the buzz log

If "American Idol" audiences had a nickel for every time the judges and host Ryan Seacrest boasted that this season had the best contestants ever, they might be able to afford a six-pack of blatant product placement.

"Best ever" may be debatable, but the blame doesn't entirely rest on the singers. What with the show's sped-up, assembly-line process and its decision to squeeze in another telethon, the competitors barely got time to show some spark of life.

Still, as Season 7 fades into the horizon, and the Davids congratulate one another on a contest well-tussled, and the glow of nostalgia diminishes Jason Castro's Marley massacre and magnifies the memory of his ukelele Aloha spirit, it's time to appreciate the highlights and lowlifes with the Buzz Log Consolation Awards. Heckuva job, kids.

The Michael Jackson Award: Chikezie Eze. The Nigerian-born warbler did the partial owner of the Beatles library proud with his rambunctious bluegrass take on "She's a Woman," which finally got him his Search following, fleeting as it was.

The Judges'-Pet Curse: Michael Johns. Ever since Chris Daughtry got his fourth-place boot, people have been looking for each season's shocking exit. The Aussie became the latest unsurprising "shocker," but among the Search audience, Johns not only couldn't compare to fellow rocker David Cook, he also had the lowest searches among the Top 12 (except for Syesha Mercado).

God Bless the USA Award: Kristy Lee Cook. Religion, the unspoken undercurrent in Season 6, stepped out in the center of "Idol's" rabidly secular stage this year. Cook swung the buzz in her direction with Lee Greenwood's patriotic blessing, and ended up the most popular female contestant in online look-ups.

The Race Race: Ramiele Malubay. Heck, it's an election year, and talking about race is OK. Searchers explored a possible Filipino heritage for David Archuleta and Danny Noriega, but Malubay was the real deal. She may not have hit her goal to become the first Asian-American Idol, but she did get enough Search hits to become the second most-popular female contestant.

The Subversive Songbird Award: Jason Castro. He yawned on stage, seemed perplexed over the notion of cats in a musical, looked relieved when voted off—and the whole time, not a dred out of place. The fourth most-searched contestant ranks first in his ability to spur the most queries for a contestant's songs—and promoting Bruddah IZ and Leonard Cohen in the process. Hallelujah.

The Lowlife Award: ... No, not David Hernandez, who was only trying to make a living. This award goes to the producers, who haven't yet figured out how to make the contestants—not the celebrity guests—the focus of the show, and bring "Idol" back to the basics. Get over the seven-year itch, or the marriage is off.