''American Idol'': When You Wish Upon Two Stars

Share this article

• Tweet

All About

American Idol

Get the latest photos, news, and more

Little David warmed my heart as well when he turned on the waterworks for his trip back to Murray, Utah. It seemed no matter where the kid went — mall, high school, local radio station — the crowds were huge and boisterous. I got a little worried for the teenage moppet when that girl latched on to his shirt and threatened not to let go, but nothing scared me more than the moustache on Murray mayor Daniel Snar.

Okay, maybe the sight of Lou Ann Palmer, mayor of Sarasota, Fla., performing an unsteady handstand came close. And also that moment where a crazed fan attempted to shove her tiny infant into Syesha's arms for a cringe-inducing photo op. But those bizarre bits added a little humor to Syesha's bittersweet hometown visit, which, while well attended, didn't seem nearly as frenzied as the Davids'. Plus, my heart broke a little when Syesha's dad explained how his daughter's Idol run has been inspiration for him as he continues his fight to overcome drug addiction. Maybe I'm easy to manipulate, but hearing that admission made me feel a little more empathetic toward the sometimes off-putting diva when she sat in her limo and cried that ''this is my dream and I'm living it.''

Also living her dream: the aforementioned Fantasia. And let me just say this about my all-time favorite Idol. Yes, her screechy performance of ''Bore Me (Yawn),'' and her sculpted fuchsia tresses, and her skintight black bodysuit, were all a hot, hot mess. But she also brings such an unbelievable energy to the stage, an unvarnished, slightly maniacal, and completely un-self-conscious commitment to her performances, that I just can't help adoring her. Accuse me of overdosing on 'Tasia Kool-Aid all you want, but anyone who can terrify the Swaybots (TM) into stunned silence has got to be doing something right.

What did you think of tonight's elimination? How about Ryan's flub of attributing ''The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'' to Chaka Khan, not Roberta Flack? Did you sense a little tension between Rocker David and Randy when they discussed the latter's Tuesday-night critiques? And who will (and should) win season 7? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, but before you do, check out part 3 of our Jason Castro interview (below), in which he gives us his personal take on what's been happening this season in the Idol ''mosh pit.''

More American Idol:
Syesha Mercado's EW exit Q&A