Idol Chatter - The Field Gets Trimmed to 9

One night after singing the songs of Motown, it's time to find out which Idol is going to be run out of Tinsel Town--thus ending their hopes and dreams of becoming the next American Idol.

Welcome to Elimination Night on America's top show! Would tonight be the night when the judges used the all-new Judge's Save to stave off elimination for a deserving Idol contestant or would they let the people's voice be heard and send them packing?

Before we could find out, we had to endure yet another awful Idol group medley. But this time, I feel somewhat vindicated in my complaining about this waste of Idol time.

It was clear during tonight's Motown medley that these wanna be Idols are lip syncing! Did I miss something? Is this a singing contest or a tryout for a Britney Spears backup singer?

OK, I'm a little calmer now and just in time to enjoy a nice performance by the Velvet Teddy Bear himself, Season 2 Idol winner, Rueben Studdard. As Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood did the past two weeks, Reuben showed off the chops that vaulted him past the rest of the would-be Idol contestants during Idol's sophomore season.

Nineteen minutes into the show, we finally started the elimination process. Ryan was on the hunt to find the bottom three vote getters. Here's how things went:

• Adam: Safe
• Matt: Bottom 3! A bit of a shock especially since the judges gave him such high praise--what is that going to do to Simon's ego?!
• Kris: Safe--but not before Ryan played a little goof on him.
• Michael: Bottom 3--as predicted (and expected by everyone including Michael himself)
• Lil: Safe

So with the bottom three two-thirds of the way to reaching capacity, it was time for a little more outside entertainment. As promised, we were treated to an unlikely duet from Joss Stone and Smokey Robinson. Wearing a floor-length blue dress and barefoot (as usual), Joss started the song on her own. But it wasn't long before Smokey joined her--with eyes wide open...and by wide open, I'm talking PIE-EYED! It was a little creepy--there is no denying Smokey still has the voice of a Motown legend, but he now has a face better suited for radio.

After Joss and Smokey finished their song, it was time to find out who is joining Matt and Michael...

• Allison: Safe after being in the Bottom 3 last week
• Anoop Dogg: Safe
• Danny: Safe much to the delight of the audience
• Megan: Safe! A very big shock to everyone including Megan!
• Scott: Bottom 3! Not pleasing to the crowd, but probably deserved after delivering a very Manilow-esque performance

Ryan gathered the bottom 3 to center stage, asked Randy "the Dawg" who didn't deserve to be there (he said Matt), and then Ryan walked Scott back to the couch. So it is down to Michael and Matt--could this be the night that the Judges use the first Save in Idol history? We will have to wait awhile because Stevie Wonder was coming on stage to sing a medley of some of his biggest hits.

Stevie started off with "My Cherie Amour", then transitioned into "Supersititious", followed by "Overjoyed", and wrapped up his set with a moving version of "All About Love Again"--punctuated with Stevie declaring his love for Barack Obama, positivity, and American Idol.

Stevie was great, but it was time to turn our attention to the two Idols in trouble. Ryan asked for the lights to be dimmed and then told Michael that he didn't have enough votes (out of the more than 36 million) to continue in the contest. Matt was sent back to the couch and Michael was given a microphone with a chance to gain a stay from the judges--a daunting task indeed and one that is hard enough on it's own, but to have to follow the great Stevie Wonder, well that might just be too high a moutain to climb.

As Michael sang for his Idol existence, Randy and Simon talked about something (probably where they were going to eat dinner) while Kara and Paula danced and sang along with Michael. The judges had a suprisingly difficult time this week making their decision, but in the end, Simon sent him back to the oil rig...at least until the Idol tour begins this summer.

And with that, there are but 9 Idols left to battle for the crown. Tune in next Tuesday when the remaining Idols sing for your votes.

Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to...

Peace!