'American Idol' top 12 finals contestants party it up

L-R) American Idol contestant David Archuleta stands with fellow contestant Carly Smithson, former contestant Justin Guarini and current contestant David Hernandez as they attend the American Idol Top 12 Party at the Pacific Design Center on March 6, 2008 in West Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter, Getty Images / March 7, 2008)

We now have our top twelve (Amanda Overmyer, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Chikezie, David Archuleta, David Cook, David Hernandez, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado) and a very worthy crew this is.

But with the endgame developing, I share these "Idol" thoughts with you this morning, reserving the right to change them at a moment's notice the minute someone comes up with reasonable counterarguments.

How thrilled can "Idol" producers be that...David Archuleta is a such a ridiculous front-runner? They certainly have an idea at this point who they want to win - that is, who will ultimately sell the most stuff for RCA Records, Planet 19, and the 1001 other entities that exploit winners of this show. Archie's gotta be close or at the top of their list. But being the presumptive winner this early the game is not good because everyone assumes it's already over, so why vote for him anyway?

How thrilled can "Idol" producers be that....Carly Smithson might eventually pull this out? Everyone, or most everyone, deserves a second act in show biz, and Carls is getting her's now, (and she deserves it, given her evident talent.) But she sold like ten, or was it nine, albums when she had that big multi-million dollar contract for MCA last century. Will she do better with a new record label, or...?

How thrilled can "Idol" producers be that...David Hernandez might win? I think the guy's one of the most talented of the field, so he has a shot. But that stripper past..."Idol" producers say (or pretend that it) "doesn't matter." But what about Coke? I wonder how those guys feel? The winner's gotta represent their interests too (along with that of many other sponsors.) What's Coke's slogan these days? "The Coke Side of Life." I wonder if the Coke Side of Life includes lap-dancing?

How thrilled can "Idol" producers be that...Michael Johns is the winner? Fine singer, certainly, and plenty of talent. He has a real shot too. But he was born in Perth, Australia and still has a passable Aussie accent. It's a wonderful thing, but this is "AMERICAN Idol" is it not? Wonder how they'd feel down under if an American contestant rose to the top of Australia's "Idol" edition. I'll tell you how they'd feel - outraged! (That's the Aussies for you.) No one here'll care too much, but if Carls and Michael reach the top final two, can this show reasonably be named " American Idol" this season?

Those are my "Idol" thoughts for the day. Feel free to throw verbal darts..