American Idol 2, April 9 - Corey Clark: The Aftermath

You would think that the business of expelling one contestant would be an open and shut kind of situation. You done wrong, you are out. For Frenchie and Jaered, no real damage was done. In fact, it got lots of water cooler buzz. Fox doesn't mind that. Corey Clark's dismissal was so deep in the process, it was bound to cause ripples that would last long after he was on the plane home. You would think Fox would know that. You would think.

Ryan welcomes us to American Idol, the results show. He tells us 21 million votes were counted last night! (And it was then that I got a strange niggling in my stomach.)

Intro the judges, you know them. People in Chinese Taipei know them. Intro the contestants, where Ryan commits a personal foul, "What would a show be without real talent? It would be shorter and called Nashville Star!" Being one who covers Nashville Star for this very website, I can tell you that this is completely untrue (and before the revolt starts, I should point out that Nashville Star has taken some subtle jabs at Idol, but they never named names. I always thought it was silly that they were basically promoting a competitor). And, yes, there is exceptional talent on Nashville Star as well. Though the differences and similarities are awfully compelling, we'll have to sit down and talk about that soon.

The contestants sing Lionel Richie's song, "All Night Long," which I was never all that crazy about, but I was wearing eyeliner like Duran Duran back then! What in the world is Clay all up in Carmen's face for? The song is over, and I'm glad this only a half-hour show.

Ryan recaps last night, which you can read all about right here.

Out comes the reigning American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, performing "Miss Independent" from her album Thankful, set to "drop" (see, I know all the lingo!) next Tuesday, April 15. To read more about it, click here. Kelly has choreography, background dancers, a hot guitar-driven hook and sings like her life depended on it! This is not "A Moment Like This"! You can listen to this song without being in disguise! The hair... uh... Kelly looks like she lost a fight at Supercuts, but that's okay! She showed clearly why she's wearing the crown. Kelly squeals, "oh my god!" as she receives her standing ovation, like she's still surprised people like her singing. I miss her.

Hey, there's Tamyra Gray with a faint smile on her face. I wonder what's running through her pretty head? "It should have been me"?

All this, and we're now 24 minutes into the program! What, Fox can't find a way to fill an hour, but they have too much for a half-hour program? ABC, you need the help, please take this show!

The bottom three vote-getters are to be revealed. Ryan shows he went through the Evelyn Wood speed reading course and blazes through the recaps of the judges critiques, some I think he made up.

Remember, due to Corey Clark's exit to the courtroom, last week's voting results are added to the voting results of this week. Going into last night, the bottom three were Kimberley Locke, Trenyce, and Carmen Rasmusen. Based on this, I predicted the bottom three would be Kimberly Caldwell, Carmen Rasmusen, and Josh Gracin. And, I predicted Carmen would be sent home to study her craft. Let's see:

Trenyce - is safe! She looks shocked! (YES!!!!)

Kimberley Locke - is in the bottom three, again. (Those crafty folks at Fox put Trenyce and Kimberley next to each other in the usual, good seat/hot seat spot!)

Ruben Studdard, safe. Of course.

Joshua Gracin is safe. (Correction: The Marine is safe!)

Kimberly Caldwell is in the bottom three. Deservedly so.

Clay Aiken is safe. Please, the mountains would crumble to the sea....

That leaves Rickey and Carmen. Carmen, go ahead and motion for make-up to freshen your lip gloss during the commercial break because Rickey was excellent last night, all four judges agreed. What, no commercial?

Rickey Smith - is in the bottom three!

Carmen Rasmusen - is safe! Whoa, whoa, whoa --