2008 Power Rankings - week 9

The ugliness continues as AI7 has the dreams of two of its remaining
three contestants within their reach. This week's Power Rankings (I'm
looking for an official sponsor of them, under my copyright; imagine
"The NASCAR AI Power Rankings" for example), provided the most internal
debate we've ever had. Until show time, a major shakeup was being given
major consideration. What we learned afterwards, well, the PR speaks
for itself.

3. Syesha Mercado - Wow, she appealed to the following demos: hot chick,
potential wardrobe malfunction, race, almost total sympathy etc. She
played every card she had but her dad and she won the pot to the final
three. Unfortunately, her voyage ends here unless the most
significantly stunning upset ever on AI occurs next week. Guess what
though, if that happens, right now, I'd say she'd be 50-50 to win
against the remaining David due to "other David hatred" by their
respective fans. I never thought she had Vonzell Solomon in her but I
got to give her mad props for how she negotiated the way to the final
three.

2. David Cook - Had last night continued the trend of the past three
weeks, I was prepared to make the most drastic reversal/call that I've
ever made in the PR, going back to when I almost put Elliott Yamin over
Taylor Hicks with four weeks to go! I was, very seriously, considering
either a tie for number 1 with Archuleta or a 250 to 500 baby gorilla
for Cook. He had it in his grasp. Add in Cowell's EW comment about "I
hope he wins," two weeks ago and you'd have needed glasses not to see
the politics and the demographic shift that was on the horizon.
However, "DC is back but Archuleta crushed the competition" (combining
Simon's comments in conclusion last night), well, let's just say that
David Cook might have left (for whatever reason(s), I won't speculate)
the opportunity of a lifetime slip right through his hands. He still
leads on both coasts but Archuleta made inroads, especially in the
Southwest, Northwest and in Texas. DC went from just having to beat
Archuleta to his now having to beat him while DA, again, has to lose;
although by no means the same spread that he did five weeks ago.

1. David Archuleta - He lost 600 pounds as our gorilla in three short
weeks to 1250 last week. He was about to lose a whole lot more this
week had the trends continued. However, not only was the downward trend
halted, a passing Simon Cowell comment left many who we spoke, convinced
that the kid remains the one to beat. However, he's still on a diet,
although instead of a gastric bypass sized weight loss, he's down to a
half ton gorilla. Next week could see him shrink to almost nothing or
be declared the winner. That's how crazy the politics and demographics
of AI7 have become! Add in Brooke White's large group of crossover
supporters and Archuleta may have picked the right time for another
climb to the peak of AI victory. People, from the major demos have been
talking since the show that "Archuleta is back!" and "Simon called it.
etc". He's got a solid hold on the Heartland of America and last night
they, once again, started calling with both hands and two phones for
him, once again. The tweens and grandmas are back on board, fully
committed. If he wins, does Lloyd-Webber's "keep your eyes open"
comment deserve honorable mention for the win?

Points to ponder - 1.) I keep coming back to peaking and/or
re-peaking at the right time. Archuleta was attempting to lead wire to
wire which only Underwood has done (and Clay almost did until the
final). That's a heavy responsibility for a kid. He had to recover
last night and he did. Similarly, Cook (whether he took the night off,
had a bad night, believed he was the presumptive champion, who knows?)
picked the worst possible night to let DA back in through the front
door. 2.) If there is anything to this TMZ thing, maybe the huge volume
of tween support has caused a final reassessment by TPTB. Their
discretionary income is incredible and can buy a lot of d/l's on I-Tunes
etc. as well as concert tickets with mom and grandma. 3.) The tea leaves
next week may well tell the outcome. 4.) If Syesha makes the finals,
and you can place a legal bet, take the odds for as much as you can lose
without losing sleep. An eliminated David's fans will vote long and
heavy against the remaining David. Add in, like Obama, that Syesha
would have the overwhelming Af-Am support at that time and AI's biggest
upset ever would be worth a decent odd's bet.

That's it for week 9 of the 2008 Power Rankings. I can't thank you
enough for your continued kindnesses towards me over the years. As
always, your questions, comments and new issues raised are always
welcomed and encouraged. See you next week!