Jolene Stole More Than Just Her Man

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

American Idol Season 8, Top 11 Elimination

The big question today has been, 'who is wrong?'

Maybe it's DialIdol, who believe all are safe except for three of the four remaining women. Only Lil, or Little if you were to listen to moniker-challenged Simon, is safe. Could that be? Could all 7 men be safe, free and clear from the pressure of hitting the seal tonight? Will the tour have a 7-3 male-female ratio? Does America prefer a male singer, or at least the AI voting public? Could it be the vocal internet fans, many wishing it will be Roughneck Michael Sarver heads back to the oil fields? Or those who think it is time Scott enlisted the aid of his seeing-eye stud to guide him out the door?

Perhaps the judges are correct, since the pretty much gave bad reviews to Alexis, Scott, Michael and Lil, and some mixed reviews for frontrunners Adam and Danny. This would suppose that the great feedback for Kris, Allison, Anoop and Matt, as well as the doctors excuse for Megan will hold and they are safe. I haven't a clue. No one tanked last night, although there were some less-than-perfect performances. With the format used this season, people seem to be a bit distanced from the contestants, and are just starting to warm up to some singers who have hardly been given enough time to recognize them previously, as they failed to create high [or low] drama or wear inappropriate clothing.

There is the also the 'Judges Save' in the picture, and will it be used. A leak came out of the show, claiming a guarantee the final 4 will be Danny, Adam, Lil and Alexis. If Alexis is in the bottom, will they save her? Or will it be reserved for when Adam or Danny need it? The mansion. I remember seeing it last week. Will we ever see it again? If not, was it cheaper than the apartments they have been putting them in? On the whole, why?

So many questions, and so much time filler. In the hour-long show tonight, Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis will do a duet, and Brad Paisley will sing live. It is country week, y'all. And Seacrust must terrorize some contestants - will it be Anoop, the go-to boy in manufactured pressure situations? Only time will give us the answers, or at least as many answer as they see fit to give us.

Ryan comes out, and says the results may shock you. Wow, maybe they are putting the Go in Gokey. That is about the only thing that will shock me.

Over 31 million votes. Saying hi to the judges. Sophomoric humor abounds. A recap follows. But before we find out 'what your votes have done' they perform 'Trouble' by Travis Tritt. This is so not close to being live. But they put Scott at the piano to solve any troublesome choreography. Now if they could have most of them playing the clarinet, it could solve the troublesome lip syncing.

Commercial Break - The Osbornes Reloaded. There is a show I will never watch.

We are back. The Ford Video, featuring a water ballon fight, to 'Here It Goes Again.' Oh well. And then we see what happens when they toss people off. The final dinner seems quite tearful. Sarver was given a moment to talk to his daughter, who crushed him with a question of why he doesn't want to be with her. Every parents nightmare, I bet.

Let's get to it. Danny is safe. Lil is safe and screams. Anoop is safe, and wasn't tortured. Michael and Allison. Paula thinks Allison is bottom. She is right. So is Michael. Wow, they both hit the seal. If history means anything, Adam, Alexis, Kris and Matt, the next four people right to left on the bottom row, are safe, leaving Scott and Megan for the final spot in the bottom 3.

But first, we have Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley performs his new single, 'Then.' And he is singing live. Good for Brad, the handsome devil. Unfortunately, I can't tell if this is an awful song, an awful performance, or both. The verses suck, and the chorus not bad - a song tailor-made for Danny?

I was wrong, they are going in the other direction. Scott can pack his bags, and go on tour, he is safe. Megan Joy is safe too. Matt is next, and he is safe. Kris stands to screams, and he is safe. Alexis and Adam are left. Simon watched Adam's performance back and stands by what he says. Randy names Allison, who is already safe, but it is Alexis who is in the bottom. And one is going back to safety. Allison is safe. Alexis is not happy and Michael cowering. After the break, we get Carrie and Randy T.

A Carrie video package, and she makes a Simon joke. I liked it. She has had 9 consecutive #1 singles. She looks lovely, except the growth on her head. Randy T is a genleman, as always. They sing a duet on 'I Told You So,' singing it live for the first time. Carrie is in great voice, and poor Randy isn't. But they are working it.

Back to the bottom 2. They might use the Save.... Hmmmm. I am sure it is Michael, don't you think? [Eye-roll]

Back from the break, they dim the lights, and Michael, you are safe. Alexis is in the lowest position. She has to sing for her life. Much pressure? They are conferencing. Oversinging, and drifting a bit around the notes. Nasty voice crack. And then another. Pouring out her heart and soul, says Ryan. The judges are unanimous, and it was good, but not good enough. Alexis goes home. And the tour is a testosterone-laiden affair, with 7 men and 3 ladies.

They roll the package. Who will Kara try to make into the next Xtina and all dirty? And are they really hanging on for a Danny or Adam blunder? And that guarantee of a top 4? Well, not so reliable, eh?

Reports are that next week is a Motown theme, complete with a trip to Detroit!