idle links

I trust you'll be spending the next couple days gearing up for Tuesday's big finale. Be sure to check out my article in Sunday's paper profiling the two Davids.

In the meantime, here are some other links to keep you busy:

*Taylor Hicks will join the cast of "Grease" on Broadway, playing "Teen Angel." Get the full story here.

*USA Today's Idol Chatter reports that the AI results show is slated to be just 30 minutes next season.

*Are male winners the weaker sex on AI? Get the answer from MTV.

*Syesha: Gone but not forgotten? I'll let you be the judge. Check out her exit interview with Entertainment Weekly here. (Note: In it, she says she expected a David Cook/Syesha Mercado finale.)

*Don't forget that tickets for Idols Live go on sale Saturday. Here's the concert's Web site.

*And finally, remember that awesome mustache on the mayor of Archuleta's hometown? It inspired this article.

least suprising elimination. ever.

Perhaps every fan's predictions were confirmed tonight when Syesha Mercado was sent home from "American Idol." While Syesha improved significantly throughout the season, it became clear early in Tuesday's performance night that she couldn't hold her own against the power of the two Davids.

A big part of that was due to forces beyond her control. Two of her three songs -- chosen by Randy Jackson and AI producers -- only resigned her to the belter mode fans have resisted since the show's early stages.

And Syesha's independently chosen tune, "Fever," didn't help her much, either. It simply confirmed predictions she's a bitter fit for Broadway than the pop music-driven recording industry.

That said, you have to give Syesha credit for beating the odds, many of which had her slated to go home as early as the Top 24 stage. Her longevity wasn't entirely unwarranted, either. After a previous stint on another reality TV show, she clearly knows how to play the game -- earning momentum and showing more charisma in the show's most critical moments.

I can't see her thriving in the recording industry, but a Broadway career seems feasible.

What do you think? Who are you gunning for in the finale?

syesha eliminated!

Results time! Let's cut to the chase, Seacrest. Paula and Randy mumble about success, and even Simon admits he likes the final 3.

If he gets the top 2 he's hoping for, we're in for a real humdinger, Simon says.

OK, real results.

Archuleta's safe! (Another shot of Dad...talk about damage control.)

Cook's safe!

Syesha's outta here.

cook helps us stall

Note: Does anyone else really like the clothes featured on tonight's Old Navy commercials? I think that stuff is hot.

Anyway, back to the show. It's David Cook's turn to recap his home visit. He also informs us it wasn't his idea to audition. He originally went to Omaha to be moral support for his little bro, who was auditioning.

Wow. Somebody must have some major jealousy issues right now.

Predictably, Cook's trip home is also characterized by lots of screaming girls. There's also a cute moment with him surprising his elementary school music teacher. Aww. No mention of the cancer-stricken brother, though.

Cook also ends up shedding some tears.

Ryan also erroneously says Cook's first tune last night, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," was originally by Chaka Khan.

Cook gets his celebratory footage against a soundtrack of Daughtry, something a little more reassuring of his future than, say, a tune by Fantasia.

Ryan corrects himself for the mishap, and I'm happy I caught it.

syesha shines, without results

As predicted, we're not getting results with this hometown visit footage. Sigh.

Next up? Syesha, who seems to attract fewer screaming fans than Archie. At least fewer screaming teenage screaming girl fans. Not too much else to report, except a brief visit with Syesha's parents.. She also oddly takes a helicopter ride.

Her mayor doesn't have a cool mustache, but she does do a handstand. Not exactly something I wanted to see.

Ryan gives us the illusion of results, but I'm not buying it.

Cue the montage celebrating her journey. Against a backdrop of Fantasia music. Given the performance we saw earlier, it's probably not the best soundtrack for the moment.

And commercial time.

archie gets teased, no results

Ryan reminds us tickets go on sale Saturday for the Idols tour. Remember, it hits Atlanta Aug. 18.

Time to start the drama, in Ryan's words. Gee, I wonder how this is going to turn out.

First up: David Archuleta. Before the inevitable declaration that he's safe, we get footage of his hometown visit. Featuring lots of screaming girls, of course. I like how he uses the word "stoked." What do you think went through his mind when he was swarmed by those high school cheerleaders?

Wow, Archuleta is giving me nervous laughter overload. But his tears did make me a little emotional, though. Even if they were induced by a beating from Dad, rather than the generosity of his fans.

Oh, and speaking of Jeff, we get a brief shot of him in this montage. That's nice.

Whoa! What's up with the Murray mayor's mustache? My favorite facial hair of the season!

Another shot of David's dad in the audience tonight.

Still stalling results...we get some footage celebrating his journey.

And a commercial break.

fantasia bores me

Ford commercial. This time the kids are singing "Heaven," all while visiting a fortune teller that reveals they'll all be living the glamorous life. We'll see about that.

Some 56 million votes cast last night, Seacrest says, followed by the obligatory recap.

Now it's time for a performance by Fantasia, who sings something called "Bore Me." Success. She accurately described my reaction to this song. The whole thing is just kind of odd, as Fantasia spends the majority of her time on stage screaming and doing some seizure-like movements on the stage. Not to metion the neon red hair.

Of her hair shade she says, "I don't know, Ryan, I just tried it."

And, um, eww. I did not need to see that mock kiss with Seacrest.