American Idol: Firing on All Cylinders

Why is American Idol firing on all cylinders?

Take a look at some of these excerpts from the AP and LA Times:

3 Nights of `Idol' Beat 1 Oscars Night: "The math is simple: three nights of "American Idol" beats one night of the Academy Awards. Fox dominated the television ratings again behind its hit competition, which was seen by roughly 29 million people on both Tuesday and Wednesday last week. A special Thursday edition had more than 23 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. Meanwhile, ABC didn't get quite the usual boost from the Academy Awards. The 32 million people who watched Sunday's show was the smallest Oscars audience since Nielsen began keeping those records in 1974."

"February sweeps month ratings... with a couple of days left in the sweep, Fox is averaging 17.8 million viewers, up 49% from last year. The other networks are down sharply, with percentage drops ranging from 13% (NBC) to 49% (CBS)...Through Monday, Fox's biggest successes include the Super Bowl (97.5 million viewers), the post-Bowl episode of 'House' (30.3 million) and 'American Idol' (averaging 27.6 million)."

Corporate Partnerships/Sponsors

Partnership with iTunes… earlier this week, Apple and Fox unveiled a partnership that links their respective iTunes and Idol franchises. Under the terms of the deal, performances by American Idol contestants will appear on the iTunes Store the day after they're on television. American Idol fans can also pre-order performances from their favorite contestants from the iTunes Store, which will be automatically downloaded the day after the show airs. And the store will have the music tracks of the top 24 semifinalists available for purchase for 99 cents per song.

While the financial terms of the Apple-“Idol” agreement are unclear, the show’s other sponsors (Coca-Cola, Ford and AT&T) pay around $35 million for on-air / off-air product placement and promotion, as well as weekly commercial spots.

Beatles Catolog

The music publisher that controls the Beatles' John Lennon-Paul McCartney composed hits has given Idol the go-ahead to let its contestants have their way with the likes of "Yesterday," "Let It Be" and, should someone be so brave, "I Am the Walrus." Ryan Seacrest broke the news yesterday on his morning radio show in Los Angeles. "It's something we've waited for for seven seasons now," Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Seacrest. "Sony has agreed to release the Lennon and McCartney songbook to us."

 So you ask who are my top three choices for the male and female contestants?

1.) Michael Johns. The Australian is 29-year-old. His hometown is Buckhead, Ga.

2.) David Archuleta. He is the 17-year-old who sang the John Lennon song "Imagine," two nights ago. His hometown is Murray, Utah

3.) David Hernandez sang "Papa was a Rolling Stone." He is from Glendale, Ariz. and is 24-years-old.

4.) Carly Smithson, She is the Irish girl. Simon said she has the best vocals of all the girls. She's 24-years-old from San Diego, Calif. She auditioned previously, but had to drop out  because her Visa expired.

5.) Syesha Mercado. She is 21-years-old from Sarasota, Fla. She is stunning and has a huge voice.

6.) Ramiele Malubay. She wants to be the first "Asian Idol." She is 20-years-old from Miramar, Fla.
Tell me. Who are your favorite choices and why do you like the show?