American Idol 4, April 27: Rage Against the Machine

Ryan welcomes us, and tells us the remaining six are household names, but one of them is going home. Recap last night’s show, where Ryan calls it Songs For the New Millennium (which is what I called it, not what they called it last night. I knew they read me!)

Hey, there’s Pamela Anderson, who says at her house they are torn between "the blonde and the rock stars" as far as voting. I’m surprised she can identify the numbers. The Idols then perform "Emotions" (which Ryan incorrectly called a Bee Gees song. They wrote it, but it was performed by Samantha Sang! Turn in your star Ryan, you’re supposed to know this stuff!) covered by Destiny’s Child in 2001. Bo forgets some words, Scott nails a falsetto, Vonzell, who was given most of the weight of the vocal acrobatics, does some occasional pitch battling, but it is actually a pleasing number.

Also pleasing is a Ford commercial featuring "20th Century Boy," starring Anthony in curious camouflage. Hey, there’s Clay Aiken! Will Robinson got his sweater back (and there were a bunch of you who said that the "curious" shot of Scott’s family was actually rapper Method Man and crew. You may be right. Idol is loved across the genres!)

Ryan tells us the Red Cross single, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is now number one on the Billboard singles chart. Congratulations! Now they can all claim to have number one songs! Ryan also reminds us that the Idol tour starts selling tickets on May 20.

He adds that the person leaving tonight has amassed 35 million votes all on his own over the course of the season. That is remarkable.

Now, for business, two groups, once again. Remember, last night I predicted Constantine, Anthony and Scott would be in the bottom three. Scott’s ride will come to an end. Too bad, he was really good in "Emotions."

Vonzell - far left of the stage

Carrie - near side of the stage

Bo - near side of the stage

Anthony - far left of the stage (uh-oh!)

Commercial break. Not sure what this would mean. Vonzell and Anthony were very strong last night. Bo and Carrie, I thought, were a bit lacking.

When we came back, Scott joined Vonzell and Anthony. Constantine joined Carrie and Bo. Ryan tells them to pick the side where they think they belong. (This is met with audience boos. Pay attention, Idol! America doesn’t like this monkeying around with the contestants!) Constantine quickly joins Carrie and Bo. Scott also joins Carrie and Bo, which illicits an appreciative whoop from the crowd. Randy is heard giggling as well.

Ryan tells us Carrie and Bo are in the top group tonight. Which means Vonzell and Anthony are in the bottom group. But, who’s right between Constantine and Scott? Apparently, Scott! Constantine is in the bottom three! Scott survives!

Ryan notes the crowd is booing its disapproval quite lustily tonight. He asks Randy for his take. Randy says he’s shocked, but then again, nothing surprises him at this stage in the competition. Simon is reminded that he told Scott to pack his bags. Scott is safe! Simon, smiling a bit sheepishly, says if it were up to him, Scott would have been gone tonight (I have to agree), but if he has six or eight million votes, Scott deserves to be there and good for him.

(I wonder why he chose that number of votes? It does make me wonder if the judges know the results before the show. I’ve never been able to tell for sure if they are reacting to news like we are, or reacting to results they were already told.)

Ryan is ready to send someone back to the couch. The crowd seems to be demanding that it be Vonzell. It is, she is safe. Deservedly so. That leaves Constantine and Anthony. Okay, clearly the smoldering sensation won’t be leaving. Too many fans. Too bad for Anthony, he was really beginning to come on strong. There was a lot of buzz about him nailing the Celine Dion song "Surrender" last night. Maybe the sight of his weeping parents over the boom box with an infant Anthony singing was just too much to stomach. That segment seemed to go on forever.

I’m an Anthony fan, and I’m about to be bummed.

Ryan is back to deliver the death knoll. Ryan pimps for votes, then tells us CONSTANTINE IS OUT! What???? The Idols on the couch are all slack-jawed! Paula looks absolutely stricken (I think it’s more than concern for Constantine playing on her brow these days). Anthony almost reluctantly makes his way back to the couch, giving a Constantine a friendly shoulder squeeze along the way as the crowd is roaring its disbelief!

I’m stunned! I’m telling you all, my mouth is working and nothing is coming out!

Constantine gives a gracious goodbye and thanks to everyone. He’s always been a class act, gotta give him that. Ryan notes that Paula looks on the verge of collapse and asks for her thoughts. Voice breaking, (she definitely has more than Constantine on her mind) she babbles for a few seconds and manages to tell Constantine that he has such star quality and that he will do just fine. Ryan quietly echoes those sentiments. (My goodness, Constantine is tall!) Time for the funeral video.

Ryan asks what Constantine will remember most. Constantine manages to thank everyone except the key grips. He performs "How You Remind Me" one last time. As he sings, Paula cries and comforts his mother in the audience. Sadly, I think Constantine reminded everyone that they like him better when he’s not rocking.

This is like when Jacob Hoggard lost on Canadian Idol, he was the "he can’t really win, can he?" of that show, but Hoggard was more David Bowie/Elton John, Constantine more Robert Plant. Where am I going with this? I’m shocked Constantine is out. Just shocked. I got nothing else.

I’m outta here!

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! You can find out more about this show on our American Idol 4 page. You can find out about some other popular shows at our The Amazing Race 7 page and our Survivor: Palau page; and don't miss The Reality TV Hall of Shame. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about American Idol, be sure to check out SirLinksALot's American Idol page!