Tonight is one of those nights.

For the record, I still really do think that the fix was in last night. Those judges were certainly attempting to browbeat us into picking Archie, as you fine commenters call him, and Simon all but said as much in his too-little-too-late apology tonight.

But it didn’t work, and wow, it’s so refreshing to know that 56 percent of people who voted (though 97 million? Really???) saw things the right way.

YAY!!!!!!!

David Cook wins, and my faith in humanity, “American Idol,” Blue Springs, Mo., and ZZ Top is restored. At least for now.

Here’s hoping that the shackles of “Idol” victory aren’t too stifling for such a great musician. Though by the way David Cook so gamely danced and cheesed his way through all those gawdawful group dance numbers this season, something tells me that he knows how to play well with others. He should be fine.

I will say this about David Archuleta: For one, that kid was a gracious, gracious loser. If he was devastated not to hear his last name called, he really didn’t show it. (Although, if I’m being honest, the look he had on his face after losing was pretty much the only look he’s had on his face all season. Well, except when he was lip lubing.)

But there’s also this: Watching Archuleta sing two contemporary, age-appropriate songs tonight — first “Hero” in a duet with Cook and then “Apologize” with One Republic, something became very clear to me. David A.’s only attempt at being current all season was his terribly awkward Chris Brown cover. If he’d tried something like “Apologize” earlier and more often, I think I might have actually understood him. He was so totally limited by the STOOOOOPID “Idol” theme night format that I couldn’t really see his true potential until TONIGHT. And trust me, I was looking for it all season long.

A few other thoughts on tonight’s never-ending finale.

Okay, I get it. It’s a big, exciting night. But TWO HOURS????

There were some high points. Loved watching Cook take the helm of ZZ Top. Loved watching my boyfriend Robert Downey Jr. shake it like a Pip. Loved that done-wrong Michael Johns was given a little extra stage time and that Carly was able to dig those black tights out of the back of her unmentionables drawer.

But a lot of it was sort of depressing. More dippy dance numbers. More shameless promotion of soon-to-be-released movies. And far too many depressing reminders that all our favorite ’80s pop stars are no longer ready for their closeups. This means you, Bryan Adams and George Michael.

Well, Idol Thoughts friends, this is it for us this year. Thank you for reading, and mostly, thank you for all your thoughtful discourse. This little corner of Kansas.com has been amazingly civilized over the past several months, and I truly appreciate all of you.

And special thanks to all my faithful posters, including my friend and fill-in Monica, as well as Hawkmama, memaw, Hooked on Idol, boobookitty, etc. I only met one of you, but I liked you all — even when you so foolishly disagreed with me. KIDDING!

Maybe I’ll see you back in January. Since the right David did win after all, we can all keep watching. WHEW!

I was delayed starting the show, but I told Bob that I’d consult my DVR and judge for myself.

And speaking of judges, Bob, do you believe that A was triumphing over C because that’s what you really think? Or do you believe it because that’s what the judges TOLD you to think???

This show is so fixed.

I’ve had that feeling in my gut since the 4,000th time the judges lavished praise upon another so-so Archuleta impersonation of a robot singing Josh Groban. It just doesn’t add up. Even SIMON COWELL refuses to criticize this kid, and although he’s a talent for sure, I’m sorry, folks — he’s not THAT good!!

By my count, tonight was a draw, at best.

First we had two Davids delivering great performances of the songs chosen by the guest mentors, Clive Davis and my favorite Brit Andrew Lloyd Weber. Cook really put some life into “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” easily conquering those soaring Bono notes. And Archuleta — I can admit — put more feeling into “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” than I’ve seen him muster. Ever.

That’s a draw.

Round two, both contestants made the absolute most out of the incredibly schlocky “This is My Now” garbage foisted upon them by “songwriters.” (Aaron Sidwell, you were SO robbed.)

That’s another draw.

Round three, David C. refused to play it safe, choosing not to retread a song he’d already been praised for but boldly trying a new one — Collective Soul’s “The World I Know” — and singing the heck out of it.

Meanwhile, Archuleta chose to redo “Imagine,” the song that the judges first went ga-ga over way back at the beginning of the season. And in my estimation, he didn’t do it half as well as he did the first time. It was oversung, overwrought and actually felt a little desperate. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE AMERICA SAVE ME FROM DADDY!!!!!!

Sorry, Simon, I say that round goes to Cook.

But the trouble is that Simon, Paula and Randy are being paid (handsomely) to usher through Archuleta, not Cook. So Cook gets dumped on while the judges very unsubtly tell America, “David Archuleta has won this thing. Now make him the winner or we’ll do it for you!”

I’m sorry to be so harsh, but I really think I’m right here. If the bigger talent, Cook, wins tomorrow night, I’ll take it all back. Or, I’ll just insist that America fought back against the brainwashing and that there is hope for the future after all.

So what did you think? Am I crazy here? Who should win? Who will win? And did Simon’s icky, greasy chest hair make anyone else a little queasy?

We found out, for example, that David Archuleta isn’t always so robotic. Watching him get choked up at his hometown rally reminded me that he’s really just a little boy stuck on a ride he can’t get off of. Not that he wants to.

We also found out that an elderly dignitary in Sarasota, Fla., can do one heck of a handstand and isn’t afraid to prove it.

And in Kansas City, we learned that John Holt (formerly of KSN fame) is indeed still alive and kicking … and employed!

After a full hour of all of that, we also learned what we sorta already knew. Syesha is done, and the David-David showdown is on. That’s probably as it should be, though I still say David C. is the bigger of the two talents.

A few observations: Syesha was among the more gracious losers we’ve seen this season. The girl got to the TOP THREE, and she took the news of her ouster with poise and dignity. Even more, not a single note of her farewell song was garbled by excess phlegm buildup caused by excess blubbering. Bravo, Syesha!

I also was struck by how far David Cook has come in the image department since the early rounds. I barely recognized that kinda pudgy, kinda awkward guitar guy at the auditions. Those “Idol” stylists are nothing if not masters of the makeover.

So what did you think? Are the finals as they should be? Would you ever thrust your infant into the arms of a moving “American Idol” finalist? And will next week indeed be, as Simon predicted, a “HUMDINGER?!?!?!?!”

What about that David Cook parade? That David Cook concert in the Power and Light District? That David cook pitch at the Royals game?

I would be more upset if my “Idol” of choice, Kansas City’s David Cook, had not completely set himself apart on Tuesday as the absolute only logical choice for this year’s “Idol” title.

Those “Idol” producers aren’t stupid. They’re still smarting from the Daughtry debacle, and they’re not about to let a legit rocker lose it again this time. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

My Kansas City allegiance aside, I think it was still pretty clear on Tuesday that David Cook is the most talented of the remaining three contestants.

He managed to turn Roberta Flack’s soft and sentimental “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” into a legitimate rock ballad, and he sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” way better than Stephen Tyler could ever hope to.

Are Syesha and David A. even in the same league? Her “If I Ain’t Got You” was pretty good, and his “And So It Goes” was among his least creepy performances ever, but as a whole, the soon-to-be runners up didn’t even come close to delivering anything worth remembering.

Oh, wait. I take that back. Sadly, I will never stop remembering David Archuleta’s cover of Chris Brown’s “With You.” Dressed in his best Blake Lewis-wear, poor David danced like he was at his first seventh-grade mixer. Worse, he sang the lyric “boo,” a term that a little baby face like David should use only if it’s Halloween. Mark that down as one of the most awkward performances in “Idol”‘ history.

I’m still predicting a David-David finale, and if it isn’t Cook, a great injustice will have been committed, and I will lead an army to the Power and Light district in protest.

So what did you think? Will it be David and David? Didn’t it feel like the judges were trying to influence voters against Syesha? And who’s going to win it all?

Freed from the bonds of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Neil Diamond, Jason was free to choose practically any old song he wanted from the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame library. So he chose (”go figure,” and I’m quoting the singer himself) Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. And he massacred ‘em.

On the first song, “I Shot the Sheriff,” Jason overplayed it, obviously caving momentarily to the judges’ suggestion that he “bring it,” or at least bring SOMETHING different to the stage. The result was a messy, off-tune, uncomfortable mess of poor Jason Castro trying too hard.  Song two, “Mr. Tambourine Man,” would have been better if Jason  — perhaps shaken by Simon’s first-round tongue lashing — hadn’t lost an entire line of lyrics. Or four.

And so, sadly, I think Simon’s advice was accurate — pack your bags, Jason, because top four is as far as you’re going. I do love him, and I will miss him. But I don’t get the feeling he’s really all that into it anymore, anyway. Maybe this is as much exposure as he thought he needed, and now he’s off to bigger, dread-ier things.

Jason really is toast, I fear, because the evictee of choice — Syesha Mercado — actually did “bring it” on Tuesday. Her “Proud Mary” was pretty believable, and her “A Change Is Gonna Come” was pretty moving … that is, after I recovered from her comparing her “Idol” journey to the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. By the way, love her sleek, sleek new do — even though I’m pro-curls.

David Cook was good as usual, but I agree with Randy. Something wasn’t quite on. He wasn’t bad, with his “Hungry Like the Wolf” and markedly better “Baba O’Riley.” He’s not in danger, but he needs to — well, “bring it,” next week.

And as for David A., well, what can I say? I renew my previous objections to his safe, vanilla always-the-same performances and the judges’ subsequent salivation over said safe performances. Although I thought his “Love Me Tender” was better than most of his past songs, I still wasn’t blown away. In fact, I can’t remember much at all about his “Stand By Me.” I was thinking about something else.

So what do you think? Was Paula particularly coherent tonight? Isn’t her hair looking pretty fab these days? And does Jason have any hope at all?

Okay, so I realize that we still have four-plus weeks left in this season of “American Idol,” but I feel comfortable to go on the record with this:

If David Cook does not win, the show is definitely fixed.

I’m sorry, but who else has been more consistent than Cook? Every week, he delivers a wow performance. And if it’s a little short of wow, it’s just a few degrees south of excellent.

His competitors aren’t even in the same league. Jason is lovable but seemed to quit trying three weeks ago. Brooke is beautiful and talented but lost any semblance of confidence three weeks ago. Syesha is fine but dull. Archuleta is a friggin robot.

In her one single, solitary moment of clarity on Tuesday’s show, Paula actually summed it all up when she told David, “I feel like I’m already looking at the next ‘American Idol.’”

Of course, Paula might have thought she was talking to the other David. Or Chikeze.

Rant over. Let’s get to Neil Diamond night.

I must just state for the record that I love Neil Diamond with a fervor that makes my Andrew Lloyd Weber and Dolly Parton obsessions seem mild. The “Jazz Singer” soundtrack has been in my possession since the 1980s, and I just listened to a song or two on my iPod today.

Still, for the most part, Neil makes for pretty awkward “Idol” material.

David Cook’s “All I Really Need is You” was the only song without a single cringe-worthy moment. He really did make that song seem current, and just to prove I thunk it before the judges did, I scribbled it in my notepad as quickly as I could.

Even though she still has a long road back to excellent, I did like Brooke’s “I Am, I Said,” despite the fact that Arizona has no shores I can detect. Maybe lake shores? I can forgive that, though, because it was the first performance in weeks where I wasn’t worried she’d stop and vomit right on stage. Which is an urge I felt during her “I’m A Believer.” Gotta agree with Simon. Nightmare.

You know I love Jason, but seriously, is he even trying anymore? Has he decided he’ll get through just by sparkling his sparkly sparklers at the camera? Well, he might just. But I still think he should attempt something slightly different. That said, “Forever in Blue Jeans” was way better than “September Morn.”

I kinda liked Syesha’s “Hello” (though we all knew she’d pick that one, didn’t we Monica?) But her “Thank The Lord for the Nighttime” was unconvincing enough to make me forget she’d even said “Hello.”

And as for Archuleta… well, after this week, I feel 99.9 percent certain that those judges have been instructed by the men who sign their paychecks to never criticize him. Why? I’m not entirely sure. But how else can you explain the fact that he drones his way through song after identical song, and all the judges every say to him is, “SOLID AS USUAL!” Even Jason’s worst moment on Tuesday was 10 times more genuine than David’s best.

Sadly, I think he’ll be in the final with David Cook. A David-David final. And if the wrong one wins, I say we all join in eternal protest.

So what did you think? Who was the best? Who was the worst? Whose turn is it to go? And most important, are there some taping tricks going on the viewing audience isn’t privy to, or was Paula really so stoned that she thought Jason had already sung twice???

See you then for what I hope is a “Phantom”-filled night.

My feelings about Mariah have really never wavered. Where I’m indifferent toward The Beatles, I go out of my way to avoid Mimi. She’s always annoyed me. Too bouncy. Too frizzy. Too many notes that only my dog can hear.

But after tonight, I’m ready to reconsider. Not only did Mariah come across as genuine, warm and talented, but her songs interpreted through some of my favorite “Idols” were actually sort of… rockin!

I don’t need to tell you whose performance most swayed me. David Cook was a little off last week, but he was truly amazing tonight. His version of “Always Be My Baby” was, as Paula put it in a rare moment of lucidity, movie soundtrack-ready. Who besides David could take song whose DIPPY original is laced not only with “do do doops” but ALSO with “do do doop do doop da dums” and transform it into a rock hit? Honestly, I’d be fine if they just gave him the title tomorrow night and called it a season.

If they did, I’d be a little sad for Jason Castro, who is the only other singer who didn’t put me to sleep on Mariah night. I enjoyed his bongo stylized take on “I Don’t Want To Cry,” even though I loved Randy’s description of it as music you’d hear in the distance at a beach luau. So mean, but so true, and yet so what? And by the way, no one stares down a retreating “Idol” cam with more intensity than crystal-eyed Jason Castro. That look gives me more shivers than a beach luau with a dying bonfire.

The rest of them didn’t do a lot for me.

More and more each week, I have to believe that the judges are being either ordered or bribed to pile the praise on David Archuleta. What are they seeing that I’m not? He’s kind of a cheesy little kid with nice pipes, but it’s almost painful to watch him. He’s awkward, and the leather pants were NOT a wise choice. Furthermore, anyone care to place a wager on how many more uplifting songs he can find whose titles are variations on “When You Believe”?

And although I still love that raspy, smoky quality in Brooke White’s voice — and think she’s eons more talented than many of her competitors — I’ve been watching her crumble the last few weeks. She missed a key on the piano tonight and rushed through the ending of her otherwise cleverly unplugged version of “Hero.” Girl needs to get it TOGETHER.

I actually thought both Syesha with “Vanishing” and Carly with “Without You” sang nicely, but both performances were what Simon likes to call “forgettable.” How do I know? I’ve already forgotten them.

And as for KLC, well, that poor thang. As I watched her on stage in her little Stepford Wives getup, I realized that she’s not a bad singer, she’s just not good enough to stand up there with her competitors. I know everyone loves an underdog, but can we put her out of her misery this week PLEASE????

So what did you think? Was Brook’s song missing the beef, the bun or the condiments? How convenient is it that Mariah’s new album “drops” today? And who will join Michael Johns in the long, painful limbo better known as waiting for the “Idol” tour?

But we digress.

My aversion to songs — so adeptly described by Brooke as “feel good songs that make you feel happy” — is hard to explain. I guess I can only say that when a song sets out to make me happy, it’s already trying too hard. That makes me unhappy.

Maybe that’s why one of my favorite performances of the night was by Michael Johns, who chose Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” a song that is really only inspirational in the loosest of classic rock terms. Though he didn’t add much of an original twist to the song, at least it wasn’t sappy or syrupy. Plus, M.J. seems to have discovered a little confidence over the past few weeks, which is translating into much more convincing on-stage rockouts. (Granted you are able to ignore the sissy man-scarf trend he is apparently trying to launch.)

The only other performance I truly enjoyed was delivered by Jason Castro, a man who knows how to work a ukulele. And how many men can say that? His island version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was effortless and unforced, qualities that really set Jason apart from the rest. He never seems even slightly rattled, which is an appealing quality in a professional performer. And is there a voice more radio ready than Jason’s left on this show? The correct answer, students, is no.

The rest of the performances … eh. Even Brooke White, one of my favorites, disappointed with her deadly dull “You’ve Got A Friend.” Let’s see. … You’re in the bottom three for the first time. It freaks you out thoroughly. So your course of action to save your hide is … a hippy-dippy James Taylor/Carole King song? Brooke looked petrified up there, and she should be.

David Cook, another one of my favorites, was off this week. His “Innocent” was random and strange, and the background singers were drowning him out through 50 percent of the song. He gets a pass, though, in my opinion. He’s been so good and so original for so long, eventually he’s not going to be able to completely live up to his own standards.

I also wasn’t wild about David Archuleta’s “Angels,” which was OK but pretty shaky in spots. This little prodigy creeps me out more every week, and more every week, I get the sneaky feeling that the judges are instructed by that frizzy-haired guy who “hired them all” (and was, um, sitting on Simon’s lap???) to keep pushing Mr. Teen Dream through.

Still, I say the bottom three are Syesha Mercado, Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson. I know it’s predictable, but the trio terrible failed to impress this week.

Syesha proved with her “I Believe” that she’s no Fantasia, and Carly proved with her “Show Must Go On” that she’s no Freddy Mercury (even when she raids his costume closet).

And don’t be fooled by the faint praise the judges gave Kristy Lee and her take on Martina McBride’s “Anyway.” Translation: “Kristy! You weren’t nearly as awkwardly awful as in past weeks. You’re ever-so-slightly less bad, which for you is actually pretty good. Bravo!” Though I wouldn’t crown her my “American Idol,” I would gladly support her being appointed Queen of Sparkly Tops.

So what did you think? Was the mini-gospel choir slightly overused? Was Paula slightly over-corseted? And who will be in the bottom three?Speaking of, I might pop in on Wednesday to make a few observations about “Idol Gives Back,” then I’ll see you back here Thursday for the results.

Why am I bored?

I think it’s because every week for the past three weeks, the judges have had more or less the same criticisms of each contestant. And for the past three weeks, the contestants have sung more or less the same kinds of songs.

And for the past three weeks, the miserable and CLEAR bottom three — Syesha Mercado, Ramiele Malubay and Kristy Lee Cook — have just kept hanging and hanging and hanging on, and there’s no indication that Ramiele is going anywhere. Ever.

I think my boredom could possibly go away if those three did.

But since that outcome is iffy, let’s discuss the same-old-same-oldness that Tuesday night brought, with one exception…

Carly Smithson: I’ve been waiting and waiting to see just a small glimmer of the wonderfulness Carly purportedly possesses, and I think tonight I finally did. Maybe it’s just because I love “Here You Come Again,” (one of five Dolly songs on my iPod.) Her arrangement was modern and heartfelt, and her delivery finally didn’t feel all that desperate. There’s still something slightly off-putting about her. (Though, unlike pot-calling-the-kettle-poorly-dressed Simon, I don’t think it’s her fashion sense.) She grew on me this week. That’s all I’m saying.

Brooke White and Jason Castro: My two favorites were still good this week, though both are letting their acts get a little stale. For Brooke, her soulful but safe “Jolene” was a bit too reminiscent of too many past performances. And it took just a few strums of Jason’s “Traveling Through” to hear that he had defiantly ignored the judges’ advice last week to mix it up a little. If he doesn’t try something new soon, I’m going to have to replace him with…

David Cook, who continues to impress with his originality and rock-star believability. Plus, he gets the award for Most Improved Hair. I was starting to wonder if that moppy, moppy top was hiding an atrocity more severe than just a gargantuan forehead. I’m relieved to see that all is well under there.

Michael Johns, meanwhile, managed to deliver a memorable performance for the second consecutive week, bluesin’ up “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right” (another of my Dolly iPod selections.) His voice is finally showing some range, though I hope he didn’t injure his instrument with that tightly wrapped scarfy thing. Slap a Burt Reynolds mustache on that guy, and he could have been a character in one of Dolly’s cheesy ’80s movies.

David Archuleta: The judges seemed to love his delivery of “Smoky Mountain Memories” and commended him on his song selection. But I didn’t buy it. Pretty sure the closest he’s ever been to the Smoky Mountains was that Josh Groban Piano camp he attended last summer. I like little Davey less every week.

Those girls who need to go: I don’t have much more to add about Kristy Lee, Ramiele and Sysesha except to ask them to please leave that mega tub of glitter eye shadow in the dressing room area when they go.

So what did you think? Was Carly much improved? What does Simon have against sparrows? And will one of the outclassed three finally go on Wednesday?