It's the final 3! WOW! In a week we'll be sitting down to the Grand Final of American Idol for 2008!

Tonight, Syesha and the two Davids are performing three songs tonight. One from the judges, one from the producers and one of their own choices.

Everyone is expecting a Double David Draw for the Grand Finale of American Idol but can Syesha pull out an upset?

If you haven't already, why not join one of our Office Pools on the right and see if you can pick who is going and who is staying.

Also, If you need the voting numbers, they can be found here.

Here is tonight's recap:

David Archuleta

Original (Paula's Song Choice): And So It Goes
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-01 OR 1-866-43657-04 OR 1-866-43657-07

I see David has reverted to his bland performances again. Thankfully there are two more tonight.

Randy: "Check it out baby. You know what I'm happy about? Paula chose a dope song. The Billy Joel thing works well on you. You're in it to win it!"
Paula: "It was a pure and stunning performance. You were a storyteller. It was beautiful."
Simon: "It was very good, no surprises. But predictable. It was good but I didn't think it was outstanding."

---

Syesha Mercado

Original (Randy's Song Choice): If I Ain't Got You
Buy all off Syesha's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-02 OR 1-866-43657-05 OR 1-866-43657-08

It was a bit of a dull song choice from Randy and other than the runs at the end, nothing spectacular.

Randy: "I thought that would work really well. You did an amazing job. I'm so happy that you are peaking at the right point in the competition"
Paula: "It's difficult to do a song that's so identifiable with the original artist. I'm glad you're the last girl standing."
Simon: "It was good, but I was hoping Randy would choose something a little more challenging. Not enough in my opinion. But you look stunning"

---

David Cook

Original (Simon's Song Choice): The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-03 OR 1-866-43657-06 OR 1-866-43657-09

Well done Simon for getting some extra exposure for your girl Leona Lewis. A nice rendition.

Randy: "I've been a DC fan since day one. Love the high note at the end but I wish Simon would've picked something less predictable. I needed more rock from it."
Paula: "It's about you, David. That is one of my favorite songs and you are my second favorite person to sing it."
Simon: "This may sound a little bit biased but I think this is one of your strongest performances to date. Round 1 goes to Cook & Cowell."

---

David Archuleta

Original (David's Song Choice): With You
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-01 OR 1-866-43657-04 OR 1-866-43657-07

I really like this song on David. Absolutely awesome performance.

Randy: "So, I applaud the fact that you're trying something new and you but I'm not sure it was the right song. Seeing you singing 'my boo' I didn't believe it."
Paula: "This is a part of who you are. I think you did a great job."
Simon: "I applaud you that you didn't do a ballad which I thought you would. However, it was a bit like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger. I thought the dancing was awkward and it just wasn't you"

---

Syesha Mercado

Original (Syesha's Song Choice): Fever
Buy all off Syesha's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-02 OR 1-866-43657-05 OR 1-866-43657-08

Interesting song choice. Nice to see her do something a little different.

Randy: "A very interesting song choice but what I will highlight is you sang it amazingly well."
Paula: "You look lovely tonight. I'm surprised you picked this song. Interesting but not sure if it shows me Syesha."
Simon: "I think you will probably regret that performance tomorrow. You did quite a lame cabaret performance."

---

David Cook

Original (David's Song Choice): I Dare You To Move
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-03 OR 1-866-43657-06 OR 1-866-43657-09

A great song but a very poor performance vocally.

Randy: "Perfect song choice, I love that band. Performance wise it wasn't your best. A little pitchy."
Paula: "It's hard to get the song down to a minute and a half. It felt like you just began and you ended the song. I wanted more."
Simon: "I thought all three of you had an ok middle round. It was what I expected, not a very melodic song."

---

David Archuleta

Original (Producer's Song Choice): Longer
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-01 OR 1-866-43657-04 OR 1-866-43657-07

Another kinda boring song. Another fluffy performance.

Randy: "Very once again interesting song choice. It was another hot one from you."
Paula: "Very lovely. I expect nothing more."
Simon: "I'm not gonna criticize you because I thought you sang it well. However, I thought the song and lyrics were horrible. They were gooey. I do think you've done enough to get into the finals next week."

---

Syesha Mercado

Original (Producer's Song Choice): Hit Me Up
Buy all off Syesha's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-02 OR 1-866-43657-05 OR 1-866-43657-08

It came close to fitting but just a little short for me.

Randy: "Yeah I can see you doing a song Rihanna-esque. It was just ok for me."
Paula: "I dunno if it's gonna be good enough to get you into the finals [booos]"
Simon: "It was better than the second song. I don't think anything this week has topped your performance last week. It didn't give you a defining moment like I'd hoped."

---

David Cook

Original (Producer's Song Choice): I Don't Want To Miss a Thing
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-03 OR 1-866-43657-06 OR 1-866-43657-09

An average performance of one of the greatest songs of all time. David has had some serious issues with pitch tonight.

Randy: "For me, I love the song, it was ok for me but very predictable."
Paula: "This is an amazing song. David, see you in the finals!"
Simon: "One of the great songs of all time. And I have to tell you, David Cook wins the night."

---

Round One went to David Cook. Round Two went to David Archuleta. Round Three wasn't clear for me as they were all average. In any case, Syesha fans had best be voting hard if they want her in the Finale.

See you tomorrow for the elimination.

If you thought the 45 million votes last week was a lot, this week there were 51 million votes cast. Apparently the Top 3 were all within a million votes of each other. Oh dear for Mr Castro?

The Top 4 perform Steely Dan's Reelin' In The Years.

David Archuleta is SAFE!

David Cook is SAFE!

Maroon 5 perform their single If I Never See Your Face Again.

Bo Bice then performs Witness

Being ejected from the American Idol stage this week for shooting the Tambourine Man is: Jason Castro

We're getting down to the skinny end of the competition where no matter what happens from here on out, there are going to be a lot of upset people. With 45 million votes cast last week, that's a fair few tears that are going to get shed when one of the favorites of the competition is finally cut tonight.

So lets take a look at the polls from around the web to see what things look like - even though we all know what tonight's result will be, right?

Firstly, Idolblog.com. Our polls have David Archuleta on 43%, David Cook on 30%, Syesha on 16% and Jason Castro on 11% in the popularity stakes. When it comes to who you all want to see sent home, Jason Castro by a resounding 69%.

David Archuleta owned the night as far as most popular songs go while David Cook scored with Baba O'Reily. Jason barely managed double digits on his second song while Syesha got lost in the middle of the pack as she has done with her performances for this entire season of American Idol.

Rickey.org has David Archuleta's combined total at 50% with David Cook on 29% with most of that coming from one song. Syesha scrapes through ahead of Jason Castro.

Dialidol.com has green lights for everyone except Jason.

So, it's pretty unanimous and ominous looking for Jason tonight. May his wish be granted and his bags not be lost during his connecting flight home.

Results next!

jason will go home tonight. the boy can sings or even hum a song. You have always been terrible and i cant see why you even made top 24.

Archuleta makes every song sound the same. Generic- boring-elevator music! He isn't cool enough to be anyone's idol

Can you believe there are only 4 contestants left? Not far to the Grand Finale now!

Tonight the Top 4 are performing classics from the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.

Can Syesha pull out another miracle performance to save herself from elimination again? Can David Archuleta keep the tempo up again this week? Can Jason Castro earn a spot in the Top 3? Will David Cook blitz everyone again?

If you haven't already, why not join one of our Office Pools on the right and see if you can pick who is going and who is staying.

Also, If you need the voting numbers, they can be found here.

Here is tonight's recap:

David Cook

Original: Hungry Like The Wolf
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-01 OR 1-866-43657-05

What a terrible vocal performance that was. Yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck, YUCK! I hope his next performance is better than that!

Randy: "I'm interested to see which songs you guys choose. It was an ok choice and an ok performance but it wasn't amazing."
Paula: "You've left me with a big appetite. It makes me realize why I tolerate being the only girl in the boys club."
Simon: "It was good and I kind of agree with Randy that it was copycat. Do I think it was good enough to make it through to next week? Yes."

---

Syesha Mercado

Original: Proud Mary
Buy all off Syesha's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-02 OR 1-866-43657-06

I'm a little over Syesha's predictability. She seems to be cruising through American Idol by not taking any risks.

Randy: "I'm laughing because this is the third week in a row that Syesha has showed up and is in the zone. Very nice."
Paula: "You look like a star. You have started this competition as a big girl with a big voice and when you feel it, magic happens."
Simon: "I'm sorry to put a slight damper on this but I thought it was a bad, shrieky version. It was a bad impression of Tina Turner."

---

Jason Castro

Original: I Shot the Sheriff
Buy all off Jason's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-03 OR 1-866-43657-07

Good Lord, are we back to the auditions tonight? Round one sucks this week!

Randy: "Man, dude. OK, look for me that was a really karaoke Bob Marley. There was nothing special about it. It's not about just having fun. I didn't get it."
Paula: "I never saw you perform this much to the audience. I wasn't crazy about the song or performance but your true artistry shines through."
Simon: "Stand back... That was utterly atrocious. This was like honestly a first round audition massacre. I don't know what you're thinking."

---

David Archuleta

Original: Stand By Me
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-04 OR 1-866-43657-08

If tonight's performances were to result in the winner of American Idol being named, it would unequivocally be David Archuleta

Randy: "I'm happy about the fact that at least one guy always hits the stage ready to win. He brought the hot mad vocals Paula, that was hot!"
Paula: "We forget you're only 17, it's hard. I admire that you're communicating with your eyes. You're taking in everything we're saying. You're seasoned."
Simon: "You could have whistled a song and it would have sounded better than the last song. Very good choice of song, I thought you struggled at the end of it. But in the grand scheme of things I'm gonna call that as the best performance so far."

---

David Cook

Original: Baba O'Riley
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-01 OR 1-866-43657-05

All I can say is "who was the person who sang in David Cook's place during the first song?"

Randy: "Check it out, I mean, I dunno there's something different going on tonight but that's the David Cook I've grown to love. Just be you cause you were great."
Paula: "I want more, more, more, more David Cook. I'm really humbled."
Simon: "Welcome back David Cook."

---

Syesha Mercado

Original: Change Is Gonna Come
Buy all off Syesha's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-02 OR 1-866-43657-06

Again, a good safe song for Syesha. Perhaps her plan is to play it safe and hope no one else screws up. I'd be worried though, at this point, screwing up makes your fans more intent on voting to keep you. Flying under the radar may ultimately cost her this week.

Randy: "I did not love this one as much. I didn't like the arrangement and I thought you pushed out for things and didn't make it. It felt all disconnected to me and it fell flat."
Paula: "I want you to know how you orchestrated your vocals. It was beautiful. You turned this into a beautiful performance. You have come."
Simon: "Syesha, I have to be fair. I'm going to agree with Paula"

---

Jason Castro

Original: Mr Tambourine Man
Buy all off Jason's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-03 OR 1-866-43657-07

How can anyone in the Top 4 forget their lyrics? As if the pressure isn't already enough, he's blown it. It'll be a real miracle if he's here next week.

Randy: "You're not in the zone tonight"
Paula: "It is what it is. Obviously it didn't blow us away but you blow me away."
Simon: "Jason, I'd pack your suitcase."

---

David Archuleta

Original: Love Me Tender
Buy all off David's performances from iTunes here
1-866-43657-04 OR 1-866-43657-08

Outstanding night from David A. Untouchable!

Randy: "Dude you got it going on right now the hot vocals of the night!"
Paula: "I felt your heart it was fantastic and beautiful."
Simon: "You didn't beat the competition tonight, you crushed the competition tonight"

---

As far as the bottom two is concerned, it has to be Jason and Syesha. Has to be.

See you tomorrow for the elimination.

45 million votes were cast last night which is what, a 50% increase on what it has been normally? That's quite significant and shouldn't leave any contestant feeling too comfortable.

The polls are all suggesting that it's Brooke's turn to vanish. How will it all play out? Let's find out!

First to learn their fate is Jason Castro - who is SAFE

David Archuleta is also SAFE

Big promos for So You Think You Can Dance which starts the day after the American Idol finale.

David Cook is SAFE meaning Brooke and Syesha are the Final Two

My girl Natasha Bedingfield performs Pocketful of Sunshine

Neil Diamond sings Pretty Amazing Grace. How much can they drag this out? The results show is the same length as the performance show and there is nothing to it!

The American Idol journey is all over for Brooke White

Sorry! I've lost count at how many contestants VFTW is now up to at failing to keep in the competition.

Next week it's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That should be good!

Again this week I'm going to be brief:

Our polls have Brooke White looking like she's the one going home with Syesha joining her in the bottom two. David Cook dominates on 43% with Archuleta on 25%.

Rickey includes Paula Abdul in his poll of best performances of the night. She brings in 4% which is still 2 more than Brooke White on 4% followed by Jason Castro on 10%.

Dialidol has both Syesha and David Cook as statistically safe while Brooke White looks like she's the one going home. Jason Castro is there in second spot.

So, is this finally going to be Brooke's week? It seems pretty unanimous this week. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

It is amazing how one show can create so much conversation among so many. We've discussed it at work in the lunch room, among family and friends, even around the water cooler. Everyone does have a different opinion and favorites. It is also very interesting how much the opinions are similar.

Paula's blunder this eve implies the judges have prejudged the contestants' performances. This damages the show's already questionable credibility.