David Archuleta
performed And So It Goes, With You and Longer

First song was a really nice, clean vocal. Second song was a bit odd, but I liked it in a "Jason Catro/Probably Shouldn't Be Doing This" kind of way. Out-of-character?! Yes! Finally! Final song was well-sung but kind of the same thing he always does, back to form. You know, I think he's going to win. I don't care for him, but I'm glad his "With You" performance at least mixed it up. Archie singing about his "boo" is sure to go over well with his young girl posse. Third song was kind of back to form, and I didn't like it as much. Fine vocal, nothing wrong with it, just not a big Wow Moment (TM). He doesn't need to knock it out of the park, though. Tah dah.

You really notice how boring Archie’s voice is when there isn’t any music behind him at the beginning of his first song. I mean he can sing well, but I don’t think he understood the emotion behind the song, and didn’t really give it anything. But of course the judges just gushed all over him. I really doubt that Archie picked his song, you know his all controlling father told him what to do, and you can tell he wasn’t cracking the whip as hard this week (being banned by producers) because little Archie looks like he almost forgets the words again in the beginning. Singing Chris Brown was awkward for him, especially trying to pull off saying “boo” -so not him. On the other hand, you know all those tinibopper girls prob loved it. Third song…nice song, good predictable performance, but I’m so bored with this squinty, gaspy, stupid kid.

Same thing I think every week. Syrupy, gooey, sappy...but, well done. I still think, vocally, he's the most-talented of the three left, with solid performances everywhere. I still think he SHOULD win, even though I don't really want ANY of them to win, at this point. He's the lesser of three evils for me, at this point.

Syesha Mercado
performed If I Ain't Got You, Fever and Hit Me Up

It was def smart that Randy chose an Alicia Keys song for Syesha. I wish we saw more contemporary songs being sung this year because that’s the world these singers are going to be thrown into to sell their records. Syesha’s performance was good, it seemed a little rushed in the beginning, but I think she pulled it off in the end. I think “Fever” was a fantastic song choice for Syesha, it’s such a sexy song and she got to show off her acting chops a bit. She always does so much better when she’s having fun and enjoying herself. She didn’t sing the song perfectly, and the performance was a tad cheesy at parts, but I think she did a good job and it was memorable-which is what she needs, people to remember she’s still in it and it’s not just the Battle of the Davids (TM) quite yet. Syesha’s last song was fun and upbeat, but it wasn’t her best performance. She didn’t seem as into it as some of her other songs.

OK...we all know she's hot. That skirt she wore during "Fever" was...nnnnnice. What proved to be more revealing than her OUTFITS, though, were her performances the last couple of weeks. I think I've come to realize that she's not quite as good as I have thought all season. I agree with the judges when they say she kinda' needs to find her spot, who she is as an artist...and THEN she might be able to thrive. But, recently, she's just kinda' gone down in quality in my opinion. I think she's totally gone this week.

Glad you've finally come to that realization, Artie. It was getting lonely over here, hating on Syesha. Her first song was bad because she isn't Alicia Keys. Her second song was bad because "Fever" has been done 1,000 times on this show, and it's just pedestrian at this point. Her last song, from Happy Feet, was the best she's ever done. It is the only Syesha performance I've EVER enjoyed, and I bet I'm in the minority in a big way. She needs to be doing current stuff, stuff that people who really aren't AMAZING singers can Hip-Hop their way through. And, Paula...Happy Feet IS about penguins. Paula SO obviously wants Syesha gone. Everyone has their minds made up. It's pretty much over for Ms. Mercado, shame. I liked the "young and fun" feel of her last song, and am glad she's out on a happy note...the way she came in, the way we fell in love with her before she started boring us.

David Cook
performed The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Dare You to Move and I Don't Want to Miss a Thing

I wasn’t really familiar with the song that Simon choose for David Cook, but I liked it. It’s usually a good idea have a male sing a female song of vice versa when you want them to sound original, and I think Simon did that on purpose, it also had an interesting vibe with a rock feel to it at the end. I like the song “Dare You to Move”, but I wasn’t in love with this performance, he did an ok job, but I don’t think it really did anything for him. Cook left the show on a high note though. His rendition of “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” was awesome. When that song got played over and over and over again after Armageddon came out, I grew to hate it, but with David Cook bringing it back.-I liked it.

Well...now that we know who has the "cougar" vote wrapped up...

...shudder...Thanks, Mom!!

...and that he can turn a Roberta Flack song into a David Cook song...OH MY GOD! Well, at least that's what the judges thought. I didn't really like that song. First one didn't do much for me, either. Last one was actually pretty good. I think he went out strong with that one, but...I just don't think it was all that great. I keep getting the feeling he's going to pull out a surprise win in the end over Archie. I'm feeling the tides turn, here, and it makes me sad...because, as I said before, I think Archuleta's more talented than Cook is. I suppose the "truth" remains to be seen, though. He's safe this week!

First song was a rock ballad. Second song was a rock ballad. Third song...rock ballad. Great diversity, really showed off his versatility and depth as a performer. I have no idea what he might throw at us on his post-Idol album...he can't go a week without surprising and delighting us all. (Cough.) Look, the first was vintage Cook. Fans will eat it up, even if no one's ever heard the song. Second song was horrible, nothing but clams and wailing. Horrible. And the third was more of the same. I like that song. I know it well. David Cook is no Steven Tyler. He's just...same as he ever was. He's doing what he does, and I don't like what he does. He'll be in the finale, and I will be so, so happy when this season is over and I never have to care about what he does again. Ever.

I know few Idols fans will agree with me, but I think Archie had the worst night and should go home. Realistically we all know that Syesha will be the one packing her bags this week. She put up a good fight, but we’ll see the Battle of the Davids (TM) in next week’s finale. I’m sure no one’s surprised, but after that last performance I’m putting my money on David Cook to win this thing.

Archie will win. The "rocker" can't win American Idol, and Syesha's been around for way too long, any way. She's out. Battle of the Davids (TM). Be there, if you're into predictable performances by those guys I don't like.

Syesha's gone. I didn't even need to see her performances to know that...but, having seen them, they didn't change my mind. Sorry you won't be setting the bar even higher (lower?) for number of times surviving the Bottom 3. She's up to 7, by the way. That's an all-time record for American Idol.

***** DISCLAIMER *****
The opinions expressed by the three "FOX43 Idol Experts" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOX43, Tribune Broadcasting or FOX.
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