Vonzell Solomon this past week was an example. Vonzell sang an Elvis tune then a popular current song that even I heard of. I believe the title is "I Become a Hero". If that's not the title it is definitely a lyric.

To my ears and eyes Vonzell did a wonderful job and as stated, I think she was the best of the evening. She wore a beautiful dress, looked lovely and performed wonderfully.

Cowell said she was very "vulnerable tonight".

But that's not all.

Cowell called Anthony Federov "insipid and amateurish". He said Scott Savol was "more flat than in tune".

For those who I consider his favorites to win-Bo Bice or Carrie Underwood, his comments were more flattering. Bo, Cowell said, made the other performers of the evening look like "amateurs". Cowell was a little less complimentary of Carrie Underwood, calling her performance "robotic"..."but good". An effluent compliment for Simon.

Think about it. There's already been one big, lovable guy winner-Ruben Studdard. There's already been a hip black chick, Fantasia. There's already been a crooner, Clay Aiken. Walking a bit in Cowell's shoes, I think he'd prefer either a country and western singer such as Underwood or a rocker type like Bice. So his post-performance commentary favor this preference rather than the quality of singing or star quality of the performance.

Of course the public decides. Sometimes members of the public vote four or five hundred times each. But the judges comments have some affect on the voting, surely.

Speaking of judges, a 2003 contestant, Corey Clark, has come out of the woodwork to reveal an affair between him and judge Paula Abdul. I watched the ABC special but thought it was much ado about nothing. Except, I suppose, judges really shouldn't be sleeping with people they are judging.

However, Corey Clark did not win that year's competition and it must be emphasized, Paula Jones does not decide who wins. Besides, Corey Clark is no American Idol. He has a mediocre voice at best.

Clark and ABC presented a lot of compelling evidence re the alleged romance between him and Paula, including voice messages and phone records. Still they are both adults and if Paula Abdul violated her judge contract than it's on Fox to deal with. Paula Abdul cannot decide who wins the contest as much as ABC would like to insinuate.

It's a tempest in a teakettle. A bit titillating perhaps.

More than anything the whole thing will likely boost American Idol ratings rather than dragging them down.

For updated AI pics with all contestants for this year plus an interesting pic of Scott, visit My Blog.