I've got a fever, and the only cure is more Kober…

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This morning I was contending that Castro's "I Shot the Sheriff" is the worst final-four performance ever. My buddy Sepinwall contends that the worst is this:

Yup, Josh Gracin, "Jive Talkin'," Bee Gees week, season two. Maybe it seemed bad at the time, but it's not in a league with "I Shot the Sheriff."

Creedence yes, Ike & Tina no.

I had some trouble getting onto the Rock Hall Web site earlier, but I wanted to check whether tonight's contestants stuck to the hall's "500 songs that shaped rock and roll" list that the hall thought was the basis of tonight's song selection. Now that I've checked, the answer is basically yes, although there were some nuanced differences.

David Archuleta: Both Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" and Elvis's "Love Me Tender" are on the list.

Jason Castro: "I Shot the Sheriff" is on the list, credited to the Wailers (with a note that the Wailers included Bob Marley). "Mr. Tambourine Man" is on the list, but for the Byrds' version, not Bob Dylan's original.

David Cook: Both Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the Who's "Baba O'Riley" are on the list.

Syesha Mercado: Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is on the list. "Proud Mary" is on the list in the Creedence Clearwater Revival version, not the Ike & Tina version she drew on.

I'm not saying there was any more rule-bending here than in any given category on "Idol."
But, as you can see from the complete list, there were some real opportunities that the contestants didn't take on. I've already said that I don't think the show licensed the entire catalog. Still, the possibilities for great performances were considerable, and tonight's so-so results are yet another reason to lament the state of the show this season.

I've recorded the first hour of the 100th-show celebration but am skipping it tonight to focus on results in the second hour. Notes after the jump. …

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Notes after the jump. …

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As you may know, I do a weekly entertainment mailbag column as well as daily Pop Quiz questions for the Beacon Journal. A reader asked if there was a DVD of Sammy Davis Jr. doing "Mr. Bojangles, and I found one. But I also went looking on YouTube (in case the reader just wanted to see it again) and found this:

Very touching and understated.
Of course, once you fall into YouTube, it's not easy to climb out. Found a Robbie Williams version of "Mr. Bojangles," which led me to Williams videos other songs, including Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea," which sent me into a Bobby Darin search. Some very interesting things, and this Linda Ronstadt gem:

I always preferred Ronstadt's more country stuff to her rock moves.
Also among the Darin stuff was a rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." But how about we let Mr. Garfunkel sing us out …

Well, maybe a little of Ms. Franklin first …

Shake shake shake, shake shake shake …

This was one of those episodes where you realize how much the cast does to sell the material.

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(It took me a few minutes to realize that's Jamie Rose of "Falcon Crest" fame with Charlie Sheen. She's looking well.)

I expected a better episode (with spoilers) …

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Had an out-of-the-house commitment, so I'll save most of my Monday viewing notes for tomorrow. Well, most of them. Watched "Dancing With the Stars" and was stunned (again) by judges' comments and scores. The free pass one contestant got — oh, my goodness. …. Yes, I think I will rant some now. …

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"Iron Man" lived up to expectations. I remain optimistic about "Indiana Jones." And every time I see more of "The Dark Knight," including above, I build up more hope. But I'm a fool for trailers.

Amazing what a $100 million opening weekend can hasten. From the company's announcement today:

Marvel today updated its feature film slate strategy and plans for the next three years, locking in key release windows for its character franchises. In order to focus its attention on maximizing the success of an Iron Man sequel and the launch of Thor in the summer of 2010 and because Marvel believes that the summer is the optimal time to launch a new property, the Company will not release a self produced film in 2009. Marvel plans to launch its 2010 film slate with the release of the sequel, Iron Man 2, on April 30, 2010, followed by the launch of Thor on June 4, 2010. Additionally, Marvel is planting its feature film stakes for summer 2011 with an Avengers-themed summer – a two-picture project which will debut on May 6, 2011 with The First Avenger: Captain America (working title), followed by The Avengers in July 2011.

The release also mentioned plans for an "Ant-Man" movie, but no date, as well as other studios' efforts: "Punisher: War Zone" from Lionsgate in December 2008, and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" from Fox in May 2009.

For the complete release, which also includes a TV projects schedule, go here.

I liked "Iron Man" a great deal, but I'm getting even more psyched for the sequel, if it gets into Tony's alcoholism and lets Rhodey put on the suit.

Bits of this and that, after the jump. …

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A little late, I know. It was recorded on Wednesday. Circumstances beyond my control. And there won't be an "American Idol" podcast this week, as I was fighting off some illness.

Surely you have some people you want to see body-slammed. And "Celebrity Championship Wrestling" will offer a chance. And it sounds just a tad more risky than that celebrity-card-tricks show. Full release after the jump.

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(Some of you may have noticed this post previously marked for Thursday morning. I was just in a fog earlier. It is beginning to lift.)

A few thoughts on summer movies I want to see are here.

My review of "Made of Honor" is here. Short version: I didn't like it.

Later today I expect to post about "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost."

And here's a little bit of the legendary Wanda Jackson to liven up your day. "Do you like love songs," indeed. …

Here's another one that shows how radical Jackson was as a star. Look at the way the women behind her are dressed — and how modern/flashy Jackson is in comparison.

Of anger management, sweeps and sandwiches, after the jump …

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Jeff Probst said it best …

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Here's the explanation from the Rock Hall itself:

Next week's edition of American Idol will feature a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-themed show. The Museum's story and mission will be highlighted throughout the shows and the final four singers will sing songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock Music.

For a complete list of the 500 songs, click here:
http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/500-songs/

I seriously doubt the singers will have all 500 songs to choose from, since that would involve a lot of rights acquisition by the show. Still, it will be interesting to hear what they end up choosing. I'm told the contestants will not be coming to Cleveland, but the Rock Hall is providing footage of the facility for use in the show.

You can find my review of "Iron Man" here.

Next week's "American Idol" brings one of those categories that should make it easy for everyone:

On Tuesday, May 6 (8:00-9:02 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) the Top 4 finalists (David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado) will return to the Idol stage to perform music from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tune in the following night to see live performances by Maroon 5 and Bo Bice. Find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who must go home on the results show Wednesday, May 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

And here's something to give you a smile this morning:

Make sure you hang in for the "I Will Survive" part. Proves that this group, Young@Heart, isn't just funny. There's something very powerful about them, especially for those of us who don't think of old age as a far-off thing. The new documentary about Young@Heart is on my list of movies I'll even pay to see this summer.

Here's another one: