American Idol: Ranking the Final Three

It's that time of year again. The hometowns of the final three contestants have rolled out their red carpets, proclaimed official "Contestant X" Days, held parades, and mispronounced the judges names as they announced the "judge's choice" songs for the final 3 performance. The three remaining finalists, David Cook, David Archuleta, and Syesha Mercado, will perform Tuesday night on the highest rated television show in America, and two of them will move on to the finals, and one will go home.

At this point in the competition, each contestant has a rabid fan base with voting fingers poised and ready. Everyone has chosen their favorites, and it's unlikely that any of the performances will change the outcome at this point. It's the same every year. This year, the final three offer diverse personalities and musical styles which should make for an entertaining show. Here's how I would rank the final three:

3) Syesha Mercado. I know that every year, an underdog makes it farther than anyone expected, either on the basis of their personality or their talent. There's no doubt that Syesha is talented, although I think more talented women have already been voted off. Her personality is about as interesting as toast, and she comes off as arrogant and snotty. Besides, I've never been a fan of the screechy diva types.

2) David Archuleta. The producers and record company suits are probably salivating over the Hannah Montana crowd that gaspy little David could bring in. He's as cute as a puppy dog, completely inoffensive in every way, and he has a beautiful singing voice. It would help if he didn't seem so much like a robot every time he takes the stage, and if I could believe for one second that he even understands what he's singing about most of the time. If he ever gets a soul, I could see him recording John Mayerish pop music, so maybe he'll turn out okay.