From Motown to Hometown... Someone Leaves The Building

(Here’s the results show recap from Howard!)

American Idol Season 8, Top 10 Elimination

Wow, there is such overwhelming agreement throughout the AI-web that the bottom three are predestined to be Michael Sarver, Megan Joy and Scott MacIntyre it is almost scary. Can this season of small surprises really be that easy to decipher all of a sudden? Is it that predictable?

There is some slight disagreement about who is going home, with most thinking it is Michael Sarver, and others picking Lady Caw-Caw, Megan Joy. So will the bit of surprise be that Scott is leaving for giving his third consecutive Adult Contemporary performance? Or will America 'embrace the braille' and send him back to safety.

One thing I think we can all be sure of, and that is if any of the above hits the seal tonight and are asked to sing for their life, it will be a fruitless exercise. If the judges are going to whip out the Golden Power of Veto, it will not be for those that have not been involved in the struggle to win.

Will tonight's show help bridge the gap between Kara's desire for package artists and 'dirty girls' and her newfound love for the illusive Artistry? Will we discover why Paula has found some rare clarity this season that has managed to elude her for several years? Might we discover why Simon found it appropriate to draw a 'Snidely Whiplash' moustache on Paula when they should have been paying attention to a very strong performance. Will Adam keep the 'Elvis' look?

Montage - best season evah - most talented contestants evah - blah blah. Seacrust emerges. Over 36 million votes came in - most for any top 10 in the history of AI. Ruben Studdard are in the house, as are Smokey Robinson and Joss Stone. To top it all off, Stevie Wonder will be doing a medley. The judges are introduced, and Crusty scolds Simon and Paula for their

Lip synching with Detroit. Wow, they decided to pt the fullest and grittiest voice [Allison] with the reediest [Scott] - that is mean. The ladies are being pimped, taking center stage for most of this medley. I don't think Gokey nor Kris nor Anoop had any kind of solo, just a group sway. And, by the way, Adam is back to his EMO-elfish self.

We are back. The Ford Video, featuring a mosaic art project, to 'Pocketful of Sunshine.' And the Ford drives off to the distance. Oh well. And Ruben is here to sing his latest single. I think he's lost a bit of weight, good for him. What a happy guy. He is singing 'Together,' a rather generic ballad off his new CD, 'Love Is/'. He is married, and they move on.

Adam is safe, but in a shock, Matt is in the bottom three. Wow. Kris next, and is safe. Lil and Michael next, and Lil is safe, and Sarver is in the bottom. Crusty fooled both Kris and Lil, when will these kids learn? Up next, Smokey & Joss. Then the bottom row. Next week, there will be a sneak preview of Cookie's latest single, 'Come Back To Me.'

The bottom row, from left to right, is Anoop, Gokey, Scott, Megan and Allison. Will the start from the left or the right? Will they toy with Allison, or return to games with Anoop? Will a woman join the boys, or will it be an all-male bottom 3?

Joss & Smokey singing 'You're The One For Me.' Both sound good, far better than the song.I am falling asleep, especially during the chorus. A few hours later, it ends, and it is time for a commercial and to place the final person in the bottom 3.

Allison is safe, and now to the other end, and Anoop is safe. Gokey is up next, leaving Scott and Megan for the bottom slot. Gokey is safe - quelle suprise! The person in trouble tonight is Scott, making an all-boy bottom three. Megan offers to walk Scott over, how sweet. Randy offers his thought that Matt is the one who should not be there, but doesn't say who should leave. Back to safety goes Scott. Crusty becomes the seeing-eye person, leaving Matt and Michael on the seal. This is kinda taking the guesswork away...or is it? Will this be the shock elimination that makes the judges use the veto? After the break, Stevie Wonder will perform. And Michael seems awfully happy and serene with the thought of his departure.

Matt is not a happy camper about being in the bottom. Nerves are getting the better of him. The safe kids look excited about Stevie performing live, something they should be doing on this show tonight... Ma Cherie Amour, followed by Superstition [awww, he is covering Ricky Braddy]. Then comes 'Overjoyed.' A miraculous career that Stevie has had. The kids are bowing to a blind man - do they know he can't see them? I think he is singing a new song - and he loves Barack Obama, because it is all about positivity. And he loves American Idol - bet they help him sell lots of music as often as he is covered on this show.

Simon seems to imply they have to be mightily impressed to use the veto/save for either, since America seems to not like these two. Yikes. Such a charmer, that man.

Back from the break, they dim the lights, the person with the lowest number of votes is Michael - Matt is safe. 'I have to sing after Stevie, crap!' Michael has a sense of humor, at least. Simon and Randy are discussing their investments, and Paula and Kara are dancing. Wow, he is a bad dancer. He is marginally better than last night, but doubt there is a shot at the save. Wow, there is indecision. Wow. Simon makes a decision, and he is going home.

They roll the package. What does tonight mean? Did the death-slot put Matt in the bottom, or are his votes weaker than we thought? Will the next few goodbyes be from the men? Will Megan sail to victory? Tune in next week to find out more...