American Idol returns Tuesday minus the popular Aussie rocker Michael Johns who was surprisingly voted off the show a week ago during American Idol Gives Back week. The remaining seven contestants get a mentor this week in super-star Mariah Carey . It will be interesting to see how this show develops and whose strengths will have a competitive advantage with the Mariah Carey songbook. Over previous seasons, many contestants have attempted performing Carey’s hits only to be chewed up by the judges, especially Simon Cowell. In other words, Mariah Carey, along with Whitney Houston, is one of those untouchables. It will also be interesting to see how the guys respond to Carey’s mentorship as well. 

Not much has changed in American Idol betting odds in the past few days. David Archuleta has distanced himself from second runner David Cook according to odds makers at online wagering house Bodoglife.com . Archuleta, the 17 year old high school student from Murray, Utah is the favorite to win the show with 10/11 odds (-110). Cook is challenging with 13/5 odds. 

The remaining performer’s odds of winning American Idol are Carly Smithson (10/1), Brooke White (13/1), Jason Castro (11/1), Kristy Lee Cook (25/1), Syesha Mercado (50/1). 

The odds on a male winning the competition are -600 to +350 for a female winner.

Point-Spreads.com has been very good at predicting who would be eliminated from week to week until the surprise exit of Michael Johns last week. 

“Johns’ elimination came as a total shock although I thought his performance was one of the worst of the night,” said entertainment handicapper Reno Gold. “Johns was one of the favorites going into the week and then voted off after what I thought was a bad performance. That goes to show the maturity of the voters this season. I can’t wait to see what transpires tonight with Mariah Carey serving as mentor.”

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