The longest series in the history of American Idol is coming to a close. But first we have to execute the historically-cursed fourth-place finisher. Then next week we can sit and watch as the three remaining kids are forced to sing a song chosen for them by one of the three stooges, one chosen by the main stooge Clive Davis, and one song that the kids get to choose for themselves.
Because THIS is American Idol.
And this is a Simulblog, where the action unfolds as it's airing on the east coast, so if you want to be SHOCKED, run, do not walk, to the nearest exit.
And since the shoutbox appears to be "down for maintenance" please feel free to chat using the comment thread in this entry.
Ryan brings up the fact that fourth place is traditionally cursed and hints around that we may be surprised yet again as he intros the retrospective of the night before. Followed, of course, by the random person on the street reviews that none of us really care about.
Over 45 million votes were cast, Ryan tells us before warning us we're gonna hear from Pink, undoubtedly another of the Idol Gives Back taped performances that they ran too short of time to air, and undoubtedly one more reason for me to complain.
Once back from paying the bills, Ryan starts the hype for the summer tour, alerting parents of young daughters that Sanjaya will be live and up close and personal. I'll be curious to see the ticket sales for that.
Oh. And Pink sings.
It's the FORD commercial, an homage to Sanjaya. Then it's time for the mind-bending Idol challenge. Pick B!
It's a group sing!! Or a quartet sing, more precisely, a tribute to the Brothers Gibb that starts with significant sound problems, and I'm not talking about Melinda's voice. Will somebody please stop letting the interns work the audio.
Random observation: who lets Jordin dress herself?
Ryan is sitting on the sofa with the quartet to have a little filler chat about the night before. And the kids are reminded that the remaining three will get to have their big hometown celebrations, provided none of them lives in Los Angeles, which confines its hometown celebrations to high school gymnasiums. And, of course, that means that one of them came thisclose to getting confettied, but, alas, gets to run through the drive thru at the Burger King instead.
We then get forcefed another movie promo, this time for the Fantastic 4.
And - finally - we get to learn a little about the kids. Jordin is the only one with siblings. Melinda and LaKisha both had afros as little girls. And Blake got booted from choir class.
Random observation: Somebody please buy Ryan a razor.
After the break...
Big group hug precedes the reading of the card.
LaKisha gets her reviews from last night.
Melinda gets hers.
So does Blake.
And Jordin.
Jordin is told to have a seat.
And we have to endure the hype for a new "band" show before getting to hear Barry Gibb. And he decides to sing To Love Somebody, making him now the fourth person to sing this song on American Idol. And about third best.
Melinda is told she's safe.
Random observation: would somebody please put an intern in charge of Paula's audio.
Blake and LaKisha stand arm in arm. Blake is told he's safe, his family celebrates and he gives LaKisha major hugs and she, and we, get to watch her funeral footage.
She says she doesn't want to cry, but can't keep from it. It's always sad to lose one at this stage, after they've come so far.
The crowd stands for her, as do the judges, and LaKisha sings out to Stayin' Alive, even though she didn't.
So long KiKi.
