After spending some splendid time in the past, "American Idol" will probably be back in the present this week.

There were great moments last week from Motown people, including Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. This Wednesday brings the current-pop appeal of David Cook and Lady Gaga.

Meanwhile, we're kind of sorry to see Michael Sarver gone. He had to go; he simply isn't at the same level as most of the surviving eight. Still, he's an immenely likable guy; here's the brief story I wrote the day after he was ousted:

If you ever wanted to see a look of pure Joy, you could have glimpsed Megan Joy in tonight's "American Idol."

On Wednesday, Joy -- she was Megan Joy Corkrey, before jettisoning her ex-husband's name -- had given a performance that Simon Cowell correctly called "a train wreck." She seemed properly astonished tonight to not be in the final three. During the Stevie Wonder medley, she squeezed little Allison Iraheta and had the look of a serial killer who had received a reprieve due to a typographical error.

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.

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: