Hello Goodbye

I was not too surprised that David Hernandez left tonight. I think he's got a better singing voice than many of this year's contestants, but once his dirty little secret got out there was no margin for error for him.

Syesha Mercado in the Bottom 3 was a little surprising, but not too much. And somehow, someway, Kristy Lee Cook's dreams of winning survive for yet another week. I am a man of my word, I will not pick her to be voted off next week no matter how bad she does.

One interesting note, when the results of each contestant was revealed we saw shots of that contestant's family/support group, and guess who was identified as Ramiele Malubay's "best friend"? It was her BFF Danny Noriega!

It was nice of Paula to confirm that her head is on her shoulders. She also seemed to have taken Ryan's place as the prime pimper of the talent level this year. I don't know if I agree with Paula's assessment that this is the most talented Bottom 3 in Idol history, but I think it's fair to say that David Hernandez is the best known 12th Place finisher in Idol history. Nothing like a little shake and bake to make yourself famous.

It was also nice to see that Ruben Studdard is getting a check, but I still think Chris Daughtry's "Home" is a much better song.

Here's the big news from today, courtesy of Entertainment Tonight:

David Archuleta's So-Called 'Stage Dad'?




Photo Copyright 2008 Ray Mickshaw/ FOX / FOX

Was there more than just nerves behind 17-year-old DAVID ARCHULETA's shaky performance on last night's "American Idol"?

The early favorite was definitely off his game and even forgot several lines during his version of THE BEATLES' "We Can Work It Out." Sources are telling ET the singer may be feeling the pressure from his "stage father" JEFF ARCHULETA, who reportedly yelled at David during a recording session Monday. Sources say Dad wasn't happy with his son's singing -- and even brought him to tears. Neither Jeff nor reps for "American Idol" would comment on the alleged incident.

Update: LYNN and ALEX, writers of entertainment blog http://www.laragmag.com/ tell ET that this may not be the first time Jeff has lost it -- they tell us that he was banned from the set of "Star Search" when a 12-year-old David competed on the program. The writers explain that there were rumors that Jeff had allegedly harassed a girl named TIFFANY who was David's competition in the contest.