On Larry King, Ryan said there will be some changes made but it won’t involve a judge. Perhaps removal of a judge would shake things up a bit?

Fantasia definitely made an impression, Lady Bug. LOL!

It is a bit disheartening when more people are talking about Fantasiaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s performance than about the Top 3à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s songs. Great for her, but I wonder if the producers are now feeling a bit queasy that a former winner has made this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bestà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  rather forgettable

If they’re queasy or quizzical or in a quandry over former Idol winners returning to overshadow the best.cast.ever, then it’s their own fault.

The producers are responsible for minimizing the importance of the contestants to the contest itself by overloading it with guest mentors, the judges’ pet projects, bloated sets, overlong and overpadded results shows, and unimaginative theme weeks. I honestly think they could care less since there’s a vested intrest (one way or another) in all of the ones that do return.

Former Idols are supposed to come on and provide an example of post-show success and professionalism for the “kids”. If they blow the roof off the joint in the process, good for them. And good for us.

Archie even admitted to his friend, Adam that his songs were all boring (after the Top 3 night) when he text message him and he even thinks that David Cook deserves to win.

That doesn’t mean DA doesn’t want to win, or doesn’t deserve to win. All that means is that he’s a nice, humble kid. At his homecoming, he wouldn’t even ask people to vote for him when prompted. He said people should vote for who they like.

At least he auditioned on purpose…

Simon Cowell has told à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  season seven finalist Syesha Mercado that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no Whitney Houston, but to jazz musician Boney James, the 21-year-old is the next best thing to Faith Evans.

Yesterday Concord Records released à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Gonna Get It,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  recorded by James and a then-unknown Mercado in August 2006. The song is available for purchase exclusively on iTunes, but can be heard for free on a number of Web sites.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“She was wonderful. I think she was only 19 at the time,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Lowell-born saxophonist James said of Mercado.

Do you think that Syesha will start recording with James now that she’s an Idols star? I would like to hear the song, and I always believe Sy was a jazz & Broadway singer. This should get good, esp. for 19E.

where was clive last night? Is he returning next week? I miss Clive.

I thought Fantasia was Fearless. That performance was mesmerizing to watch and I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t quite decide about it. I KNOW that people on the scary boards are most likely having a field day of daggers over her à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Yeah, Yeah, Yeahsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , of which she seems quite fond. They drive me a bit crazy as well.

She rather reminded me of a retired legend who still has à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“got ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . She performs beyond her years.

I tend to agree. I described Tasia as Patti Labelle on steroids. Anyway, you could tell Simon was flabbergasted and seeking words to describe what he just saw….what you saw Simon was a “performance artists”….there are no singers anymore, they are performance artists….blame Madonna for that.

And she’s doing her “thang” like it or not….you know Tasia has that attitude going. You either like it or you don’t. I could do without all the screaming, but maybe it goes with the song???

I’m still marvelling at Fantasia’s performance. That song “Bore Me” is a piece of work, alright. (Google the lyrics.) I’d say it was actually a pretty daring song choice both in form and content. Nobody on the show this year has anywhere near the cojones. Fierce for real.

Love her. LOVE!

BTW, I don’t think lil’ David was at a loss for anything during her performance. He probably took a few notes. Have you SEEN the “Star Search” youtubes? (check out “I Surrender” in particular) There was a level of uninhibitedness there that is far removed from the David A. of today. The diva is inside the cocoon. Give him a few years to shake off the inhibitions of puberty and Dadchuleta and he’ll spread his wings.)

I thought David A was completely charming in his video – much more at ease than he’s appeared at other points. I could read (or perhaps read into) his face when those cheerleaders showed up… his eyes lit up, “oh Wow, the Cheerleaders are here!”… and he was a teenager at that moment… albeit briefly! Whatever is going on with his family, I hope that David A manages to experience more moments of youthful joy.

But I have to say: David Cook is my boy. I liked his music and his presence and his style, from the time he appeared… but did not expect him in the final. Not at first. I also had no idea he would prove to be such a sweetie in real life… his commitment to his family is heartwarming. And I never, ever imagined that he could sing MOTN… legit… and belt that big note! In-freakin-credible. For me at least! So, now he’s pimped and seems to be the producer’s favorite. I think he just has more momentum, and better press, on his side at the moment.

No matter who you’re rooting for, or even if you’re not rooting for either, this will be a really good finale. I’m psyched because, I watch AI for entertainment and this will be a very entertaining show. And a very close one!

Yes! I am most definately going to the concert tour. I’m going to look into getting tixets when they go on sale Saturday.