Chris Stover

It may just be me, but the folks at American Idol seem to be pulling something behind America’s backs. And I’m not talking David Archuleta’s dad.

In tonight’s show, each contestant sang three songs. The first was chosen by the judges, the second chosen by the contestant and the third chosen by the producers.

Yes, the producers.

The producers, who should have no impact on the results of the show. The producers, who allow America to vote on their favorite song of the night. The producers, who have oh-so-much power in their hands.

It seems to me that the producers attempted sabotage - I said it - sabotage on tonight’s show. After an “OK middle round,” as Simon called it (side note - AI quote of the week - Simon compared David Archuleta’s second song as “a chihuahua trying to be a lion”), the producers chose the third song.

David A.’s - forgettable. Some mushy ballad with little room for variation.

Syesha’s - some pop song I’ve heard but have no interest in hearing again.

David Cook’s - Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” - the most recognizable, most appropriate song in the competition.

By giving D.C. a pop ballad by Aerosmith - perhaps the most well known modern pop ballad possible - the producers give him an edge in the competition. As he performed on stage, literally surrounded by the entire string section of the orchestra, the entire studio emitted an aura of This is the David Cook Show.

And the other two? Eh. Let’s just put them on a stool and see what they can do with this song.

The purpose of AI is to have the people choose the winner based on what the artists choose as their song. Sure, a pick by the judges is OK as long as it’s counterbalanced by a pick from the contestant. But the contestants batted 1 for 3 tonight. Even the judges criticized the song selection.

If that’s not telling you something, I don’t know what is.

The producers gave an advantage to a contestant who probably would need no advantage anyway to get in the finals. They took away a shot at an up-and-coming Idol - Syesha - for making it to the finale. And they made Americans cringe at favorite David A.

Way to ruin the credibility of your show, producers. Let’s just see about a 2009 season.