Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Jermaine Jones’ disqualification last night means the first two finalists eliminated during Season 11 have been guys.

So it’s trivia time, Idol fans.

When is the last time that happened?

Think back … way back.

Because it hasn’t happened since Season 1.

Back when Idol had only 10 finalists, when voters booted EJ Day and Jim Verraros in the first round, then made it three guys straight by ousting A.J. Gill the next week.

Could the same thing happen in Season 11?

Don’t count on it. Heejun Han turned in a true stinker of a performance Wednesday night, but I think he’s attracted enough fans with his sense of humor that he’ll hang around for a while. In spite of his singing.

Nope, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the next three eliminations are all ladies.

Or if tonight’s bottom three consisted of Shannon Magrane, Elise Testone and Erika Van Pelt. In fact, that’s my prediction.

If you missed last night’s song by song grades, you can find them here. There’s also a recap here, and a photo gallery provided by the fine folks at FOX here.

Results start:

Elise Testone, Phillip Phillips, Skylar Laine and Joshua Ledet head center stage:  Jimmy applauds Phillips for singing through pain.  He says Skylar is capable of better than she showed Wednesday, but should be safe.  Jimmy says Elise owned her song and “blew my mind and is in it for the long haul.”  Jimmy suggests all his artists eat crawfish before singing after Joshua’s performance last night.

Joshua advances and makes the summer tour.  So does Phillip.  Skylar Laine is safe.  Elise heads for the bottom three. Predictable. And were you watching Elise’s expression. She knew what was coming.

Now we get Demi Lovato.  Why?  Why not Kellie Pickler?  Why not Ruben Studdard?  Why not David Archuleta? All of them have music out or coming out.

Lauren Alaina got a big sales boost after being on the show last week.  “Georgia Peaches” is higher on the country chart than it’s ever been. Idol should be supporting its own.

Back to the results: Colton Dixon, Shannon Magrane, Deandre Brackensick and Jessica Sanchez head center stage.  Jimmy says singers come in with three songs.  If they sound good, that’s the end of it.  Otherwise, the mentors suggest songs.  That’s how Deandre wound up singing “Endless Love.”  Jimmy says Deandre could be in trouble.  Jimmy admits Colton’s song choice wasn’t great, but thinks he’ll advance.  Jimmy wasn’t as impressed by Shannon as the judges (neither was I).  Jimmy says Jessica isn’t going home anytime soon. “If she goes home, we should all go home,” she says.

Deandre, Colton and Jessica are off on tour;  Shannon is heading for the bottom three.  So far, my prediction for tonight is coming true.

And now we hear from Daughtry, which is more like it Idol.  They’ll sing their new single, “Outta My Head.”  Great song.  And Chris sounded fantastic.  Bet tons of viewers will be downloading that tonight and tomorrow. Which gets me back to the point I made above, Nigel and company.

Feature ALL former Idols on these result shows.

Next to center stage:  Heejun Han, Hollie Cavanagh and Erika Van Pelt.  Jimmy gives Hollie “straight A’s.”  Jimmy says Heejun needs to do something drastic to keep people from getting bored with him.  Jimmy says Erika oversang last night. 

Hollie is safe. Hooray.  Erika is in the bottom three.  Heejun is also headed out on tour.

And Elise heads to safety.  She’ll be on the summer tour as well.

That leaves Shannon and Erika facing possible elimination, and being forced to sing for a judge’s save.

And Erika heads out on tour; Shannon is forced to sing for her life. 

And Shannon launches into “One Sweet Day” again.  And this vocal, probably because of the pressure and the fact that she’s pushing so hard is not very good.  She went sharp a number of times.  Certainly not save worthy.  I’d give it a C-.

Shannon doesn’t get the save, and won’t be heading out on the summer tour.

Coming back with a recap in a few.

Heading out on the summer tour …

The gals: Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh, Erika Van Pelt, Elise Testone, Skylar Laine.

The guys: Heejun Han, Phillip Phillips, Joshua Ledet, Colton Dixon, Deandre Brackensick.