the buzz log

Besides a refreshingly lucid Paula Abdul and a mediocre batch of singers, this year's dominant "American Idol" theme has been tears. Salty, salty tears. Crying has taken the place of singing on this season's talent competition.

Before we reached the big stage, copious tears were shed as the show cut aspiring stars. Alaina Alexander cried when she was picked and when she got the boot. Sanjaya Malakar and Sundance Head put aside all myths about men staying strong and bawled when other contestants exited the show. Haley Scarnato let loose with the waterworks when the judges savaged her performance of "If My Heart Had Wings."

After the final 12 were announced, the tears didn't slow to a trickle. Haley reprised her crying jag when Simon Cowell relented and gave her a positive review. Melinda Doolittle's performance of a Diana Ross tune moved Paula to tears, which led Melinda to reciprocate and weep at Paula's response!

But nothing prepared us for the blubbering of a 13-year-old Sanjaya fan featured prominently on this week's broadcast. Ashley Ferl let loose a torrent of puppy love tears and caused a stir in Search. Searches on "american idol crying girl," "american idol crying," and "sanjaya crying fan" drenched the Buzz.

We stopped sobbing long enough to wonder what other searches had folks typing through their tears. Dry your eyes and read up on the top 20 crying searches...