by Gina Scarpa

 

Predicting who is going to go home on American Idol this week is tough. There were no real standouts and the performances ranged from decent to downright horrible. Let's hope that this isn't any indication of things to come in season 9 and chalk it up to nerves. You try performing a cover song in front of millions of people while Simon Cowell just waits to rip you a new one!

 

Things get underway with... what else? A group performance of "American Boy". Here's what I've been saying all along about someone like Crystal Bowersox. I like her a lot and think she could have a career but Idol isn't her vehicle. She looks totally uncomfortable doing the choreography and rightfully so. Group songs, medleys, cheesy Idol moments - it's not her thing. Overall, the group was just eh. Just like they've been all week.

 

Time for some results. Siobhan is safe, as are Hayley, Michelle, and Katelyn. Katie and Janell stand together while Ryan delivers some good and bad news. Katie is safe, while Janell is headed home. Really? I'm a little surprised. Sure Janell was a little shaky during her performance of "What About Love?" but it was okay and not worthy of her being sent home early out of this bunch.

 

Alison Iraheta returns to Idol to perform her latest single "Scars" and it's pretty good.

 

More results. Paige is safe, Lacey is safe (wow), Lilly is safe, and Crystal is safe. Down to Ashley and Didi. Didi's been spared and Ashley gets the boot. Ashley struggled with Leona Lewis's "Happy" and it was a risky move to sing it in front of Simon, who discovered her. She just didn't stack up to Leona. The judges thought so... and the fans did, too.

 

Time for the guys. Michael is safe, and so are John, Aaron, and Todrick. No surprises there... but wait. Tim and Joe stand next to each other at the center of the stage and you're thinking, "Tim must be going home after that performance of ‘Apologize' last night, right?" WRONG! Joe is told he's been eliminated and even Tim himself is shocked to hell he survived. Consider it a gift, my friend, and step it up.

 

Kris Allen is also a guest on tonight's results episode and shows a video of his trip to Haiti following the earthquake. I already like the guy but he scores points for giving back to people. Speaking of giving back, his performance of "Let It Be" tonight is on ITunes as a charity single to help the people of Haiti.

 

Last batch of results. Casey, Jermaine, Lee (woohoo), and Andrew (WOOHOO) are safe. Tyler and Alex are left in the bottom with Tyler, the 70s impersonator, headed home.

 

Here's hoping next week brings more memorable performances and the contestants get their nerves under control. This week must have been a serious wakeup call for all of them. Idol ain't no joke.

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 10 females take the stage on American Idol, Tuesday night at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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