"Overall, I thought it was forgettable, and I think it was very reminiscent of something you would see and hear on a cruise ship," Cowell told a pouty Malubay.

Mesa, AZ, native Brooke White, who performed an impressive rendition of Parton's "Jolene," and consistent bottom feeder Kristy Lee Cook rounded out the bottom three.

Malubay's elimination, however, was overshadowed by the drama surrounding the hospitalization of front-runner David Cook. According to published reports, Cook was driven to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center due to heart palpitations and high blood pressure after performing Dolly Parton's "Little Sparrow" on Tuesday's "American Idol" episode. The media has reported that Cook's brother, who suffers from cancer, had a setback causing Cook's ailment.

"The whole thing kind of got blown out of proportion," Cook told host Ryan Seacrest during Wednesday's show. "I have high blood pressure and it spiked. I'm OK now. I'm not going anywhere."

Parton was the guest mentor for the week, hence the influx of her tunes. Highlights included Syesha Mercado's version of "I Will Always Love You," although it set her up for comparisons to Whitney Houston; and Michael Johns' sexy "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right."

"You're a star, a rock star, a blues star," Abdul excitedly told Johns. Cowell added, "I think this is the best I've heard you sing."

Seventeen-year-old David Archuleta wowed the audience once again, this time with a powerful rendition of Parton's "Smokey Mountain Memories."

"David, this week you were absolutely on the money," Cowell said about the Utah native's song choice.

Wednesday's results show also featured performances by The Clark Brothers and Parton.