One Cook Too Many in "A.I." Kitchen

The "American Idol" rehearsal has just ended, and our spies came through again.

Kristy Lee Cook could kill the surviving two Beatles with her country rendition of "Eight Days a Week." To make matters even worse, the crafty producers put her right before David Archuleta, who went last.

David Cook, on the other hand, delivered big with what could be the best performance -- a rocked-out version "Eleanor Rigby" -- no guitar this time.

David Archuleta's dad (aka stage dad) was sitting next to "A.I." E.P. Nigel Lythgoe. Nigel took aside David Cook, David Hernandez and Ramiele. It looked like he gave Cook props and constructive criticism to the other two.

Ryan Seacrest grilled Chikezie like a cheeseburger over the TMZ story that Chike-poo worked at LAX as a baggage screener and made the TSA choir. Ryan suggested Chikezie once found a blow-up doll in Simon's bag. Hard to tell if he was kidding.

And David Hernandez ... in his montage video that focused on previous employment, he said he was a pizza guy who got fired. No mention of his pepperoni at his other job.

As we first reported, the finals will be held at the Nokia Theatre in downtown L.A.

Tomorrow night, Katharine McPhee will perform.

Reader Comments

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61. AMERICAN IDOL RULES

Posted at 12:58AM on Mar 12th 2008 by FROGGER

62. Talk about favoritism for David Archuleta . . . did you notice the recap at the end of the show? They played his rehearsal track instead of his actual performance where he forgot the lyrics and sucked! I'd be so pissed if I were the other contestants!

Posted at 1:08AM on Mar 12th 2008 by Chesty Larue

63. SIMON SAYS YOUR GOING TO GROOM LAKE, PAULA IS A SWEETHEART, RANDY IS A PRODUCER....!!!!

Posted at 1:10AM on Mar 12th 2008 by GOOGLE GROOM LAKE NEVADA

64. Good Lord...Kristy Lee was awful...she should not have been in the top12....little girls voted for her because she looks like a barbie doll and ride horses!!

Posted at 1:12AM on Mar 12th 2008 by ChrisJ

65. I LOVE SIMON, HE RULES, PAULA IS HOTTER THAN TOBASCO SAUCE, RANDY IS THE NEXT QUINCY JONES.!!!

Posted at 1:21AM on Mar 12th 2008 by HOMOGONISED MILK

66. Randy and Simon contradict themselves. When contestants sing a song in a straight presentation they are criticized as being boring and are told to put something of themselves in it and when other singers do add something to the original song
they are criticized for doing so.

Posted at 1:28AM on Mar 12th 2008 by Steve

67. Chikeze and Brooke were great- the rest all sucked, an insult to the Beatles. I think even Simon was generally much too kind this time.

Posted at 1:31AM on Mar 12th 2008 by auramac

68. American Idol is a disgrace to music. Morons winning a talent show and end up making millions to sing songs they don't write. No heart in that whatsoever

Posted at 12:46AM on Mar 13th 2008 by Mike

69. This show is more like "Flavor of Love" only with music. The unprofessionalism of the judges and the host is just despicable! Here you have a number of reasonably talented young performers trying to win votes, and here are 4 of the most unprofessional idoits giving so called critique that is inconsistant amid their contempt for one another. How can you honestly say this is a show to promote talent? As a music show, American Idol should stand out from the other reality shows and set the standard for what a "good" show could be. Instead, it's just as worthless as an episode of the Jerry Spriner show!

Posted at 1:52AM on Mar 12th 2008 by Richard Brooks

70. This info was correct. David Cook rocked. I'm startin to dig him. I liked the Irish girl also. '8 Days a Week' is no country song. Tonight was proof, if proof were ever needed for some strange reason.

Posted at 1:51AM on Mar 12th 2008 by Jenny

71. WTH was Kristy Lee thinking that was the most horrible thing I have ever witnessed in my life I think she is sooo gone. And poor David what happened and if he gets through to the next round someone please tell him TO STOP LICKING HIS LIPS
he's got to stop it drives me crazy. I am like where has the talent gone?? I like the Irish girl and Michael and Chikeze he did an awsome job it really sounded great and he performed like a star. I was so happy to see him take a risk he is very talented and he showed it tonite. I like the nannie but she is going to have to do something really special to stay in; I'm worried she will be forgotten soon. Loved the trend guy but I would like to him do something different too. Still waiting for that moment where you say THAT'S A STAR :(

Posted at 2:02AM on Mar 12th 2008 by Julie

72. Katherine McPhee is a product of a stage Mom and has an "average" theater voice at best. That's why the only time she sounded halfway decent was when she sang the gay over anthem "over the rainbow". It was painful to listen to her try to "GROWL" during all of her Whitney covers, cause just like every other soulless bway wannabee white chick, they always think that the way to sound r &b and soulful is to GROWWWLLLLLL' It's so cliche and ridiculous. She's over

Posted at 3:27AM on Mar 12th 2008 by pecklesnooch

73. I was at Nobu friday night and Ryan was there with his boyfriend and 4 straight couples. I can't believe all the gay insuations Simon and now Randy were making towards him on tonites show. All the remarks about him liking women's shoes. That's not the first time they've said that to him either. Also Simon kept warning him to be careful, like he was implying he had something on Seacrest. Even Danny Noriega gave him an onstage dig last week when Ryan commented on his purple hair. I think it' sjust a matter of time before news of Ryan being outed spreads like wildfire.

Posted at 3:29AM on Mar 12th 2008 by pecklesnooch

74. Uh oh...I'm seeing BIG David Archuleta problems.

Here's the problem. Those first few weeks? He did material that he knew WELL from prior performances over the years because he was able to sing the songs he always sang and find a way to fit them in as his "choice" for the week...and he did them spectacularly.

After that? He had to learn new stuff, and he had to learn it under pressure. And instead of seeing a smooth, polished performer comfortable with what he's singing, we're seeing nervous high school kid failing at the high school talent show.

Yes, he has a huge fan base, but he's in trouble. How many weeks can we coast him through? Forgetting the words to a song? Someone that has THATmuch experience throwing himself out there in front of people (don't forget Star Search!) shouldn't be at a "I'm a gawky beginner" stage at this point.

C'mon, David. We're rooting for you, but you have problems you have to solve!

Posted at 3:37AM on Mar 12th 2008 by A fan who hopes he gets it together

75.

Ah. Michael Johns, what a pleasure to look at. He's a MAN! How I wish I was born 30 years after I was. I don't even care how he sings. I just want to see him every day. Ladies, this is what a man should look like. Yes, I know he is married ... but, he is my ideal dream man. Oh well, there isn't any chance that I'd would ever meet up with him, but I want to dream and dream about him.

Posted at 3:47AM on Mar 12th 2008 by DIANE T

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