For the past couple of seasons, I've watched American Idol as it's become the main show Lori and I both watch together.

As the show has evolved over the 7 seasons it's been on the air, the quality of the contestants has steadily increased. This makes sense since top finishers from almost all the seasons have had success to varying degrees well after their runs on the show concluded.

I measure the quality of the show's contestants by the skill of the worst contestant, and by that measure, this season is the best that I've ever seen on the show and probably the best it's ever been. The judged have even confirmed that at various points.

All this makes it all the more incredible that David Archuleta, the 17-year-old from Murray High School in Utah (an iTest school, by the way), is by far the best one of the bunch and quite possibly the most talented individual to ever appear on the show.

Obviously you're dealing with great performers, but it's incredible to see a guy who is just perfect on a stage. His rendition of "Imagine" a couple weeks ago was otherworldly, it was so well-thought-out and well-delivered.

The concept of a contestant on American Idol not even needing the show to be able to become a superstar is pretty strange, but it's definitely the truth for David. So far, the show has been worth watching for his performances alone.

2008 iTest Tournament of Champions (top 64 math students in the nation, participating in a head-to-head elimination tournament much like the actual men's basketball NCAA Tournament) begins on Monday...very exciting as well. Off to enjoy the rest of the weekend.