American Idol 7 - Top 8 - Inspiration Night - Results Prediction - 04/10/08

Okay, this may be an easy week for some of you, but it's kinda hard for me since I'm emotional.

Getting into this week, I had my usual suspects for elimination: Syesha Mercado, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns and Jason Castro.

After the performances and performance order my selections are: Syesha Mercado, Michael Johns and Carly Smithson.

Jason Castro sang in dangerous position #3, but gave arguably the best performance of the night and is safe. In fact, Jason just revived his chances of making Top 4 by energizing his fanbase and attracting new fans.

For the first time in weeks, Kristy Lee Cook looks like she has connected with the audience. Even if it was a so-so vocal in my opinion, she was rewarded with praise from the judges which should translate to: "you are safe" this week.

Brooke White and David Cook had so-so performances as well. But Brooke got the impossible to get eliminated pimp spot and David Cook is still riding the crest of "Billie Jean", so both of them are safe.

And now the tough part: who will be eliminated? Although the real question for me is: Will American Idol save Carly Smithson?

Rickey's Bold Prediction

Michael Johns sang at #1 and did not get raves from Simon Cowell who made it a point to say that he was "wannabe-ish". I don't think that Michael's strong showing last week will prevent him from visiting the Bottom 3 this week. It's either Michael or David Cook at the last Bottom 3 spot, and they can't do that to David Cook can they? From hero to zero in 2 weeks? So Michael at least Bottom 3.

Michael Johns singing out the show with "Dream On" -- Shocking and funny.

The case against a Syesha Mercado elimination. Syesha has been on everybody's radar for weeks. I mean, I'm certain that she doesn't have any fans because they don't vote or buy her music on iTunes. However, I don't think American Idol will eliminate a person of color three weeks in a row and lose all diversity this early. That would be bad. Since I'm a die-hard fan of Fantasia, I found taking on "I Believe" sacrilegious, but it wasn't a terrible performance. Syesha has survived singing #2 before.

Syesha Mercado singing out the show with "I Believe" -- Ironic and funnier.

The case for and against a Carly Smithson elimination. Well, the only case for Carly Smithson staying is that she's one of the judges' favorites early in the competition and they might still want her for another week (up until Andrew Lloyd Webber / Broadway week which is where she's bound to shine). It's a bit complicated because controversy struck, and Simon Cowell has been constantly trashing Carly to protect his credibility as an unbiased judge. My judgement is a bit cloudy since I feel guilty for contributing to Carly's bad press and I now want her to do well. She's trying, but Simon Cowell has been very harsh on her. It was a complete 180 for the show which went out of their way to drop the Kelly Clarkson card for Carly early. I think that Carly deserves a week where she could really shine, and get some sincere praise from Simon Cowell. However, Carly had the worst performance this week. Simon even hinted that she's in trouble -- the only one last night -- and if that's not a big red flag I don't know what is. They did their best to protect her by making her sing #6, but I don't think it's enough.

Carly Smithson singing out the show with "The Show Must Go On" -- Priceless and funniest.

Which leads me to a question which has been nagging me all day: Will Michael Johns be sacrificed in favor of Carly Smithson? Of course, I would be personally relieved if Syesha Mercado answered that question for me. But assuming I'm correct with my conspiracy theories, the answer is "no."

So my pick to be eliminated on Thursday is Carly Smithson.

The winner of American Idol 7 will be David Archuleta.

Discuss!