Idol Thoughts - And then there were Nine

Another Wednesday, another Idol sent home--the only question: whose Idol adventure is cut short? Read on to find out how things went down on tonight's show...and to save you even more time than usual, let's just assume all of the normal tom-foolery goes on--stuff like the Idol group sing, the Ford commercial starring the remaining Idols, and other silly stuff that leads us up to one Idol leaving the stage for the last time.



Before any elimination stuff could go down, Ryan invited Reuben Studdard--aka the Velvet Teddy Bear and Season 2's Idol winner to the stage to sing a song...likely off of his new album. Reuben appeared to have dropped a few L-B's and was looking mighty smart in his shiny, charcoal three-button suit. He sounded good and seemed to really enjoy being back on the Idol stage. After the song Ryan inquired about Reuben's recent wait loss to which he said he is now a Vegan and working out.



Old Idol out of the way, it's time to find out who's safe and who's going to be around for another week to sing for your votes and move one step closer to the ultimate goal of becoming crowned the Season 9 American Idol.



Ryan started with Lee Dewyze. After a recap of the judges comments including Simon's "it was the night of your life", Ryan told Lee to sit down, he's safe! Casey James was next and Ryan asked him how he is going to challenge himself as some of the judge's suggested he do if he moves forward. Casey struggled to come up with a good answer, so Ryan stopped him and told him he is safe this week. Aaron Kelly was put through the torture of listening to the judges bantering with Ryan about how young Aaron is supposed to sing about love having never been in love. After all of that, Aaron was safe. So that leaves Siobhan and Katie--one of these girls is going to be asked to take the first seat on the elimination stools. And that Idol wannabe is...Katie. Siobhan is safe, but was reduced to tears as Katie made the long walk across the stage and the judges continued their debate about the type of artist Katie should be.



With the remaining five Idols still wondering their fate, Ryan found Justin Bieber--the 15-year-old YouTube wonder and Usher protege in the audience. And speaking of Usher, as the guest mentor this week, he was asked to perform a song complete with his sexy dancers.



Back to the elimination process...



Didi was run through the drill and asked about her use (or lack of use) of the guitar and then she was told to join Katie on the stools. Michael Lynche rose from the couch, listened to more judge's comments, and then was asked to walk over to Ryan's pedestal where he learned he was safe and then treated Ryan like a rag doll. No shock here--Crystal was safe. Two Idols left on the couch and one stool still vacant--would that stool hold Tim Urban or Andrew Garcia? Tim was made to explain his constant smiling--he's clueless...and in danger of going home because he is the third member of the Bottom 3. Andrew lives to sing another week.



As usual, Ryan sent one B3 back to safety and this week's lucky stay goes to Katie. So will the ride end for Idol's version of the "Cat with 9 Lives" or are we going to say goodbye to a talented singer who just can't seem to pick the right song enough to gain a following?



To find out we have to wade through a number by Diddy himself...or you could do like I did and fast forward through it.



And now for your results...Tim is safe and Didi is in danger of going home unless the judges use their save. To help sway their decision Didi selected "Rihanna" by Fleetwood Mac as her "save me" song. And as the judges deliberated...my DVR recording shut down and I was forced to go to my back up Tivo for the final results--thank God for technology.



So will the judges use their save? Simon was the bearer of the good or bad news and he took his time delivering the verdict which was...NO! Didi's ride is over and Idol is all the worse for it--it's no secret that I think Tim should have gone home long ago. Didi is going to be missed as we make our way to finding this Season's Idol.



And that's how things went down tonight. Tune in next Tuesday when the Idols perform for your votes. Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't' have to.



Charlie