Over thirty-six million votes were logged in to determine the American Idol contestant who would be eliminated at the end of the Thursday night results show. This group of Top 10 is on the tour, sure, but only nine will be on the show next week.

Ryan Seacrest opened the show by asking Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul about their shenanigans during the Wednesday performance round. He then reminded the audience about the judges’ save, the Get Out of Elimination Free card which will be used on one lucky contestant this season.

And perhaps…on this results night?

Before any results could be displayed, the Top 10 performed a Motown medley. The three girls in the contest did a Supremes tribute that was fairly cute, but the rest of the number was a lot of bad mishmash. The Ford music video was again incredibly boring - completely white set and an uninteresting song.

 

Ruben Studdard, the winner of Season 2 (amid much controversy), then returned to the Idol stage to whip the crowd into a frenzy.Ruben always looks and sounds nice when he returns to the reality stage, and this performance was no exception. It’s smooth vocals and sweet love songs all the way with Studdard.

But then, Ryan Seacrest turned to the bleachers where the Idols waited. Adam Lambert was featured first - the audience went nuts at the mere mention of his name. Obviously, Lambert was safe for the evening - there’s some that speculate he’s been the top vote-getter in the competition, so far. Seacrest then announced that Matt Giraud was astonishingly in the bottom three for the week. He’s got great vocals and obvious judge love, but often the starting position on performance night can hurt Idol contestants. Kris Allen got psyched out a bit by Seacrest, but he’s still safely in the competition.

Lil Rounds and Michael Sarver were then asked to stand up together. Lil was able to stay on the bleachers, but Michael moved to join Matt off to the side of the stage. Just like that, and two of the bottom three were revealed. Who would join them in this unsafe group?

The audience wouldn’t find out until after Smokey Robinson and Joss Stone took to the stage - it was the next tidbit on the evening’s line-up. Stone started the performance of in a beautiful blue gown; she was soon joined by Smokey, who looked great in gray. All fashion aside, I didn’t like the duet. Smokey sang underneath Joss the whole time, who tried to reach down to his level but couldn’t. Together, they didn’t seem to blend well at all and frankly, Robinson didn’t sound the greatest I’ve ever heard him. Mind you, before this results show I’m pretty sure the last televised performance of his I saw was on Sesame Street. The number was excruciating and just couldn’t end quickly enough, but eventually this thing, too, did pass.

It was time for more results. Allison Iraheta, one of the bottom three last week, was asked to stand next. This time around, however, Allison’s safe - for about seven more days. Anoop Desai, still a big fan favorite, was the next to be granted a stay of safety. It was then Danny Gokey’s turn - he’s also safe, and no shock there. Scott MacIntyre and Megan Joy were featured together; Megan Joy emerged the victor in that battle, shockingly enough.

Scott MacIntyre was guided to the center of the stage with Matt Giraud and Michael Sarver. MacIntyre was an early favorite; Giraud is a judges’ pet. It’s surprising to see either of these two in the bottom group. Randy Jackson believes Matt has been “consistently” performing well on the Idol stage. After a few suspense-building moments, Scott MacIntyre was sent back to safety - sigh of relief. Seacrest guided him into position; only two remained at center stage now.

Ryan Seacrest asked Simon Cowell about the possibility of a judges’ save. “Well, they’re there because the public doesn’t like them very much,” Cowell shot out his reply. “So what we will do is make a decision based on - whoever it is - their final performance.”

That performance would not be featured next, however. First, it was time for Stevie Wonder to perform a “Motown medley.” He still sounds the same, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. The medley might have gone on about three songs too long, though. Really, sometimes less is more.

The headliner of the evening, at any rate, was not Stevie Wonder but the results themselves - which Idol was to be sent packing, off to join the realm of TV re-caps and early-morning talk shows for the next few days?

Matt Giraud looked utterly upset while he stood on stage next to Michael Sarver, who by contrast was amazingly relaxed. It was Michael who failed to score enough votes, but he continued to carry a smile. Charisma. When the music started, Sarver again showed off his great vocals - this guy can really, really sing. As Paula Abdul danced, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell made a show of discussing Michael’s fate on the show. Sarver’s performance on results night was indeed better than the number he offered up the evening before.

But alas, it was not meant to be. Seacrest asked Simon Cowell the verdict. “We haven’t decided,” the judge admitted, and the panel continue to mumble amongst themselves. “I’m gonna make a decision,” Simon spread his arms out wide. “Michael, you’re going home.”

And that, was that.

Some people may end up saying Simon Cowell was a little harsh, even cold. But I’ve always liked a man of action - and Cowell just can’t do any wrong in my eyes. Sometimes, people end up having to go home. And Michael Sarver was my favorite, so now I’m shopping around for my new Idol contender.

Which one of them will shine out - or stumble horribly - next week? 

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)