This is a joyous week around Michigan, for lots of reasons. (If you're reading this from outside Michigan, just skip the first one; the rest is about "American Idol.")

1) The Michigan State University women had their sharp upset of top-seeded Duke. Lauren Aitch came off the bench to play superbly; in less than half a game (18 of 40 minutes), she scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and brought a ferocity to an MSU offense that had seemed hesitant. At one point, this was a 47-47 deadlock; somehow, it turned into a 63-49 rout. The crowd was ecstatic.

This is a joyous week around Michigan, for lots of reasons. (If you're reading this from outside Michigan, just skip the first one; the rest is about "American Idol.")

1) The Michigan State University women had their sharp upset of top-seeded Duke. Lauren Aitch came off the bench to play superbly -- 16 pounts and a fierce approach that ignited a sleepy game. At one point, this was a 47-47 deadlock; somehow, it turned into a 63-49 rout. The crowd was ecstatic.

I really do like females, you know. I like the way they sing, the way they look, maybe even the way they smell. So this year's "American Idol" is getting tougher for me.

The finals started with eight men and only five women. Since then, it has shed Jorge Nunez, Jasmine Murray and now Alexis Grace; that makes it 7-3 and way out of kilter.

This was a strange night of "American Idol," throwing away all the usual patterns.

Usually, the show is all about balance -- boy-girl, loud-soft, good-bad. Not this time. It started and ended with women -- fresh, fierce work by Lil Rounds and Alexis Grace; that left the middle with eight men and only three women. It started with seven songs the judges loved -- then three they didn't -- then three more good ones.

It was all odd, but interesting. Here are a few of my comments and then my should-go, will-go. Please add yours:

A strange thing seemed to happen, as viewers chose the first three finalists for "American Idol":
In a way, they chose the same person twice.
Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver come from opposite parts of the country, 1,100 miles apart, but they have much in common. "We definitely are kind of attuned to each other ... We pray together," Sarver said today (Thursday).
Both men are church worship leaders. Both have done much of their singing in religious settings. Both talk of marriage as a key factor in their lives.

Sometimes, it's good when "American Idol" doesn't have a surprise.

Chris Daughtry, Tamyra Gray and LaToya London each finishing only fourth? Jasmine Trias and Nikki McKibbin finishing third? Michael Johns and Carly Smithson being bounced early? Those were surprises, and nasty ones.

So now the silly part is over and "American Idol" gets serious. A dozen people sang tonight; only three will advance on Wednesday. Here are a few comments; also, I'll have an interview with the three survivors Thursday afternoon: