American Idol 5, May 10: Top Four Results – Next Stop, Heartbreak Hotel

Elvis week was great. There was rock, there was blues, and there was a whole lot of soul. But someone’s going to be going home, and at this point, with this group, it is almost impossible to guess who that will be.

I think most people are in agreement that Elliott had the best night of his run. He was outstanding! Taylor’s “Jailhouse Rock” was the perfect way to open the show and “In the Ghetto” was spectacular. I liked Chris’ “Suspicious Minds,” but agreed with the judges that “A Little Less Conversation” was not quite as good. Katharine blew the lyrics on her rather overly-ambitions “Hound Dog/All Shook Up,” and her second song really was just too much.

Based on last night’s performances, I would have to say that Katharine would be the likely candidate for ouster. Compared to the guys, she just wasn’t quite as good. But voters are fickle indeed, and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see one of them go home. I told you in my Idol Thoughts column that we are due for a shocker in this round, and I still think it is possible that Chris could go home. We’ll see!

As the show opens, the final four are standing on the stage. This really brings it home how close we are to the finale. This is totally intense. Ryan’s the man in black tonight. He tells us that it’s another painful round of eliminations and reminds us that the finale is only two weeks away. He intros our nervous Idols and the judges, taking yet another little dig at Paula.

Before the performances are recapped, we watch a neat little clip of the Idols at Graceland. Then Taylor’s performances are first up, and once again, we witness Simon’s eating of the crow. Yeah baby, deal with it. Once again, we hear Paula’s prediction that we will see Chris in the finals. Katharine and Elliott’s performances get the spotlight, and when the clip ends, Paula is sitting on Simon’s lap.

This week’s Ford commercial is the coolest. They are singing “What a Wonderful World.” Katharine is driving an Escape Hybrid and pulls up to her garage only to find it full of junk. The guys clean it all up and turn it into a garden. Katharine, who now has Kermit the Frog as a passenger, pulls into the greenery, and we all live happily ever after.

After the break, we have a chance to watch the Idols’ arrival at Graceland, and then Priscilla Presley takes them on a tour of the house. She points out notable rooms along the way, and they have a chance to see the famous “Jungle Room.” Legend has it that Elvis used to watch TV here and shoot out the screen when he didn’t like what was on. Priscilla doesn’t mention this, however. They have a chance to check out his gold and platinum records (Priscilla thinks there are around 150 of them) and see some of his outfits. Then they go into yet another tribute room that has been filled from floor to ceiling with awards, gold and platinum albums, and some of his stage outfits. It’s really quite impressive. Priscilla comments, “How could one man accomplish this in a lifetime?” How indeed.

Priscilla takes them outside into a garden, which is now Elvis’ gravesite. Then they hook up with Lisa Maria who is an Idol fan herself. She takes them on a golf cart, and they ride out to the street and meet some of the fans.

Tonight, the group will be doing a medley of Elvis songs. Elliott starts out with “Don’t be Cruel,” and the rest sing backup. They break into “Blue Suede Shoes,” and Kat spins around on “go cat, go.” Taylor sings the opener for “Heartbreak Hotel,” and Katharine opens “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” with the guys backing her up. Chris starts “Love Me Tender,” and then the guys sing “This Girl is Gonna Stay” as the group moves to the judges’ table. Taylor leads off “Burnin’ Love,” and I am on my feet. I have to say, as cheesy as some of these group numbers have been in the past, this one was fabulous.

After the break, Ryan is in the audience with Rebecca Romijn and her fiancé, Jerry O’Connell. They joke about her not wearing her ring, but she wants to talk about the Idols. She says that she is nervous for them and loves them all. But she has a special request. She says, “Taylor rocked the house last night with ‘Jailhouse Rock.’ Can you sing it again?” What? An encore. By Taylor! This is unheard of! It seems unscripted, though, because Taylor is completely taken by surprise and Ryan has to ask the producers if there is time. But of course Taylor gets up and does it all over again. And it’s better the second time around!