Double Bubble, Producers Stir Trouble

(Here's the Result Show recap from Howard!)

American Idol Season 8, Top 13 Elimination

With the first performance show under their belts, I am sure the contestants are all trying to figure out what is going on. Why should we, the fans and audience, be any different. The internet has been abuzz with a variety of theories, from a sing-off of the bottom three to the final decision wresting in the hand of the judges. Seacrust and the producers are bringing up the French example, that the judges are given the 'Golden Power of Veto' over a voting decision, one time per contestant. The French model employed this, and nullified the elimination that night.

Frankly, I think they should take a cue from Big Brother, and make the judges compete for the Veto, only one earning the power each week, and they have the ability to use it or not. They can have a talent show, play a board game, do puzzles - it could be an interesting part of Thursday night. After all, watching Kara and Simon play mind games, because Kara wants to save a certain contestant, and Simon wants the ratings from a shock elimination. How cool could that be?

If this is true, we know that Adam and Danny have nothing to worry about in the slightest, except maybe that they are not getting enough votes, which I doubt is true. More than likely, Lil and Alexis will be pretty safe as well. I tend to think Scott, Megan and Matt would be protected as well, and maybe even Kris and Allison.

That leaves Jasmine, Anoop and Jorge on the hot seat, with bubble-dwellers Kris and Allison. They seem to like both Kris and Allison, but weren't over the top with the praise after their performances, so who can be sure they would be rescued if needed? Anoop was pretty much tossed under the bus across the board, but do we really think there is a chance they would let him go this early, despite some bad performances?

And how about saving the package artist of Kara's dream, Jasmine? Or the charming young man from Puerto Rico, Jorge? I am pretty sure Simon would hurt anyone who tried to save Jorge, and might allow it to happen to Jasmine, or roll his eyes but not argue with her being saved.

I could ramble on even longer, but the show will be starting soon, and we will have answers to our questions. At least to a few of them, as many as AI will allow. Will two be going home tonight, or just one? If just one, will they recover from being told they weren't good enough to be saved, while another person was? Will there be a suit for pain and suffering? Will AI continue to change the rules as they see fit this season? Ah, the questions!

Well, the pre-show commercial just said 2 were going home tonight, so we shall see if there is truth in advertising! Ryan opens the show in an homage to the Bohemian Rhapsody. He mentions the new rule, and we still know nothing. 33 million votes, the biggest to date this early. And Kanye West and Kelly Clarkson are on. Randy boos Simon, weren't we over that about 4 years ago?

The deal about the new rule. Michael Johns, that was an uproar? Tamyra, I'lll buy. Jennifer Hudson, perhaps. Daughtry, certainly.

The Judge's save - wow, that is complicated. It has to be a unanious decision by all four judges, and can only happen one time per contestant from Top 13 to Top 5. But wait, neither Daughtry or Tamyra would be saved by this, since they left after round 5. Hmmmmmm. Now, I am confused if it is one per contestant, or once this season. Not very clear, Seacrust. Damn.

The mansion. Woohoo. It's big. They run around and pretend they are they Beverly Hillbillies and are looking for the cement pond. They sing a Michael Jackson medley, and it was nice, but unexceptional.

Oh, the drama. Will two go, or will only one? Revisiting last night, they are pushing the Roughneck, and tossing Megan, Jorge, Anoop and Jasmine under the bus. And they pointed out the frontrunners, Danny and Adam.

New Ford Video. The Top 13 are video billboards, singing We Will Rock You!

Michael Sarver is safe. Allison is safe. Jasmine is not safe. Matt is safe. Kris is nervous, and they ask Megan to stand. America Voted and Kris is safe! Megan is not safe.

Megan or Jasmine? Megan is....safe. Will the judges save her? Jasmine sings while the judges chat. It isn't really any better than last night. Back to Randy, and it has been discussed, and she is sent home. Wow, sending the 16-year-old off right away.

So, the remaining 7 are sweating bullets, and feel their stomach turn. And Kanye will perform while the contestants just get closer to the breakdown. You know Anoop is going to be a part of the drama, since they have used him every time he is on, right? Kanye, really? The treated voice for the singing contest? Wow. And not in a good way.

Back to the contestants. Scott is safe. Alexis is naughty, perhaps, and safe. Danny is standing up, And sits back down, safe. Anoop Dawg is in the house, and is going to center of the stage. Adam is next, and is safe. Jorge is next, and is left standing, with Lil joining him. Jorge, please head to center stage, and Lil is safe.

Anoop is much taller than Jorge. The person with the lowest number of votes will be revealed...after the break. They have both been here before. And Kelly Clarkson still to come. Will she sing out, or will they make the boys hang out while she sings? Does anyone believe they will let Anoop go this early? Oh, the questions! Yes, Kelly comes out, the boys sitting there. Simon winked at her, and I just shuddered a little bit.

Kelly sings 'My Life Would Suck Without You.' Damn,t hat girl can sing. I don't love the song, but you gotta appreciate her abilities. The outfit, well, not the best choice in the world, but the voice is covering it up. Actually, her voice doesn't sound as perfect as usual, but it's ok. She still would win. I say that because she is obviously waiting on my opinion. LOL

I bet the boys were saying their lives would suck without AI, but I could be mistaken. But one might just find out shortly. Here we go, 33 million votes, and Anoop is safe. Jorge is handling it gracefully. Up to the judges. It has to be unanimous, and Simon is so not on board. He sings while the judges talk, and is sounding good once again. I like him. At least he got to sing out tonight.

One save for the entire season. And it won't be Jorge. Simon was so direct about it, I have to say that I kinda laughed, because that is so Simon. Carrie Underwood sings 'Home Sweet Home' and does a great job with it. Damn, girl can sing!