Idol (not Billy) thoughts ...

It was finally nice to see the American Idol hopefuls singing a trio of songs on the same night. Frankly, it makes this show more relevant. What did one song do for any contestant, anyway, besides spell the end if even one note was off key? Not much. But three? That was fun to watch.

And it was defining. In fact, I believe -- insert egg on face, for this is the same one I thought would be gone early in the cuts in the round of 24 -- Bo Bice cemented himself as the favorite. Even though I didn't get that special feeling from watching him sing a capella, it certainly was effective. And a little Elton John and The Rolling Stones as bookends didn't hurt, either.

If he loses this thing, it will be because the brilliant teeny-bopper public isn't ready to plop $15 a CD for the stylings of a long-haired hippy with the cross tatooed on his chest. But he's easily the most talented and versatile singer remaining, and his showmanship always was second to none. Heck, if you don't believe me, just ask Mr. Clive Davis.

As for the farm girl and daddy's girl, I think it will take a miracle for either of them to be the one celebrating come next Wednesday. Carrie Underwood has never been in the top three, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if she got the boot (at 9, 8 central) tonight. Simon called her "wooden" last night. Myself and some friends have called her "wooden" for weeks. She shows so little emotion on stage, and her country obsessioin isn't going to resonate with enough fans in the end. Especially after one horrific version of an already horrific song, I Feel Like A Woman.

Vonzell Solomon, at least in my opinion, deserves to be going head-to-head with Bo in the final. Easily the most improved contestant in the past 10 weeks, she has showcased great vocals and -- more importantly -- the willingness and desire to have fun. I wasn't happy with her stream of tears last week (I feel it kept her in the competition), but she rebounded last night. I wasn't sure, however, why Mr. Cowell had her signing On The Radio. Still, she did OK.

All that said, is there really much doubt that this year's top three is the strongest in Idol's four-year run? I mean, seriously, there is hardly a Jasmine Trias in this bunch.

QUICK HITS: Now even Ryan Seacrest is screwing up. Did you catch when he read Vonzell's numbers wrong after her second song. At least producers caught it quick enough for Metrosexual-My-Ass to read her correct numbers after the break. ... There was more number snafus at show's end when the digits took forever to pop up on Bice's replay. I doubt, at this stage of the competition, that it will have any effect. America's not that clueless, right? ... So George Huff was in the crowd last night. He always was fun. ... Glad to see Paula Abdul still is acting wild and crazy on the Idol sidelines. ... I can feel a bout of depression coming on after next week's finale. No my TV lineup will be trimmed considerably. Everwood's season finale is next Monday, followed two days later by the final Idol. And then came word yesterday that Jack & Bobby was canceled. That show was brilliant, but hardly strong enough to thrive against the Idol results and West Wing. Not sure the WB bigwigs were thinking clearly with that move.