Unexpected but understandable

Looking back on last night's results, it is amazing that more people did not predict David Hernandez would in fact be the one sent packing. The overwhelming majority of viewers believed Kristy Lee Cook's ear-offending country arrangement of "Eight Days a Week" was more than enough to seal her fate, but once again the country vote was underestimated.

In recent seasons past, the "obvious" boot left in Top 12 week (Melissa McGhee in Season 5 and Brandon Rogers in Season 6 - both of whom delivered sub-par performances including forgotten lyrics). In this case, however, David had all the makings of a Top 12 finisher, from his forgettable rendition of "I Saw Her Standing There" that was filled to the brim with melisma, to his weak attempt to distract the American public from his stripper past by laughing about being fired as a pizza deliveryman (as if it was his only previous job) in his pre-performance package Tuesday night.

Some want to believe his ouster was a conspiracy to keep David from making the tour, but that is simply not true. If all of the performances are scrutinized at the same level, it is easy to see that although his performance was not the worst, it was far from the best.

On another note, Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee returned to the Idol stage for the first time since losing the title to Taylor Hicks two years ago. She sang the George Harrison-penned "Something," and was accompanied by producer David Foster. Following the performance, Foster confirmed rumors that the two have been working on an album together, but no other details were revealed.

As for whether or not Kristy Lee can recover in time for next week when she must decide how to approach a second helping of Lennon-McCartney songs after receiving resounding disapproval over this week's country arrangement, it is fair to say that anything could happen at this point.