by Todd Betzold

 

Two guys...one girl...all three with their mind on one thing...make it to the finale of American Idol next week. In order for that to happen, one of them must go home tonight...who will it be?

 

The Top 3 kick off the show singing The Beatles hit song, "Got To Get You Into My Life." It's fun and enjoyable...we all know they all can sing! We then get a chance to check out their Ford music video before Ryan talks to the Top 3...they all share the love with each other...all happy to be there and honored to make it this far.

 

Ryan says it is time to get to some results and the first one up tonight is Joshua Ledet. Jimmy said he had a good night, not amazing but pretty good on his first song. For his second song ("Imagine"), he said it just sat there for him...a simple song...the riffs didn't work. His last song, "No More Drama," Jimmy said there was something missing...there was not enough melody in the song...he did really well...he should 100% be in anyone's finale. And of course, no results right now...Joshua heads back to his stool.

 

I guess Hollie Cavanagh makes a cameo tonight, as we watch the Top 4 take a trip to the recording studio for the movie, "Ice Age - Continental Drift." They get a chance to sing a song...I enjoy these behind-the-scene videos...it shows off a totally different personality for Phillip...I think I could be friends with him.

 

We get to see the first special guest tonight, Lisa Marie Presley, as she sings her new single, "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." To be honest, I actually enjoyed it...it feels weird even typing that, but I did!

 

Back to the results and Jimmy's critiques...it is time for Jessica Sanchez. For the Mariah song, Jimmy said the song didn't come together enough...it wasn't enough. For the Aerosmith song, he said she's got it, but it hasn't come together yet...she needs to do that if she makes it to the finale. For the Jackson 5 song, he said he thinks Jessica is worthy of singing at the Grammys...if she makes it to the finale it is all about song choice for her.

 

After a small tribute to Donna Summer, who passed earlier today at the age of 63, we get to another performance...this time from Season 8 runner-up, Adam Lambert, as he sings his new single, "Never Close Our Eyes." Another enjoyable performance...tell me again why he didn't win his season?

 

Back to the results and comments from Jimmy...last, but not least, is Phillip Phillips. For his first song, he said he did a great job and it was entertaining...his sound is becoming more and more original...no harm, no foul. For his second song, Jimmy said it was a total snoozefest...it was not a strong enough song to sing at this point in the competition. For his last song, Jimmy said he won the night with this song...he hit notes I didn't know he could hit...he was flawless.

 

Ryan calls Joshua and Jessica to join Phillip on the stage...who will be safe first? Some final words from the judges before Ryan tells us who will move on. After a commercial break...here we go. After 90 million votes, the first person in the finals is...Jessica Sanchez! Down to Phillip and Joshua...the other person in the finale is....Phillip Phillips. Joshua Ledet is leaving us tonight and we have a Phillip-Jessica finale!

 

Next week, American Idol will air on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8/7c on FOX for the finale.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

Follow Todd @tbetzold