American Idol 4, April 13: Say It Isn’t So

Ryan welcomes us, wearing a traditional pin-stripe suit! What’s going on here? Ryan warns us it will be an hour show, which means he will be stretching more than "Kirstie Alley’s cycling shorts." Foul. Intro the judges, how ya doin’? Ryan tells us there were more the 34 million votes cast!

Ryan asks a pony-tailed Constantine what was the inspiration for the Constantine Tongue Move. Constantine says it just kinda happened! Ryan asks Anthony if he’s feeling good after last night. Anthony makes some noise like he’s speaking Klingon. Ryan asks if he’s okay, he looks like he may puke! (He truly does! He’s absolutely green!) Anthony says he’s just nervous. After the way some eliminations have gone this season, someone is bound to have a stroke before our eyes!

Ryan asks The Vonz, we call her Vonzell, asks what it’s like working with Desmond Child. She says it’s grrrr-eat! We get a recap of how "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" was chosen as the charity song that will be released to benefit the American Red Cross (and you can help by ordering it at the top of the righthand column!). Ryan says the entire Top 12 was reunited to record the song, so we get to visit with Lindsey, Mikalah, Nikko, and Jessica again. We get some footage of the whole gang in the studio, being put through the paces. Desmond Child is truly a super-producer – if I were to name all of the artists he’s worked with (especially in the ‘80s), this recap would probably go to five pages. Suffice it to say... he’s for real.

The other two songs, "He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother" and "Everything Is Beautiful," are also on the CD, Ryan says. Then he kills all that kumbaya spirit by reminding them that one of them is going home tonight.

Speaking of that, I expected some reaction to my bottom three (Bo, Carrie, Nadia), but I did not expect so many people to be convinced that Scott would be going home after "insulting" America by saying that a lot of people wouldn’t have the nerve to do what he’s doing. Maybe I’m just strange, but I wasn’t insulted by that at all. He’s right! Plenty of people have plenty to say, don’t we know, but couldn’t handle the pressure he’s under. But, I get the impression that the folks who felt compelled to tell me that didn’t like him anyway. I still don’t think he’s going. I may have a size 12 Nike in my mouth by the time this is done, but I’m standing by it.

I think I’m stretching too!

Ryan tells us all of the bottom three will be singing their favorite songs from throughout the season. Hmm. Now, we get the Top 8 singing "When You Tell Me That You Love Me." It is a clearly polished version. That time in the studio has made them very familiar with the song, and that familiarity has made it a far better performance than we first heard! Carrie and Vonzell are the stars of this performance, easily.

Then, we get a week in the life of the Idols. It’s a grueling schedule. Of note, they only seem to get a day or two to work on their songs! This is not easy, folks. They all seem to agree that Wednesday is the worst day of the week – Results Day. Ryan echoes that no one wants to go home... and he adds, "you won’t believe who’s in our bottom three!"

I think I would. I’m telling you! Bo! Carrie! Nadia!

This week’s pre-requisite Ford commercial features "One Nation Under A Groove." Yes, the commercials are vastly improved over last year. Not a craving for a cracker all season! Now, the recap of last night’s show!

Ryan says Carrie wasn’t feeling well before the show, what was wrong? Carrie says she doesn’t know what that bug was, but she did her best. Ryan asks Nadia how she deals with the pressure of being on American Idol. Nadia says she decided when she first auditioned that she wants to do whatever God’s will is for her. Ryan notes Anwar was very strong last night, what was different? Anwar says he stopped thinking about his performance so much and just goes with it. Ryan reminds us that the bottom three are going to sing their favorite song of the season tonight. He asks Scott what he would choose. Scott says he has two songs in mind, but he’d probably choose "Against All Odds."

Ryan tells him to go sing it. He’s in the bottom three. Scott is clearly nervous, and pitchy as hell, but who can blame him? Not a performance he’d want to be remembered for.

More results. Ryan goes over Carrie’s critique. She is safe!

Anwar – is safe!

Bo – in the bottom three.

Ryan asks Bo what has been different in the last two weeks? Bo seems utterly unaffected, he says this "whole thing started as a bet between me and my Mom." Bo says the worst thing that could happen is he goes home and lives the life he’s been enjoying living. Randy says he thinks Bo has lost some confidence, but he’s still a fan. Paula says she still believes he’ll be in the finale. Bo gives us a spirited "Remedy," in which he gives Scott a man-hug. He’s a good guy. I hope he stays.