Idol Chatter - The Final Four is Found

Going into tonight's elimination show, you just knew it was going to be a good one--how could you go wrong with Harry Connick, Jr. and Lady Gaga all set to perform, the thrill of Cinco de Mayo in the air, and the anicipation of learning who your final four will be by the end of the show. It is sure to be a big night.

But before we were allowed to enjoy any of those goodies, we endured the following:

• a terible lip-synched medley of Sinatra tunes
• the lame Ford music video
• a behind the scenes look at what the Idols go through on performance day
• silly questions for the Idols as they sat on the Idol couch in their Sinatra-inspired outfits
• and finally, the elimation process began...

Lee was first to stand up, walk to center stage, hear a recap of last night's judge's comments, and, after several minutes of babble (most of it from Lee himself), he found out he was safe and the first member of the Final Four.

After a commercial break--or as I like to call it "my finger on the FF button", Lady Gaga did her thing on the stage.

We were then treated to another behind the scenes package--this time it was all about Harry...and Harry is one funny and entertaining DUDE! Who wouldn't want to hang with this guy?! It was probably the best time these Idols had all season--especially since most of them are lacking that real magnetic personality.

When we returned to the live broadcast (or for those of us on the West Coast the "taped" version of the live broadcast), Harry was on stage croonin' his heart out and showing the Idols how it is done. After Harry did his thing, he re-introduced the Top 5 Idols who faked their way through a medley of Harry's songs

With Lee the only Idol to know his fate, Ryan restarted the eimination process. Crystal was sent to start a group by Harry's piano. Big Mike started a separate group near Ryan. Aaron was asked to join Big Mike and Casey was sent to stand next to Crystal. And then Lee was asked if he could pick the safe group--he couldn't and Ryan didn't make him. Then Ryan announced that Big Mike and Aaron are the Bottom 2. I'm pretty sure that sucking sound you hear is the sound of Casey breathing a HUGE sigh of relief.

Unfortunately for young Aaron, his Idol run came to a screeching halt and Big Mike was sent to the Idol couch to celebrate with the other members of the Idol Final Four. While we watched a video recap of Aaron's time on Idol, it was sad to say good-bye to a good kid with a very good voice. I'm sure this ride on Idol will be but the beginning for this talented 17-year-old country crooner.

Tune in next Tuesday when the Idols take on music from the movies--or so I've heard. Until then I will continue watching TV so you don't have to.

Charlie