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Bo Bice, who was the runner-up on American Idol a few years ago, says that FOX shouldn't let Paula Abdul go because she's part of what makes the show great .

To be fair to the other judges on the show, Bice does say that if they got rid of either Randy or Simon it would be equally devastating. I don't quite think this is true of Jackson, Paula and Simon really are the heart of the show (along with Ryan Seacrest).

Going into last night's finale of American Idol, I was very excited to see the Davids battle each other for the title. It was the first American Idol in a while that did not have an obvious winner at the outset. Even though it really was David Archuleta's night, I still hold out hope that David Cook might pull out a win. He's the one with the most potential and is the better performer. Little Archuleta has that killer voice, though.

Anyway, last night's epic battle got me thinking about past American Idol finales and whether any of them were this much of a contest. It seems like we've gone into most of the American Idol finales with obvious winners. Here's a breakdown of the past American Idol finales, and whether they stack up to last night's performances:

Welcome back to "AI Aftermath," where we explore Idol's past. Each installment, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated at the same point. We'll examine how they did on the show and what they've been up to since their eliminations. In honor of David Archuleta's elimination in the finale, we'll be looking at other second place finishers.

This week: 2nd place finishers, featuring featuring Justin Guarini (Season One), Clay Aiken (Season Two), Diana DeGarmo (Season Three), Bo Bice (Season Four), Katharine McPhee (Season Five) and Blake Lewis (Season Six).

Way back in the early days of American Idol, and by early days I mean "Season Four," there was a girl who was a little bit country and a long-haired fellow who was a little bit rock and roll. I think we all know who went on to win that season, but that southern rocker was a pretty amazing presence of his own. In fact, they were so strong together in the final, they both released "Inside Your Heaven," the Idol single for that year. And they even swapped spots at number one with the track.

Now Bo's out promoting See the Light, his latest album which is more true to his southern rock roots. But that doesn't mean he's not willing to take a break from his touring schedule to spend some quality time with the kids down at American Idol Camp this summer. The program, which began last year, is for 10-15 year olds and runs in five two-week sessions throughout the summer.

There, kids can go to learn about the music industry and hone their craft as musicians, as well as experiencing all the traditional things that make summer camps fun, just with the added bonus of hanging out with and learning from Idol alumni like Bo. For more on Idol Camp check out the official American Idol Camp website. For more on my chat with Bo Bice, follow me after the jump.

Karoake Revolution is releasing an American Idol version of its game for PlayStation 2, complete with original American Idol tunes and judgements from Randy and Simon. Players can cover one of 40 songs, including Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud", Bo Bice's "The Real Thing", Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings", and Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway". You can also channel William Hung, by singing "She Bangs". Once you've finished your song, Randy and Simon will have some remarks for you. Paula Abdul's not involved, but you can cover her '80s hit "Straight Up".

This sounds like a game for the pre-teen set at slumber parties or their very first boy-girl parties. I can see it now: an 11-year-old girl's night is ruined when Simon tells her she's the worst singer ever.

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In case you've missed it -- perhaps you were killing Jonathan Toomey for not liking Pearl Jam -- here are some highlights from the last week at TV Squad:



American Idol coverage

• 'Tis not the ponytail that brought down fair Ace.
• Page Six claims Bo Bice took a swing at an ex-NFL lineman.
• Ace gets eliminated; Chris moves to bottom 3.
• Before the results episode, Bob said that Kellie should be voted out.
• Good songs, bad clothes abound during performance show.
• USA Today article examine's AI's show-killer status.
• Bucky says that Simon Cowell is useless.
• Kelly Clarkson launches summer concert tour.
  

Breaking News

• Starbuck reveals some BSG secrets for the next season.
• Henderson Forsythe dead at 88.
• You'll never believe who's attached to the Transformers movie.
• Denise Richards gets restraining order against Charlie Sheen.
• Scrubs renewed; so was 7th Heaven (wha?)
• Watros signs on to Tom Cavanagh pilot.
• Is Watros' new role good news for Sons & Daughters fans?
• NBC is wooing Mike Wallace, according to Page Six.
• Smigel defends "Disney vault" cartoon.
• J.J. Abrams will direct the next Star Trek movie.
• California Supreme Court sides with Friends writers in harrassment case.
• Vanna White gets a star on the Walk of Fame.
• Eva Longoria not planning on renewing Desperate contract.
• Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino to leave Gilmore Girls.
• Gary Gray dead at 69.
• NBC cancels Celebrity Cooking Showdown.
• Now you can watch TV while pumping that $3 gas.
• HBO orders second season of Big Love.
• Scott Brazil dead at 50.
• Katie Holmes gives birth to an already-brainwashed girl.
• A new reality show will pick the new Elvira.
• Adult Swim to air Saved by the Bell reruns.
  

Discussions

• Listen to our tenth APB podcast.
• This Arrested Development poster looks very... familiar.
• Michael Cera of AD chats with boston.com users.
• Bill Maher is a sensitive, skilled lover... who knew?
• Lost's Boone and Shannon are dating. Gross!
• What happened to Eyes?
• Rich finds that there are a lot of 90210 alumni on TV these days.
• Which show should move: Housewives or Grey's?
• Christopher Gorham talks to me about the shelving of Out of Practice.
  

The Five

• Bob's all-time favorite TV lineups.
• Ways we've mishandled The Unit.
• Characters Bob would like to see come back.
• Best TV shows about TV shows.

Opinions

• Saturday night... ABC... Pretty Woman?
• Adam considers a Cartoon Network with live-action shows.
• I don't think the Gilmore creators' departure is such a bad thing.
• Adam comes up with a new "naming scheme" for celebrity babies.
• Those VW safety ads freak Anna out.
  

Episode Reviews

• Survivor: Exile Island: "Medical Emergency"
• MythBusters: "Bullets Fired Up"
• South Park: "A Million Little Fibers"
• Alias: "S.O.S." / "Maternal Instinct"
• Gilmore Girls: "I Get a Sidekick Out of You"
• Veronica Mars: "Never Mind the Buttocks"
• What About Brian: "Two in Twenty-Four"
• The West Wing: "Requiem"
• The Sopranos: "Live Free or Die"

OK, I'm risking a comment assault on my inbox by posting this, but what the hell, I feel like taking some (calculated) risks today:

According to everyone's favorite column, Page Six in the New York Post, Bo Bice got into a drunken scrape with a fan the other night at a midtown Manhattan pub. But this wasn't just any fan, it was Glenn Parker, who at one time was an NFL offensive lineman (he played on my favorite team, the New York Giants, the last time they went to the Super Bowl).

The article states that Parker approached the Idol reject, asking him if he was indeed Bo Bice. Bice denied it; when Parker came back to Bo to apologize for bothering him, Bo started flailing his arms, grazing Parker under the chin with one swing. Instead of crushing him like a bug, Parker called for a bartender, who helped him throw the long-haired crooner out of the bar.

Parker needs to be commended for his restraint; at 6'5" and 300 pounds, he could have really gone to town on Bice. As for Bo... well... he should be grateful his face is still intact. The next time he grows beer muscles, he may not be so lucky.

Being in the Final 12 means that you get to perform on the big stage, in front of the big crowd, with the big fancy lights. This is the AI equivalent of getting to sit at the adult table at Thanksgiving. No more of that kids' table crap. It's the big show with the bigger band and the souped-up sound system.

But there was no souped-up sound system in my apartment tonight.  

In case you've missed it -- perhaps you were busy watching the World Baseball Classic (yeah, right) -- here are some highlights from the last week at TV Squad:



More American Idol coverage

• Is Kevin Corvais being helped by a "vote for the worst" website?
• The show inspires music teachers and students.
• The final 12 are chosen.
• Bo Bice sounded like crap during his guest stint.
• Taylor becomes a windmill.
• Mandisa is Every Woman.
  

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Breaking News

• Sesame Street turns down Crowe; Bert phone-throwing sketch put on hold.
• McDermott, Malick in new ABC pilots.
• Amazon thinking about selling downloads.
• Joey's out -- again.
• Bravo to air reruns of Six Feet Under.
• Osama's niece gets a reality show.
• House gets renewed.
• Hasselhoff accused of abusing his ex-wife.
• Scrubs may make it to iTunes.
• The shows that are on the bubble for a fall return.
• The CW may bring 7th Heaven back from the dead.
• Huzzah! Bonnie Hunt to star in a new pilot.
• Daily Show and Colbert to be offered on iTunes.
• Still Standing and Yes, Dear are likely gonzo.
  

Discussions

• Who do you think will get whacked first on The Sopranos?
• Listen to our fifth APB podcast.
• Why does Jimmy Kimmel Live run a repeat on Thursdays?
• George Peppard talks to Adam from beyond the grave; apparently Cheez-Its are plentiful in the afterlife.
  

The Five

• Networks Bob can do without.
• Shows I don't see in reruns anymore.
• Shows George Clooney wishes weren't on his IMDb profile.
  

Opinions

• Adam notices a Shining connection on Everybody Hates Chris.
• Bob reviews NewsRadio Season 3 on DVD.
• Bob finds The Equalizer on Universal HD.
• What life is like for Adam, The Man Who Doesn't Like Scrubs.
• Joe Rogan fights with a MySpace user half his age. How mature.
• What the hell were critics expecting from Jon Stewart's Oscar performance?
• Sarah's night watching the Oscars.
  

Episode Reviews

• SNL: Matt Dillon / Arctic Monkeys
• Monk: "Mr. Monk Goes to the Dentist"
• Battlestar Galactica: "Lay Down Your Burdens (Part Two)"
• Survivor: Panama: Episode 6
• Invasion: "The Fittest"
• Project Runway: Finale
• The Unit: "First Responders"
• Sons & Daughters: "Anniversary Party" / "Bowling Night"
• 24: "5:00pm - 6:00pm" / "6:00pm - 7:00pm"

I timed it -- it lasted 6.3 seconds. That's how long Ace Young and Will Makar hugged when Will got eliminated. And...I saw some eye closing on Ace's part. Now, I'm not implying anything by The 6.3 Second Hug (that's what I've dubbed it), I just mention it because some of you have brought Ace's sexuality into question. Now, an extended hug (with eye closing) does not imply homosexuality, but it does give us more material to gossip with. Personally, I don't care whether he's straight or gay in the real world... because in my fantasies, he's a straight man who loves to give lady bloggers intimate backrubs by candlelight. Ahhhhhh.

But you're right, Bob, I thought Bo sounded like crap too. His throat was all scratchy like he needed some herbal tea or something. Or...maybe a closed eye hug from Ace. Who knows?

Kinnik and Will were no surprise, but I was absolutely shocked by Ayla and Gedeon going home. I don't care about either one of them, but how did Kevin make it to the big stage and not them? It's an American tragedy. I'm somewhat speechless...psych! I'm still thinking about that backrub from Ace.

But, I'm (moderately) happy with the Final 12. What about you?     

Finally. A reason to watch the American Idol results show. Tonight, Bo Bice makes a special appearance on the show that made him famous last year. He'll perform his new single, The Real Thing (no, it's not a Diet Coke ad). Bo's album of the same title is nearing platinum, with 550,000 copies sold. The video reached No. 1 this week on MTV's TRL. Will he wear shoes? Maybe. A shirt made by his grandmother? Probably. Will he call someone "cat"? Certainly.

After Bo's performance, four contestants will be booted off the show and we will finally have our Top 12 Finalists.

I'm glad that Paula decided to cover up her enormous cleavage tonight with a gargantuan fake flower. I'm normally a fan of big cleavage, but I don't like anything distracting me from Ace's pretty face or Taylor's super rad dance moves. My only question is whether or not that fake flower shoots out water? In Paula's case, it's probably vodka. Now, that would be cool!

So, let's get right to the best performance of the night... 

I'm curious about who out there actually participates in the vote. Or, do you just sit back to watch the performances and wait to see who gets booted? During the first season of American Idol, I was a passive viewer. I didn't vote once. Not even for Kelly Clarkson in the finale. During the second season, however, I voted for Clay Aiken like a mad woman. Season 3 didn't really turn my crank but I did vote regularly during Season 4 for both Carrie and Bo.

This season? So far, there's no one who's inspired me to pick up the phone and dial.

Do you call (or text) your vote for American Idol? Why? Who are you voting for this season?

The funny thing about each and every season of American Idol is the contestants with mediocre talent who continue to sail through to the next round. You know what I'm talking about. They're cute and cuddly and have oodles of personality, but they're a little short on the talent category. There's a faction of television-watching, telephone-using Americans out there who insist on keeping these people on the show while other contestants with more talent get the boot.

I have five examples of American Idol contestants who wouldn't go away:

5. Constantine Maroulis. Yeah, I said it. Constantine thought he was sexy and talented. Not an attractive characteristic on a man who only has mediocre looks and talent. Constantine regularly sang out of tune and falsely advertised himself as a rocker. He was in Rent, for crying out loud! A musical! The dude was a poser and I wanted to slap that pout right off his face. I think we all know who the true rocker was last season. (P.S. More proof he's a poser: his new album is Adult Contemporary. Watch out, Clay!)

Kelly Clarkson just solidified her standing as my favorite American Idol (sorry Bo, you're #2). She has managed to escape from the strangle-hold that American Idol has on most of its contestants' careers. In an article that comes out in today's Time magazine, Kelly says she didn't want to make From Justin to Kelly with runner-up Justin Guarini but she was contractually obligated. I never saw it, because it looked like some terrible version of Beach Blanket Bingo and it only got 8% on Rotten Tomatoes. She said, "I knew when I read the script it was going to be real, real bad...I could not get out of it." Kelly eventually did get out of her contract with 19 Entertainment, the studio that manages all the American Idol winners, when folks in charge wouldn't allow her to write any songs for her new album, Breakaway. She ended up writing or co-writing six of twelve tracks and now is managed by a new company. Just call her Miss Independent.

By the way, Kelly is scheduled to perform on the Grammy Awards this Wednesday. She is nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. Knowing that her personal stamp is on that album, I'm definitely rooting for her!