This Week In Tonight In American Idol [14 March 2007 Edition]

8:55 PM: Here we are. Our first elimination show of the finals.

The consensus on the internets is that Sanjaya Malakar should -- but won't -- be sent home tonite. In his rightful place, most people are predicting that the journey will end tonite for Haley Scarnato. Brandon Rogers and Stephanie Edwards are popular "second" choices.

If you missed last nite's show, you missed the most awesomest moment of the season. The video of Ryan-and-Simon's "you're gayer than I am!"-"no, YOU'RE gayer than I am!" exchange is after the jump.


[clip courtesy bestweekever.tv]

[for us, the highlight of this clip is poor Melinda's reaction at being "Stuck In The Middle" of these two -- Ed.]

9:00 PM: "This...is American Idol!"

9:02 PM: Awesome! The higlight reel from last nite's show is scored with Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out" and begins with a replay of Ryan-and-Simon's catfight. MEOW!

9:04 PM: The group song is a medley of Diana Ross Hits. It begins with the guys singing "Where Did Our Love Go?". Next, the ladies tackle "Baby Love". Finally, the whole group takes on "Stop! In The Name Of Love". It's alright.

9:10 PM: I had almost forgotten about this "tradition". The remaining contestants all appear in a commercial for Ford video of Modest Mouse's "Float On".

9:12 PM: Time to find the Bottom 3. First up: LaKisha Jones: SAFE!

9:12 PM: Next up: Gina Glocksen: SAFE!

9:12 PM: Next up: Brandon Rogers: BOTTOM 3!

9:13 PM: Next up: Jordin Sparks: SAFE!

9:13 PM: Next up: Chris Richardson: SAFE!

9:13 PM: Next up: Melinda Doolittle: SAFE!

9:13 PM: Next up: Phil Stacey: BOTTOM 3!

9:13 PM: Next up: Chris Sligh: SAFE!

9:14 PM: Next up: Stephanie Edwards: SAFE! THANK GOD!!!

9:14 PM: Next up: Blake Lewis: SAFE

9:14 PM: That leaves Sanjaya Malakar and Haley Scarnato to fill out the Bottom 3...we find out who it will be after the break [and after Diana Ross sings -- Ed.].

9:19 PM: Time for the "American Idol Challenge" question:

Which of these American Idols did Simon Cowell predict would sell more albums than any other Idol?

a) Kelly Clarkson
b) Carrie Underwood
c) Taylor Hicks

9:20 PM: Time to bring out Diana Ross. Don't you know that Haley Scarnato is about to break down in tears -- if she hasn't already yet???

Is it just me, or is it odd that Diana Ross is singing a STEVIE WONDER song? Did she ever cover "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday"???

UPDATED: My sister informs me via IM that Diana is covering this song on her new album. Because, ya know, they have to plug the new album, obvs.

Also, is it just me, or if this performance had come during the competition, Randy would have called it "pitchy" and "not your best", Paula would have told her she looked "beautiful", and Simon would have said "I think you're in real danger of going home this week"???

9:27 PM: Ryan has Sanjaya and Haley stand. Haley Scarnato: SAFE!

Sanjaya is in the BOTTOM 3!!!

9:28 PM: Ryan tells Phil Stacey to have a seat. OMG -- SANJAYA in the BOTTOM 2!

9:29 PM: Ryan tells us there were over 28 million votes cast this week. The results: Sanjaya Malakar: SAFE!

Brandon Rogers is going home!!!

The audience doesn't appreciate the choice.

9:30 PM: "Conveniently", we ran out of time, and Brandon does not get to thrill America with his forgot-the-lyrics rendition of "You Can't Hurry Love".

9:32 PM: So, DialIdol called [no pun intended -- Ed.] Sanjaya in 3d place, but he was actually in the Bottom 2 [11th place]. I'm quite pleasantly shocked, and my faith in America has almost -- almost -- been renewed. DialIdol also had Stephanie Edwards in 12th and Brandon Rogers in 11th. I guess that means the SMS voters don't like Sanjaya as much as we feared they would.

ciaobaby