It's hard to believe it's down to the final 3 already. The big news this week is David Archuleta's dad being kicked out of rehearsals. If you aren't up to snuff here is an article:http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/05/can-david-archu.html

Now can David be more relaxed without his dad watching over him, or will he fall apart? My personal opinion is that he's a nervous wreck on interviews being afraid to say the wrong thing. I'm not sure if he is mature enough to handle winning Idol right now. He might be better off coming in second. They say David Cook would be better off coming in second so he can make an album that he wants, not forced on him. So who REALLY needs to win..Syesha! If she comes in third you may never hear from her again like Vonzell Solomon. If she wins it will be the biggest upset in Idol history..but I gotta hand it to her for really pushing herself week after week. I like her a lot more than when it was down to ten or so.

I'll be back blogging when the show starts as usual. In the meantime, you can go to my last few blogs if you haven't had the chance and see my Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey CD reviews..a cool youtube video that relates to a picture I took at the Switchfoot concert, and what I did on vacation. See you later tonight..Jimbo

(Later note..I messed up...Switchfoot was on Leno tuesday not wednesday and I missed it and probably made lots of you miss it too. SORRY!)

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OK, David A starts off with a song Paula chooses.."And So It Goes" by Bily Joel. This is a really pretty song and he does his usual solid job with it. They have had Billy Joel week's in the past..always some good choices from him. grade.B+

Syesha is looking more beautiful every week, and Randy chooses Alicia Key's "If I Ain't Got You." I think she gets lost in the mix with the background singers at first then comes on strong. Grade.B

David Cook get's to tackle "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" thanks to Simon. I love it when he does something not in his comfort zone..and he knocks this one out of the ballpark...a 430 foot bomb to dead center field...grade ..A

Now they get to pick their own songs..so for the first time all year they can do a song that was written this decade! Archie takes advantage and does a hip Chris Brown song "With You." The only trouble is this kid really doesn't come over as all that hip. Grade..B-

Now Syesha goes really old school with Peggy Lee's "Fever." I think she thinks she is red hot with this one but it comes across to me as something Haley would have done last year out of desperation. I was uncomfortable watching it. Grade..C

Oh my..Cookie is doing Switchfoot's "Dare You To Move!" I agree it took him a while to get in pitch but he rocks out the end. this is a song you really do need a full 3 minutes. I'll have to download the studio version of that one! This was the encore song when I saw the band last week..and don't forget to see Switchfoot on Leno wednesday night. I'll give a B+ for the vocals but an overall A for picking that song. David Cook for American Idol 2008!

Now the producers pick the sappy "Longer" for Archie. Dan Fogelburp..er Fogelberg used to bore me to tears in the 80's and this doesn't do much either. He sang it very well though. Grade..B

Syesha does "Hit Me Up'..which I never heard before now, they saw it's from Happy Feet soundtrack. This doesn't do much for me either..I'm just twiddling my thumbs waiting for Cookie..grade..C+

Man, we only have a week to get songs from ITUNES..what pressure! Hope songs are still available on myplaylist. If you haven't checked out the songs by the contestants on myplaylist on my profile page yet, go over and check them out.

Cookie closes the night with the powerful "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." His voice is starting to go just a bit, but it held out better than Daughtry's did. It's a tougher grind for the rockers. I'll give this a B+.

For the night, David Cook wins easily, followed by David A setting up the all David final the producers have wanted all year. You gave it a nice run syesha, but you are my pick to leave, as well as Susan's. We don't even have to think about it. I will give the usual 10 points if you predict her to go..if you want to play catch up in the contest and pick a David to leave, I will give you 20 points if you get it right. Let me know by the start of Wednesday's show as usual.

Have a great night..Blessings to all of you..Jim