A stripper scandal. A musty old mug shot. A bosomly touch.

Yes, the "Idol" scandalmongers are in fine fettle this season, still smelling the blood trail that led to last season's Barba-overload. However, the Fox producers have turned a blind eye to the indiscretions. They're standing by their contestants with the determined grit of a political spouse at a press conference.

So, while sites like Vote for the Worst attracts searches and profits by dredging up negative fodder, the remaining 11 contestants remain unbuffeted. In fact, the nice guys have been finishing first in online popularity...

Even the news stories have turned positive. Newsday cast Archuleta as the shy guy, and the Dallas Morning News focused on a church party for homeboy Jason Castro. US Weekly even reported that surly Simon Cowell donated thousands to a cancer patient.

By the way, note that judges' pets Carly Smithson and Michael Johns aren't registering in the top five. Indeed, they've dropped below Kristy Lee Cook, who savaged the Beatles twice, and Amanda Overmyer, who earned Vote for the Worst's spotlight by a complicated formula. Hey, who said everything was hunky-dory?