I definitely agree that he wanted to go home. His performances went way down the tubes the last few weeks and one time behind the stage, when the girls were practically shaking with fear of going home, Jason was yawning. This week he could have really cranked with a good Rasta song, but he wore his guitar like an accessory and didn't even play it!! I think way back he realized that he could well win the show and then AI would own him for a year and that, alone, can be pretty intimidating. I also think many people try out for the show without a real clear understanding of how gruelling the process can be. I think he got sick of it. Oh well, he was fun to watch while he was there.

I'm all COOKSTER now.

Techwife & Tonia--I will miss Jason too, but I really think he was ready to go. I do like his mellow style.

I don't get the David A factor. I agree with the poster that said he would do good on the Disney channel. I have always liked Syesha but Ireally thought it was going to be a all boy final.

LOVE David Cook....

Bo Bice still looked good to me though I didn't care for the song...

I normally don't vote (except for the year Carrie won), but I'm going to start texting some votes for David Cook. I think he is clearly the most talented and deserves to win. I agree with many others, let's have a rocker win.

I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE American Idol. I was a frequent voter, watched every season, but I can admit that it's really going down hill and I truly believe that the show is somewhat rigged.

I do love the contestants this year (I'm rooting for David Cook!) and I have to agree - Jason was cool, real mellow, but he didn't seem like his heart was really in it to win it. I was kinda glad to see him go.

I live near Salt Lake and this was David A week. All over the news. All over the paper. All over the radio. I can't stand it. I don't even watch the show.

OK, I watched Neil Diamond night. I don't care what his age is, he can drop his sparkly shirt under my bed anytime.

LOL About the sparkly shirt under the bed. I love Neil!! David Cook did a GREAT job w/ his songs, especially :-)

As far as last night, WHAT IS UP with Fantasia now? She looked/sounded absolutely terrible. Simon's face was so funny during it!!!!!

I rode to work with my brother today...he has Sirius radio in his truck...they have a NEIL DIAMOND station going right now...loved it!! can't wait until October!!

oh....Angie and I just watch Dancing With The Stars now....pulling for Cook.

I'd love to see David Cook win but going by tonight's performance I think young David did it.

I agree, I think it's David A, although they will both have amazing careers, I'm sure. I think David Cook has the originality and is much more marketable, but if we're voting by pure talent alone, David A. is it!

I have been sick and went to bed BEFORE AI even came on. I would love to see David C win but I think it will be David A. I totally agree David A has a great voice but it seems to me he's a one trick pony with the ballad only style(.....waiting to be bashed....) He doesn't do as well with the more upeat songs (jmho) David C is much more versatile.

As far as fans....to each their own....

Jules - I'm with you.

(please don't bash me but...)

To me David Archuleta is a younger, more awkward Rod Stewart, or maybe a Phil Collins. Sure, he's got some fans, but his music all sounds sort of the same, and no one gets really excited about him. And he looks like he's in pain while he's singing, or at least really uncomfortable. I never once saw him do anything innovative, or exciting...just stood up there and sang ballad after ballad. After ballad. Maybe he's more of a Josh Groban or something...amazing, gorgeous voice, yes...but very limited in terms of what it can do (after all, you've never heard Josh Groban sing an upbeat pop number).

Then you have David C - who more than once took an old classic song and really made it new, and special, and interesting...who is infinitely marketable (let's not forget, the former idol contestant who has sold the most albums is CHRIS DAUGHTRY), and introduces a category of winner that has never won the show before (rocker).

I don't understand why people are so excited about Archuleta. He has a beautiful voice. Many, many people have beautiful voices. What makes someone a star is stage presence. I just don't see it.

I think they are equally talented, but in different ways. Its all a matter of what your taste is. My mom LOVES the Archlator, but she also LOVES Josh Groban, who I find to be massively talented, but coma inducing all at the same time. Same with Archulator.

Cookster, on the other hand, is Daughtry with hair. Very talented, but slightly less polished voice than Archulator...slightly... I love his versatility. BUT...is it just me, or is he starting to remind me of a skinny Jack Black?

I'm on the Cookster side. Just for the record. But I like them both.

Not sure, but I really think David A. might be a bit...OK...REALLY constipated...at least that's the way it looks to me when he sings and waits for Paula's fabulous comments