Idol Chatter & Voice Views

And then there was one.

As in one female singer left on American Idol in what was supposed to be the year of the female singer.

Of course, the one left standing — Crystal Bowersox — is also this year’s best singer, though that doesn’t mean she’s assured of victory.

Remember Adam Lambert? It was, after all, only a year ago that the guy with the most talent finished as runner-up.

Anyway, back to last night, when American Idol voters proved they can detect bum notes when the judges can’t and, in the process, gave the boot to the gal I dubbed the Magnificent Screamer.

Yep, Idol has seen the last of Siobhan Magnus and heard the last of her shrieks, for at least a while. Don’t know whether it was the odd dress, the off-key singing or the pointless scream du jour, but Idol fans clarly weren’t as taken with her performance of “Any Man of Mine” as the judges were.

Horror film producers, Siobhan is now available should you need a professional screamer.

OK, look, I’ve been rough on Siobhan because she’s had a string of bad performances, but it wasn’t as though she wasn’t without merit as an Idol finalist.

In a season short of memorable performances, her “House of the Rising Sun” in the semifinals still ranks as one of the best.

And in a season short of charisma, she delivered it in big doses. The Idol stage will be boring without her.

Wow, and we have four weeks to go.

Meanwhile, what is up with the amateurish production on American Idol. I mean, last week the Black Eyed Peas sounded the worst I’m sure they’ve ever sounded live because of a screwed-up sound system on Idol Gives Back. Alicia Keys didn’t sound much better.

Tonight, some genius decides we need a Shakira-Rascal Flatts duet. I’m pretty sure that came from the same brilliant mind that gave us Miley Cryus as a mentor. I mean, Sharika needed Gary Levox to help out on “Gypsy” about as much as Crystal Bowersox needed the background singer Tuesday night.

But we’ll never know if it would have worked or not because the microphone they handed Gary didn’t work.

Not a very good season, huh, Idol?

The recap …

Stock rising: Well, I thought I could put Casey James here after he turned in one of his better performances Tuesday night. Instead, he winds up in the bottom three for the second straight week and barely survives elimination. As it turns out, I guess no one’s stock rose on country week.

What did we learn? That Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox had enough of a fan base and had developed enough of a reputation for excellence that they can survive an off week.

Stock sinking: Michael Lynche landed in the bottom three for the third time. I really can’t fathom why he’s less popular than Aaron Kelly. He sings better. He has a bigger personality. He can do curls while holding Aaron. Anyway, he’s been forgettable as often as he’s been superb, and we’re getting to the point in the competition where forgettable shouldn’t be good enough.

Very, very lucky: Not because he survived last night, but because the country theme week came up just when he needed it the most. Aaron Kelly didn’t come off very well singing “I Believe I Can Fly” with a country twang on inspirational song week. He landed in the bottom three. Country week comes along and, presto, the competition’s lone country singer sails through.

On the bubble: I guess I’d better put Casey James here. So here’s the game plan, Casey. Whatever the theme next week: Go up tempo. Go wild with the guitar. Connect with the song. And keep the cheesy smile under wraps.

Deserved her fate: Siobhan Magnus’ reign as Vote for the Worst princess lasted just one week. Good job, Vote for the Worst. She lived up to your expectations. Sending anyone else home last night would have been a shame.

Tomorrow: Check back for the exit interview with Siobhan.