Who will be next 'Idol'?

Something very strange is going on with "American Idol" this year. It's way too normal.

As the top 10 contestants take the stage tonight to see who will stay and who will go, there's barely a ripple of controversy, compared with past seasons.

Sure, there was the blip caused by the emergence of former contestant David Hernandez's past as a stripper. And the talent contest endured a fair amount of criticism for showcasing singers who've had record deals in the past. But even those "controversies" didn't have much staying power.

Where did it all go wrong? Isn't "American Idol" supposed to be a long festival of outrageousness and scandals? Plus a little singing?

But this is an especially sedate, possibly sedated, "Idol" season. There isn't a big battle between two or three front runners -- even the judges appear to believe that the contest is David Archuleta's to lose.


Strangest of all, the judges themselves have been remarkably honest and cogent in their comments, for the most part -- even Paula. I'm telling you, the normality and even blandness of this seventh "Idol" season, which is once again slipping in the ratings compared to last year but is still the No. 1 show every week, is just weirding me out.

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