- America voted, and concluded that "Forever" was not enough to keep Kristy Lee Cook in the competition.
- American Idol - Top Seven Elimination Show - April 16, 2008
Ryan reminds people to vote for their favorites- there was a season high vote this week of 36 million- he teases Mariah's performance and mentions Elliott Yamin is in the house.
In the audience: Ken Davitian from "Borat"; Season five contestant Lisa Tucker
Group Sing: "One Sweet Day," Carey's chart-topping duet with BoyzIIMen. Lots of high school hands-to-the-sky gestures and Syesha and David Cook coming together in a feast of dischord near the end. And they all end earnestly center stage.
The co-writer of "This is My Now" is in the audience and Ryan reminds people to vote in the songwriter contest.
We get a recap of last night's show including a shot of Brooke backstage post-performance responding to Simon's burger-bun comment saying "I wish it didnt hurt, but it does."
Mariah thinks all of the contestants are worthy of winning.
Elimination Pt. I: Ryan starts up the comfy couches of safety vs. the steely stools of doom bit and tonight we get the introduction of the dreaded "I'm going to separate you into two groups" routine instead of sending people immediately to safety or danger.
In the first round Jason Castro and Carly Smithson go to Ryan's left and David Cook and Kristy Lee Cook go to his right. Jason makes some bizarre mention of liking the beach when Ryan reiterates the luau comments from last night. Carly complains about the treatment that Simon has given her and he responds that he's only pushing her harder because he thinks she has such potential. Kristy Lee calls Simon a "butt" (I think) but says "hey that's Simon Cowell." David explains that his tears last night were the product of an emotional week coming to a head in his performance and the high praise it received. (David's brother, who is suffering from brain cancer, came to L.A. from Indiana this week to visit).
Ford Commercial: "I Want to Break Free" by Queen. The "Idols" are office drones attached by marionette strings to unseen puppetmasters. They want to break free of their drab office lives. A red Ford Fusion is apparently their ticket to freedom. They cut their strings and go for a ride.
Performance: Elliott Yamin, still looking shaggy and rocking a red velvet jacket, sings "Free" from his self-titled 2007 debut album. It's an uptempo, gospel-flavored number about persistence and belief in yourself leading to freedom. (It's all about freedom tonight). He seems well and gives Ryan a big hug. Ryan mentions that Elliott's mom recently passed away. Elliott thanks the folks at the show for their love and condolences and wishes the kids good luck. What a class guy.
Elimination Pt. II: Syesha joins Jason and Carly to the left and Brooke joins David and Kristy Lee to the right. Brooke opines that some vegetarians likely appreciated Simon's bun-with-no-hamburger comment last night.
Audience Questions: Is there anyone in America that enjoys this portion of the show? (Besides the people asking the questions, of course.)
Okay...
Joan in Vegas wants to ask Kristy if she was able to buy her horse back? Nope. The guy who bought the horse doesn't want to sell him back. She says he's in a good home. Ryan puts the pressure on the guy to give her horse back. Kristy Lee pouts.
Jillian in Maine wants to ask the judges what was the first record they remember buying in honor of Saturday being National Record Store Day. Randy- Led Zeppelin, Beatles, James Brown. Paula-Jackson 5, Earth, Wind and Fire and Carole King's "Tapestry." Simon- "I was ten years old and it was Paula Abduls 'Straight Up.'" Hee.
Megan from New Jersey asks Paula which one of her songs reminds her of her relationship with Simon? Randy says "Cold Hearted Snake" and Paula says that's too obvious. She tells Simon straight up "I'll never be forever your girl." Ack.
Denise in Cincinnati asks Simon to distinguish between a theme park, piano bar, karaoke, and hamburger-without-meat performance. He says they're all horrible.
Malory in Alabama wants to know if David Cook is single? Yes, he is.
Performance: Mentor Mariah sings her new single "Bye Bye," an ode to all her peoples who have lost somebody that addresses the peace she was able to make with her dad before he passed away. (I would've chosen the cheekier, more upbeat "Migrate" as a second single, but hey, that's me.) She is fierce in a form-fitting black dress with plunging décolletage and cut-outs right above her newly slimmed waist. (Artichokes y'all, Mariah swore by 'em on "Oprah.") A light wind blows Mariah's hair gently as she sings this bouncy and repetitive song in her feathery voice and draws imaginary creatures with her well-manicured right hand. Wow, somebody just hit a big squeaky clunker, it's hard to tell if it was Mariah or her one of her back up singers.
Ryan asks Mariah to judge Randy on "Idol." She says she loves him and that the whole entire world can tell. She says she had a really great time with the contestants and tells them to be themselves, do a great job, and say a little prayer and everything will be alright.
Elimination Pt. III: David Archuleta is safe. (He felt really good about his performance last night, he says he's never been happier in his life. The girls in the pit proclaim their love).
Ryan then has David Cook swap with Syesha. Now one group is safe and the other is the bottom three. Predictably, Ryan asks David to join the group he thinks is safe. He sits down center stage. Ryan tries to leads him to to the Carly-David-Jason troika but he won't budge so he has them join him and Jason and David also sit on the floor.
Bottom Three: Syesha, Kristy, Brooke
Ryan sends Syesha back to the couches.
Ryan asks the judges their opinion of this bottom two. Randy can't pick, Paula says it's tough and is proud of both of them, Simon says it's no surprise and indicates that he thinks Kristy's time is up. Brooke protests but even Kristy knows it and says "hey I made it past the top ten." Brooke is safe, and immediately tells Kristy she loves her and begins sobbing, Kristy comforts her. Ryan gives her a hug and she turns her head to shed a few tears of her own. The crowd cheers her nicely. Kristy thanks the fans. She asks to go ride her horse now.
Final Elimination: Ruben celebrates Kristy Lee home
Sing Out: Kristy Lee reprises "Forever" sitting on the judges table by Simon, who smiles up at her sheepishly at lines like "our time is through." She heads back to the stage for her encircling moment by the gang.
Next week: Andrew Lloyd Webber. Hmm, showtunes? Brooke and Jason may struggle and Simon's going to be in hell.
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