One of Nine Voted Off

Okay, okay, I know I'm almost a week overdue with posting this. I've said this before: I really hate when my job gets in the way of my life, but this time it was my life getting in the way of my life --- a surgery planned months ago that suddenly was on the horizon, just after Easter (when I have my extended family for brunch). . . well, that's really fodder for my crazy, zany life, so I'll just get back to it.

I know I complain every season that I wish they'd change some things, and they have, but I really, really don't like the weird montage/recap thing they've added this year to the beginning of the results shows.

Jason DeRulo, Rhianna and David Archuleta guested --- strange combo, but THIS IS. . . American Idol!

The dreaded/dreadful "group sing" was a collection from the Lennon/McCartney songbook and was nothing more than bad lip syncing.

This week's Ford video was to "Will it Go Round in Circles".

And then the results began.

Siobhan was invited to center stage. Crystal was invited to join her. Then Katy was added to the group. After the usual long, drawn out rehash, Crystal was declared safe, then Katy and Siobhan. Slick, Ryan.

Jason DeRulo, who I will admit I've never heard of, is apparently a Kara "find". He was okay, but what's up with the ill-fitting winter gloves? MJ did the glove, Jason, find a new "thing".

David Archuleta sang "Imagine". It was amazing to see him again --- more confident, more mature looking and a more refined sound to his voice. He's growing up!

Lee was sent to the far side of the stage. Michael was directed to the close side of the stage. Casey was directed to stand with Lee, Aaron with Michael. Tim was sent to stand with Lee and Casey.

I'm watching, and trying to figure out how it's going to shake out, but I'm confused. What's happening? Lee and Casey CAN'T be in the Bottom Three, but Tim could.

Aaron could, but surely Michael couldn't be in the Bottom Three.

Andrew is asked to stand with Michael and Aaron. Even before Ryan says it, we know that one group is safe and one IS the Bottom Three.

Ryan announces what seems to be the impossible: Michael, Aaron and Andrew are the Bottom Three and Lee, Casey and Tim are sent back to the couches.

Okay, I'm thinking I can still somehow deal with this, thinking Michael and Andrew will be sent to the couches and Aaron will go home, but then Aaron is declared safe, leaving Andrew and Michael as the Bottom Two. Unbelievable!!

Rhianna comes out and sings her new single "Rock Star". I like some of Rhianna's music, but she doesn't pull this one off, at least in a live performance.

So, there stand the two fathers and I'm thinking they might send Andrew home, but he is sent back to the couches and Michael is asked to sing for his life. I can't believe that the voting public has hung Michael out to dry. Even if you didn't like his rendition of "Eleanor Rigby", he's a great singer and performer.

So, Michael sings for his life giving perhaps his best performance to date and, thankfully, the judges vote unanimously to save him.

That means TWO singers go home next week.