American Idol

TMZ sources tell us that Siriano designed Season 2 "Idol" wannabeen Kimberley Locke's dress for her performance on the show tonight. Eat your emaciated heart out Posh!

Now if only Christian could make something for Paula -- and stop her from looking like a hot tranny mess!

A well-placed TMZ spy tells us Simon went after David's dad, Jeff, for the kid's song, "You're the Voice" by John Farnham. Simon said, "I don't think that is you at all and I'd be amazed if you chose the song yourself." Our spy says Simon was blaming the fiasco on daddy dearest, adding, "It's exactly where the gun was being aimed."

As TMZ first reported, Jeff Archuleta is the ultimate nightmare stage dad who was so bad when David was a contestant on "Star Search," he got banned from the lot.

Almost no one even heard of the song David sang. Simon said it sounded like David was singing something at a theme park -- which would make Daddy Jeff a real Dumbo.

Influenza is turning out to be a bigger threat to "American Idol" than DUIs, stripper scandals or the massacring of Beatles songs!

Sources tell TMZ since this season's nasty flu has infected contestants, their family members and show staff more than ever, a meeting was called to warn the "Idols" about being aware of who they come in contact with, ways to protect their voices and how to try to avoid catching the virus. Wash your hands, wannabes! We're told that some contestants have really taken it seriously and even be spotted wearing medical masks. The return of SARS!

Last night, the flu may have caused Ramiele's voice to go "bye bye"-- tonight we'll find out if she will!

He also said who'd be the next voted off "Idol" -- you won't be happy with the answer.

'Memba Josiah Leming, the "A.I." contestant who lived in his car? Our record industry sources tell us Warner Bros. Records has offered him a record deal. It hasn't been signed yet ... but it's "close."

The stripperific "AI" castoff couldn't believe that we were there to greet him outside his hotel -- not the Peninsula or the St. Regis, BTW -- but he was particularly piqued when we asked about Carly "The Irish Girl" Smithson and those pesky preggers rumors.

Though he hates "AI," Stein was a judge on "Star Search" back in 2003 -- when David was named Junior Vocal Champion!

We caught up with Hernandez on his way into town, and when we pressed him about his tryout, all he would say was that he was auditioning for a show called "Lease." ("Lease" ... "Rent" ... Is he really making a "Team America: World Police" ref? You decide.)

Arizona Dave also seemed a little bewildered by the big city, prodding random strangers for help finding a car and asking a Hasidic Jew whether he was a "Pilgrim."

The bangin' blonde has her own sandwich to tempt the tummys of the locals. With the way the judges are respoding to her performances, she may be back to slingin' these specials soon!

Photogs shouted questions about Seacrest's sexuality, Paula's kissability and his own chest hair. Despite the papstorm, Simon made a point to bring up Seal's "freak out" at TMZ's photog earlier this week -- calling it "very funny."

Though maybe it was a little bit TMI.

David Archuleta's dad, Jeff, is a piece of work.

Sources close to "Star Search" tell TMZ that when David was a contestant back in the day, Jeff's behavior was so bad, he was eventually barred from the lot! The guards actually had a picture of Jeff's mug hanging in the guard shack in case he tried sneaking in.

We're also told the father of the year harassed Tiffany Evans, his "Star Search" rival, lurking outside her practices, even trying to coerce her into drinking milk before a show to ruin her voice. She didn't listen (obviously) and went on to win.

Sources also tell us Daddy Dearest sometimes screamed at his son and has even withheld water during rehearsals, even bringing his son to tears.

At the end of the show, just before the voting began, Ryan Seacrest threw to a tape with highlights from the contestants. Michael Johns actually seemed better than when he sang earlier in the show. Fact is, it was better, because producers used Johns performance from his rehearsal earlier in the day.

Interestingly, after Johns performed live on the air, Paula remarked that she heard Johns during rehearsal and he had been a lot better then. So voters were left with the impression Johns was better than he actually was.

Ditto David Archuleta the week before, when he forgot the lyrics to "We Can Work it Out." When "A.I." played the highlight tape at the end of the show, David was seen during his rehearsal, when he was much better.

"Idol" tells us the entire montage at the end of the show is of rehearsal footage -- they simply don't have the time to turn around that video using live performances.

If you're looking to get a lot of attention at an "American Idol" taping you should be a contestant or a celebrity -- unfortunately for Rumer Willis, she is considered neither!

TMZ spies tell us the 19-year-old celebuspawn went virtually unnoticed at last night's "A.I." taping. Do you know who my parents are?!

While former "Saved by the Bell" and "90210" star Tiffani Amber Thiessen -- who was also in attendance -- and wannabes like Kristy Lee Cook received lots of screams and autograph requests last night, we're told Bruce & Demi's firstborn was unrecognized and left completely alone.

Even massacring a Beatles song is a bigger accomplishment than just being born!