Posted by Brian Moore - 3:19 p.m. Monday, May 12

Here we are. The eve of the Top 3 singoff. The three singers left standing have made their emotional trips home (I'm sure we'll see a lotof that on Tuesday) and come back to face the biggest week yet--the chance to make it to the final singoff next week.

There's no need to go into great detail about what I've said numerous times before: David and David will make it to the final barring some disaster. Syesha has reached her ceiling, unfortunately, because she has become very good in the past month. Too little, too late.

And let's not even talk about David Archuleta's dad being banned. It really has no bearing on the finals, unless David A.'s dad is the mastermind behind the boy wonder's sound.

During their trips home (see a photo gallery here), the "Idols" were told some of the songs they'll be singing this week (they get to sing one of their choice, one from the judges and one from the producers). In Florida, Syesha learned she'll sing Alicia Keys’ "If I Ain’t Got You." David Cook is doing “The World I Know” by Collective Soul (he chose this one) and “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack from Simon. And David Archuleta will do “And So it Goes” by Billy Joel (thanks, Paula) and “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg (producers' pick). Pretty bad choices, if you ask me.

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Posted by Brian Moore - 9:24 p.m. Wednesday, May 7

Sure, we just said goodbye to Jason Castro, but it's time to prepare ourselves for Syesha Mercado's departure. Sad, but true. There's really not a chance that she can disrupt what has been destined for weeks now: a clash of the Davids.

Syesha has some qualities that the Davids don't possess, mainly a stronger, more versatilve voice, but the Davids have a rabid fan base. Neither of them has been in the at-risk group of singers at all this season. Syesha has been a mainstay in the lowest votegetters. She also has better stage presence than David A. and rivals David C. Her personality has shown through moreso in these last few weeks than either of the Davids. But it will all end next week.

That's what my gut tells me, at least. What about you?

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Posted by Brian Moore - 8:19 p.m. Tuesday, May 6

This week is an easy recap. Very easy. Jason Castro is gone. There is no reason at all that he should be allowed to go on. He butchered "I Shot the Sheriff" then forgot the lyrics to "Mr. Tambourine Man." He clearly was the worst and clearly should go.

As for the best of the night. That also is easy. David Archuleta did a great job on "Stand By Me" and a better-than average job on "Love Me Tender," although it didn't really excite me.

David Cook stumbled, in my opinion. His "Hungry Like the Wolf" wasn't great, and "Baba O'Reilly" was all right. Syesha Mercado, on the other hand, was terrific on "Proud Mary" and "A Change is Gonna Come."

My guess is the Bottom 2 will be Jason and David C. Jason gets the boot. What do you think?

Metromix TV's Marcus Leshock has got the Idol fever too--check out his quick and funny video recap here.

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Posted by Brian Moore - 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 6

David A. can't go wrong with this. Sorry, I'm bored to tears. It doesn't have the emotional buildup of The King's original. If Simon can say Jason should never touch Bob Marley, I expect the same of this. Elvis is The King, after all.

Randy: "Another great performance."

Paula: "That was one of my favorite performances."

Simon: "David, you didn't beat the competition tonight. You crushed the competition."

Update: 7:57 p.m.

David A. closes the show with Elvis' "Love Me Tender."

Update: 7:53 p.m.

Jason changed his clothes too. Did he just forget his lyrics. Ouch. He mumbled some stuff. Time to pack it in, Jason. G'night.

Randy: "I lost some lines," Jason says. "Jason's not in the zone tonight," Randy says.

Paula: "It didn't blow me away ... but you blow me away."

Simon: "Jason, I'd pack your suitcase." Does Simon mean he'll pack it for him or that Jason should pack it.

Update: 7:50 p.m.

Jason is back. Watch out.

Update: 7:48 p.m.

Syesha has changed into a different dress. Looks nice. Did David A. change? I don't remember. He looks the same regardless of what he wears anyhow. She's really showing off her vocals on this one. It's hard to know how much she's changing it up, because, I'll admit, I haven't heard Sam Cooke's original.

Randy: "This one I did not love at much. ... I didn't like the arrangement."

Paula: Paula gives her a standing ovation. "Beautiful. You've turned this into a superstar peformance." Syesha is crying.

Simon: "I have to be fair, and I'm going to agree with ... Paula."

Update: 7:40 p.m.

Syesha is next with "A Change is Gonna Come."

Posted by Brian Moore - 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, May 6

He is doing a Who song, from 1971. That isn't gonna win him the younger vote. He's slowed the song down. He's got his guitar out. I can just see him ready to bust out. At least the song has the words "teenage" in it. That might help. It's not incredible, but it's not horrible.

Randy: "That's more like the David Cook I've grown to love. ... Just be you. Cause you were great.

Paula: "I want more, I want more David Cook." Ok.

Simon: "Welcome back, David Cook."

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Posted by Brian Moore - 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, May 6

According to TMZ, here's what the Top 4 on "Idol" will sing on Tuesday night.

Posted by Brian Moore - 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, May 6

This week, the Final Four on "Idol" take on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And, of course, I have some suggestions for them if they really want to make a good impression.

David Archuleta: Ballad boy will most likely stick with what works, so here's some for him to tackle. He's into earnest, social-awareness songs, so why not U2's "One" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?"

Jason Castro: He almost always goes mellow, so why not Patti Smith's "Because the Night" and The Rolling Stone's "Beast of Burden."

David Cook:David C. is not as predicatable as David A. but let's assume he goes the "rock" route. He could do a ballad, Led Zeppelin's "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," and a faster-paced one, Sam Cooke's "Good Times."

Syesha Mercado: Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" would be great for her big voice. And she also could do Santana's "Smooth," just because.

Tell me what you think in the comments section below. Am I crazy?

As usual, I'll be back to blog live during tonight's episode.

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Posted by Brian Moore - 9:09 p.m. Sunday, May 4

Apparently $67 million in donations isn't enough for "American Idol."

In an interview with The Associated Press, "Idol" executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz suggested that "Idol Gives Back" won't be part of the series' schedule next season.

Before this year's "Gives Back," she was uncertain about how much the second “Idol” charity event would raise “when a lot of people can’t afford to pay their mortgages,” although she was “very pleased and surprised” with the $67 million in donations.

“I would like to take a break, personally,” Frot-Coutaz told the AP. “In the U.K., they do ’Comic Relief’ every two years. I think that’s the right amount of time. I don’t think you should go back to the country and ask them to donate every single year. I think it’s too much. Every two years to me feels right.” at ’Price is Right.’ It’s been on for over 35 years.”

Personally, I won't miss it. It was for a good cause, obviously, but it began to take over the show. You couldn't go a few minutes without Ryan Seacrest babbling about it. Then, after it was over, they kept rehashing it. No wonder the show is shedding viewers like Paris Hilton sheds boyfriends.

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Posted at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, May 3

Ellen, Michael and Carly in Chicago Saturday. Click the photo for more shots. [Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.]

Michael Johns and Carly Smithson performed for the first time since being kicked off “American Idol” on Saturday.

The pair made duets out of U2’s “One” and Sam & Dave’s “Hold on, I’m Coming.” They knocked them out of the park, especially the second tune.

Johns seems to have a natural star quality. He engaged the audience very well, and both songs fit right into his bluesy sort of style.

Smithson was more subdued working the audience, but she’s got the pipes. Her voice alone got the crowd behind her.

I don’t know what Simon would have said, but I would vote for both of them. Still, I doubt I’ll buy tickets to the “American Idol” tour.

Read more about Ellen’s Chicago appearance at the Show Patrol blog.

Posted by Brian Moore - 8:54 p.m. Thursday, May 1

Is Ryan Seacrest being booted from "Idol"? Not yet, but in the wake of declining ratings, MSNBC reports that Fox has launched an online market research survey to get input about the once-untouchable show. Some of the questions focus specifically on host Ryan Seacrest and his interaction with the other judges and the contestants.

The story reminded me a lot of some criticisms I had in this post.

Wednesday's ratings, by the way, were down again. "Idol" drew 22.1 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That means, however, that "Idol" has hit a five-year low.

That got Vital Idol thinking. What could "Idol" lose yet still reamin a powerhouse. Why don't you decide.

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Posted by Brian Moore - 9:14 p.m. Wednesday, April 30

These last weeks of "Idol" are shaping up how I imagined they might. I've always believed the ladies would be eliminated one by one before there is a Final 3 of Jason, David A. and David C. It looks like that is about to happen.

Even after two very weak performances on Tuesday, Jason wasn't even in the at-risk group. Syesha was standing on stage with Ryan again even after doing fairly well. She was better than Jason, but she apparently doesn't have as big of a fan base as he does.

Next week, I expect the Bottom 2 to be Jason and Syesha, barring some unforseen performance disaster from one of the Davids. Syesha will be sent home.

Update: 9:01 p.m.

That is the most awkward, pathetic exit song ever. Give her a break already. David Cook at least showed he's human by reaching out for Brooke.

At least, that's what I see happening. What about you?

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