David Archuleta Named \"One to Beat\" on American Idol

David Archuleta performed a haunting rendition of "Imagine" and has been dubbed the "one to beat" on American Idol. (Courtesy YouTube)

Micheal Johns, who boasts looks, pipes and even mad tennis skills performed a pitchy (as Randy Jackson would say) rendition of "Go Your Own Way."

The lecherous Paula Abdul said, "You're charming and I think you're already there."

After Simon Cowell called his song-choice "weak," Abdul argued, "From a women's point of view..."

Oh, Paula...

The eerily pretty, dredlocked Jason Castro started out the night with a slew of flubbed interview clips, earning him the "aww" factor. He sang "Be Your Everything" and earned a resounding "meh" from the judges.

Luke Menard, who previously toured with a group called Chapter 6, said that he loves the challenge because you have to be "flawless." He then delivered a flawed rendition of Queen's "Killer Queen."

Cowell called his performance "a mistake" because he didn't have the personality to pull it off. Ryan Seacrest then called Menard "Dawson's Creek."

Twenty-four-year-old David Hernandez admitted to cameras that he was a gymnist. He sang a great rendition of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," which wowed the crowd and the judges.

"This is the David Hernandez we fell in love with," Randy said. "That was hot right there."

"This may surprise you, but I thought that was the best vocal of the night so far," Cowell told a stunned David. "I like that when you get some criticism, you don't sulk; you treat it as a challenge."

Jason Yeager said he plays multiple instruments, and that he's a self-taught musician. He sang the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Runnin'," which judges called karaoke, pitchy, corny, ghastly and "drunk at a party." Ouch-a-rama.

"Last week was boring, this week was awkward and ordinary," Cowell said.

Chikezie sang "I Believe to My Soul." Randy said, "Chikezie is back! This is the guy we fell in love with." Simon said "it was a million times better than last week" and that Chikezie must have watched the tape of himself after the show last week and seen "the horrorshow that was you."

The evening's show-stealer was David Archuleta who sang a lovely rendition of "Imagine."

Randy raved, "Dog, that's one of the best vocals I've ever heard on this show.

Naturally, Paula was bawling: "David, you are ridiculous, I want to just squish you, squeeze your head off and dangle you from my rearview mirror. Honest to God, that was one of the most beautiful songs ever written and one of the most moving performances I've ever heard. You're destined for superstardom." Holy shit, run David.

Simon named David "the one to beat," and said that there were 19 very miserable other contestants.

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