Judges’ favorite Carly Smithson made a surprise drop into the “American Idol” bottom three on Wednesday,  but the real shock of the evening came when grumpy judge Simon Cowell handed out a rare compliment to Paula Abdul — for her kissing technique!

 In the viewers questions and answers segment that is new to this year’s show, the blunt Brit was asked if there were any plans for a sequel to the hilarious kissing skit that he and Abdul performed at the end of Season 2 that had been marked by constant  fighting between the two polar opposites.

“Yes”, replied Cowell to a startled Abdul, who has been as much at the sharp end of Cowell’s tongue and rolling eyes as some of the hapless contestants. ”And I’ll tell you why. You’re actually a very good kisser!” Abdul was so stunned she didn’t have time to respond.

Smithson, the Irish girl who has already had one shot at music stardom with a record deal that flopped spectacularly in 2001, managed to cling on for another day by making it into the Idol Top 10   while rocker Amanda Overmyer was booted out. Cowell has already been comparing Smithson, 24,  to Kelly Clarkson, the first and most successful winner of the hit TV talent show.

But with “Idol” now in its 7th season, you sometimes get to wonder if the biggest stars of the show aren’t the three judges with their bickering and their vastly different personalities,  rather than the performers.