Idol Chatter & Voice Views

So tonight, we get to see if the guys on American Idol can set a show record for ineptitude.

Never in the show’s first 11 years have four straight guys been booted at the start of the Idol finals.

Back in Season 1, the first three contestants sent home were guys, a mark Idol matched last week with the elimination of Devin Velez.

And if viewers voted strictly on the basis of what happened on the stage Wednesday night, Lazaro Arbos or Burnell Taylor should follow.

Of course, there’s the unfinished business of the Idol save.

Which could get very messy if things play out like they should.

Let’s not go there yet. But let’s say it will be a delight to watch and write about if it happens.

You see, the Idol judges must use their save in order to keep the show’s schedule on track. If a contestant is sent home every week, the show would end a week too early.

Yep, that’s called the wisdom of not allowing any wild cards in a season that called for it more than any in recent memory.

Way to go, Nigel and company.

For a bonus tonight, we get performances from Carrie Underwood and Casey James. Well-timed performances, I might add, because Sunday night marks the annual ACM Awards, where Carrie will be performing and competing for a pair of awards.

As for Casey, he’s done pretty well with his first album, which has spawned a pair of hits. Tonight, he’ll sing “The Good Life,” the third single from his debut album.

And we start off the night with a group number, yet another song from Queen, “Somebody to Love.”

Not too shabby, Idols. Pretty darn great ending, Candice.

And, now, it’s time for Jimmy’s analysis …

* Jimmy says Burnell Taylor got it all wrong and gave rock “a bad name.” “It’s obvious to me, he did not study,” Jimmy says.
* Jimmy says the Lazaro-Angie duet was like a wedding performance, and he’d cancel the wedding.
* Jimmy liked Kree’s song choice. He thought she did great.
* Jimmy says Candice was incredible on the duet with Burnell; Burnell should not sing with her, Jimmy says.
* Jimmy thought Janelle did OK; he placed her 4th on the night.
* Jimmy didn’t like Lazaro’s performance as much as the judges. He puts him in the bottom two or out.
* Jimmy thought the only good thing about Kree, Amber and Janelle singing together was Amber’s jeans.
* Jimmy didn’t think Candice had one of best performances, but still put her in the top 3.
* Jimmy says Amber is improving by the week. He says her legs even seem to be getting longer.
* Jimmy said he really liked Angie’s performance, except for the wind machine being set to tornado.

Now it’s Casey James time. Expect his music to sell well over the next week. Did you see what appearing on Idol did for Colton Dixon’s chart performance last week?

Hmm, now the judges named their top three.

Keith: Kree, Angie and Amber
Nicki: Angie, Amber and Kree
Randy: Amber, Kree, and Angie
Mariah: Kree, Amber and Candice

And we learn who voters placed in the top 3

Kree Harrison
Angie Miller
Lazaro Arbos

Now, a Carrie Underwood break. Always nice to be reminded of her humble Idol beginnings.

A typically fine performance from Carrie, singing her new single, “Til I See You Again.”

And look at that, Carrie gets emotional on her return to the show. How can you not root for that girl?

More results …

Candice Glover heads to safety.
Amber Holcomb heads to safety.

That leaves a bottom two of Janelle and Burnell.

And the low vote-getter this week is: Burnell.

Says Janelle to Burnell: “You’re going to kill it.”

And Burnell launches into “Ready for Love.” And, it, folks, is an absolutely tortured version of the song. Not good at all.

The judges decline to save Burnell.

And we’re down to five girls and one guy on American Idol.