The conspiracy theories are brilliant. You're an imaginative lot.

That said, none of you have the slightest idea of what goes into choosing - yes, I said CHOOSING, not voting for - the best performer.

It has nothing to do with racism. It has nothing to do with the fact that gay men LOVE Jennifer Hudson.

It has to do with MONEY.

A kid like John "so unbelievably untalented" Stevens will reap more profit from teenagers than a Jennifer Hudson for the same reason that Ruben's album is playing second-fiddle to Clay Aiken's. Talent takes a back seat to marketability every time.

Don't believe me? Ask Christina Aguilera what she thinks of Britney Spears. Britney sings through her nose. But because she's more marketable than Christina (who molded herself as a "bad girl's bad girl"), she will always be more popular.

See you next week on American Idol. We're eliminating George.

Hugs and kisses,
Simon