We interrupt our typical American Idol Season Seven updates to bring you news about one of our favorite former finalists:

Katharine McPhee has been named the newest face of Neutrogena. The singer follows a list of celebrities who have enjoyed such an honor, including Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jennifer Garner. The American Idol Season 5 runner-up signed a two-year contract to promote the product.

This has been a big year for McPhee, who married longtime boyfriend Nick Cokas in February.

Following her emotional elimination from American Idol this week, Ramiele Malubay spoke to TV Guide. Here are highlights from the interview:

On Simon Cowell:"Oh, he likes me, I know he does. I... believe in my heart that he says the things he says, sometimes he overdoes it; it's TV, but he just wants us to be better."

Advice for future American Idol contestants: "Be yourself... enjoy every single minute of it, because if you think too far ahead you're going to miss the fun stuff when you look back."

What she learned: "I learned to be [a more] humble person. I learned to... appreciate the little things and to be more courteous to people."

We all witnessed the tears of Brooke White and Ramiele Malubay last night. But what did viewers at home not see during the broadcast?

A few interesting notes:

• Michael Johns dabbed the sweat from his brow moments after learning he was safe; he then took his spot on the couch next to fellow survivors Carly Smithson and David Archuleta.
• Ramiele Malubay — before learning her fate as the next Idol to go — wiped the tears from her eyes after watching the touching moments between former American Idol Bo Bice and the love of his life, his son, up on the big monitor.
• Kristy Lee Cook, after learning she was safe, handed the paper sign (which we found obnoxious) that read “Bottom Three” to a lucky fan in the pit.

It was time for Ramiele Malubay to go home last night, as tears filled her eyes as soon as Ryan Seacrest announced she was stuck in the bottom three. She knew it was her time to say goodbye.

A less-than-stellar Dolly Parton interpretation doomed Ramiele on Tuesday night, as she was joined by Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White in the trio with the lowest number of votes.

Here's a shot of fellow American Idol finalists comforting Malubay after the announcement was made. We wish her the best of luck.

By now, everyone has watched the American Idol performances from Dolly Parton night, right? And everyone has wished David Cook a speedy recovery after his hospitalization?

In that case, it's time to get down to the real issue of the day: Who is going home tonight?

The obvious candidates are all safe - Cook, David Archuleta, Brooke White, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns. So, do you think it's time for Kristy Lee Cook to get the hook?

We wouldn't be shocked if so. But our money is on Ramiele Malubay. She has a great voice, but every performance feels the same. At least Cook keeps things fresh with her attempts to mock and/or flirt with Simon Cowell.

Leave a comment and let us know who you voted for. 

Like Al Gore endorsing a democratic candidate (come on, Mr. Gore, just give your props to Barack Obama already), the opinion of a past American Idol on this season's candidates can go a long way toward influencing viewer voting.

With that in mind, consider who Jordin Sparks wants to win:

"Based on last week, David Cook went way up in my book," last year's champion said, obviously impressed by Cook's rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean."

Does Sparks watch American Idol regularly?

"I'm an Idol freak!" she added. "I watched the show before I was on it, and I watch now."

Simon Cowell was interviewed by Entertainment Weekly following last Tuesday night's performances. Here's some of what our favorite judge had to say:

How do you feel the show is going this season?
It's interesting. I think the audience are much more savvy than I've seen them in previous years, and much less forgiving, which I'm happy about. I've got a feeling this year something strange could happen, particularly after what happened with David Cook last night. Because, I've got to tell you, watching it back, this performance he did on "Billie Jean," in my opinion, was in a different league to anything we've heard on the season so far.

Chin up, David Cook. Simon Cowell thinks you're the one to beat. So do we.

It was so much better, [chuckles] he kind of made some of the other performances seem ridiculous. But I'm glad! He was smart — I know where he got the arrangement of the song from, but that doesn't really matter. He was brilliant! And I was concerned three or four weeks ago that this was just going to be a coronation for David Archuleta and it's just a question of who comes [in] second. I'm not so sure anymore.

And, you know, with Jason Castro last night — there's a guy who thinks he's just sailing along, and I thought it was a bad performance. You give somebody like him a kick up the ass, let's see what he can deliver now. But I thought it was, um, an interesting night last night.

To be sure. Some very odd song choices.
And very clever song choices. That "God Bless the U.S.A." [sung by Kristy Lee Cook] — smart girl. Gotta tell you [laughing] when your back's against the wall, she knew what she was doing. I thought that was very smart. I'll be amazed if she gets booted out on the back of that [song].

There are many strong contenders on season seven of American Idol. But we'll go out on a (not too dangerous) limb right now and state the following:

The finals will come down to David Archuleta and David Cook.

Do you prefer the innocent, beautiful voice of Archuleta? Or the risky, exciting choices made by Cook? To help viewers decide, here's a look at the pair's most memorable performances so far this season:

Are you a David Archuleta fan...

... or a David Cook supporter?

Fox has announced that Idol Gives Back - the fund-raiser that in its inaugural edition generated $76 million for charity - this season will be broadcast Wednesday, April 9, from 8 to 10 pm/ET.

Promising an event "bigger and more ambitious than ever," Fox thus far has lined up the following celebrities:

• Bono
• Brad Pitt
• Reese Witherspoon
• Miley Cyrus
• Mariah Carey
• Eli Manning
• Peyton Manning
• Fergie
• Chris Daughtry
• Carrie Underwood
• Annie Lennox
• John Legend
• Snoop Dogg

Ruben Studdard is back on the radar of American Idol.

The Season 2 champion, whose albums haven't exactly topped the charts, will perform the "farewell song" used to play off contestants as they are eliminated from the top 12 this season. The song will be a cover of Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home," in a new version produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam.

"It's very soulful, very heartfelt," Lewis said. "Ruben is singing his pants off."

Season 5's farewell song, Daniel Powter's "Bad Day," went on to sell 1.9 million copies and was the top digital download of 2006.