Idol Chatter & Voice Views

I don’t know whether Usher gets all the credit, but we watched what appeared to be a more polished, more confident group of American Idol contestants Tuesday night.

I know this, Usher was clearly an improvement over gum-chewing teen Miley Cyrus. And hopefully a sign of a renewed commitment among Idol producers to deliver mentors actually capable of mentoring.

But I wouldn’t count on it.

Face facts. Usher was a mentor this week because he has a new album out (“Raymond vs. Raymond”). Seems like all the mentors on Idol have something to hawk.

So, if we’re going to look into the crystal ball called upcoming CD releases, well, let’s see …

Gee, Slash has a solo album out next week. Could rock week be right around the corner with the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist as a guide for Idols final nine?

We’ll probably find out at show’s end, about the same time we bid farewell to Tim Urban.

Or maybe not. Simon predicted last night that Tim, his smile and his clearly inferior performances would be back next week.

And, if that’s the case, who goes home?

Siobhan Magnus, who turned in one of the worst vocals last night? I highly doubt it. And the Idol judges would rightly be inclined to use their save on her.

Didi Benami, who’s been getting an undeserved amount of grief from cranky Kara lately? Didi did a pretty good imitation of a cringe-worthy Megan Joy vocal Tuesday night, but I’m hoping she hangs around.

Katie Stevens, perhaps? She wound up in the bottom three last week.

Or maybe Andrew Garcia? He improved under Usher’s guidance — from awful to merely mediocre.

Before we find out, we get three musical performances tonight, from Usher, Diddy and former Idol champ Ruben Studdard.

That might mean we’ll miss out on a group number. I’m sure all the fans at home will be bummed.

And since tonight’s show is sure to move at a snail’s pace, here are some links: 1) to last night’s song-by-song blog; 2) to last night’s recap blog; 3) to this morning’s photo gallery from week three; 4) to this afternoon’s interview with David Cook about his Idol Gives Back trip to Ethiopia. Be sure to check out those photos. Absolutely precious.

Great way to open an episode, right? An in-show commercial for “Clash of the Titans.”

Now things are getting better. I’ll swap a group number for an appearance by a former Idol any day, even if I’m not a big fan of this song off Ruben Studdard’s 2009 “Love Is” album.

I read somewhere today that Ruben has lost 100 pounds since going on a vegetarian diet six months ago.

This song has been stuck around number 40 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for the last month. Wonder if it will get a boost from tonight’s appearance?

Hey, there’s some big news. A tour named “Timeless,” featuring Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, from July to September.

I’d heard rumors about such a tour, but nothing confirmed. Sounds like Ruben just confirmed that it will be happening. Should be a huge boost for both of those former contestants. I’ve got to think it’d be a huge draw for two great vocalists.

Fans seemed to love Clay’s recent concert in North Carolina, featuring songs from his upcoming album.

Now for some results …

Lee DeWyze: He’s safe, one of the beneficiaries of Usher’s advice.

Casey James: He’s safe, and should have been after last night’s underrated performance.

Aaron Kelly: He’s safe, after getting weird love advice from the judges.

Siobhan Magnus: She’s safe, surviving her weakest performance.

Katie Stevens: She’s in the bottom three.

Time for another musical interlude, this time courtesy of Usher.

Now, more results …

Didi Benami: She’s in the bottom three. I was afraid of that.

Michael Lynche: He’s safe, predictably enough.

Crystal Bowersox: She’d better be safe. And she is.

Tim Urban: He’s in the bottom three, deservingly.

Andrew Garcia: He’s safe, again, a little surprisingly.

Oh, my, Katie Stevens just got saved for another week. It’s down to Tim and Didi.

And while Didi contemplates her fate — get the tissues ready either way — we get a new song from Diddy. He’ll be singing “Hello, Good Morning.”

Gotta say, as much as I’d hate to see Didi go home, I wouldn’t even consider the save if I were a judge.

The way females are landing in the bottom three this year, who knows when Siobhan or Crystal will be next and really need the save?

You know, they could have really done this show in about 15 minutes, including the three songs.

Time to learn who the lowest vote-getter is — Didi Benami.

And she’ll sing “Rhiannon” with her Idol fate on the line. Give her credit. She held it together in a tough situation. And she sounded better than the first time she sang that song in the semifinals.

And now, the judges’ decision: They won’t use the save on Didi.

Check back soon for the recap blog.