Last night's American Idol results show rolled over us in a half hour of quick announcements, unexpected entertainment and big surprises. There were also moments of great sadness. That's life...and today fans of American Idol have to get on with it.
The show began with a quick nod to the judges...followed by a video recap of last night's classic songs. Sanjaya Malakar popped up with a broad smile to say, "I danced with Paula Abdul...How much better can life get?"
The Ford vignette gave us a hint of the Jamaican vibe as the contestants worked it through a bubble machine to the tune of "one car-one vibe." That Ford sure looked sparkly when they finished.
Next was an announcement about the much awaited songwriting contest. The winner gets to go to the AI finale to hear his/her song sung by the next American Idol. Of course, they will also get royalties from the CD. Cool, Cool. Check out the details on the home page of Americanidol.com.
Now is the dreaded time...elimination time. How my heart breaks wondering who will go home. Everyone has their favorites to stay and to go. Some of these contestants are starting to grow on us.
In the fashion of "Goldie Locks and the Three Bears," Ryan has divided them into three groups of three already. One group is too cool, one group is too hot and one group is just right.
Our groups are: Blake Lewis-Chris Sligh Chris Richardson-Sanjaya, Haley Scarnato-Gina Glocksen-Phil Stacey, and Jordin Sparks-Melinda Doolittle-LaKisha Jones. Well, group one is pretty cool and group three is just right so that means the group that is just too hot for AI is Haley-Gina-Phil. The others get to go back to the back burners for this week.
Before he tells us who will leave, Ryan has to put us through Seacrest gymnastics - go through the hoop, over the pummel horse and swing under the balance beam then answer the AI Challenge question: Which AI finalist was nicknamed Chicken Little? A. Kevin Covias B. Bucky Covington C. Taylor Hicks.
Allstate has joined the ranks of the AI Gives Back. It's good to see corporate America swell the ranks.
The next bombshell is that Tony Bennett has the flu and won't be singing. I was so looking forward to hearing him. Of course, I can still look for his new CD featuring duets with some great stars like Barbra Streisand.
In his place is Michael Bublè. Wooo Whooo! A Canadian makes it to AI. I am elated. Singing "Call Me Irresponsible," Michael gives a laid back, seemingly unrehearsed performance along the lines of the early crooners. When he has us feeling mellow, he blasts us with a change up that is awesome. That is how it is done, contestants. The drop to a bass note at the end was fabulous. He and Ryan finish with a chatty moment in which Michael wonders if he is wasting his votes on Antonella Barba!
After this little touch of humor, Ryan brings us back to reality. It's time...time to crush someone's dream. I think we are in for a big surprise.
Ryan sends Phil back to safety, leaving two hotties, Haley and Gina. Most recappers have been predicting it's Haley's night to go.
Randy is surprised that Gina is in the bottom three and maybe a little surprised that Haley is there. Paula looks appropriately sad and says it gets tough at this point. Simon abruptly says he is not surprised!
Last night, 33 million votes were cast and the contestant receiving the least was....Gina Glocksen. Unbelieveable!! But for those who watch each year, this is about the time we get a surprise. I was expecting Phil (although he is my favorite male) or LaKisha, based on her last two performances. I certainly wasn't prepared to lose Gina. It's a shock.
Both girls cry, Haley goes to join the others, Ryan picks up Little Pickle and passes it to Gina, who is trying to be brave. They watch her journey and then she sings "Smile." A view of a thoughtful looking Sanjaya flashes on the screen. The others join Gina and Jordin finishes the last line for her. They do get close over the weeks. Smile, people, the tour and CDs are coming.
