Top 20: Elimination Results (SPOILER ALERT!)

The songs have been sung. The votes have been tallied. Elimination night is upon us, and once again, we will be saying goodbye to four contestants from the Top 20. Several of the contestants made giant strides this week, notably Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly, while others seem to be taking steps back. Several of the once-thought-to-be front runners found themselves at the mercy of some harsh comments from the judges panel. Andrew Garcia, Casey James, and Katie Stevens all performed well by conventional standards, but they seem to be digressing in terms of relevance from where they once were. That does not mean that they aren't still at the head of the class, but they are allowing others to creep up on them. In a competition as important as this, they can not afford to let that happen.

The group gets us started off with a very lax performance of "I Got A Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas. First things first, this song needs to be retired ASAP. It's reaching Creed levels of annoyance. It has been on the charts for 38 weeks and JUST fell out of the top 20 (to 21...). Second, the lyrics are definitely misleading for 1/5th of the contestants. Tonight is NOT going to be a good night for four of them. Tonight will be the night that they struggle to repeat a bad song choice that resulted in them getting eliminated. Third, I didn't catch it last week, but this week the contestants are definitely lip syncing. You can tell because everyone is so on pitch and blends far too well. Also, because they auto-tuned the crap out of it. The choreography (if you can call it that) was horrible. Tim Urban and Casey James can not pull of thug. Neither can Lilly Scott or Crystal Bowersox. Everyone looked horribly uncomfortable up there and it definitely showed in there deer in the headlights expressions.

Ryan wastes no time after the first commercial break. The guys are first on the chopping block. The top row consists of Michael Lynche, Casey James, Todrick Hall, John Park, and Tim Urban. Tim Urban is called up first and he is declared safe. This was not shocking. VFTW (this is how I will refer to votefortheworst) recently found pictures of a shirtless Tim at some sort of event where he was in a bathing suit with a contestant number. I'm not sure if he was modeling the swimsuit or participating in some kind of pageant (I don't know what you call a pageant for guys). Either way, VFTW is just piling on the tween votes because of it. Todrick is up next, but Ryan throws him a curve ball and tells him that he needs to remain standing. He then moves on to Michael Lynche, who is obviously safe after his soulful rendition of James Brown. Casey James also has nothing to worry about, except the hair/makeup people on Idol making him look more and more womanish. He looked like he was one dress shy of being in full drag on Tuesday. They put a little too much makeup on him, especially lipstick. So now it's down to Todrick and John Park. Drats! Those are both the guys that I predicted to be leaving. At least I'll definitely get one right. After Ryan talks to them for a bit, he reveals that John Park will be going home. This gives me a good idea of who will be joining John. He performs a decent version of "Gravity" again and is sent to the audience. John was a good, good singer, he just failed to deliver the goods in terms of his performances. If he had a little more spark and charisma, I think he would still be around. Lesson learned, but a tad too late.

Next up is the bottom row, which consists of Jermaine Sellers, Andrew Garcia, Alex Lambert, Aaron Kelly, and Lee Dewyze. Lee goes first and is quickly told that he is safe. I still don't get the judges fascination with him, but let's move on. Aaron is also deemed safe, and I still don't get the judges fascination with him either. Either way, he was undoubtedly safe as well. Alex Lambert was the most improved this week by far, and he is rewarded with a trip back to the top 16 next week. This made me happy. Good things do happen! Ryan then brings Jermaine and Andrew center stage to try and over-dramaticize the moment- which is not dramatic at all. Everyone knows that Andrew is safe and Jermaine is heading home. He gives his props to Jesus again and makes another plug for the onesie. He definitely will be getting a call from a company that makes onesies (I wouldn't begin to know who still makes those) and he will be their posterchild. The fact that Andrew was in this position should have him a little worried. I think you could tell in his face that he knows he has to step up his game drastically. Jermaine's farewell song is sung well, probably better than we've heard him all season. The high notes seemed to be there and his runs were smooth. If he could have only brought that when it counted...

In keeping with the trend of having last years contestants perform and show how much better they are than everyone on this season, Danny Gokey returns to Idol's stage to perform his new single "My Best Days." After having a little trouble getting a label after the show last season, Danny decided to make the switch from soul to country. I'm not sure if I agree with that move, seeing as he does not look/sing like a country artist to me, but hey, he's got to do what he's got to do. He performs well and, like Allison and Kris, wipes the floor with this years bunch. In the post-performance interview, he starts spazzing out! I've never seen Danny Gokey this hyper! You can tell he is ubber excited about his budding career (as short lived as it will no doubt be). He comes off as less of a tool when he's not worrying about votes and such. He even gives Ryan the awkward touch before Ryan has a chance to do it to him. How does it feel, Ryan?!

The girls are next. The top row goes first, and consists of Didi Benami, Michelle Delamor, Katie Stevens, Paige Miles, and Lilly Scott. Ryan flies through Lilly, Paige, and Katie, revealing that they are all safe. So, it's down to Didi and Michelle. This is interesting that two really hyped people (the other being Andrew) are in this position. The results are the same as they were with they guys- the one with they hype survives. Michelle is sent home and you can tell that she is visibly shaken by it, but she puts on her best poker face. We have to sit through this song again and I'm dying. I can't explain how much I never want to hear this song again. I was the only person from all the blogs and websites that I follow to get this one right. I wish I could count it as 2, but alas, I can not.

The bottom row is up and consists of Katelyn Epperly, Crystal Bowersox, Haeley Vaughn, Lacey Brown, and Siobhan Magnus. After a heart-wrenching performance on Wednesday, I think that Katelyn is starting to gain some momentum. She is safe. Crystal Bowersox has nothing to worry about after getting rave reviews from the judges, so she's obviously safe. I will mention (and I forgot to include this on yesterday's post) how impressed I was that she didn't milk the pity card. She could have easily done that to win more votes, but rather, she came out and delivered the goods sans the pity party and still did amazing. Ryan skips down to Siobhan and declares her safe. When someone hits a note that ridiculous, they aren't going anywhere. That's what these contestants need to realize. One great song or note can carry you a long way on this show. It's down to Haeley and Lacey, and they are both wearing a headband with some accessory dangling off of it, Lacey a peacock feather, and Haeley, another huge flower that is as big as her head. Simon says that this one is easy, but it got me! I thought for sure that Haeley had a bigger fan base than Lacey, but Haeley is the one sent packing. It's sad when she sings her song, because it sounds horrible. Her emotions get the better of her so much that she can't hit a single note right. This makes it painful to watch, but also somewhat endearing at the same time. She is a likable girl, but she just wasn't ready for this level of competition. I'm glad I didn't take the slap bet on Lacey, or else I would have been screwed, but I do think she has stayed on far too long, given her talent level. She can't possibly last another week, can she? She will definitely be VFTWs new female face.

Well, there y0u have it, guys. John, Jermaine, Michelle, and Haeley are no longer with us (on the show). Do you think this was the right call? Should Lacey have gone before Haeley, or would it really have mattered? Let me know what you think. Also, who are you pulling for? Who is standing out from the pack in your eyes?!

Until next time...

Your American Idol Junkie,

Billy