We mock Paula Abdul a lot on this site because, well, have you ever heard her American Idol critiques/rants?

But we have nothing but praise for the occasionally wacky judge for her - and many others' - actions as part of the Idol Gives Back special.

Here's a shot of Abdul hugging a child from tomorrow night's broadcast. Please remember to tune in, call in and help out with a donation:

Brad Pitt is just one of several celebrities who will make an appearance on this Wednesday's Idol Gives Back special. Here's a shot of the actor during his taped segment.

The show hopes to top last year's $75 million raised in the name of charities across the world.

We plan on calling in and helping out. We hope you do, too.

Here's an interview former American Idol finalist Clay Aiken recently gave, during which he discussed his Broadway run in Spamalot, along with other interesting topics:

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].