American Idol

Classic songs have been butchered every week on "American Idol" -- and next week they are taking stabs at the ones that inspire them. Jesus take the wheel!

Until TMZ moles obtain the song list -- and we will -- we've created a song list the wannabes should consider for themselves.

And all this before cocktail hour - not that Paula does cocktail hour.

"A.I" contestant David Cook was rushed to the hospital tonight after experiencing heart palpitations and high blood pressure, and released a few hours later. His condition is still not resolved.

As we first reported, Cook was not feeling well during the day and his condition worsened after his performance. Cook was examined by show medics who determined his blood pressure was "far too high." Cook was urged to leave for the hospital during the show, but he wanted to wait it out.

After the show, Cook was driven to the hospital (not by ambulance) and treated by a private doctor to keep everything on the down low. The doctor gave Cook medication to bring his blood pressure down and he will monitored again Wednesday.

TMZ has learned what probably triggered the medical emergency with David Cook tonight.

As we first reported, Cook was taken to the hospital after his heart began palpitating and his blood pressure rose. We're told Cook, who has high blood pressure to begin with, has been under tremendous stress because his brother has been ill. We're told David's brother, who has cancer, suffered a setback within the last week, and it has really put David on the ropes.

David has been completely stressed out during the entire season. During one of the first shows, David broke down and said he couldn't perform that night -- and changed his mind at the last minute.

We're told earlier tonight, David began complaining that he did not feel well. After the performance, Cook reassured people he was OK -- but ultimately realized he needed medical help.

TMZ has learned that "A.I" contestant David Cook has been taken to the hospital after experiencing heart problems during tonight's show.

We're told Cook's heart was palpitating at a high rate and his blood pressure was high as well. Producers wanted him to go to the emergency room before the show ended, but David wanted to stay until it was over.

As if the David Cook emergency wasn't enough, Ryan Seacrest suffered his own injury at "A.I." tonight.

The TMZ newsroom is split -- half of us (like a lot of you commenters!) think the last line in the Elliott Yamin article was way out of line, the other half, well, not so much.

What do YOU think? Was it in bad taste, or just a joke? Polls close at 6:30 PM ET. Majority rules. If 51% say take it down, we will.

Claudette Yamin had been hospitalized over the weekend -- so far, no cause of death revealed. She recently returned to her home in Richmond from L.A., the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

Yamin finished in 3rd place in 2006 on "Idol," behind Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks.

Chris Cornell wants everyone to know that he really liked David Cook's rendition of "Billie Jean" on "Idol" last week -- because he did it first!

In an interview on Billboard.com, Cornell admits Cook "sang it great," but adds, "it was literally a note-for-note take on what I came up with." Step off, wannabe!

While Ryan Seacrest did give Cornell credit for the innovative cover on the show, Cook's imitation has Chris singing all the way to the bank -- Cornell's "Billie Jean" has jumped to #12 on iTunes. Sing copycats, sing!

The British loudmouth left Ago last night with an open Heineken bottle in hand. Law enforcement tells us Simon could have been ticketed for illegally drinking in public. At least he wasn't Lohaning driving.

Danny and Ross managed to assassinate the Joan Jett classic "I Love Rock N' Roll," while karaoking aboard Rosie O'Donnell's "R Family Vacations" cruise. Although Danny tried to put some effort into the song, Ross made the whole thing a big joke, and proudly posted it on his blog.

Happy Friday, everyone!

A TMZ spy was at the taping of "Idol Tonight" on the TV Guide Channel, where wannabeen David Hernandez was pumping Justin Guarini for advice during commercial breaks. Justin was overheard telling the former stripper, "The sky's the limit man, just get it while it's hot" and encouraging him to "make decisions for yourself."

If all else fails, "Idol Tonight" could always use a third "AI" reject host.

Danny hit up Oasis nightclub in Upland, Calif. for their weekly Drag Idol contest and posed with one of the fierce hot tranny mess contestants.

Despite looking like a Jessica Alba impersonator, Danny did not enter the competition.

Season 6 "A.I." wannabeens Melinda Doolittle and Chris Richardson ('memba them?) are realizing that life post-"Idol" can be cold -- ice cream cold!

With their music careers frozen, Melinda and Chris are making ends meet by shilling ice cream as part of a Dreyer's ice cream national promotional tour -- at Vons, Stop & Shop and Winn-Dixie! "Idol" loser in aisle three!

Kristy Lee and Ramiele need not worry about their future -- somewhere there's a Safeway (or a local balloon festival, outlet mall or housing development) waiting for them!