Vr6pilot - I'd certainly disagree with your statement that "the producers are smart....they know what they're doing".

While (according to the Neilsen ratings) the show was America's most watched in the seaons of 2005 thru' 2008, the latter year's viewing numbers were considerably down on the previous three seasons. They producer's unsightly scramble in 2009 to revamp the show and stem the tide, along with the inevitable loss in advertising revenue, has resulted in the dull, pedestrian and lacklustre shows we've seen so far this year. I'd be willing to bet a large amount of money that audience numbers for the current season are already well down even on last year's figures and if Danny Gokey is looking like a sure fire winner at this stage in the competition then even more viewers are likely to desert the show before the end of the season.

The speeding up of the demise of the show, along with making a rather dull programming format even more tedious to watch are hardly the actions of people who are smart or know what they're doing.

Incidently, Paula Abdul was on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson last Thursday and while she didn't give away any secrets about this year's show, she did make an unusual comment when asked about new judge, Kara. She said "it's ironic, but I was the one who discovered her in New York and brought her into my own home in LA". Suggesting that she knows she's axed next season. Anyone else pick up on that?

Did anyone else see Gokey role his eyes and make a face like a pompous jackass after ryan said there was gonna be a commercial break before he said who made it to the top 12 between Gokey and Tatiana?

Allright, Prof Chan, I've got you down for $10 on The Field and $2 on Normund Gentle. If anyone other than the 9 listed wins, you win $1,000 and if Normund wins you win $150. I'd actually be happy to pay $150 to see Normund win!

Agree on some of those past "singers" looking more dominant than anyone this year, but some not until later on. Archuletta looked destined for at least Top 2 at this point last year, but it was a few weeks into the top 12 before Cook started looking dominant. And to my recollection, no one has ever looked like more of a sure thing to win than Daughtry. Then he hit some themes he couldn't handle. Remember that face he made when he got the boot? BAAAAAA HA HA HA!

I am already sick of Danny and the incessant pimping. He just isn't that good. Average at best. Michael Sarver sucked both nights so I guess it was Simon telling America to vote for him that helped? I can't believe people would listen to Simon saying to vote for him because he's likable when he sang so badly. Simon must feel really powerful.

Hokey makes me barf, he's so annoying and thinks he's better than everyone. did anyone else notice his friend holding up the picuture of his dead wife while he sang. OMG he's annoying.

And Tatiana did kind of break down at the end and cried through the credits and Gokey's song.

I rarely ever bet against Vegas odds, but I don't see Danny winning this.

There's already been a backlash against the dead wife thing, and he doesn't have the looks to compete for the teen girl vote, which is the key to victory as they are the ones who don't merely vote, they spend 2 solid hours speed voting on their daddys' cell phones.

He's a mediocre singer at best, and will not fare well with certain themes.

He carries the "overweight housefrau" vote, which is not, in and of itself, enough to win.

I give him no better than final four.

edit: and now, it turns out that his church is one of those prosperity-doctrine, cult-lite family businesses run by a husband/wife "ministry team". That's not going to exactly expand his fanbase.

the show was America's most watched in the seaons of 2005 thru' 2008

- the producers know what they're doing.

the latter year's viewing numbers were considerably down

-as happens with almost ALL recurring series and anyone would take some measure to revive it before giving up. Bart Simpson might go "emo" before that franchise expires.

I'd be willing to bet a large amount of money that audience numbers for the current season are already well down even on last year's figures

-Unless Ryan Seacrest is just a straight-up liar, the show received 10mil more votes over last year at the same point in the program. But then, that could just be "you guys" with your auto-diallers

Allright V6pilot, I've got you down for a large amount of money on the show's audience being less than last year.