Crystal Stark, 24, and Yvette Gonzalez, 28, are former "American Idol" contestants who followed the show closely. Here's what they have to say about the show's, and the contestants', futures.
Both of the singles were horrible. Who should write next season's singles?
CS: David Foster or a more with-it producer. Babyface or somebody. They weren't even current.
YG: None of this emotional mumbo-jumbo. It's just too boring. David Foster's pretty good.
Did Katharine McPhee perform badly on her single, or was it just the song?
CS: The song really was probably 90 percent of the problem. Toward the end Katharine could have opened up and done more with the song, but in the beginning it was too low for her. Why would somebody write a song for her and have it to be too low? That's ridiculous.
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YG: She looked great, but as far as her vocal performance, it was bad. Way bad.
Do you have any advice for singers who want to audition for "American Idol"?
CS: I was thinking of holding a seminar this summer for people who were thinking of trying out and then putting together a trip for people who want to go.
YG: Maintain a positive attitude, no matter what happens. Even if you don't make it, you went.
Do you think the show is rigged in any way?
CS: I look at the amount of air time that the contestants in the top 10 got all the way through, and I'm like, they were basically predestined from their first audition to be in the top 10.
YG: I think to a certain extent it may possibly be.
Which contestants would you like to see make an album? And what type of songs should they choose?
CS: I would like to hear a jazz album by Paris (Bennett) and I would love to hear a neo-soul album by Elliott (Yamin). I would love to hear an R&B pop album by Katharine and maybe a Michael McDonald cover album by Taylor.
YG: Definitely Chris Daughtry. He's got to make a rock album. I like Mandisa. I think she'd make a really great Christian gospel CD.
Did Taylor Hicks deserve the "Idol" crown?
CS: No. Katharine's going to go on to massive success. We're going to forget about Taylor because he just entertained. What exactly is he going to do? What album can he make? Is he going to be doomed to perform in Vegas?
YG: Definitely. He always goes out there and he gives 110 percent of himself in his performances. People love him.
