Idol Talk - Elimination #'s 1 & 2

One night after rocking the stage, our Idols were back to learn how they stood with the fans--that's right, it's elimination night and two of our Idols are going home...or will they?

Before the show really got under way, Ryan introduced a new rule for saving contestants from elimination--let's call it the Chris Daughtry-Tamara Gray-Jennifer Hudson rule and here's how it works. If any of the contestants being voted off is deemed by the judges to deserve one more chance to win America's votes, that contestant will be saved from elimination that night and no one will be sent packing.

Here are the twists: the judges must be uninamous in their decision to save the contestant, they can only save a contestant one time for the entire season, on the night of said save no one will be eliminated, and the next week two Idols will be shown the door. Should be interesting to see who the judges would deem "savable" and when they would use the save.

But enough of the twists, let's see who's performed for the last time as an American Idol contestant.

As America was letting the new rule sink into their collective brains, we took a trip to the place where the Idols will rest their weary heads in between singing for their beloved audience. The new Idol Mansion is quite a sight, complete with a pool, hot tub, bowling alley, basketball court, movie screening room, and more rooms than most of us will ever see in any one residence.

After the tour was complete, the Idols assembled on the stage and performed a medley of Michael Jackson hits. I really wish they would eliminate this practice from elimination night--it serves no purpose and pretty much goes against the very idea of Idol: to find a solo superstar.

But all of my complaining isn't going to take away from the excitement of this Idol season, so let's see who is going to continue on the show.

Ryan addressed the Idols on the elimination couch, made small talk, and started the elimination process. Up first was Michael Sarver who was relieved to learn that America likes him enough to keep him around for another week. Allison was next and found out she was safe as well.

Unfortunately for Jasmine, she didn't fair quite so well and was invited down to the stage because she didn't inspire enough voters to call in on her behalf.

Dueling piano player Matt G. was safe and allowed to stay on the couch. Then Ryan pulled the old Idol host trick and asked Kris and Megan to stand together before announcing that Kris was safe and that Megan needed to join Jasmine at center stage.

Ryan wasted little time letting Megan know that she could rejoin the rest of the Idols on the couch and Jasmine was given the mic and asked to sing "I'll Be There" one last time while the judges deliberated whether to employ the "save" rule for the young Mississippi native.

Randy delivered the news that Jasmine Murray was the first Idol to go home on Season 8. It's kind of a shame because she really had a lot of talent, she just did a terrible job last night and didn't build a fan base during any of the earlier rounds. Remember she was one of the lucky singers to make the Final 13 via the Wild Card round.

To give everyone a chance to dry their tears after Jasmine's dismissal, Ryan invited Kanye West to the stage to sing "Heartless"--I'm sure Jasmine saw the irony in Mr. West's song selection. It was a pretty hot performance, but this isn't the Kanye West show, this is American Idol and I want to know what other Idol is going to join Jasmine on the bye-bye train.

Back to the drama...

Scott was asked to stand up only to be told to sit back down as were Alexis, Danny, Adam, and Lil Rounds. That left Anoop and Jorge to wonder who was going to get another chance to impress the judges and America and who was going to take a long plane ride home, thereby dashing their hopes of becoming the eighth American Idol.

While the boys sweated it out, they watched the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, perform her latest hit, "My Life Would Suck Without You"--an ode to Ryan or Simon, no doubt! Listening to Kelly sing, the Idols who are back next week can certainly learn something--she sings effortlessly and she good! It's no wonder she was the first American Idol.

Back to reality...

Looking quite scared and ready to cry, Anoop was informed that he was going to be around for at least another week meaning Jorge is going home. As he did with Jasmine, Ryan handed him the mic to sing "Never Can Say Goodbye" which seems appropriate, right. What isn't appropriate is the fact that while Jorge is singing, the judges are supposed to be deliberating about whether they wanted to save him or not--instead Paula was up dancing and singing while Simon and Randy chatted about something other than Jorge. When the music stopped, Simon was asked to deliver the verdict--which he did in the most succint manner: "No!" And so ends Jorge's ride on the Idol train.

So, just like that two Idols were eliminated and we are down to 11 hopefuls. Tune in next week when the Idols sing another song in hopes of winning your votes and a chance to have Simon insult their clothing choices and poor dance moves.

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

Peace!