So last night on “American Idol,” the remaining three contestants had to sing three times. One song they chose, one song chosen by a judge, and one song chosen by the show’s producers. Yeah, next year I want a shot at choosing one, because I know I could do a better job than those producers, who probably spend time in their cars listening to commercial radio. In fact, I’m going to give you what I would have chosen for each contestant.

Anyway, to me, it’s looking like David vs. David is going to happen. But they still have to count the votes, so you never know. Here is the scoop…..

DAVID ARCHULETA

David started with Paula’s choice, Billy Joel’s “And So it Goes.” Kudos, Paula, I thought that was maybe the best choice of the three judges’ picks. David did a nice job with it, and Paula admitted it was “stunning.” Okay, I wouldn’t go that far. Randy and Simon thought it was predictably good. David’s second choice was his dad’s, errrrr, his own. That was Chris Brown’s “With You,” which was quite a train wreck. Randy thought it was awkward and Simon thought it was like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger. Exactly. Then young David finished with the producer’s choice, Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer.” It was okay, but come on. The kid is destined for light rock radio already (think dentist office music), and they just fueled that fire. Randy thought it was an interesting choice but still good, Paula used the word “lovely,” (if I’m David, that’s not what I’m going for) and Simon thought he sang well but that the lyrics are “gooey.” Yeah, pretty much. My choice for David? Kenny Loggins’ “Forever.” It’s sappy without being over the top, and the huge chorus would showcase the kid’s range. Anyway, David did well enough to make the finals.

SYESHA MERCADO

Syesha started with Randy’s choice, Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.” You know, the judges are always telling these folks not to sing Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey because they can’t compare to the original. Well, isn’t Alicia Keys in that category? Syesha did okay but please, she is no Alicia Keys. Randy thought it was amazing (of course he did), and Simon took offense to Randy’s song choice for her but said she sang it well. Syesha’s own choice was the classic “Fever,” in which she tried to use her sex appeal to garner votes…not a bad idea considering she’s the only woman left. Randy said she sang well, Paula thought it wasn’t the best choice, and Simon agreed with Paula. Then she finished with the producer’s choice, “Hit Me Up” by Gia Farrell from the Happy Feet soundtrack. This was also not a great choice, because it’s one of those overproduced, crappy radio songs. Randy said it was just okay and Simon said Syesha may have had her “moment” a week ago. I agree. My choice for Syesha would have been Linda Ronstadt’s version of “Heat Wave”….rocking yet theatrical.

DAVID COOK

David Cook was, well, David Cook. He brought enough to the table to where he should make the finals.
He started with Simon’s choice, which was Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Come on, Simon. We know David can take old school ballads and make them sound cool, but even he couldn’t pull this one off. Still, it wasn’t bad. Randy took issue with the song choice (making it a tit for tat thing with Simon), and Simon predictably thought it was one of David’s best yet. Um, sorry Simon, it wasn’t. David’s own choice was Switchfoot’s “Dare To Move,” one of those album rock radio anthems, which is the kind of record he’s going to make. All of the judges thought it was a bit predictable and not “big” enough. Then Mr. Cook finished with the producer’s choice, Aerosmith’s “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” written by Diane Warren, who was, curiously, in the audience. I’m sorry, I’ve heard that song 5 million times on radio, and Steven Tyler is one of the great singers in rock history…was David going to compare? Of course not, but it was still good enough.
Randy thought it was okay, and Paula and Simon both suggested that we’ll see David in the finale next week. My choice for David? Train’s “I’m About to Come Alive.” If you haven’t heard it, go download it…it’s the best song in Train’s catalog, a ballad with a big chorus that would have suited David well, and would have made a great finale for the evening.

So that’s it. Tonight we find out who is going to duke it out in the finale. If it goes like it should, Syesha’s run will end tonight, making David vs. David the first all-male finale since Ruben Studdard vs. Clay Aiken in Season 2. And if that happens, it may just be the closest vote in the show’s history next week. I’m getting excited just thinking about it, and I hope America did the right thing. I mean, if either David goes home tonight, next week will be a bit anti-climactic, don’t you think? We’ll see what happens, and see you all back here tomorrow.