Tribune bloggers Jeanne DePaul and Susie Engle give their thoughts about “American Idol” from Feb. 17.

Susan Engle: I usually don’t get bored with American Idol until mid-April, when the Top 10 is being winnowed down, the “don’t have a chancers” get the boot and the endless commercial that is AI ramps into full gear.

Hollywood Week (or in this case, Hollywood 2 Weeks) is usually the best part of Idol. By that time, Idol has finished torturing us with endless bad auditions by reality fame whores and heartstring-tugging sob stories that make up the bulk of the audition shows. Hollywood Week is usually when they trot out the folks who can actually sing and give viewers a chance to start identifying favorites to follow.

Not this year. Hollywood Week has been an interminable string of judgetalk, torture-the-contestants images and Ryan Seacrestisms, interspersed with tiny little snippets of actual songs.

Let’s face it. American Idol has lost its mojo. It isn’t the loss of Paula. It’s not the addition of Kara (although she contains to suck in oh-so-many ways). It’s not the addition of Ellen DeGeneres, who I like and think is actually adding a certain something to the show. It’s like I’m skipping down the Yellow Brick Road and see Oz in the distance and hovering over the Emerald City is a giant Wizard pulling strings and manipulating everything. I always knew I was being manipulated before, but it was subtle enough I could enjoy the show anyway.

Not so, anymore. Not for me, at least.

Jeanne DePaul: I used to enjoy Hollywood week as the time when we’d leave the freaks behind and we’d finally get to see some good singers. But what producers are giving us now is so fragmented, we never get to see someone sing an entire song.

The groups used to be amazingly good, as the hopefuls would stay up all night, and come up with great harmonies and dance moves. Now we get to see so little of them, instead spending most of our time watching the judges shuffle through photos of the contestants.

The show isn’t about singing anymore. It’s more about the most interesting or saddest or most triumphant backstory. If you don’t have at least something to offer — like a dead parent or a handicapped sibling or you lost all your belongings in a horrible house fire or you suffer from a debilitating disease — forget about it.

You may have pipes like Aretha Franklin but you are not getting any Idol facetime.

Wednesday’s show was a good example and it’s what made it easy for the Olympics broadcast, fragmented and tape delayed as it is, to blow past Idol in the ratings. The entire show was watching hopeful after hopeful be called onto a stage to be tortured by the judges.

I don’t know who suffers more, us or them, but watching that coy dance the judges do where they draw out the drama of whether the Idol hopeful is in or out is nauseating. I wish they’d just post a list on the wall of who’s in, so we could spend more time listening and less time squirming in discomfort.

Remember Michael Johns from Season 8? His rendition of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is still one of the best performances ever during Hollywood week. The way things are now, we’ll never see another like it. In fact, we’ll never even see another Hollywood week song.

Engle: With what little they’ve shown of the contestants, it’s hard to get a handle on who’s really good and who are sacrificial lambs chosen as “ringers” for the home audience to vote out.

My favorites, so far, are:

Crystal Bowersox, whose 30 seconds of “Natural Woman” wowed the judges. There’s lots of talk online about her bad teeth, which look as if they’ve been damaged by antibiotic use.

Haeley Vaughn, who we haven’t seen too much of during Hollywood Week, but who blew me away with her country-tinged vocals during the audition. It’s hard to tell if she can maintain the quality, or if she’s a one-audition wonder.

Siobhan Magnus, she of the cool name and big voice.

Not one of the guys has blown me away and the remainder of the women have underwhelmed as well. Guess we’ll find out next week.

DePaul: I’m glad you remember the names. I can only put one name with a face and that’s Siobhan Magnus, for some reason. Maybe it’s because her name and look is so distinctive. I like the way she sounds, and I like several others, including the one who played harmonica and guitar. There are a couple of the men who I think have what it takes, including the dark-haired guy with glasses and the guy with the long blond hair who took off his shirt during his audition.

At any rate, when the live shows start Tuesday (Feb. 23), we’ll finally get to see them sing an entire song and we can really judge for ourselves.

Not that I’ll ever vote or anything like that.

So this final “American Idol” of the season gets underway and I am relieved. It’s almost over. Tuesdays will be mine once again!

Ryan comes out and makes introductions all around. Tells us a bunch of stuff to make it all seem more exciting, and goes on about how they did a coin toss and Kris won, electing to sing second. And a bunch of other stuff about the results show which I’ll probably skip like nearly all the other results shows.

Lambert (TAO), “Mad World”: Apparently we’re getting reruns because Adam is singing a song he already sang. Boring. At least there is none of his trademark screaming and screeching. We did learn from his parents that he screamed through the night when he was a baby. Hmmmmmm. He does get the full-on Idolmaker treatment, with fog machines and special lighting. TAO is so lucky he’s TAO.

Randy tells him he loves that TAO is singing something he sang during the season. Whaaaaa? The judges are forced to wipe up puddles of drool as they fawn all over TAO, except for Cowell who calls it “over theatrical.” Are you kidding me? He calls this performance over theatrical?

Allen, “Ain’t No Sunshine”: This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I think it’s better suited to a more bluesy voice, but Allen brings a an indie sound to this classic and updates it in a good way. It’s a heartfelt performance; he’s bringing it tonight.

I love when they show Cowell politely clapping. These judges have their minds made up but they still make all the polite noises about how good Kris is. If they’re going to do nothing but sing their praises all night, this could be unbearably treacly before the show is over. But Cowell surprises me by saying he calls that round for Kris. Hmmmm.

I’m torn tonight. The Mariners are playing the Angels and the game is tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth. I’m trying to watch a couple of at-bats while Idol is at commercial. Only four more songs to go!

TAO, “A Change is Gonna Come”: At first I thought, “Is TAO trying to prove he can do something besides S&S (scream and screech)?” Tackling such an R&B classic is risky but … oh no wait … major screaming and screeching going on here. I don’t believe him for a minute during this song; there’s no heart or soul in this performance. Just S&S.

I think the judges are going to burst blood vessels trying to top each other in their praise for TAO. And never before have I despised an Idoler as much as I despise TAO.

Back to the game: Ichiro knocks in Kenji for another RBI and the Ms lead 4-3.

Allen, “What’s Going On”: What’s going on with these youngsters singing these old-school, protesty classics? Kris at least has some soul in his voice and you can feel the emotion behind the voice. It wasn’t earth-shattering but I liked the arrangement.

The judges blather on trying to be nice to Kris with consolation dap while they scheme on how they can get TAO’s autograph to sell on eBay.

Back to the game: Somehow the Angels tied it up and it’s 4-4 now. The train whistle blows while Felix walks a guy and the bases are loaded with only one out. Yikes!

Now we learn each Idoler will sing a song co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi. These “first single” songs have been horrendous and this one is no difference. And we get to listen to it twice.

TAO, “No Boundaries”: TAO can fill any song with S&S. There’s really nothing to say except that ending was particularly icky as he falsettoed his way through “There are no boundaries …” Gah.

Randy switches things up and says TAO’s performance was pitchy. Kara needs a drool cup. Paula can’t talk but does all but propose marriage. Cowell rips on the song, but is in the tank for TAO. His repeated shilling for TAO has made me lose all respect for the man. Even Ryan gets in on the act as he tells Adam, “You are a class act. You are a class act.”

Back to the game. The Angels are on top 5-4, but it’s the bottom of the fifth and I’m just in time to see the Ms have runners on first and third with one out. But Lopez hits the first pitch to shortstop for a double play and the threat is over. Add that to his error in the field in the top of this inning, and Lopez is on a roll.

Allen, “No Boundaries”: See? The song can be sung and not screamed. But it’s a bit sad for either of these Idolers to have to go out on this note. I wish they’d been able to go out on a real song. “You can go higher, you can go deeper, there are no boundaries” indeed.

The judges try to console Kris for coming in second. They’ve decided and they are sure America has decided as well.

So seriously … here’s hoping TAO wins and gets what he deserves: being required to release “No Boundaries” as his first single and being bound forever to Nineteen Entertainment.

Carrie Underwood is going to sing us out, but I’m switching to “Deadliest Catch.”

So this week on “American Idol,” the Idolers get to sing once song they choose and one song the judges choose for them. And since this is the final three and there are four judges, I wonder if one judge will be left out (turns out Randy and Kara have to share).

They waste little time on niceties, and get right down to it.

Danny Gokey, Paula’s choice, “Dance Little Sister”: He seemed energized by the song and did a good job, considering he said he didn’t know it. That song was right for him and he looked pretty good bouncing all over the stage. I especially liked the back-and-forth with the sax player. Nice.

Kris Allen, Randy and Kara’s choice, “Apologize”: Boy, this one started off rough. The first few lines sounded like he was struggling to land on the melody. He smoothed things out, though, and put a cry in his voice for the middle section, which was strong. It wasn’t anything special, though, and I was hoping for more.

Adam (TAO) Lambert, Simon’s choice, “One”: Blah, blah, blah. Does it really matter how he sang or screeched or screamed or moaned? He’s going to win so I’m not sure why they’re bothering to have him sing. I was heartily amused by how his earpiece wires were sticking up over his ears and, especially when he was lovingly backlit by the production folks, the wires made him look like he had Vulcan ears. Hee! Good times.

Then we have a long break for some “Idol Gives Back” garbage, so I switch over and watch something else I’d recorded at another time. I’ve seen plenty of the overexplosed Carrie Underwood, thankyouverymuch.

Gokey, “You Are So Beautiful”: Ugh … not a good song choice. It’s just such a dull song and I don’t think he did a particularly good version. Cocker’s version is so iconic and it’s his mess of a voice that contrasts so roughly with the tender words that make the song. Gokey’s version is too lyrical and bore such little resemblance to the song’s melody, it just didn’t work.

Allen, “Heartless”: Dang, it takes some guts to start out acappella like that, and it also takes some guts to go out there solo, with just his own guitar as accompaniment. This guy probably has the most musical chops of the three remaining and of the three of them, I can see him with a recording contract. He does a great job with this song and I think it’s the best performance of the night.

TAO, “Crying”: Blah, blah, blah, scream, blah, blah, screech, blah, shriek. Why don’t the judges call him out for sounding exactly the freakin’ same on every song? Oh yeah … because the fix is in.

Who should go? TAO. Who will go? Probably Kris, even though he had the best performance of the evening.

Who do you think will go? Anyone? Anyone?

As “American Idol” opens, we get a little recap of the incredibly shocking results show from last week which purportedly had TAO in the bottom two. Who knows if it’s true, because we never get vote totals for the Idolers.

Ryan tells us there was an accident on the set. It looks like everything on the set is falling apart. I hope the Idolers call OSHA and report this incident.

It’s rock week so three of the Idolers look like refugees from Guns ‘n’ Roses, which is fitting because Slash is here to shill for his new album … er … I mean, mentor the four remaining Idolers. Too bad Joe Perry wasn’t available. Danny looks cool in black pants and a red shirt.

Adam (TAO) Lambert, “Whole Lotta Love”: This song is tailor made for TAO’s screeching. He seems to have toned down the overacting, which is nice, and we didn’t get any of the teen-angel lighting from last week. But still … he’s predictable and he’s no Robert Plant. Let the judgely gushing begin.

Allison Iraheta, “Crybaby”: I guess at this stage, they’re all so competent, there are no more train wrecks to witness. Her performance was nothing spectacular — just what we’ve come to expect from her. This may be the one that sends her home, because the song just didn’t provide enough variety. She’s great, but the judges — particularly Simon — have never given her any credit.

Kris Allen and Danny Gokey, “Renegade”: OK, I’m confused at this duet thing. Does it count? Obviously I have once again let my mind wander during Idol. Ryan says there are no phone numbers so I guess it’s just a filler so they can have an hourlong show. It’s kind of cool and these two sound fantastic and did some killer harmonies, so I’m OK with this.

Kris Allen, “Come Together”: Kris looked like he was having a great time out there. It’s hard to mess with a Beatles classic, but he changed things up a little bit and I liked it. I’m amazed he could remember the lyrics since they’re not exactly … lyrical. But he pulled it off and did a great job.

Danny Gokey, “Dream On”: Talk about ambitious: Can he match the Stephen Tyler scream? Isn’t this a job for TAO? Slash was right: We all were waiting for it. And I think he went a little too overboard right at the finish (inspired by TAO perhaps) but I liked it and I like him, so I’m OK with it.

Allison Iraheta and TAO, “Slow Ride”: Another duet that just doesn’t matter, I guess. I hate TAO and I like Allison. Nuff said.

From the judges’ comments tonight, it’s obvious more than ever that the judges are pushing hard for TAO to win it all. They pretty much ripped the other three and Simon tells Adam, after the duet, that he might have saved Allison tonight. So not only can TAO win it all, he has the power to bring others along on his coattails and save them from nearly certain destruction.

All hail the power of TAO.

At this point, since I know TAO is never going home, and I like the other three pretty equally, I don’t have an idea “who should go home.”

What do you think?

As “American Idol” opens tonight, I am still reeling over the TV Guide cover story featuring Simon Cowell which says, “Why I’m leaving Idol.” Gasp! I had no idea.

The top 5 are on the stage, the judges get introduced (Paula is wearing a most strange-looking dress) and then it’s time to start.

The theme tonight is “standards from the Rat Pack era.” Can’t wait to hear TAO scream and screech his way through Martin or Sinatra. The mentor is Jamie Foxx. Talk about stunt casting.

Kris Allen, “The Way You Look Tonight”: I was hoping Kris would choose something besides than this nice but incredibly overdone song. That said, he has a wonderful voice and an incredible presence. I liked the tempo change in the middle, though sometimes the band overpowered him, and he ended on a different note. He’s a keeper.

Allison Iraheta, “Someone to Watch Over Me”: Another wonderful classic and she tears it up, proving that she can sing something besides rock ‘n’ roll. She gave it a rocker edge, but still kept a sweet vulnerability, especially at the end. This kid is amazing and it makes me crazy that she’s consistently one of the bottom vote-getters.

Matt Giraud, “My Funny Valentine”: Another overdone, overused song. I can’t help thinking this guy shouldn’t even be here. After all, he was voted off a couple of weeks ago. He loses his way at the beginning, kind of casting around for the correct notes, which got downright painful after awhile. And what’s worse, with all the runs and so on, I didn’t believe him for a minute. I don’t think he had a clue what he was singing about. If he would have just ended on that final strong note, instead of going off into runs, it would have been a lot better.

Danny Gokey, “Come Rain or Come Shine”: Danny brought almost a Louis Armstrong quality to this song. Louis Lite, perhaps. He was made for this kind of music — full of soul and bluesy — and he sounded fantastic. By the time he busted loose from the mic stand and let the audience have it, I was about ready to stand up and shout myself. Dang, that was hot!

Adam Lambert (aka TAO), “Feeling Good”: I loved how Jamie Foxx called him out on his arrogance. That made me smile. Anyone notice how TAO got the cool camera angles (that shot from behind as he went down the stairs to start) and lighting? The lighting did help to emphasize him spitting all over when he sang the “f” in “feeling.” That made me smile. TAO’s screaming, screeching and overacting did not make me smile. Note to TAO: every song is not a rock opera on Broadway. Why don’t the judges call him out on making every song he sings sound exactly the same?