol needs to jumpstart its otherwise monotonous reality performance show.  Ryan Seacrest noted "we're going to do it all over again" in January.  So an eighth season is expected.   

With the highest viewership ever -- 31.7 million -- a record setting 97.5 Million votes came in for the David Cook vs. David Archuleta sing-off.  Cook received 56% of the vote while Archuleta got a respectable 44%.  A twelve million vote lead wasn't a total wipe out, but many predicted (even judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson) it would be Archuleta with the mic in his hand ending the season.  

Cook's coronation song, "Time of My Life"  was written by the winner of AI's second annual songwriter contest, Regie Hamm.  As much as it was Cook's moment - it was also Hamm's (who was in the audience watching).  He says, after some prodding from his wife who watches American Idol, he wrote "Time of My Life" specifically for the competition.  The tens of thousands of people who voted for it felt the connection and thought so too.  The contest brought in thousands of songs, but by the time we got to hear and vote on any of them -- AI had it narrowed down to 20.

Season Seven's grand shebang was jam packed with entertainment.  I was amused from start to finish.  Bravo, very well done. 

Third place finalist Syesha Mercado looked like she had the most fun of the night.  No pressure, she didn't have to worry about competing.  And she got to perform solo with Seal and Donna Summer! "Stamp Your Feet" is Summer's new hot single.  The Queen of disco even handed Syesha her diamond microphone so she could sing her part of the song with bling!

No low blows or rabbit punches.  These two "fighters" genuinely respect each other.  "This guy's awesome," David Archuleta said of David Cook.  "You have been one of those consistently nice people," Cook said in return. "As far as I'm concerned the competition is over and we're just having fun."  Not so fast Cook. 
American Idol is the sanctioning body for this finals week battle.  It is on.  After the boxers handshake boys, making nice should be over.  It's time to belt it out.  Let's get ready to rumble," Michael Buffer called out in that great announcer voice.  In this corner... 

A high school student, an actress and a bartender.  That's what the three American Idol finalists did before the competition.  Which hopeful will be going back home to that harsh reality of coming so close, but just not enough.

Tripling the chances... There were three phone lines open for each of the three contestants.  They sang three songs each.   The contestants picked a song, the producers picked one for them and so did the judges.

The three contestants got a chance to go back home to be adored upon.  That's when they were first told which songs the judges chose for them to sing on this very important moment in the competition.  Let's see how well the judges have tapped into the core of each singers' strengths.

This is a picture of David Cook in Kansas City throwing out the first pitch at a Royals game.  He also sang, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch.  Simon picked a Roberta Flack song for Cook, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".  That song might have seemed like a stretch for the rocker, but he made beautiful music. Simon called it one of his best performances and told him what makes him brilliant is his risk taking.  "Round one goes to Cook and Cowell," the judge boasted.  Randy didn't agree.  He would have picked a song that rocked for the "resident rocker."

Here's pretty girl Syesha Mercado at a rally and "Vote for Syesha" parade in Tampa.  "If I Aint Got You" is what Randy asked her to sing.  He thinks music like this Alicia Key's song is the kind of record she can make and be successful.  Randy was pleased with Syesha's version, "I am so happy you are peaking at the right time."  Simon said he wished Randy would have chosen something for her "where you weren't going to just sound like the original."  Randy pointed out to Simon when he listens back he'll hear that she changed quite a bit of the notes.  

Ryan asked Syesha if she's been holding back.  She answered that she's feeling more comfortable to be herself.  I say, holding back?  Please, this girl has been outstanding vocally every week.  

David Archuleta sang the National Anthem at a Utah Jazz basketball game when he went home.  Paula had the pleasure of thinking up which song she thought would best "exploit the beautiful timbre in his voice."  She was beaming after he sang Billy Joel's "And So It Goes" and said she really felt he was a storyteller in that performance.  Randy called out that he's "in it to win it."  And Simon thought it was really good, but a bit predictable.

There are two more rounds to go.  Next, the contestants chose their own song followed by the producers' picks.  There were some interesting ones in there.  

American Idol has had enough of David Archuleta's pesky father and gave him the boot.  Jeff Archuleta is known as the "stage dad from hell."  

He's supposedly interfered with the production of the show on numerous occasions -- from lyrics to vocal coaches, the band and other contestants.  The nuisance is being stopped after some tinkering to a song last week cost the show money.

Jeff insisted that David change the lyrics to "Stand By Me."  He wanted to add a verse from Sean Kingston's hit "Beautiful Girls."  The producers say they emailed Jeff that the lyrics could not be changed, but David sang it that way anyway during his live performance.  (I want to know a little more.  Like how was David singing it for rehearsal?  Was he in on it too?  I mean, the kid is not six.  He should be held accountable for the decisions he makes.)

American Idol's lawyers ordered Jeff banned from any room backstage when his son David is rehearsing or learning songs.  Because David is 17-year-old, it's AI's position that he doesn't need a guardian, just a teacher.

Jeff will, however, be allowed to sit in the audience during the live shows.

Just as David is no stranger to the big stage, his father should be used to getting banned from the competitions his son enters.  Back in 2003, Jeff was banned from the set of Star Search.

Archuleta is a favorite among the three finalists.  The other two left competing to be the next American Idol are David Cook and Syesha Mercado.  This past week, the three idol hopefuls went back to their hometowns to be honored and adored upon.  We'll get to see the hoopla. 

Each contestant will sing three songs tomorrow.  Not sure of the formula, but something done in the past is... the singers pick one, the judges pick one and legendary record producer, Clive Davis picks the other. 

 

Right now, each of the four contestants bring something different and special to American Idol.  Not one of them are the same.  They all have their niche and are suited well for this stage in the competition, but one of these contestants have the least amount of pull.  One of these contestants will not be the next American Idol. Can you tell us who that will be?  Why?

The dream is lost for the smiley believer who brought sunshine, rainbows and the sounds of birds chirping to the set of AI.  Usually serene and bubbly with life... Babbling Brooke White's chances as "the" American Idol have dried up.

She started the season strong, but lately made a few costly mistakes by forgetting the lyrics.  Shockingly she was saved those weeks, but it caught up to her.  Expecting it, Brooke said, she's been packed for weeks. 
  
Her fans lost hope.. just as I suspected -- at number five.  It's about time I got one right!  Jeeze it has been tricky to whittle down the top 10 in order this year.  Viewers and fans have been very unpredictable.

I say Brooke should go out and do something daring to celebrate this turning point in her life -- like how about watching a rated R movie?  That actually might be a bit risky for the 24 year old at this time.  Will those babies get their nanny back now that she's been eliminated?

Brooke and Syesha Mercado were in the bottom two again this week, but both were smiling and optimistic.  They were just "happy to be a a part of the AI experience."

Down to four contestants now... three boys and only one girl left standing!  How is Syesha going to hold up against these strong male contenders?  She can certainly hold her own, but you are looking at some hot competition.  Just look at this crew!  

American Idol, the reality television show.  Is it all an act?  I know "contrived reality" is an oxymoron, but were you watching tonight?

Simon apologized to Carly Smithson for giving her a compliment calling it like, "the kiss of death."  

The right song on American Idol can shoot contestants to the top.  People will talk about it. 

Successful players find the song that will show off their skills. 

The top six contestants should have a handle on that by now, but sometimes it takes a legend to make an executive decision.

At first, Carly chose "All I Ask of You".  Andrew Lloyd Webber advised that's not the right song for a girl with a big chest voice.  He suggested her other option, "Superstar".

ALW was right, she could have been cooked with that first song.  It would have been too unforgetable.  With her change of heart, Carly made her mark and dug her heels in.

Simon -- Actually one of my favorite performances of the night. 

Paula -- Loved what you did to the chorus.

Randy -- The bigger voices are doing better tonight. 

If you are going with Randy's mentality, Brooke White won't be advancing this week.

 

Wouldn't you know...

"It's like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun.  In other words, the vital ingredient was missing."  That's how Simon described Brooke White's rendition of "Hero".  

Randy and Paula chimed in to correct Simon -- saying it wasn't the beef that was missing.  It was the bun that was off.

Either way, Brooke White was the least suited for Mariah Carey week and the worst performer of the night.  However, all three judges thought her approach was smart. 

Randy appreciated the "singer songwriter" take on the song.

Paula told Brooke it was a good choice to do the unplugged version.  "Every ounce of you is authentic to who you are."

Simon said, "I don't think you had much of a choice other than to do what you did."

Brooke agreed that Mariah's songs are bigger than she's used to.  It's just not her style.

When Brooke was practicing, Mariah called her genuine.  She really could see that Brooke felt the song and meant the words with her heart. 

Just because you are true to yourself, doesn't mean that it will always work.  I don't think it's been working for Brooke these past few weeks.

One identifiable contestant who's made each theme episode work for him is Jason Castro.  Mariah called him unique and enjoyed working with him.

Jason sang, "I Don't Wanna Cry".

This time Randy was the judge making the strange analogies.  He didn't get it, "I felt like I was at a weird beach luau and someone was playing music in the distance."

"I'd love to be at that luau and listening all night long," Paula swooned.  She also mentioned Castro's gain in confidence and how lovely it is to hear from him.

Simon agreed with Paula, "Though it wasn't the best vocal, having said that, it's identifiable with you.  It was a very cool version." 

Now it was time for Paula to spew her metaphor, "He wants poi (pointing to Randy).  He wants beef" (pointing to Simon).

After going sour during the last vote-off show, American Idol is expected to hit the high notes this week. 

Not only will the remaining seven contestants be mentored by Mariah Carey, but a special guest will be in the audience.  David Cook's 36-year-old brother Adam (who's been diagnosed with brain cancer) made the trip from Indiana to Los Angeles despite his doctors' refusal to allow him to fly a commercial airline.

Backed by generous community members, Adam got an all expense paid trip to see his brother on a chartered medical jet.  A local radio station gave Adam a hotel room -- just across the street from the studio where the AI contestants perform.    

Perhaps it will be a chance for Ryan Seacrest to redeem himself in the eyes of many AI viewers.   

I don't know what is more wrong... the fact that Michael Johns is no longer in the American Idol competition or how Ryan gave him a flicker of hope in the end that he might stick around another week.  I know Ryan teases contestants, but there was something horribly, evily selfish about how he acted tonight.  It was like he was just happy it wasn't his precious Kristy Lee Cook.  I mean, can you be any more obvious?