Here are a few details from tonight’s results show. I’ll post a full recap in the morning.
Tonight’s bootees:
- Amy Krebs
- Nicole Tranquillo
- Paul Kim
- Rudy Cardenas
No big surprises there.
Chris Daughtry’s song “Home” was played over the bootee’s exit packages. So, it’s official. “Home” is the boot song.
At the top of the show, Ryan announced this season’s lineup of Idol guest stars:
- Diana Ross
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Jennifer Lopez
- Gwen Stefani
- Tony Bennett
- Martina McBride
- Lulu and Peter Noone - Ryan added there will be a British Invasion night.
- Barry Gibb
Fantasia was the guest performer. She announced that she would play Miss Celie in the Broadway production of “Color Purple”. Fantasia’s opening night is April 11. Quincy Jones, one of “Purple’s” producers was in the audience to promote the show.
Rumor has it that Kellie Pickler will appear next Wednesday to sing her new single “I Wonder”
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The show starts with a re-cap of this week’s performances.
And then Ryan introduces the gang for a group number, and I COULDN’T BE MORE EXCITED! OMG ELEVENTYONE!!!111!!! Regular readers know I am a huge fan of what some witty poster over at Television With Out Pity dubbed the Pointy!Pose! Season 4 saw a demise of the cheesy, badly choreographed group number which was a regular staple of Seasons 1-3. Pointy Pose refers to how the number would end (best if it was a medley)–the contestants frozen in a pose, raised finger pointing heaven-ward.
By popular demand, I’m sure, the Pointy Pose made a comeback in Season 5, and it looks like they are continuing the tradition Season 6. Hooray! Tonight, the kids sing Tears For Fear’s “Sowing the Seeds of Love.” Could that pick have been anymore random (??!!!). I don’t think so. The production is 100% cheesy goodness. I am not disappointed.
At the end of the number, the belter gals are featured doing their stuff. A foreshadowing of the season to come, I’m sure.
After the break, Ryan chats up the guys. Nicholas Pedro says he’s petrified. He prolly doesn’t want to disappoint the folks back in Tau-en. Chris Sligh sets America straight: He loves Simon and meant no disrespect dissing the Teletubbies. Simon is laughing. As if he cares–it’s all just meant to be good TV. No biggie. Simon says, “I like this guy.”
Ryan asks the back row of guys to take the stage. Friends and family are sitting in the red room, ready for their reaction shot. He calls them out one by one…
Brandon Rogers…America voted, you are safe…take a seat. Yes, Brandon. Really. You can take a seat! Sundance Head…after the votes…America…they like you! America must be stoned. Sundance lives to torture America another week. Chris Richardson….after the votes…America disagreed with Simon…you are safe. Helium sales go up. Nick Pedro…After the vote..Nick buddy…we’ll see you again next week…you’re safe. Nick looks completely shocked that he survived. Blake Lewis…you’re safe, have a seat. Yay.
Paul Kim is left standing. Ryan quickly says, “…I’m sorry…you’re going home tonight.” A quick death. I like that. Ryan asks Paul how he’s feeling now. Whaddaya think Ryan? ”It hurts man, it hurts,” says Paul. He’s clearly crushed.
Next–in what has to be the worst moment for an idol contestant–Paul performs the elimination singout. He tries valiantly to bring some life to his reprise of “Careless Whisper.” But, he sings like a dead man walking. Bye Paul. Don’t forget your shoes on the way out. So much for those lucky underpants.
After the break, it’s time to eliminate a girl. Ryan asks the back row to take the stage
Jordin Sparks…the votes are in and you are safe. Stephanie Edwards…after the votes America thinks you’re terrific, have a seat. Sabrina Sloan…America voted, they think you’ve got the desire to win…the votes are in and you are safe. Leslie Hunt…after the vote, America disagreed with Simon, you are safe. Melinda Doolittle…America voted…take a seat you are safe.
Yay for America!
Antonella Barba is the last girl standing. She’s young, she’s not Idol savvy. She thinks she’s going home. Veteran Idol watchers, however, know a fake-out when they see it. No way is Antonella going. She’s got peeps. And her peeps have her back. Ryan goes through his big spiel and then tells Antonella she is safe. She freaks. The other girls cheer for her. Antonella lives to make our ears bleed for at least another week.
Ryan asks Amy Krebs to join him center stage. ”Yeah,” says Amy, as she knowingly takes the short walk to her execution. Ryan tells Amy, ”You are going home.”
Poor cannon fodder. To say Amy didn’t make an impression would be an understatement. Amy, close to tears, listlessly performs her singout, “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
After the break, Ryan explains the latest Cingular Wireless money-making scheme, err…I mean contest:
Hey kids! YOU can win the “All new American Idol challenge”! Just text the answer to the dumbest question ever (of these three American Idol winners, which multi-platinum album is named “Breakaway”) and YOU can win cash and prizes!!!!
Fantasia is introduced. Quincy Jones is in the audience. Fantasia talks about her new album, and announces that she’ll be starring in the Broadway play “Color Purple”. Ryan introduces Jones, one of the play’s producers, from the stage–but then abruptly cuts him off when Jones tries to pimp his play. Hey, we’ve got to keep the show moving! We’ve got two more contestants whose dreams are waiting to be crushed!
Fantasia sings “I’m Here” from “Color Purple.” A much more Idol friendly song than her super-urban single “Hood Boy.” “I got my Shister…,” she sings. Despite the sibilance, Fantasia simply shows us all how it’s done. Awww, the judges are so happy to see her.
After the break, the rest of the girls are assembled on the stage.
Haley Scarnato…America voted and you are safe. Lakisha Jones…the votes are in, and you may have a seat. No kidding. Gina Glocksen…America voted…and they think you’re on…you are safe…have a seat.
Nicole Tranquillo and Alaina Alexander are left on stage. Ryan continues. Again, the death is quick. He says, “After the votes…Alaina, you are safe.” Alaina is soooo relieved. She had to know her head was on the chopping block.
“Nicole,” says Ryan, ”you are leaving us tonight.” Nicole begins to giggle nervously and doesn’t stop. Paula tells Nicole she is a brilliant vocalist. Nicole sings out. Her performance is still really weird and screechy. The rest of the gals join her on stage. All thinking, I’m sure, “Better ye than me…”
The rest of the guys join Ryan on stage.
Just to change things up, Ryan picks the guys at either end of the line. Starting with Chris Sligh…you are safe. Yay! Phil Stacey…America voted…you are safe. “Whoo Hoo!” cries Phil. Jared Cotter…bro…you are safe. AJ Tabaldo…after the vote…America is going to give you another shot.
Sanjaya Malakar and Rudy Cardenas are left standing on the stage. Ryan informs the audience, “One of you guys is in the top 4 boys, the other is out of the competition, BUT WHO GOES WHERE.” Uhh, bye Rudy. Ryan says, “Rudy, you are going home.”
Sidenote to America: Please, I beg of you. Send Sanjaya home soon. He’s such a nice, sweet boy, but he’s way too young for this competition. Not to mention the fact that he’s a dull, mediocre singer. Thanks for listening, America.
Back to the action. Ryan asks the judges if they have any advice for Rudy. And Simon says, “I can’t turn an OK singer into a great singer it’s as simple as that.” Ohh, BURN.
Before Rudy sings out, we get to watch the smell-ya-later packages for all 4 contestants. Check it out. Daughtry’s HOME is the kiss-off song. I look forward to thoroughly despising this tune by the time the season ends.
Rudy sings. ”I’m going to go out with a bang if that’s alright,” says Rudy. He knows it’s his last shot, and he gives it everything he’s got. Thankfully, he spares us the disturbing hip wiggle. Credits roll, and it’s over.
There were no big surprises tonight. I thought Alaina deserved to go more than Nicole. Possibly, Nicole could have changed her performance next week and had a rebound. However, Alaina is hopelessly out of her league. Amy would have had a hard time making an impression even if she had squeaked by this week.
The boys: Funny, the perceived cannon fodder, AJ and Jared are both pretty good. Rudy had a couple of problems–he went first with a lame song and a lounge-lizard like performing style. Paul, while his voice records really well, also has terrible performing skills. So, although they both got screen time and seemed set to go far, it was not to be.
The boys are back for more Tuesday night. Did the girls challenge them? Let’s see if they step it up.
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I couldn’t agree with you more. Taylor was able to build a huge fan base from his exposure on AI… a fan base that appreciates his music on his terms. We know it will come out more fully in his future albums.
I love MJ’s recap of the show, and am a constant fan of this site. I come here first for my idol gossip and spoilers.
I wanted to introduce everyone to another website where they recap AI from a comedy perspective (incase you can’t read enough about this show like me).
www.tvgasm.com
or
http://www.tvgasm.com/shows/american-idol/
They recap all Reality TV shows, some more popular other tv shows. This website makes me laugh out loud in front of my computer (at work my cube neighbors think i am nuts). Let me know what you think…. & keep up the good work MJ !
Nice update MJ.
I too think Taylor is getting the shaft from AI. If you were watching this for the first time, not that anyone is, you wouldn’t even know he had won!
I have a question….
Taylor will get a positive mention this season on AI:
1. Before the final 12
2: By the round of 10
3: By the final 5
4: When pigs fly!
I also think Taylor’s new single, Just to Feel That Way, would have been perfect for the sing out. It’s peppey and has a beat and the words are mighty appropriate.
I mean just listen to the radio version at Greycharles.com
and see if you don’t think it’s good for the sing out. Hmph.
Not one of these contestants has captured me this year. Last year it was Paris, Mandisa, TAYLOR, Bucky etc. This group has no personality. Blake maybe and Lakisha….
Hey, ya know what? I’m just as much as an SP-er as the next person, however, none of Taylor’s songs “fit” to be the exit song, except for maybe the ORGINAL(and so much better) recording of Hell of a Day, and that’s it. So the fact that “Home” is the exit song is fine with me. However, I am very mad at them because they are giving him the shaft, and bad. Kelly Clarkson, did she get out of her contract, or was it a 1-record deal? If she got out of it, I hope Taylor can get out of his.
And ya know what? I don’t know when Chris wrote the lyrics to “Home”, but it does seem like its about his experience on AI if you listen to the words, and if it is then its a little ironic because it would seem like a slap in the face to TPTB,…but that’s just IF it was written about his experience(which if it is, I don’t think he would ever admit to).
I agree that I’m not sure any of Taylor’s songs would fit for the exit song, but it does sort of seem like they are going out of their not to acknowledge him. And the few times Simon did mention him, it was an insult. On a different note, I thought Fantasia was fantastic last night!
DaniCalifornia - I don’t think Kelly C. got out of her contract. If I recall correctly, only Clay Aiken in Season 2 successfully broke his.
I found this blurb about the contracts:
This was interesting though older (2004):
My emphasis added. I definitely remembered the absolute shroud of secrecy around the exact terms of the contract. the $1,400 international “Idol” only happened for Clarkson I believe. The rest of it has always been described as borderline “usury” but the contestants sign because even usuary is better than obscurity, I suppose. I thought the part I bolded particularly related to Taylor even before anyone knew there was a Taylor… (2004)
I think Ryan also said Martina McBride will be a Guest Singer/Mentor this season.
Oops, she’s there!