As the number one show in the U.S., American Idol has had its share of mis-steps and bad press. The scandal, the controversy, the mistakes are all part of the Idol package. And let it be said that no PR force is more powerful or more graceful at covering - and apologizing for - flaws.

Host Ryan Seacrest made short work of addressing the latest issues on the show. After saying they were “still out of breath” from Tuesday, he announced that the performers collected 35 million votes. He talked about Neil Diamond, introduced the contestants and judges and then pointed to two Idol alum sitting in the crowd (Gina Glocksen and Constantine Maroulis). But before any talk of elimination could be presented, there was still a lingering issue to be faced: one judge’s live TV mistake.

“She’s our family and we love her,” Seacrest said of Paula Abdul. He also added that “the rumors” aren’t true. Which ones, Ryan? All the rumors? That she wasn’t drunk or otherwise intoxicated, sure I can believe that’s true. But what about this strange note mix-up - what in the world was Paula looking at when she critiqued Jason’s second song (which had not yet been performed)? She later said the comments were meant for David Cook - but by calling his performance “amazing” she obviously wasn’t going to go with her notes that said his “usual charm” wasn’t there and he left her feeling “empty.”

Many of the critics lambasted Paula for throwing Jason Castro off Tuesday night, as his second performance perhaps left a little to be desired with the audience (it seemed to do so with the judges). Idol was quick to address this issue by bringing Castro out first. He was declared safe and suddenly all the criticism became moot.

David Archuleta, who never seems to be in any danger, was declared safe quickly thereafter.

There was a break in the action as FOX used cross-promotion to hype the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance, showing a lengthy preview clip for the summer hit. “I’m gonna watch just for the outfits,” Seacrest smiled at the camera.

Fun was put aside as David Cook was called on stage. He became the third member of the final four, making it clear that the show was going to lose a good chunk of its girl power before the night was through.

Syesha and Brooke, obviously the two in danger, came on stage holding hands. Both looked great as they talked with Ryan Seacrest, who soon bid them to sit and wait while the rest of the show carried on. “We’ll stay as long as we can,” Brooke quipped as she took a seat.

Natasha Beddingfield then performed on the Idol stage, offering up soaring vocals and a really entertaining performance. When all was said and song, she smilingly asked Ryan if she could “go say hi to David?” David Cook, who always strikes me as more than a little smug, came to his feet. Beddingfield, grinning, make a quick beeline for David Archuleta, sitting next to him on the couch to offer up hugs. Cook tried to recover by applauding, and I cackled with glee.

The ultra-boring time-wasting device known as the Idol call-in segment followed, with the first question of course being directed at Paula by some young kid. He asked some inanity about why she gives the Idols a break. “Somebody has to,” Paula answered. This would have been perfect if she’d left it at that, but that’s impossible for Abdul. She then went on to babble at length about how hard the business is.

The next question was also, of course, for Paula. Time to get some good press going again for Idol’s token female judge. The caller wanted to know if she’ll do more music videos with Randy Jackson in the future. God, I hope not. “When Randy becomes an animated cat,” Abdul quipped, then the two of them rambled back and forth about the possibility for a while. Again, the video the caller referred to will not be played by MTV, as it was rejected by the cable channel.

The last call was for Simon - thank goodness. In a truly great TV twist, Cowell’s actual first kiss (he was nine when said kiss occurred) called in to ask if it was her kiss, or Paula Abdul’s, which was more memorable to him. Simon Cowell remembered the woman, even her last name, and joked to cameras “we’re going back seventeen years.” A smiling and somewhat startled Simon admitted, “this is my first crush.”

All the questions ought to be Simon Cowell questions.

The Ford video followed, this week’s a truly uninspired and seemingly theme-less mélange of dance moves put to “Catch the Wind.”

Neil Diamond took his turn in the spotlight with “Pretty Amazing Grace,” from his new album “Home Before Dark” (which, considering Diamond’s age, might have been more aptly titled “In Bed Before Dark”). Honestly, I’ve never been a huge Diamond fan (can’t stand that “you’ll be a woman soon” song) and I wasn’t totally jazzed with his performance. His album was plugged again, and then Seacrest asked Diamond to impart the secret of longevity. I don’t know - herbal tea and good hip doctors? Diamond’s answer was just as pat: “hard work, love what you do, lotta luck.” He advised the Idols to “stay with it,” and “don’t listen to what Simon says!” Apparently, Cowell and Diamond have “history” together, as Simon told the host. “I love him; he’s wonderful,” the singer said of the judge. A man after my own heart.

But the walk down memory lane was at last cut short when the show brought our attention back to the matter at hand - losing one of the Idols. Brooke White was highly emotional and teary for this second turn at center stage, becoming more so when she heard the horrible news. She was eliminated, and at last vocal justice prevailed. “I just wanna say thank you. It’s gonna be terrible for me right now, but thank you,” Brooke told her audience.

After her clip played, it was time for Brooke White’s final Idol song. She began very roughly on “I Am I Said,” and struggled visibly throughout the song as Paula Abdul stood on her feet to clap and dance along. I was never a big fan, but Brooke was a highly popular contestant during Idol’s seventh season, and I see a big future on the horizon for her.