American Idol 3, March 10: We Have Our Final 12

So, here I am, subbing in for Sting7, who left without giving me instructions on how to recap American Idol. These days, I’m used to recapping Survivor on Thursdays, and I keep expecting George Huff to form an alliance with Jon Peter Lewis so they can vote out Suzy Vulaca. But what if Leah LaBelle wins immunity and turns on Katie Webber? And let’s face it, Jon Peter’s dance did kind of remind me of Big Tom’s “Sue is gone” dance.

OK, OK, enough of that. Let’s get to it! But wait, Ryan begins the show by admitting it’s an hour-long special, so it’s gonna be dragged out. Yeah, we know. At least he’s admitting it, I guess.

He introduces the show by asking how much we would kick ourselves if we made it all this way and didn’t quite cut it on the air? Well, that’s what’s in store for four people tonight, because only half will make it to the finals.

Time to introduce the judges. “The ego has landed, Simon Cowell.” Paula, Randy. Look, it’s the friends and family in the red room. Finally, we once again see the eight wildcards.

Now let’s look again at last night’s special, which you can read about in detail here, and see what I and the other Foxes On Idol judges thought here.

Argh! It’s the scary Jon Peter dance again!

Sorry, that just brought back some bad memories. I was kind of hoping that was a nightmare.

Ryan chats a bit with the wildcards. It turns out that Matt knows Clay from last year. Did Clay give him any advice? Yes, he said to quit thinking so much when performing. Just relax and sing. But Matt admits he keeps not doing what Clay told him to do.

Ryan has to ask Jennifer about the dress. She says George, the dress designer, didn’t understand what was wrong, but she gave him the idea so it’s all okay. Moving on, Ryan tells Jon Peter that we saw some hidden treasures in those moves. Yeesh, I wish they’d stayed hidden. Ryan wants to know if Jon Peter’s been holding back or it an act. He says they are different facets of himself. He knew he had it in him, and now America knows. And America is afraid, very afraid.

Next up is Suzy, who Ryan asks about her song selection, “I Will Survive.” He points out that Simon doesn’t like the song, does she stand by it? Yes. Well, that was certainly interesting and informative.

So we move on to Katie. What’s it like to watch your friends leave? She says it’s very tough – she was shocked about last night (she wasn’t the only one!). It’s so hard and so emotional. Get it? That’s the song she sang last night. Anyway, she’s nervous and just wants it over with. Yeah, like that’s going to happen quickly.

Ryan says that if any of them wonder why they would put themselves through allof this, they need only talk to the reigning American Idol, who has sold nearly 2,000,000 albums, is about to go on tour, etc. Yes, it’s Ruuuuuuuben Studdard, singing his hit single, “Sorry 2004.” When he’s done, we go to the judges. Randy thinks it’s Hot! Paula says, “Touchdown!” Simon will pay him to re-enter. Heh.

Ryan keeps talking to Ruben, noting that his life has changed a bit. What’s been the best part? Ruben says it’s being able to sing for everybody and do what he loves. With encouragement from Ryan, Ruben tells us that he got an NAACP Image Award – um, that’s not on Fox ‘til tomorrow night; thanks for the spoiler, guys. He says he’s gotten to live out his dreams because of all of us.

A couple of the wildcards have the opportunity to ask him completely off the cuff and not at all planted questions. Jennifer asks: if she makes it to the Top 12, what can she expect? He says she should expect to work. The Top 12 is really like a job, nonstop. She needs to be focused and ready to perform.

Leah asks if he keeps in contact with other 11? Yes, he and Clay talk all the time. He just saw Kim Locke, who has a hot single (“8th World Wonder,” which you can buy here). Kim C. just interviewed him. And he hangs out with Rickey Smith (who is one of his backup singers, though that’s not specifically mentioned). Rickey (otherwise known as George Huff the First) happens to be in the house and comes out to a round of applause.

Back to business. Who will take the title at the end of May? Could it be somebody from the wildcard round?

Well, when I said, “Back to business,” above, I really meant, “Back to stringing out the show. We get long summaries of the judges’ comments from last night. Ryan talks about each contestant, but unlike a regular show, he doesn’t mention if they are in the top or not. In other words, it’s more time-killer filler.