An Ode to Chris Sligh:
Chris, oh Chris, you sang too fast,
You should have known it would not last!
You made us laugh, but even so,
You had to be the third to go.
Another ½ hour show, so things have to move right along this evening. First off, Ryan says that two questions must be answered:
1. Who is going home?
2. How will Sanjaya wear his hair?
At least we know that Ryan was influenced by the 'do! He's been Sanjaya-ized! Somehow, the faux mohawk just doesn't work for Ryan, so he peels it from his head, introduces the judges, and recaps last night's performances. Who is going home? We'll find out after the break!
This weeks Ford vignette featured the kids singing "I Fought the Law" while chasing down Chris Richardson (on a horse, and he's completely convincing as a villain in a black hat) in Ford Mustangs. The poor outlaw's punishment was apparently to wash and wax the cars.
After the break, Ryan announces that the bottom three contestants should go to center stage. Blake Lewis, stand up! No, sit down, you are safe. LaKisha, stand/sit. Phil, you are in the bottom three, go and stand by yourself in the circle of doom. Melinda? You are safe. Chris R., you are also safe. Sanjaya, you are safe! Haley, you are in the bottom three, please go and join Phil in the circle of doom. Jordin, you are safe. Gina? Chris S.? You'll have to wait until after the break!
First up, Ryan points out Jana James, last week's winner of the AI Challenge. This week's question: Which of these finalists from Birmingham, Alabama, was dubbed "The Velvet Teddy Bear?" A) Bo Bice, B) Ruben Studdard, or C) Taylor Hicks. I'm guessin' "B", but that's just me.
Ryan then briefly mentions that Exxon has stepped up to the "Idol Gives Back" plate with a nice corporate sponsorship. He then introduces Gwen Stefani with special guest Akon, singing "The Sweet Escape." She looked great and sounded good, but it's just not my cup of tea. After the song is over, she promotes the "Sweet Escape" tour, and Ryan mentions that she'll be a part of "Idol Gives Back.
When we come back, Gina is safe and Chris Sligh is sent to the circle of doom to join Haley and Phil. Ryan immediately sends Phil scurrying back to safety, then asks the judges who will be going home. Randy says, "I don't know, dawg..." Paula is equally non-committal. Simon says "Bye bye curly." Ryan then announces that Haley is safe. Chris will be going home.
We watch Chris's journey to the strains of Chris Daughtry's "Home," and then Chris sings us out, doing a better job than he did last night. He mingles with and hugs the other contestants while he's singing, going out with style and class. I'm saddened, but not disheartened. This is not the last we'll see of Mr. Sligh. Guaranteed.
