It's a foregone conclusion, is it not?  The David Archuleta/David Cook finale has always been there on the horizon, ever since the American Idol Top 12 was named.  The frustrating part, as it has been all season, is that there were always other deserving singers.  Brooke White, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, Carly Smithson – all, at times, had rightful claims to become a top 2 American Idol finalist.  Both John Kubicek and I are beyond certain that Syesha Mercado will exit stage left tonight, leaving us exactly what it appears the American Idol producers wanted all along – a David vs. David finale.  Weirder things have happened, and it wouldn't upset either of us if David Archuleta was blindsided by the voting public, but that just doesn't seem to be in the cards. 

There was not much in the way of surprises last night.  David Cook kept cookin' along, singing rock ballads the way he always does.  Syesha Mercado pulled out all the stops, despite some iffy song choices from the producers and the judges, and gave it an admirable effort.  David Archuleta was the Archuleta America loves during his two slow ballads, and just an awkward white teenage guy when pretending to be Chris Brown.  May the word “boo” never leave his mouth again.

Besides the singers, we discussed a number of issues regarding the American Idol judges.  They were particularly bizarre last night, discussing penguins and each other more than actually, you know, judging.  But, that's what we've come to expect this season, and it may have a lot to do with this year's crop of talent – the judges are probably as bored with them as we are.  As always, I advise listening to the podcast to get the whole gist of things.  Also, it must be noted that neither David has ever been found in the bottom two or three this season, which makes it all the more unlikely either will be sent pack on tonight's results show. 

-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)