Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Every time I click on a new critique of last night’s episode of American Idol, the reviews seem to get worse and worse.

Lots of fans are proclaiming this Idol’s worst group of finalists ever.

Hey, let’s not be too rash.

Granted, last night was a step in the wrong direction. Maybe a pretty big one given that the theme (No. 1 Billboard hits) gave contestants the opportunity to do pretty much any type of music they wanted.

But let’s not forget that a year ago at this point, we still had Megan Joy, Lil Rounds, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre in the competition.

I recall cringing more than once when Megan sang. Lil never lived up to her Hollywood credentials. Michael and Scott never exceeded mediocre.

And this year’s crystal in the rough — OK, sorry — isn’t prone to the show-stopping theatrics of an Adam Lambert. And please don’t change too much, MamaSox, no matter how much some judges push you in that direction.

So, tonight, we find out who makes the summer tour.

My guess is that Crystal, Siobhan Magnus, Michael Lynche, Casey James, Lee DeWyze, Aaron Kelly, Katie Stevens and Didi Benami have nothing to worry about.

The other three — Tim Urban, Andrew Garcia, Paige Miles … well, they deserve to be the bottom three tonight.

So, with the mute button close by (for when Miley Cyrus sings), we’re about to get under way with tonight’s elimination show.

Oh, gee, before Miley, a group number. I really hoped they had ditched these for good and would instead surprise us with another guest performance by another former Idol contestant.

The judges are always complaining about our Idols not being current and relevant. What’s current about these circa-1970s variety show group dance numbers?

Chit-chat is over, time for some results.

Siobhan Magnus: Makes the summer tour.

Lee DeWyze: Makes the summer tour.

Casey James: Makes the summer tour.

Tim Urban: Is in the bottom three.

Paige Miles: Is in the bottom three.

Next week’s theme: R&B/Soul with Usher as the guest mentor.

Now it’s Miley time.

Hey, she’s got nice hair. And all the pitch problems I anticipated. Please, please, could we let Simon give an honest critique of her singing? Just once? Please?

Well, gee, I’m going to rush right over to iTunes to download that. OK, not really.

Hey, that credit card commercial was the most entertaining thing I’ve seen tonight.

More results coming up.

Aaron Kelly: Makes the summer tour.

Didi Benami: Makes the summer tour.

Michael Lynche: Mkaes the summer tour.

Crystal Bowersox: Makes the summer tour.

Katie Stevens: Is in the bottom three.

Andrew Garcia: Makes the summer tour.

But Ryan ended that suspense quickly, sending Katie to safety. She’s on the tour, too.

Before we get down to booting someone off the show, we hear from Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato, singing “Make a Wave.”

OK, that was the best peformance we’ve had in the finals since David Cook kicked things off with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” last week. Nice job, Joe and Demi.

Back to results. Voters have screwed up occasionally this season. But with the exception of putting Katie in the bottom three instead of Andrew, they sure got it right this week.

And heading home is Paige Miles. (Sorry, no chance for a save.)

Making the summer tour is Tim Urban.

Check back in a few minutes for a recap blog.

Check back tomorrow for an exit interview with Paige.