American Idol

The "AI" hunk used to sing with a local Phoenix cover group called Tribe 7. Their mantra: "To consistently deliver a high standard of musical entertainment, with a professional work ethic." Does that mean he keeps his clothes on?

According to our spy, Kristy Lee Cook's parents had no faith in their daughter beating out Asia'h Epperson and were convinced she was getting the boot. Carly Smithson's mom was at the opposite end of the spectrum, acting cocky about her baby -- who has wowed the judges so far.

Simon would be pissed.

In 2001-2002, Johns played centre half-forward for the Atlanta Kookaburras. The position is a physically demanding one, where he kicked 24 goals, including 11 in one game, which TMZ is told is the equivalent of 6 or 7 touchdowns.

The Kookas have been holding "AI" viewing parties each week at a local Atlanta bar to raise support and have also encouraged voting on their website. Also, the local FOX channel, WAGA, will have an interview with Johns about playing footy on Tuesday.

TMZ spies overheard crew members on the lot who were quite upset they showed up to work a rehearsal performance that never happened. The crew griped to one another that the rehearsal was canceled because of the fear of secrets getting out.

Audience members were told that the rehearsal was nixed because Blake Lewis could only do his performance live -- but it ended up being pre-taped before the live feed anyway. In fact, we're told they almost had to do a second Blake performance because the crowd reaction wasn't so hot. His prognostication skills weren't so hot either: He told the judges before the show he thought Chikezie was going to be voted off.

Sources close to Danny tell TMZ that Noriega is unfazed by all the media attention his video rants are getting. We're told it's a non-issue for the 18-year-old and he chalks it up to just being young. Yeah, but what's his excuse for this week's purple extensions?!

As far as David is concerned, sources close to the 24-year-old say that you wouldn't know there was any scandal surrounding Hernandez based on his current behavior. We're told David has maintained focus and channels all his energy into his music. Sources say David doesn't appear upset and is very professional. People who have received lap dances from David probably consider him a pro too!

He may be the one to beat on "American Idol," but David Archuleta still has a lot to learn!

The 17-year-old gets on-set tutoring for three hours a day while on "Idol," but TMZ has obtained the required reading list of lil' David's 11th grade class at Murray High School.

While David has been belting out John Lennon and Phil Collins classics, students at his Utah high school have been trudging through the classics like "Catcher in the Rye," "The Crucible," "The Great Gatsby," "Macbeth," "Much Ado About Nothing," and "Hamlet." Will he win or not win -- that is the question!

Well-connected record industry sources tell TMZ the major publishers (including Sony and Warner) have already set their sights on David Archuleta and David Hernandez. The record publishers have already told their songwriters to write songs specifically for David-squared, whether they win or not.

Apparently Danny has a big family -- including an older brother that doesn't like people messing with his little bro. Simon better watch what he says!

Hernandez originally worked with Universal, but the label suddenly dropped him before he was discovered anew by Vocal Chills Management, another NYC-based artist management company -- that's Jacob Madrid, another Vocal Chills artist, he's vamping with. Right now, of course, David might be better known for his smooth chest -- but his smooth vocals should count for something, too.

The bar where "Irish American Idol" contestant Carly Smithson used to work doesn't want her back -- because they want her to win!

TMZ spoke to some of Smithson's former co-workers at popular San Diego Irish bar The Field and they say Carly, who started out as a server and got promoted to bartender, is easy-going and good-natured. We're told her specialty was serving Guinness beer with hearts and shamrock shapes in the foam. That's talent, folks! Co-workers said Carly even picked up cooking tips from the bar's chef and loved making bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Paging PETA!

Despite releasing a failed album on MCA Records in 2001, we're told Carly often would sing at the bar after her Saturday night shift. Sounds like good "Idol" practice, because singing in front of a room full of drunks probably isn't that different than performing for Paula!

David Cook and Michael Johns were talking while the girls were on the stage, discussing who was hot. At one point David said, "I would do her," pointing to someone -- sorry, we don't know who.

The worst performance was courtesy of Brooke White, though she looked the best. She sang a slowed-down, country version of "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar and it sucked. The best performance was Asia'h Epperson, who sang "I Want to Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston.

All the contestants were there and they have some kind of code, constantly referring to "shenanigans," which normally is a buzzword for hijinks, but they were clearly referring to something specific.

Danny Noriega and Ramiele Malubay are definitely best friends. He was on the side making a half-a-heart sign with his hands and she would complete the heart. The two talked about going to the mall for food after rehearsal.

David Cook was making fun of David Archuleta, like a big bro ragging on lil' bro. Cook was beaucoup arrogant during the rehearsal.

Seacrest sang "You Give Love a Bad Name" and was just as bad as yesterday, but lil' blondie freely admitted he was bad.

A 25-year-old mother of five accidentally left two of her young children in the bathtub last week in Indianapolis, leaving one to nearly drown -- because she was too busy watching "American Idol." Don't worry -- like Luke Menard, the kid survived.

According to a police report, Sheila Brooks placed her youngest kids (Sirius, 3, and Sereena, 1) in the tub and then went to another room to fetch some clothes. After watching "Idol" for a few minutes with two of her other children -- Daesheana, 7, and Dasianaye, 5 -- Brooks suddenly remembered about the other two kids and sent Daesheana to get them out.

The police say that when Daesheana got to the bathtub, she found Sirius submerged underwater and not moving. She called for her mom, who then performed CPR and called 911.

We've turned up pictures of Chikizzle when he was working at the Transportation Security Administration at the Los Angeles International Airport, where he was a baggage screener.

Chikizzle was a member of the TSA Choir, which performed at TSA functions (who knew!). Turns out the manager at Terminal 4 was an even bigger star than Chikizzle. The manager played backup keyboard for Santana in the 60's.

David has performed on over 12 luxury liners in the last two years. The boy likes to cruise!

"American Idol" wannabe Danny Noriega has issues.

We found out Danny attended Sierra (Continuation) High School in Azusa, Calif., a school dedicated to "at-risk" kids.

The crowd at the school? According to Sierra High's website, students are "significantly behind in credits -- and at risk of not graduating -- who want a second chance to succeed and achieve a high school diploma."

Danny graduated last year, but school sources tell us he had a rough time, working through his "gothic" phase -- that's when Danny boy went on his Christmas video rampage. One source says Danny had "multiple issues" which landed him at the school.