Revelation that American Idol contestant David Hernandez worked as a stripper at a nude club for men caused a shimmy, a shake -- but as of yet no earthquake.

Appropriately, Hernandez sang Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back To Me Now," but there was no mention made by Randy, Paula or the one and only Simon Cowell about Tuesday's news that Hernandez worked at Dick's Cabaret in Phoenix.

Why? As I've written many times, Idol execs eat this stuff up, and the very same revelation that got Frenchie Davis booted from Season 2 wouldn't likely be given a second thought in Season 7. Not to say that the situations are the same.

Even if it were just showing off her hooters, Davis technically participated in porn, and I think pornography holds a lower place in the minds of show execs than a little bump-n-grind. While Hernandez might have done his routine in the buff, nobody is aware of pics or videos just yet -- items that could seal his doom, even on the growingly permissive talent show competition deluxe.

However, Idol executive producer Ken Warwick said the show has featured strippers in past seasons (Ruben Studdard? Kidding.), so it wouldn't be exactly fair to boot Hernandez at this juncture.

Truth be told, there is no guarantee after Tuesday night that Hernandez will be around for the Final 12. He was solid, but the judges were enamored by almost all the singers, and the race to the bottom will be close among every boy except one: David Archuleta.

Archuleta is again dominating DialIdol results late Tuesday, even though his performance of Phil Collins' "Another Day In Paradise" got mixed reviews.

Nevertheless, the buzz of the show right now is Hernandez.

Like it or not -- and I've underscored this point a billion times -- news like this is no longer career-killing information. It is career-boosting.

If I were to start a side gig as a male stripper, I would not only be laughed out of the cabaret, I would lose my day gig. It's a standards thing, and it would not be a career booster for me.

But for artists, it provides an edge. It makes a nobody interesting. It makes them viewership-attractive for television executives because they know folks will be curious. And for that reason alone I could hope that Hernandez gets a spot in the Top 12. He's now interesting.

However, fact is, the guy's got a good voice, definitely one of the best six males. And Idol is a singing competition, right?

Yep. However, the reality of the entertainment business is that people-as-commodities garner worth based on buzz. And so this bit of news bodes well for David Hernandez. It bodes well for American Idol.

Hell, it bodes well for Dick's Cabaret.