Some mags cover behind the scenes of AI.

People: Tuesday's Idol: What You Didn't See

http://tvwatch.people.com/2008/04/09/tuesd...ee-5/#more-1044

The Michael parts:

"At the beginning of the show, just as the lights went down and Michael Johns’s video came up on the screen, David Cook paused to give his fellow Idol a double fist knock for good luck before running backstage. "

" At the end of the show, when snippets of the night’s performances play back, David Cook’s clip, which usually gets a lot of yells, sadly went by without much noise. It was Castro (”Mr. Dreads”) and Johns (the “Wonder from Down Under”) who got more this time. But when Archuleta’s face came up on the screen, girls from the pit to the bleachers nearly blew the roof off the building with their screams."

And a bit about David C: "Measuring by the audience’s lukewarm response and the judges’ remarks, David Cook had a less-than-stellar performance. Was David Cook’s hot streak of blistering performances simmering down a bit"


EW's Popwatch: On the scene: Idol top 8 performance show

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/04/on-the-scene-id.html

"But season seven's last ones standing, for better (hello, Michael Johns!) or worse, have definitely made an impression, and it's a lasting one"

and

"And with three minutes to go, out come the Idols. On the applause meter, Michael Johns, looking foxy even with the unnecessary scarf, certainly registers, but it's David Archuleta (pictured) who sends it into the red. The crowd just loves that kid! "

and

"
There's one minute to go and everyone takes their places. Michael Johns double-checks the exit direction, but it's Syesha who screws it up and walks the opposite way. Oops.

Since Michael Johns is up first, he stays put at the side of the stage, taking his time getting there and savoring every moment in the spotlight. The red light and the Jim Morrison vibe suits him, and the crowd goes wild as soon as the chorus to "Dream On" kicks in. Paula's feeling some MJ love too, and once he hits the falsetto, quickly hops to her feet with a "you the man" finger pointed in his direction. Randy, on the other hand? Not so much, so he gets the loudest boos of the night. As for Simon? Between all the Chihuahua comments, he just looked confused. Or maybe he was having a start-of-show nic fit because he bolted before Ryan could finish saying his famous mantra, "after the break." "


Part of the KLC section: "KLC was the only Idol to get a mid-song applause, and even Nigel Lythgoe took notice"

Part of the Jason C section: "he impressed just about everybody, especially Simon. I've never seen Cowell so focused, but the way he stared intently as Jason handled the ukulele like an old pro reaffirmed my faith in the doe-eyed and dreadlocked wonder. JC pulled it off, put a smile on peoples' faces and even shed a tear himself. Awww… "