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American Idol: Make Way for the Finals

Top 3 Idols Perform

The will be named next week, but before the finale extravaganza can begin there was one last piece of business to deal with: elimination. For this special night, all the judges and contestants dressed in black and white (or, one or the other).

The Top 3 Idols danced around the stage and judges’ island singing “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” I didn’t really love the performance, but nerves probably played a big part for the singers. The week’s Ford video followed, Idols crooning “Heaven” inside an MTV Cribs theme. This one was actually pretty cute, which is more than what can be said of weeks past.

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Which of American Idol’s Top 3 Will Survive?

American Idol Top 3

host Ryan Seacrest called this year’s Top 3 competition the “closest race this show has ever seen,” but that was before the three performed their three songs. Now that the music has faded and the votes are in, there’s only one question left: who will make it to the finals, and who will make it only as far as elimination?

Each Idol contestant visited their own home towns last week, a traditional event for all Top 3 American Idols every season. For this year’s crop it meant a visit to Murray City, Utah (David Archuleta), Kansas City, Missouri (David Cook) and Tampa, Florida (Syesha Mercado).

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Three Still Standing on American Idol

American Idol Top 4

The Top 4 results night on began with the usual self-congratulatory feelings as host Ryan Seacrest announced the Tuesday vote totals were the highest for the season, with nearly 51 million cast. The Top 3 competitors of the evening were separated, he added, by a paltry million votes.

took a moment to talk with the judges about Syesha Mercado, who in weeks past has barely slipped past the long arm of elimination. “I was just judging her the way I saw the vocals,” Randy Jackson defended his less-than-complimentary Tuesday praise. “She did an amazing job last night,” Paula Abdul went to bat for Mercado. The host then asked Simon Cowell if the latter was angry Tuesday night. Of course he wasn’t - “just surprised,” Cowell explained, at the rather “disastrous song choices.”

As the time for banter ended, an almost-final glimpse of the Final Four Idols was presented as the quartet crooned “Reelin’ In the Years.” I thought the choice was totally odd, but I must admit that the number was pretty good all the same. The American Idol tour of the Top 10 contestants, by the way, begins July 1. Tickets go on sale May 17.

Banter and performances aside, there’s only one reason to watch Idol on Wednesdays: to find out, first hand, which one of the contestants is going home.

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Fame and the Top Four Mix on American Idol

American Idol Top 4

Performance night for the top four on began with host Ryan Seacrest announcing the “competition is closer than ever before.” The same could be said of every episode every week, sure, but it was a good enough intro for the evening.

The theme: songs from the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. This gave contestants a wide umbrella to show off their personalities, their style and their potential to take the coveted crown: the title of American Idol. These days, the prize is little more than the title itself. The remaining contestants all stand a great chance of getting recording contracts no matter what. But, the show must go on.

“Song selection is everything,” reminded. With such a wide range to choose from, his words were only too true.

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Only Four Left Standing on American Idol

Top 5 Idols

As the number one show in the U.S., has had its share of mis-steps and bad press. The scandal, the controversy, the mistakes are all part of the Idol package. And let it be said that no PR force is more powerful or more graceful at covering - and apologizing for - flaws.

Host made short work of addressing the latest issues on the show. After saying they were “still out of breath” from Tuesday, he announced that the performers collected 35 million votes. He talked about Neil Diamond, introduced the contestants and judges and then pointed to two Idol alum sitting in the crowd (Gina Glocksen and Constantine Maroulis). But before any talk of elimination could be presented, there was still a lingering issue to be faced: one judge’s live TV mistake.

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American Idol: Top 5 Night

American Idol Top 5

Neil Diamond week on kicked off with Ryan Seacrest announcing all were “still reeling after last week’s drama.” A quick flash of the judges showed Paula Abdul looking lovely, just before the Top 5 Idols were introduced.

’s new album “Home Before Dark” will soon be released, hence his presence on the show. On the Top 5, Diamond said “They’re all good and they all bring something to music.” But what did they bring Tuesday night?

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American Idol: One Step Closer to a Winner

Top 6 with Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tuesday’s performances inspired 38 million votes from fans, but great singing was obviously not one of the reasons the voters took to their phones.

The results show opened this week with the Top 6 Idols crooning “All I Ask of You,” as Lord accompanied them on piano. It’s a good song, and the performance was nice (even if there were times when Irish diva Carly Smithson overpowered the other two ladies in the competition). It was all smiling faces an fun as the Idols danced around on stage, but soon enough they were shuffled to the back to await the news we all wanted to hear.

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Show Tunes Night on American Idol

Top 6 Idols with Andrew Lloyd Webber

The presence of Andrew Lloyd Webber on means one thing: show tunes. To create the right effect for this momentous night, the band section was extended to accommodate an orchestra and the contestants were forced to sing outside the usual Idol box. Who was able to pull it off…and who couldn’t get off the stage fast enough?

After the Top 6 Idols were introduced, the show paid homage to the composer who has meant so much to both screen and stage. For their master class with Lord Webber, the contestants were treated to a visit to the Phantom of the Opera theater. took a different approach to mentorship than last week’s Mariah Carey. He focused on the meaning behind the song and the emotional connections each singer need to make. Were they all able to follow the advice?

Before the night truly began, declared “this is probably gonna be the toughest night of the season.” Simon Cowell advised that contestants should sound “memorable, but also contemporary.”

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American Idol’s David Cook: Already a Star?

David Cook is still weeks away from picking a winner, but one contestant is already enjoying notable success from his time on the show.

Resident rocker of the seventh season, has enjoyed pretty consistent praise from the judges, pretty sweat-free elimination rounds and now, pretty big album sales. Cook’s 2006 record “Analog Heart” is currently enjoying the top album sales slot on Amazon.com, towering over even Mariah Carey’s “E=MC2.” Now, when Randy Jackson tells Cook he’s ready to make a record, we’ll know it’s true - because he already did, two years ago.

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American Idol Narrows it Down to Six

Kristy Lee Cook

As elimination night began on , host Ryan Seacrest reminded us that “anything can happen on this show.” After a season-high vote tally of a whopping 36 million, what did happen was probably a long time coming - and hardly shocking for most viewers.

Seacrest quickly introduced the judges ( looked spectacular for a change - loved the upswept ‘do) before the Idols took the stage, singing “One Sweet Day.” Idol then reminded all that there’s only one week left to vote in the songwriting competition. Remember, the winning song will be crooned at the finale by the winning contestant. But soon enough, it was time to get down to the real reason for watching: elimination.

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