If you thought last week's results show opening seemed like a movie trailer, you hadn't seen anything yet! The Top 10 results show intro compared the battle to become the next American Idol to the Clash of the Titans, and Simon Cowell was compared to the Kraken. They are both prone to bad attitudes.
Ryan Seacrest, looking sharp in a black suit and tie, introduced Ruuuuuuuuuuben! Season 2's Velvet Teddy Bear, Ruben Studdard, was back...and trim! The now svelte Studdard and his irresistible smile and dimples sang "Don't Make 'Em Like U No More." Idols love to use "U" in the place of "You" in their song titles. After his performance, the Season 2 winner caught up with Ryan and announced that he's going on tour with Season 2's runner-up, the popular Clay Aiken. Is this a joke? An early April Fools? Apparently it's for real, and I'm so there. I love 2003! Ruben said he slimmed down thanks to going vegan, and Ryan called up Big Mike to go back-to-back with Ruben and compare size. The big question is, why is Mike wearing a small purplish ponytail? Surely he did not grow that over night!
After viewing the Kung Fu themed music video of the week (I wouldn't want to mess with those Idols!), Ryan investigates Michael Lynche's ponytail. He never gets to see the hairstylist, so today they glued a hair piece to the back of his scalp. The host then checked in with Crystal Bowersox to find out what it was like to play the piano after not having tickled the ivories in many years. Then, Mrs. Garcia, in a flannel shirt that Andrew would wear, gave some words of wisdom to her boy: "Be himself, because mama raised him right."
It was time for the results, and Ryan had Lee DeWyze stand first. Seacrest questioned Simon Cowell to see if, after his comment about Lee's potentially life-changing moment the previous night, he thinks Lee is a potential finalist. Simon said 100% yes. Cowell's support didn't hurt Lee - he's safe.
Casey James rocked out to "Hold On I'm Coming" on Tuesday night, and Simon also praised Casey (that Brit was sure in a great mood!). The Texas native is moving on to the Top 9.
Aaron Kelly sang a song ("Ain't No Sunshine") about love and yearning, and Ryan asked Aaron if he's ever been in love. Simon had the best line of the night when he responded, "Ryan, this is not The Oprah Winfrey Show." Never being in love didn't affect the truth in Aaron's performance - he's safe.
Either Siobhan Magnus or Katie Stevens would be in the bottom three. Ryan revealed that Siobhan received more votes than Katie, so Katie's in the bottom. As Katie took her seat on the first stool, Siobhan was crying.
Hey! Justin Bieber is in the audience, trend away on Twitter! This week's mentor, Usher, took the stage to sing "O.M.G." and special guest Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas joined him on stage.
Back from commercial break, it was time for more results. Didi Benami hasn't picked up the guitar recently, but she said she's only been playing the guitar for a few years, so it's difficult for her to learn a new song each week on it. When Ryan told Didi she's in the bottom, she seemed to have expected it and smiled and walked to a stool.
Michael Lynche was next. Ellen DeGeneres likes his sensitive side and called it "Tiny Mike." Ryan faked Mike out by telling him to walk across the stage and then sending him back to safety. Seacrest messed with the wrong guy; Big Mike did a basket toss and threw Ryan up in the air. Spirit fingers!
Crystal Bowersox, sporting one of her homemade knit caps, made an impression on America at the piano and in her dress and heels - she's safe too.
Either Tim Urban or Andrew Garcia would be the final contestant in the bottom three this evening. Each week, the results come down to Andrew Garcia or the person he's up against, and so far he's been safe. The pattern continued: Andrew was safe and Tim was the other contestant in the bottom.
Ryan had America take a look at their bottom three, and then he sent Katie Stevens back to safety. Who would go home: Didi or Tim? We'd find out, but first we had a performance from Dirty Money, featuring Diddy, not to be confused with Didi. The performance included intense dancing and strobe lights. Both Diddy and Usher wear sunglasses when they perform, but if I were faced with such strong strobe lights, I would wear some polarized lenses too. Diddy was a gentleman and gave props to the Idols and thanked the Idol crew for the opportunity to perform this evening.
Back to the results. The finalist with the fewest votes was Didi Benami. She sang "Rhiannon" for the save and gave a strong showing. The judges conversed and ultimately decided not to use the save, although Simon admitted that this performance was "a million times better than what you did last night." Ryan said that Didi was a "very brave young lady wearing her heart on her sleeve the entire season." The fellow Season 9ers came over to Didi and they exchanged big hugs and big sobs.
Next on Idol - the Top 9 perform hits from the Lennon/McCartney Songbook!
