"Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told EW.com that Jeff Archuleta had not been "banished."

"He has been asked not to participate in the choice of music with David or be in the room when David is working out his routines that he wants to sing. He's fine to be in the studio — nothing wrong with that. We just want David to be able to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do," Lythgoe said. "And what is a stage dad, or a stage mom? It's someone who's protective. That's all."

Jeff Archuleta was in his customary seat in the audience on Tuesday night; his wife, Lupe, was at his side instead of home watching on TV.

On the night, Cook got most of the good news and Mercado got most of the bad news from the judges. Two of Cook's three performances got thumbs-up, with Abdul going so far as to say, "David, see ya in the finals!" and Cowell — who seemed to be lobbying for Cook most of the night — declared, "David Cook wins the night," after he sang "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

As for Mercado, Cowell told her she "will probably regret" her decision to sing "Fever," which he called "quite a lame cabaret performance." And her rendition of "Hit Me Up" caused even the ever-optimistic and supportive Abdul to say, "I don't know if it's going to be good enough to get into the finals of 'American Idol."'

The final two will perform on Tuesday; this year's "American Idol" will be revealed on Wednesday, May 21.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com