DaveChung.com - Blogging Entertainment | American Idol Neil Diamond Night - April 29, 2008

Simon Cowell called Neil Diamond Night one of the weirdest nights that the judges had ever seen in the history of the show and I’d have to agree. Without a doubt, tonight ranked as one of the worst themes in the seven seasons of American Idol.

Not only were the judges rushed and Paula was a wee bit incoherent, but the Idols were rushed through two performances each. Making matters worse, the song list provided very little in terms of variety for the Idols to really shine, but the good ones still managed to do so.

Can we just do Billboard Top 100 week? Or maybe even “Songs You Sing in the Shower” week?

It was clear that the contestants were going to be on their own this week in terms of making these songs really work for this week’s votes, considering that the song list sounded dated, old fashioned, and very 1980’s (and even older). With my favorite Girl Next Door Bridget and Hef’s San Diego repping girlfriend Kendra in the celebrity seats formerly occupied by Kim Kardashian and Lacey Schwimmer behind the judges’ table tonight, David Cook was one of the Idols to somehow make this week work for him, just as he has every week. And perhaps unexpectedly, Syesha Mercado stepped up yet again this week, proving that she is the best female left in Season 7.

While David Archuleta was generally good, both he and Jason Castro, who has really been struggling as of late, were largely forgettable. It was nice to see Archuleta perform some faster songs for once, but he quickly forgot Andrew Lloyd Webber’s suggestion to keep his eyes open while performing. He sang “Sweet Caroline,” a favorite of Boston Red Sox fans, and “America,” which somehow stands as only the second most patriotic song this season behind Kristy Lee Cook’s “God Bless the USA.”

Yet another disappointment this week was Brooke White, who somehow thought it was a good idea to choose “I’m a Believer” tonight, a song that the Idols performed for a Ford Music Video earlier this season and a song that has become known as the song from Shrek, where Donkey gets to dance around.

In addition to Brooke’s slightly “boo hoo” attitude that I feel like she’s had since ever since her last good performance this season in “Let It Be” way back in Top 12 week, this particular performance was more borderline annoying simply because there was no reason for her to be playing the guitar. Not only could you not hear it, but it made Brooke stationary on stage for what should have been a pretty fun, jump around, kind of song - kind of like Donkey would do.

Going home this week, if there is any justice, will be Brooke White. If there is a lesser amount of justice, it will be Jason Castro. And if Syesha Mercado goes home after having the “money spot” closing out the show this week, then she just really didn’t have enough fans to take her any further than her performances and placement on the show did this week, but she should definitely stay.

At this point, all my votes are going to David Cook. Not only because his performances are consistently the best, but I don’t think that a “rocker” in the history of American Idol has ever endured tougher theme weeks to reach the top.

Officially taking off with Lionel Richie’s “Hello” during Top 16 week, then following it up with “Eleanor Rigby” during Top 12 week, Cook has consistently knocked out unfavorable theme after unfavorable theme compared to his Chris Daughtry-like style.

In Beatles Week part deux, Cook made “Day Tripper” one of the top performances of the season. In Top 10 week, Cook took what is always one of the best weeks of the season, “Songs from the year you were born” and turned out “Billie Jean,” which is yet another “All-Time” Idol performance.

After that, the themes got weird, but Cook persevered.

Top 9 Week: Dolly Parton Week - “Little Sparrow”

Top 8 Week: Inspirational Song Week - “Innocent” by Our Lady Peace (I’ll admit this wasn’t a great week for Cook)

Top 7 Week: Mariah Carey Week - “Always Be My Baby”

Top 6 Week: Andrew Lloyd Webber Week - “Music of the Night”

MARIAH CAREY WEEK?? ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER WEEK??

Throw the guy a freakin bone, here. Yes, he did great, but come on now.

This week, Cook faced Neil Diamond Week and knocked it out. Considering the past two weeks have seemed like a cruel joke against the competition’s only remaining rocker, this week’s theme might have felt like a relief to Cook.

What’s next? Barry Manilow Week? Songs inspired by Boy George? Music by Rascal Flatts? Christopher Cross Week? Maybe we’ll see Taylor Swift Week or even Britney Spears Week, chances are David Cook would kill those weeks too. At this point, I could see David Cook pulling out a unique rendition of B. Spears’ “You Drive Me Crazy (Stop Remix)” with the electric guitar and a little dance number.

Everyone has been saving a seat for David Archuleta in the finale since he wowed us with “Imagine,” but the reality is that David Cook has had a much tougher draw to get this far in terms of the themes. No doubt, the themes have been tough on Jason Castro and Brooke White as well, as they lack the vocal ability of the other remaining contestants, but some of the themes have almost felt like cruel jokes against David Cook.

But yet, we’re at the Top 5, soon to be Top 4, and David Cook is still here. And for the good of the show and my own sanity, I hope Cook keeps on rolling.