Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Unless I’m surprised, there won’t be a ton of suspense in tonight’s episode of The X Factor.

Not that the show won’t try to milk every last bit of drama.

But at the end of the night, I expect to see Marcus Canty in the bottom two for the third straight week.

And that being the case, I can’t see how the judges could justify saving him again.

Marcus’ second song last night might have been his best of the competition. 

Enough to keep him out of the bottom two?  I doubt it.

The real suspense tonight will be finding out who lands in the bottom two alongside Marcus. Because none of the other four contestants have been there yet.

Results coming soon.  First, we get to hear from Lenny Kravitz.

Hmm, suddenly all the judges as pulling for Chris Rene.  Look, he gets credit for singing an original song last night.  But the song was not that great.  And it doesn’t change the fact that the guy isn’t a very good singer.

Time for some results:

* Josh Krajcik has made the semifinals.  Fantastic.

* Chris Rene has made the semifinals.  Boo!

Time for more results.  Melanie, genuinely looks nervous.

* And the final person straight through to the semifinals is Melanie Amaro.

That leaves Rachel Crow and Marcus Canty to sing for survival.  Gotta give credit to Rachel for her composure.  And class in expressing her admiration for Marcus.  At this point last week, Drew Ryniewicz was a puddle of tears.

Marcus Canty:  Well, at this rate, Marcus will have performed more on the X Factor stage that anyone else, right? Marcus takes the stage alone.  No dancers.  No silly dancing and singing.  Wise move.  He’s singing “I’m Going Down.”  And he’s clearly pouring his heart and soul into the performance.  But that was far from my favorite Marcus Canty vocal.  Grade: C

Rachel Crow:  She’s repeating “I’d Rather Go Blind,” easily her best performance of the competition. And she’s slaying it vocally again.  But let’s not be confused.  This is the only song she’s sounded great on since the live competition began. Based on this song, she gets the edge.  Based on cumulative performances, I’d rather see Marcus stay, though I know that won’t happen.  Grade: B+

Now it’s up to the judges …

L.A. Reid:  He votes to save Marcus, of course.

Simon:  He votes to save Rachel, of course.

Paula: She votes to save Rachel. 

Nicole:  She’s in tears over the pressure of this decision.  Rachel tells her not to cry.  Nicole says she can’t make this decision. So she votes to send home Rachel to put the result to deadlock. Though she struggles to get out the words.

That leaves the contestants’ fate in voters’ hands. 

And Rachel Crow is going home on X Factor.  She collapses on stage.  And now the tears come.

Some people will likely blame this outcome on Nicole, who gets booed when Steve tries to interview her.

But, in fairness, Nicole could hardly vote to send Marcus home over Rachel when a week ago she wouldn’t choose Drew over Marcus.

And now there are four — Marcus Canty, Chris Rene, Josh Krajcik and Melanie Amaro.

Go, Josh!  Go, Melanie!