Will David Cook keep on rockin' in the moderately compensated and anemically promoted world? Will David Archuleta light the fuse to his inevitable Christian Contemporary rocketship of fame? Is "American Idol" Season 7 David-y enough (let's not forget everyone's favorite stripper expose!)? TV columnist Lisa de Moraes heard all sides and issued verdicts.

The transcript follows.

Lisa Watches So You Don't Have To: "American Idol" | TV columns | On TV discussion transcripts.

De Moraes has written "The TV Column" for The Post since 1998. She served as the TV editor for the entertainment industry trade publication the "Hollywood Reporter" for almost a decade.

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Washington: Simon told David Cook he was one of the "nicest, most sincere" contestants "American Idol" ever had had. Isn't that effectively the kiss of death? Simon said the same to Bo in Season 4.

Lisa de Moraes: Hi. I thought the same thing. Best I can guess, he thought he needed to throw Cook that compliment before nicking his song choice so that he would not get lynched by the [Cellphone Company] Theatre crowd when the show was over. But wasn't that hilarious watching Simon say "you should have sung 'Billie Jean'!" Talk about Old Idol versus New Idol...

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Bethesda, Md.: Do you think Chris Daughtry fans are avenging his fourth-place Season 6 departure by voting for a Daughtry-esque David Cook?

Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing Daughtry CD buyers don't even watch "Idol." Frankly, I think winning "Idol" would be the worst thing that could happen to Cook at this point. He's got a career locked in regardless at this point, but I'm guessing having to wear the tiara and the sash for a full year and record the "American Idol" Treacle Tune is the kiss of death for a "rocker."

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San Antonio: Pookie, did Simon really wink at Cookie after his third song? If so, then I totally forgive him for throwing Cook under the bus after chatting him up so happily to Leno and Ellen. And I only feel this way because I cannot stand the idea of Disney David winning. On the other hand, if Archie goes the way of Hicks, that would be okay, too. Great columns, and I really enjoyed this season much more than last.

Lisa de Moraes: But Disney David, aka Baby Elmo, needs to win to save him from Scary Stage Dad. And I don't think Simon threw Cook under the bus, I think Cook deliberately took a dive, starting with sayingat the top of the show that the competition didn't matter anymore and he was just there to have fun.

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Burke, Va.: What is in David A's ear? Some nights he had an earpiece in his right ear and some nights he didn't. Is his Dad giving him stage directions in that earpiece? Does he have a hearing problem and it is a hearing aid? Does he have a Bluetooth because he gets a lot of phone calls?

Lisa de Moraes: Coroner Munchkin/Thatched Roof was wearing an earpiece too. I assume it's so they can hear themselves, or something. Honestly I'm not a specialist on pop music...

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Orlando, Fla.: Baby Elmo sickens me. Do we all think David Cook actually will be better off coming in second place (as he clearly will)? Maybe he can do a Geico commercial?

Lisa de Moraes: Geico commercial? Are you taking issue with his effort to grow facial hair? Or is it the thatched roof hairdo? Meanwhile, Baby Elmo deserves our pity. Consider Scary Stage Dad...

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Silver Spring, Md.: Lisa, you hit it on the head -- Cookie tanked it on purpose to follow Daughtry's lead.

washingtonpost.com: Three Rounds, Two Davids, One Knockout (Post, May 21)

Lisa de Moraes: I'm just sayin', everybody wins. Baby Elmo is torn from the clutches of Scary Stage Dad and into the Clive Davis Protection Program. David Cook is heralded as a hero by "rockers" for taking a dive so he doesn't get stuck with the tiara and sash and "American Idol" Treacle Tune.

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Lollipop Guild: Pookie, I don't know if Munchkin Coroner ever had a chance against the juggernaut that is Baby Elmo, but if he did, he utterly extinguished it by choosing to close with that limp rendition of a Collective Soul song. Baby E destroyed him. (I'm just surprised that his Creepy Stage Dad didn't arrange waving American flag graphics for the background during "Imagine.")

Lisa de Moraes: And yes, DialIdol has Thatched Roof way out ahead of Baby Elmo. I think Coroner Munchkin/Thatched Roof's only hope is to finish second. Finishing first is rocker-toxic. I'm afraid tonight is going to play out like a Greek tragedy. If DialIdol has the numbers right...

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Falls Church, Va.: What do you think of the disparity between Dial Idol's prediction (Coroner Munchkin wins) and judges' rah-rah lovefest for David Squinty-Eyes?

Lisa de Moraes: Well, the judges were commenting based on last night's performances; DialIdol is based on viewer votes. You're assuming people are voting based on last night's best performance, and that's where you go wrong. I think that by this week, people have locked in who they are going to vote for, and last night doesn't really matter. Kind of like the presidential election...

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David Cook: Not convinced he is really a rocker -- I think he just plays one on TV.

Lisa de Moraes: After watching him camp it up in the boxing robe, I'm not sure I can disagree. That was eye-opening...

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Rosslyn, Va.: My bf and I have been so-so about David Archuleta -- mainly because his voice sounded young and too high-pitched -- but we were both impressed with him last night. Once he started singing in a lower register, he was much more appealing. He needs to keep doing that!

Lisa de Moraes: Perhaps his voice is changing? I didn't notice, a lower register last night. But I did notice that he really came to the show to win, whereas David Cook came to cut his audition tape...

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Washington: Just wondering -- the clips that they show at the end of "American Idol" don't seem to be of the evening's live performances. Are they from dress rehearsals? Sometimes I think they're better.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. And yes, sometimes they're better, but most often they're not...

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Washington: Pookster, what do you think of the DialIdol prediction of Cook's win? Do you believe it?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. DialIdol is pretty accurate toward the end of the show. In the early going, they predict virtually anyone can make it through or get booted, because the margins between the Idolettes are so tiny. That's how they get to brag they have like a 100 percent accuracy rate. When you say 11 of the 12 finalists might go or might stay and the 12th one is sure to stay, it's pretty easy to be accurate that week..

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Annapolis, Md.: This show is such a joke ... am I the only one in America who can't stand cry baby Archuleta and knows for a fact that when he wins that is as far as he will go, because he never will make a hit record? It's sad that everyone who actually will make something of themselves in the music biz gets voted off, or in Cook's situation, takes second place...

Lisa de Moraes: Ah, but Pookie, looks like Cook is going to win. That's where your too-cynical theory falls apart. And for someone who thinks the show is a joke, you know an awful lot about it. I find it's best to get over your embarrassment that you watch the show -- it's liberating. I had a similar experience when I decided to embrace being a crazy dog lady and went out and got a rescue Yorkie and bought him a coat. And a sweatshirt. And a raincoat. And a fisherman knit hat. And a Halloween costume. I no longer care what people think ... it's the same with watching "Idol." Honest...

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Washington: My guess is that both contestants will record their respective treacly tunes of death, regardless of the actual winner -- more money in it that way.

Lisa de Moraes: Noooooo. They were the worst treacle tunes ever. Though I have to admit I loved the lyrics on Baby Elmo's song. Particularly the bit about: "Staring through window at my own reflection/How can a window encompass perfection."

It doesn't get any better than that...

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Say What?: Was it just my imagination, or did an "Idol" montage of past "winners" include an image of Chris Daughtry? I realize the producers want to highlight their success stories, but I see no need to pretend that Daughtry won when he actually came in fourth.

Lisa de Moraes: I don't think it's supposed to be an montage of winners. Isn't Clay Aiken in there too? Or was that just a nightmare I had the other night...

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Bethesda, Md.: My daughter (12 year old) used to watch religiously. Now she cannot be bothered with the show. Her friends aren't watching either. Is "Idol" losing the preteen audience?

Lisa de Moraes: Younger viewers are always the most fickle, particularly when it comes to reality programming. I'm guessing your daughter has moved on to "The Hills." You have my sympathy...

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Arlington, Va.: Wouldn't it have been much more fun if Danny Noriega, Amanda Overmyer and David Hernandez had stayed on a bit longer? Instead, they just got their exit stints on "Ellen" and then gigs on cruise ships or "Whisky a Go Go" and that's all, ultimately signifying nothing...

Lisa de Moraes: Of course it's signifying nothing. Danny Noriega and Amanda Overmyer and David Hernandez have a very short shelf-life. They're lucky to have one at all.

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Alexandria, Va.: Will we see Family Services swarm near the stage in the event of Cook's win?

Lisa de Moraes: Cook's win? He's in his mid-20s...

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Arlington, Va.: Our local Fox station was all "Idol" all the time this morning. They had a local reporter -- Holly Morris -- in Los Angeles covering "Idol." My favorite part was when she was interviewing the rest of this year's contestants about their favorite moment last night. Kristy Lee the horse trader said it was when they had the clips from the season up on the screen. And Holly Morris said something like "so your favorite part was when you were on the screen?" Pretty funny.

Lisa de Moraes: And she calls herself a reporter? I know it's only TV "news," but the only question to ask Kristy "Horse Pawner" Lee Cook is whether she got her horse back.

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Rockville, Md.: I have to respect Cook's choice not to repeat a song -- and I respect even more that he justified it simply: Just said that he wanted it to be a progression, with no over-the-top crud about his journey on "Idol" like Syesha. But I still really would have liked to hear "Eleanor Rigby" again. Guess that is what iTunes is for.

Lisa de Moraes: Did you respect his wearing of the red-and-yellow boxing robe? That's where he lost me..

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Herndon, Va.: Still think a Michael Johns/David Cook matchup would have been great. Do you think Michael has a career ahead of him? I certainly hope so -- he's great. Also, what's going on with Clay Aiken these days? He's such a talent. All of those "gay rumors" -- are they true? Thanks!

Lisa de Moraes: If Bo Bice has a recording career -- gack -- surely Michael Johns has one...

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Tell us the Truth: Would you ever go to one of the "Idols on Tour" concerts?

Lisa de Moraes: Sufficiently medicated -- sure!

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Arlington, Va.: I was shocked that Simon suggested "Billy Jean," too. Clearly his definition of old-fashioned is very loose. So, do you think all the judges want Elmo to win?

Lisa de Moraes: Not at all. David Cook is far more commercial, so Simon has to be rooting for him. I think all the judges thought Baby Elmo did a much better job performing last night. I give Simon props for not fawning over Cook, because Cook simply was not as good last night -- good in an "American Idol" way, that is...

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South Burlington, Vt.: Oh how I love your blog. I find myself watching "American Idol" just so I can be in on the joke when I read your column the next day! What's your instinct on long-term prognosis for this show? Seems like it has peaked, but what do I know...

Lisa de Moraes: Reality series tend to have a shorter shelf life than hit scripted series. Yes, it took a noticeable hit this year, but so did everything else. I blame the strike and the fact that DVR penetration is now between 20 and 30 percent. It will be interesting to see whether the Live+7 numbers on "Idol" are significantly different than Live+Same Day. That's all we get the next day. Live+ 7 -- which is to say anyone who watched the show up to seven days later via DVR or whatevs (I'm still thanking the TV gods for giving us that virgin-cheerleader wannabe "Idol" chick this year, who gave me my new favorite word). ... On some scripted series, it's goosing the ratings by upward of 20 percent. Probably nowhere near that in "Idol" because fans of reality series tend to want to be part of the next day's watercooler chatter...

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Treacle songs:"Staring through window at my own reflection./How can a window encompass perfection?" Now that is funny. Which leads to the question -- who writes these songs?

Lisa de Moraes: Wannabe songwriters ... I hope someday we get to meet these people. This is the very worst Treacle Tune ever, if you listened to last night's lyrics. Meanwhile, when Cook sang his Treacle Tune choice last night, my new colleague at Washington Post Team TV, Emily Yahr, reports that her TV's closed captioning gave up trying to figure out the lyrics.

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Arlington, Va.: The thing in their ears is a monitor so they can hear themselves and the music. Used to be musicians only relied on stage monitors (those big black boxy things at the front of the stage), but these days they also rely on those things stuck in their ears, which basically are glorified custom-fit earphones

Lisa de Moraes: We have an answer. Thanks!

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Ashburn, Va.: Is there anything in the first 110 minutes of tonight's show I should be interested in?

Lisa de Moraes: Given that Fox traditionally sells the two hour show as two separate hours, I'm guessing not, unless you want to see some former Idol winner. Just a guess but if those reports of more Dead Singers appearing are true -- you know, like Celine's duet with Dead Elvis last year -- they will be in the second hour.

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Worst treacle tunes ever?: Really? Have you blocked out Taylor Hicks's "Do I Make You Proud?" Because for me, that was rock bottom.

washingtonpost.com: "Do I Make You Proud?" by Taylor Hicks (YouTube)

Lisa de Moraes: Gack!

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Rockville, Md.: It's true, it is liberating! I am 48 years old, and I watch "American Idol"! There are more of us then you'd think -- at my investment club meetings, we have a hard time staying on topic during "Idol" season. I also have a rescue cat, but he quit watching when Michael Johns was voted off.

Lisa de Moraes: See what I mean? And, regarding your cat no longer watching, my dog Violet continues to watch, but only if planted directly in front of the set with a piece of Turkey Jerky to lick. On the other hand, she's deaf, so I'm not sure she counts...

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Bethesda, Md.: If Archuleta wins will they have to negotiate his contract with his Dad, or is that stuff worked out ahead of time?

Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing they'll wait until he's 18 -- Dec. 28 -- to start negotiating ... I know I would if I were them.

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Ann Arbor, Mich.: I saw Cookie's boxing ditty as him just not caring any more -- he's set regardless of the outcome. He was almost giddy.

Lisa de Moraes: Sorry, but rockers never don't care about their image. ... Imagine Bono in a clown suit and fright wig. I don't think so...

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CM/TR: Cook's outfit for tonight?

Lisa de Moraes: LOL...

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Alexandria, Va.: I kind of agree with you, Lisa, about David winning -- though we don't really know, because a rocker hasn't won. If Thatched Roof wins, what will happen?

Lisa de Moraes: We will have a tiara'd and sashed rocker Idol. I'm guessing the republic will stand, though music critics will write long thumb-suckers about the end of rock, blah, blah, blah...

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Bethesda, Md.: "American Idol" pretty much soured for me last night. Between Randy getting the year wrong and his running out of the same old phrases, Paula's declaration of truth-standing and the insane over-hype for Elmo, I was pretty sick -- but the killer for me was the rolling teleprompter for David Archuleta. At around the 38-minute mark there's a sweeping shot from the rear of the stage and there's a prompter running. I'm 100 percent sure it was there for Cook as well, but David Archuleta has forgotten lyrics three or four times -- has Cook ever messed up in that manner? In a season where the show's integrity (nope, can't believe I'm using that word either) has been called into question, the use of a prompter to avoid any mistakes stunk out the joint.

Lisa de Moraes: Paleeze. ... They work these guys like something out of a Dickensian sweat shop. They have to cut Ford Music Videos, they have to put in public appearances, they have to fly home and cut video of their local mayor declaring it David (fill in the blank) day. They have to go into the studio and sing their chosen songs over and over and over again in full, until they get it right for iTunes sales. Who has time to learn not just one, not two but three songs in a week? Plus I'm guessing there will be some hideous medley tune the top-10 will sing tonight, so they will have had to learn four songs. It can't be done. Especially not songs with lyrics like this year's crop of Treacle Tunes...

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Costa Mesa, Calif.: Don't you think that David Cook will benefit more being second with an early CD, which would produce more money for both "American Idol" and Clive? Being first means more polishing, grooming, etc., after the tour.

Lisa de Moraes: Absolutely. Not to ention how much better he will look for not having to wear the tiara and sash....

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Silver Spring, Md.: Lisa, I am sure you and your legions of readers are too young to remember the things "real" rockers have done for TV exposure -- Elvis and the hound dog, David Bowie and Bing Crosby, the Beatles, Stones, etc., on early pop music shows, etc. David Cook will do fine whether he wins or not. I think he has a chance to be a musical artist, and subvert the "Idol" paradigm to boot.

Lisa de Moraes: Agree with you totally...

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Arlington, Va.: I will freely admit that I watch, but I have more trouble with the fact that I might be a little in love with David Cook. I can't explain it, but when he gives the camera certain looks. ... Anyway, I should probably keep this part quiet, no?

Lisa de Moraes: Really? Even when he's sporting that thatched roof 'do? That's a hotness killer for me...

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Washington: My theory is that Simon was deliberately harsh on Cookie because the producers want him to win. Given that the rule of thumb always has been "Simon nice equals fewer votes," they were looking for a way to increase votes to Cookie -- because I think the "Idol" producers are looking for a Daughtry-like star to boost their own bottom line, particularly after the rash of label-droppings that occurred to past winners/runner-ups recently. I think they believe they need to crown a verifiable star as the "American Idol" winner to return some luster to the franchise, and after seeing Daughtry's success, they think they have that in Cookie. I'll be awfully surprised if Emotionally Abused Baby Elmo actually wins tonight.

Lisa de Moraes: Good theory -- at least the half I read. Thatched Roof would be far more commercial for the producers than Baby Elmo.

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Potomac, Md.: You ruin "American Idol" for me. I don't like the names you have given to the idols -- especially Nanny and Elmo. Brooke was quite cute and nice, and you picked on her too much for forgetting her lines. Same thing over and over about the "Idol" police -- boring!

Lisa de Moraes: Mom? Is that you?

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Washington: I think the previous poster was looking for Child Protective Services to protect Baby Elmo from Angry Stage Dad if Cook won.

Lisa de Moraes: I think you're right. I was confused at first. You can't be that subtle today...

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Re: DialIdol: DialIdol doesn't take into account text messages, though, which have been Baby Elmo's bread-and-butter. He still has a shot.

Lisa de Moraes: Hope you're right ... Baby Elmo needs to be saved...

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Rockville, Md., again....: Totally missed the boxing robe. I was really watching "NCIS" and just flipping over to Idol to try to catch the songs. Not sure why I stayed long enough to hear Cook explain his choice not to repeat. Not sure how I managed to catch the "Eleanor Rigby" either, but I guess I got lucky. In my opinion, "So You Think You Can Dance" has much higher entertainment value than "American Idol," and the early rounds are completely hysterical. I actually watched a lot of the marathon of last season on MTV this weekend. How sad is that?

Lisa de Moraes: Not nearly as sad as "The Hills."

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Um.: Have you seen some of Bono's sunglasses? His visit to the Oprah show?

Lisa de Moraes: Okay, I take your point. Maybe I should have said Maroon 5? Did they visit Oprah? Please say "no."

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Change of venue: Didn't they start of the season saying the final was going to be at the [Cellphone Company] Theater, and then last night ended up at the [Cellphone Company] theater? Was it like the rest of the season where [name of highest-bidding company]'s products got plugged to death? Or was it that said cellphone company supplies phones to sponsor The Phone Company Actual Phone Calls From Viewers segment? I'm all product placemented out!

Lisa de Moraes: You and me both. I was disturbed, though I'm not sure why I was surprised, by the number of times the judges mentioned the Cellphone Company name in their critiques. That was some kind of ham-handed product placement going on...

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Washington: Was that an actual teleprompter in the audience with the lyrics on them?

Lisa de Moraes: Apparently so. I somehow managed to miss it...

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Washington: Archuleta's tarting up of John Lennon's pure and simple melody was even more egregious the second time. It has been my theory that Archuleta's inevitable coronation was to be blamed on 9- to 12-year-old girls with unlimited texting, but I'm wondering if pod people have taken over Randy and Simon given their gushing about (and I must be blunt here) a very young and immature boy whose stage presence is clunky at best and who yuck-yucks every time he's asked to speak. Cook's polish and commanding stage presence leave Archuleta looking like a little boy out of his element. Why didn't the judges ever point to Archuleta's obvious immaturity and lack of ability to speak cogently?

Lisa de Moraes: He's under the spell of Scary Stage Dad. That's a deer caught in headlights look you're seeing there. Really, he needs to be saved. Plus, he is very young and immature. Why is that bad? Doesn't that just mean he will be more pliable in the hands of Idol producers? Isn't that a good thing? Okay I know I'm contradicting myself now. I still think Cook is far more commercial than Archuleta...

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Washington: I think that the producers need to change the mission of the show. Finding America's best singer is pointless -- they should be focusing on the person most likely to be the next big star, and in that category little crybaby David would have been gone long ago instead of winning the crown tonight.

Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing the judges have been working to that end for some time. Simon had almost nothing good to say about Carly Smithson all season, for example, though she had by far the most polished voice. I got the feeling they considered her toxic, given her earlier record deal, in which a couple mill was dropped producing the record and promoting her and she only sold like 20 CDs or something like that. Anyway, it was so stupendously botched it merited a story in the Wall Street Journal. I'm guessing the "Idol" producers did not want to be saddled with that backstory to try to overcome, so they did all they could to nix her.

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Washington: Have they told us about any celebrity appearances? If I remember right, last year was a bit of a disappointment, though they certainly set the bar high in 2006 with Dead Elvis. Do you think they'll wake him again this year?

Lisa de Moraes: Rumor has it we'll see at least one Dead Singer ... I'm hoping for John Lennon, given that we got his songbook this year...

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Washington: If you are watching the show in Los Angeles and speaking live with Tony Kornheiser the next morning, when do you sleep? Just wondering.

Lisa de Moraes: I'm back in Washington, but when I'm in Los Angeles, I'm watching it on East Coast time. It's confusing. I never know when to sleep, now that you mention it...

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Teleprompter: Who would want to subject their brain to memorizing the treacle tune? That only happens in the brain-washing process after winning (part of the contract).

Lisa de Moraes: Exactly. I'm going to post Baby Elmo's Treacle Tune lyrics -- at least what we think are the lyrics, as best Emily's TV closed captioning can figure. I dare you to learn them in one afternoon and remember them tomorrow morning. It can't be done. They're insane..

Walking through the city for the first time you and me/Staring through windows at my own reflection/How can a window encompass perfection?/Now that I know what it's like to be living/In a beautiful world and never stop giving.

And I am gonna be/In this moment/No one can take it from me/Now I wanna stay/In this moment/No one can take it away from me.

Give me a chance and I'll show you what's real/Open your eyes and you'll see that I'm stuck in this moment

And no one can take it from me./Now I wanna stay/In this moment/No one can take it away from me.

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Washington: I'm shocked you missed the earlier Geico commercial reference. It's what Paula projected for the Cookster after he sang "Day Tripper" many, many episodes ago.

Lisa de Moraes: My god, that was a lifetime ago, and I haven't had any sleep. That's my story and I'm sticking to it ... but thanks for clueing me in...

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Re: Re: DialIdol: Text messages take longer and are less likely to be counted in time. Speed dial/redial is more effective, so I'm not sure about the tween Elmo vote.

Lisa de Moraes: Okay, this is all too wonky for me ... but I like your theory -- I love conspiracy theories..

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Washington: In 10 years, when it becomes harder for him to sell tickets in Vegas, Baby Archuleta will be able to make a lot of money on books and Baba Wawa interviews about how pops made him cry and forced him to sing the wrong verses to songs.

Lisa de Moraes: There's a book deal in there somewhere. Plus, he's gonna wind up on Disney Channel, for sure.

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Sarasota, Fla.: Syesha has more talent than the two David's combined -- stage presence, that huge smile ... I couldn't believe she didn't get a chance to be No. 1.

Lisa de Moraes: Her voice was pretty thin. She's no Jennifer Hudson, or Kelly Clarkson, or Carrie Underwood. Or Taylor Hicks. Kidding...

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London: I thought "The World I Know" was beautiful and moving. Isn't that what music is supposed to be about?

Lisa de Moraes: Okay, but it wasn't Winning Moment-ish, per Simon. ... You're talking New Idol trash and Simon's talking Old Idol tradition...

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Silver Spring, Md.: Do they use Diebold vote tabulation for this thing? If so, I am afraid Archuleta will be crowned the champ. The producers' bias was so openly on display last night that hoping for a fair accounting of the votes would seem naive. The kid has a great voice for sure, but as Lloyd Bentsen may have intoned, he's no David Cook. Looks like the marketing (strong-)arm wins in the end!

Lisa de Moraes: Again, I have to disagree. I'm confident the producers would much rather CM/TR Cook won this thing -- and it looks like they will get what they want. He's far more commercial than Baby E. But honestly, saying someone is no David Cook is so sad. David Cook is not Chris Daughtry. Chris Daughtry is no ... and on and on. Given that this was billed as the best crop of Idolettes ever, they sure did wind up with a bunch of Previous Season Lites...

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Washington: David A might have a better voice in technical terms, but he has zero personality and even less stage presence. I don't find him one bit compelling. I don't see him selling any records whatsoever. Cook, on the hand, with the right material, is actually a pretty good middle-of-the-road rocker. I would check out a record of his; David A? No way.

Lisa de Moraes: You're preaching to the choir. I keep saying, Cook is the more commercial one. His brand of blandrock is what sells these days. Archuleta is too Disneyland to be commercial in an "Idol" sense...

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Rockville, Md.: Would it have helped David Cook's cause if he just wore a hat? Even a sombrero would have been better than looking like a member of the Lollipop Guild, right?

Lisa de Moraes: No kidding...

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Arlington, Va.: Doesn't anybody remember anymore that "Imagine" was about anarchy?

Lisa de Moraes: Me! I like to think he's being ironic. I know -- giving him way too much credit ... I'm guessing every time he sings it Lennon's ashes churn in their urn...

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Bethesda, Md.: Hum, trying to image David Archuleta singing something other than a sappy slow song. Hard to image ... oh wait, he did -- the Beatles song that he forgot the words to. Seriously, the judges should have called him on taking the safe route, but for some reason they want him to win.

Lisa de Moraes: No, but they wanted him to sing "Imagine" last night, for sure. And he did. They lapped it up.

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Fallsburg, N.Y.: All I can say is that David Archuleta represents everything an "American Idol" should be, and would be a great role model for youth today. He has an innate goodness that is so rare. When he sings, I don't even blink -- he is so talented that when each performance is over I just shake my head in disbelief that a person that age has such an amazing talent and such an old soul. He has so much to share -- I certainly hope he wins, and I can't wait to hear more.

Lisa de Moraes: Nice to see a Baby Elmo fan out there. This is a tough group on the chat today! They don't have much sympathy for the poor little guy ... I know, it's a singing competition. I'm the same way about hurt kittens...

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Bethesda, Md.: Jimmy Kimmel's take on it last night was pretty funny. He said he really didn't care which David won because in his heart there's only one "Idol": "Clay Jefferson Aiken." Clay won't be among the "Idol" alum representing on the finale, probably because he pissed off everyone on Season 5 by stealing Taylor Hicks's thunder. But why won't Taylor be there? Whom did he piss off?

Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing the producers would rather forget the Taylor Hicks win. What a disaster...

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Washington: When will little Davey Archuleta stop blushing like a bashful Bambi and proudly accept the accolades he receives?

Lisa de Moraes: Another B.E. fan!

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Re: Teleprompter: Um, how can we say Baby Elmo was using the teleprompter when his eyes are squeezed shut all the time?

Lisa de Moraes: Which put him at a disadvantage against Cook. I rest my case...

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Why does Randy think it's 2007?: What did you make of Randy's "untimely" comment? Does he wish it were last year for some reason?

Lisa de Moraes: Because then he'd be a year younger? I can't explain Randy -- gave up trying ages ago. But how about his bracelets last night. Some kind of jewelry, huh? He nearly outshone Paula. Fortunately she had a glitter purse, which gave her the edge...

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Alexandria, Va.: Remember when Archuleta talked about blowing his vocal chords? I can't watch him hit a big note without an uneasiness that his neck will just explode -- I'm serious, he creeps me out.

Lisa de Moraes: I felt he same way watching Priscilla Presley on "Dancing with the Stars." I kept waiting for some staples to come flying out of her face when she performed some of those more energetic dances. I'm out of time. Bye...

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