Remember when "American Idol" used to surprise us?

I don't mean happy surprises. I mean oh-my-God-they've-dumped-Daughtry surprises and Nicki-McKibbon-is-STILL-here surprises. They were the kind that made us grumble vaguely about not watching.

This year, that's gone. Last night, my three-person should-win list and my will-win list were identical. Tonight, those three all did win; a week earlier, two of my three predictions won and the third (Anoop Desai) was barely edged out.

Hey, these "American Idol" judges should make up their minds.

They keep telling contestants to choose the right song and make it their own. Tonight, Nick Mitchell did all of that.

He chose exactly the song for him -- the big, broad, over-the-top show tune, "And I Am Telling You." He made it his own, so much so that I doubt anyone will want it back.