Carrie Underwood, Usher, Mary J and Jennifer Hudson Steal the Show at Fashion Rocks

I guess I understand why they call that show Fashion Rocks -- the show did, indeed, rock. Pretty hard, in fact.

I would say the performance of the evening belonged to Usher and Mary J Blige, who did a medley of old school R&B hits, with him crooning "It's a Man's World," she wailing about "Respect," and the two dueting on "Do I Do." Fierce.

Carrie Underwood was surprisingly rockin', even strapping on a guitar as she dueted with Lindsay Buckingham on the Fleetwood Mac classic "Go Your Own Way." She is gaining more and more credibility as an actual artist with each passing month, and I have a feeling her upcoming album is going to be huge.

Jennifer Hudson brought her powerhouse voice to "Come Together," with Joe Perry playing guitar. Sporting a sleek short 'do and a tight black dress, she gave the tune a sassy, rock flavor that brought the house down.

Alicia Keys was also in fine form, singing her new song and "Black Magic," the latter of which she was accompanied by Santana. I could have done without two song from J-Lo; Avril Lavigne, who looked bored singing "Girlfriend"; and Fergie, who sang "Glamorous," which has possibly the most inane lyrics I have ever heard. Why not sing "Big Girls Dn't Cry"? Why, Fergie, why?

All in all, though, quite a good evening of music and performance.

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American Idol Finale Buzz: Will Britney Be There?

Perezhilton.com is reporting that a rumor is circulating that Britney Spears will be performing on this week's American Idol finale. Could it be true? I mean, the president deigned it a worthy platform to try and redeem his public image a few weeks back by appearing on the show, why wouldn't Britney use the same platform to announce to the world that she is back and better than ever?

I'll believe it when I see it. But, lest we forget, last year at this time there were rumblings about Prince -- and look who showed up in the final moments of Season 5. If Britney does decide to lip synch and dance for the country it would be quite the watercooler moment, that's for sure.

All of this talk gets me thinking -- what surprises are in store for us this week? Last year, in addition to Pince, we got Chris Daughtry and Live duetting on "Mystery" (a track that has gotten many a spin on my ipod), Meat Loaf and Katharine McPhee doing a totally bizarre duet of Celine Dion's "All Coming Back to Me," Mary J. Blige nearly eating Elliott Yamin for lunch singing U2's "One," and Toni Braxton sexin' it up with Taylor Hicks on "In the Ghetto." How can they possibly top that?

I've heard that both Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood will be returning to the Idol stage, and I would imagine Taylor Hicks and even Katharine McPhee or Chris Daughtry might make appearances. I've also heard an unsubstantiated rumor that Jordin Sparks will be performing with the Dreamgirls. Although I'm skeptical Beyone would show up, Jennifer Hudson does have an album with Clive Davis coming out later this year.

Will there be exciting duet partners this year? A Melinda/Gladys Knight duet would be fierce, and whipping out Jennifer Holliday to sing with LaKisha would bring the house down. And how entertaining does a J-Lo/Sanjaya pairing sound? The possbilities are endless!

Stay tuned to Idol Thoughts for more news on the finale as it trickles in. Remember, even after American Idol comes to an end, there will continue to be updates on former Idol contestants (including this year's crew), along with recaps and commentary on summer shows "So You Think You Can Dance," "On the Lot," "Top Chef," "Big Brother," "Pirate Queen" and more (see Summer TV) So bookmark Idol Thoughts now!

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Hasta La Vista Haley: Top 8 Results

Finally!

I don't hate Haley, I really don't. If I was on a cruse ship and she was that evening's entertainment, I'd probably be pretty psyched. But Top 8 of American Idol, the show that has given us the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Daughtry? Gimme a break.

The saddest part of her elimination this evening, in all honesty, was that we didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her legs, which were cruelly covered up with long pants.

Yes, it was time for Haley to go, and now she's gone (with Phil Stacey making his debut in the Bottom 2 and Chris Richardson slipping into the Bottom 3). Sure, it would have been nice to get rid of Sanjaya this week, but hey, as far as I'm concerned this is the next best thing. And at least we have put a halt to three straight contestants leaving before they should have. Maybe, just maybe, we'll actually wind up with a deserving Top 4 after all, which would be quite a feat considering this crazy season.

Let's hope I didn't just jinx it.

As for the rest of the show, at double the length it was, predictably, double the torture. That segment on "the public's opinion"? Obnoxious. The Tony Bennett audition? Painful, and no way to treat a legend. The judge's contribution to the evening? Practically nothing.

La Lopez, however, was in fine form, showing us (and the contestants) how Latin music is really meant to be performed. I've gotta say, I am a much bigger fan of Jennifer Lopez now than I was 30 hours ago. And that group number was unintentionally hilarious, with the corny, dramatic choreography and Sanjaya's whispered final line. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a cheesy group number.

But hey, despite some of this evening's more painful moments, I'm not complaining. As I predicted in my post Who's Going Home Tonight, we bid Haley adieu. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

When you book that cruise ship, Haley, lemme know -- I'll even come to both the early and the late show!