American Idol
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As impressive as David Cook has been on American Idol, the fact that he's been able to perform at such a high level is even more amazing given the sad state of a family member:

David's older brother Adam Cook is battling cancer. The American Idol finalist hasn't spoken about the illness, out of respect for his brother. He also didn't want to sympathy votes.

Cook isn't the first Idol to compete while dealing with a personal crisis, as People Magazine reports.

"The week before we came up for the Top 24, my best friend passed away, and I was just like, 'I don't know if I can go out there,'" last year's champ Jordin Sparks said. "I went to the funeral and came back and then my uncle passed away â€" and then my grandma ... and so I had three deaths go on during the show.

"It's hard because you have to go out there and put this smile on your face," she added. "It's very exhausting, and it's very overwhelming and kind of gets to you. I mean I got sick a couple times, just because I was so tired and kept trying to do all this stuff and it was crazy."

We'd like to wish the best to David Cook and his brother.

Sorry for the headline. We just can't resist a good - or terrible - pun.

We actually like Ramiele Malubay and we felt for her as the tiny American Idol finalist cried her way through the show last night.

But it was time for the singer to go, as viewers sent her home following a difficult Dolly Parton rendition the evening before. Ramiele was joined in the bottom three by Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White.

Fellow American Idol finalists show love and support for Ramiele Malubay as she sings her farewell song.

Now that we're sure David Cook is safe after last night's hospitalization, let's take a look at the rest of the American Idols.

Here are thumbnails of each performer after his/her audition. Click on each one for an enlarged version and let us know who you think is going home tonight:

We were all set to praise David Cook's performance last night, but first we need to report on the fact that the American Idol favorite was actually hospitalized after his Dolly Parton rendition.

He felt heart palpitations and was treated for high blood pressure. Fortunately, Cook was released back to the American Idol apartments where he was "doing fine," a source confirms.

As for his pre-hospital singing: Cook once again impressed the judges with a stylish version of Parton's "Little Sparrow." He looked healthy during the performance and we wish David Cook a full recovery.

Take a look at Brooke White and Kristy Lee Cook in the photo below.

What could be making these American Idol finalists so angry? Actually, it's just a new promotional video for the show.

We're not sure what the premise of the spot is, but we're guessing viewers will find out this week. For now, we're just gonna leave Brooke and Kristy alone...

Relax, Brooke White and Kristy Lee Cook. You're American Idol finalists.

We already know that David Cook can sing, but did you also know the American Idol contestant can act?

Oh, wait, that's Chace Crawford (below, left), isn't it? Forgive us for confusing the Idol finalist with the Gossip Girl star, but you can see why it's easy to make such a mistake, can't you?

Not many American Idol fans are familiar with Raine Maida, but one of this season's top contestants sure is.

When asked which singer David Cook would like to have a duet with, he didn't hesitate to name this member of Our Lady of Peace.

"I have been a huge fan for a long time and something about that dude's voice and stage presence is really unique," Cook said. "So to be able to perform with him would be kind of cool."

After an uneven performance of Brenda Russell's ballad "If Only for One Night," Tuesday, Chikezie Eze was eliminated from American Idol last night.

Joining Chikezie in the American Idol bottom three (the lowest vote-getters) on Wednesday were Syesha Mercado and, in a bit of a surprise, Jason Castro...

Chopping block regular Kristy Lee Cook was surprised and happy to escape the bottom three this week after a strong effort on "God Bless the U.S.A."

That leaves us with nine. Who's your pick to go all the way on American Idol - and should Chikezie have been sent home last night?

Big night tonight. Only 10 American Idol hopefuls are remaining, and after last night's performance by rocker David Cook, we imagine he (along with David Archuleta and Michael Johns) will last at least another week.

The rest of the gang, though? That we're not sure about!

Somebody's gotta get the boot tonight, and in our minds it will boil down to one of four - Jason Castro, Chikezie, Syesha Mercado and Ramiele Malubay.

Something tells us these four singers are more vulnerable then the other six, although Americans make that call, and they've shocked us many times before.

Who do you think will be the top and bottom vote-getters when American Idol announces its results tonight - and who will be heading for home?

Tuesday's American Idol featured the contestants performing songs from the year they were born. Born in 1982, David Cook finished the night with a stunning and unique performance of Michael Jackson's hit "Billie Jean."

David Cook slowed it down, rocked it out and created an entirely new vibe for what is a very familiar song, earning raves from all three judges.

See for yourself, or watch it again if you tuned in last night. It's worth it.

Here's David Cook performing "Billie Jean" ...

Earlier, Kristy Lee Cook finally had a good night, while the judges also seemed to like David Archuleta and Michael Johns, predictably.

Carly Smithson? Not so much this time. The rest of the also-rans received typically mixed reviews, leaving a lot of question marks tonight.

All in all, it was David Cook's show, however.

Randy called him "the most original, the most bold contestant we've ever had" and suggested he "might be the one to win the whole lot."

Could Jackson be right? Tell us. Who do you think had the best - and the worst - performances from last night on American Idol?