Idol Chatter - Nine Becomes Eight (or does it?!)

Kicking off tonight's elimination show, Ryan told us expect some shocking results based on last night's coast-to-coast voting...now that sounds worth watching.

But you know what isn't (worth watching)? The Idols lip-syncing their way through a medley of Lennon and McCartney hits...but that's what we were tortured with before starting the elimination process.

Thirteen minutes in the show, Ryan asked Siobhan to stand up. He did the usual recap of the judge's comments and then directed her to the center of the stage where she was joined by Crystal and Katie. Then Ryan asked Randy if any of them should be in the B3 based on last night's performance--he said "no" and then Crystal was sent back to the couches followed by the other two girls.

So with all three remaining girls safe tonight, it is going to be an all-male B3.

Before learning the fate of the boys, we learned that next week's Idol mentor is none other than Season 8's Adam Lambert. And then we were treated by a performance by Jason DeRulo, an artist signed by Idols' very own Kara DioGuardi. I couldn't tell you how he sounded because I chose to hit the fast-forward button on my remote...and stopped when Season 6's David Archuleta hit the stage to sing "Imagine" for the 100th time on the Idol stage.

Again my finger found the FF button and I didn't stop this time until Ryan was back at the Idol couch causing the six boys to have heart palpitations.

Ryan told us he was going to split the boys into two groups of 3. He started with Lee Dewyze who was asked to walk to the far side of the stage. Michael Lynch stood up and was sent to the near side of the stage. Casey James joined Lee. Aaron Kelly got a few tips from Simon before he was asked to stand next to Big Mike. That left Tim Urban and Andrew Garcia on the couch. Tim was told to join Lee and Casey--which could be the twist that Ryan suggested was coming at the top of the show. So what would Ryan do with Andrew Garcia? He joined Mike and Aaron.

With the boys evenly divided and standing on either side of him at Center Stage, Ryan asked Ellen which group of boys made up the B3. She selected the group with Mike, Aaron, and Andrew--and the boos began causing Ellen to change her mind...but before the boos could change to cheers or any other noise, Ryan stepped in and said she had it right the first time. Mike, Aaron, and Andrew were in the B3 while Lee, Casey, and Teflon Tim were safe!

Ryan sent Aaron back to the safety of the Idol couch leaving Michael and Andrew to sweat it out and do their best to be entertained by Rihanna who was welcomed to the stage in a cat woman outfit. But I wasn't fooled by the outfit, I found zipped through her performance and a number of commercials because I couldn't wait to see who was in danger of going home.

And that Idol was...Michael Lynche who was asked to sing for the judges and their "save". To help them make up their mind, Big Mike went with This Woman's Work", the same song that brought Kara to tears just a few short weeks ago. While his wife openly weeped in the audience, Big Mike delivered an emotional performance, but would it be enough?

Simon was called upon to deliver the news--would the judges use their one save tonight leading to a double-elimination next week or would they save their save for another night? Simon did a bit of bait and switch and then said "see you next week". Judge's save used and from this point forward your votes will decide who stays and who goes.

And that is how we started the night with nine Idols and we still have nine, but that won't be the case one week from tonight when we will start with nine and end with SEVEN!

Tune in next Tuesday and see how the Idols working with one of their own.

Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to.

Charlie