Thank you, Simon Cowell!

We've been saying for weeks that David Archuleta may have a great voice, but he has the personality of a desk chair. The guy puts on the same, strained performance week after week.

Cowell, meanwhile, made his similar opinion known during a recent interview with Blender. When told that his interviewer bears a resemblance to Archuleta, Cowell replied:

"I would think you have a bit more personality than he does."

As for his pick to win this season's American Idol crown, Simon also took the side we've been supporting all season:

"Probably David Cook," he said. "I think he's done more to deserve it over the eleven weeks. He's taken more risks, he's done things with certain songs that have been more interesting. If I'm gonna base it on who has done the best performances over the live shows, David Cook deserves to win."

During a night where the final three contestant sung three songs - one they chose, one the judges chose and one the producers chose - David Cook was most impressive.

Paula Abdul said she'd see him in the finals and Simon Cowell declared Cook the evening's winner. Here's a look at our favorite finalist singing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Do you agree that David Cook was the best of the night?

Of course, David Archuleta and Syesha Mercado didn't go down without a fight. Here are thumbnails of each of their performances last night. Click on each for larger pics...

Hours before the crucial semifinal performances air tonight, we have a simple question for readers:

Who do you wanna see win American Idol this season?

Write in and let us know your favorite: David Archulea, David Cook or Syesha Mercado?

In preparation for his showdown this week with David Cook and Syesha Mercado, David Archuleta sang the National Anthem before yesterday's Utah Jazz/Los Angeles Lakers NBA playoff game.

Take a look and a listen to it now.

Think David did a good job?

Soon after being voted off American Idol, Jason Castro spoke with Entertainment Weekly. Here are highlights from the interview:

So, set the record straight. You weren't sabotaging yourself? You didn't want to go home?
I did not want to go home. But at the same time, now that it happened, I'm kind of glad. It all worked out like it was supposed to. I was reaching the point where I couldn't do it anymore. I wasn't able to keep up and it all caught up with me.

Let's talk about Tuesday night. When Simon said no one should ever cover ''I Shot the Sheriff,'' did you think of reminding him that Eric Clapton did a great cover of the song?
You know, sometimes he says things that are obviously wrong. But no, I wouldn't have said that to him. My mom taught me never to make a person look wrong. I am just respectful. It's my place to sing a song and his place to judge.

Read the full interview with Castro now.

American Idol favorite David Archuleta recently spoke with Billboard.com about his experience on the show. Here are highlights of the interview:

Neil Diamond called you a prodigy and a lot of people think you have an incredible gift for music. How does that feel?

I still feel weird when people say, "you're a good singer," because I've never looked at myself like that. I've always looked at myself as someone who loves music and loves to try and interpret it as I see it.

It seems like you're always emotionally connected to the lyrics you're singing.

When I was younger, I didn't know what made me sing the song differently or how I sang it. I still don't really understand fully, but the lyrics do mean a lot to me now, a lot more than before. I didn't even pay attention to the lyrics when I was 12, 13.

Probably around the second year I did "Star Search" is when I paid more attention to the lyrics. I thought the music itself had such a power to it and now that I've understood how powerful lyrics are as well, I think that has allowed me to progress.

A dreadful performance (get it?!?) spelled the end of Jason Castro on season seven of American Idol.

After being told to "pack a suitcase" by Simon Cowell after his rendition of "I Shot the Sheriff" on Tuesday night, Castro was officially eliminated last night. It came as no surprise.

When asked what happened with his final two performances, Castro said:

"It’s just getting tough for me. I think my inexperience is coming in. This week I tried to pick two [songs] I knew and even that, I screwed it up."

We wish Jason the best. He always seemed like a nice, humble, talented young man.

For her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performances last night, Syesha Mercado wore two very different outfits.

For Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary,” Mercado was ready to party in a sparkling mini dress. Later, covering Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” the singer looked like a true diva in a long, gold and white gown.

Which look do you prefer on Syesha?

You didn’t beat the competition. You crushed the competition.

- Simon Cowell to David Archuleta, after the former finished his second song last night, "Love Me Tender."

I'd pack your suitcase.

- Simon Cowell to Jason Castro, after the former finished "I Shot the Sheriff" last night.

These two quotes pretty much summed up the performances of the final four last night. Syesha Mercado and David Cook were solid, while Castro was a mess and Archuleta was terrific.

Which of these finalists put on your favorite performance last night?

The headline to this post pretty much says it all.

In preparation for tonight's big show, David Archuleta stopped by Las Vegas and mingled with this dolphin. Hey, buddy, whatever brings you luck...