As is always the case on Wednesdays, it is time to say good bye to one of our final Idols, so by the end of the two-hour telethon, there will be but six Idols remaining.
Here's how the night went:
- Ryan introduced Queen Latifah who was hosting the party at the Kodak Theatre.
- The Idol Top 12 were reunited and dressed in white to lip synch a song together--just like old times. There was one particular point in the performance of "Keeping the Dream Alive" when Crystal "pretended" to hit a high note, but even a great singer like Crystal isn't going to be able to lip-synch their way through something that ridiculous.
- Jennifer Garner was the first celebrity to bring a heart-wrenching story. She traveled back to West Virginia where she introduced us to a family who lives in a less than desirable conditions in a trailer home where the family uses kerosene to heat their home and when they don't have kerosene, they use the oven. So sad. The charity that Jennifer told us about was "Save the Kids" which helps children develop literacy, get food and nutrition, and help children escape poverty (www.savethechildren.org). Posh Spice was on the Idol set with Ryan and couple of children who have benefited from this wonderful organization
- Captain Sullenberger asked viewers to call 877 IDOL AID (877-436-5243) or go to www.americanidol.com to donate to the many causes that tonight's show will benefit.
- A little comedy courtesy of Jonah Hill and Russel Brand broke up the serious nature of the night.
- The Black Eye Peas did their thing on "Rock You Body" back at the Kodak Theatre. Fergie was rockin' a metalic unitard and some serious thigh-high boots. After the performance, TV's Todd Bridges was spotted in the crowd--I told you it was going to be a HUGE night!
- Ryan then took us on a tour of a location in Africa where we watched a a young, pregnant mother with malaria suffered through this terrible disease. It was heart breaking to see the husband and would-be father as his wife's pine box casket was lowered into the ground. Ryan reminded us that a $10 mosquito net could have prevented this death. How very sad.
- With the that sad image still on our minds, Ryan tried to lighten things up by telling us about a faux contest to auction off the Idol elimination process. He said that a Mr. Lopez was the highest bidder--as in comedian George Lopez. George went through the "dim the lights...bring up the lights...disco lights..." etc. and then he had the seven Idols stand up and then sit down. Next he turned his attention on the Idol judges...and did a sort of Comedy Roast of them; sending Randy, Kara, and Ellen to safety and telling Simon that if it weren't for the volcanic ash, Simon would be sent back to England.
- Ford music video time...and FF on my DVR remote!
- Finally, some results...Simon asked Crystal and Casey to walk to center stage. He went through the usual judge's comments and then told them that one is safe and the other in the bottom three...based on that lead in there was very little surprise when Ryan announced that Casey will be making his maiden trip to the B3.
- Aaron and Lee were escorted to center stage and Aaron was sent to join Casey.
- We'll have to wait to learn who from the last three Idols, Big Mike, Teflon Tim, and Siobhan is in the B3.
- First, we were treated to a performance of "I Put a Spell on You" by Joss Stone, accompanied by Jeff Beck on guitar.
- Kara took us on a journey back to Africa where we learned that a staggering quarter of a million mothers die during child birth.
- Ban Ki-Moon from the United Nations thanked everyone from their generous support of Haiti and the other tragedies this year.
- Morgan Freeman talked about how fortunate he was to receive a good education growing up in Mississippi and, along with Randy Jackson, shared the story about very poor area within Morgan's home state called Mound Bayou, MS. Save the Children was again highlighted as the charity that helped so many in this long-suffering and struggling town--with literacy, physcial fitness, and other worthy causes.
- Last night's Idol mentor, Alicia Keys, was welcomed to the stage to sing a song. Dressed in a flowing black jumper and with her trademark grand piano close by, Alicia messmerized the audience with the ease with which she delivers such a moving performance of "I'm Ready" followed by "New York".
- After another attempted comedy routine with Jonah and Russell, we were whisked back to the Kodak Theatre for a performance by former American Idol and current two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year, Carrie Underwood who charmed us with "Change"--another hit by the girl who can seemingly make no wrong steps. Carrie selected that particular song because she is going to donate 36 cents from each concert ticket sold on her current tour to "Save the Children".
- We learned about "Feed America", a charity in which David Arquette has been involved for quite some time. Ellen shared the story of a LA-area Math teacher and his family who have had to turn to Feed America to help his family get food when they don't have anywhere else to turn.
- Bill and Melinda Gates, who have been very much involved in the "Save the Children" foundation, were interviewed by Ryan and talked about why they became involved in this charity--to help save children from dying. Sounds simple, but it is wonderful to know that people with this level of wealth actually use their money for good.
- Wanda Sykes came on next to rant about the madness of elimination night--about how before sending someone home they run video clips of happier times...like when they still had hopes and dreams...and then they ask the eliminated one to sing--to prove to America that they got it right by not voting for them. It was mildly entertaining.
- And speaking of eliminations, it's time to find out which of the remaining in-limbo Idols are safe and which one is in the B3--would it be Mike, Siobhan, or Tim? Well, it isn't Siobhan--she's safe. Big Mike was reminded that last year Matt Girard was saved by the judges, but only lasted two weeks before being sent home. But there will not be a repeat as Big Mike is safe and Tim was sent to the B3 stools.
- As Tim made the long walk across the stage, Ryan introduced David Cook who shared his story about Ethiopia where young girls are subject to sex trades, very young marriage (as young as 5 years old), and other awful circumstances. But there is hope and that hope is in the form of Idol Gives Back and the money that is raised by the wonderful charity.
- Annie Lennox brought us the story of a seven-year-old African girl who was born HIV-positive which has developed into full-blown aids. The little girl weighs the same as a one-year-old baby. Her mother died and now the little girl is sick with pneumonia. It is so heart breaking to see these children who were never given a chance. But with the aid of drugs we learned that the litle girl is doing better now--she has gained weight and looks like a normal little seven-year-old. Annie, who couldn't be in LA due to the Icelandic Volcano, sang a song ("Universal Child") from London during which a video of the many children with whom she has worked rolled.
- With time running out on my recording and still no word on who is going home on this emotional night, Mary J. Blige took to the stage along with Idol's Randy Jackson on Bass to perform her awesome version of "Stairway to Heaven". As the cameras made their way around Mary's backing band it was revealed that she was being supported by a veritable who's-who of the Rock world--Travis Barker from Blink 182 was on drums, Orianthi (the guitar virtuoso) was on lead guitar...and then my DVR stopped...
So who got cut tonight? Well, thanks to the wonderful world in which we live, I used other sources to discover how the night ended...and here's what I found: Tim's Teflon coating was no longer able to deflect the lack of votes which means we are down to a six-pack of Idols.
It was another successful "Idol Gives Back"--a lot of money was raised, Idol is getting down to the short strokes, and you are all caught up on your weekly Idol fix.
Tune in next Tuesday when the Idols tackle another (to be learned by me) theme and vie for your votes.
Until them, I will continue to watch TV so you don't have to.
Charlie
www.americanidol.com (please donate!)
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