For the second Top 7 results night of American Idol, there was a grim feeling in the air. Two, rather than the usual one, would sing their final Idol note at the end of the evening. But which of them would it be?

It is not the first double elimination Idol has ever done; nor is it the first late-season double elimination to occur. The show pulled a similar stunt for the first year of Idol Gives Back.

The first clip of the night featured the Top 7 with Paula Abdul, who taught them the choreography for their group number this week. They all wore sunglasses and weird fashions, but this was actually one of the better group numbers I’ve seen. The choreography was quite good - and never has it been said that I’m a fan of Paula Abdul. We have to give the devil her due on this one - Abdul did a better job than all the others who have choreographed the group numbers this season. “I’m so proud of you guys!” She smiled when it was all said and done.

The Ford video featured different occupations - pastry chef, construction worker, dog groomer - and was as poor as I’ve come to expect.

Ryan Seacrest  finally turned to the Idols to offer up some results. Lil Rounds was called first, and unsurprisingly was moved to the far side of the stage. Just like that, and Lil was eliminated. Lackluster judge response, poor performance position on Tuesday and a repeated appearances in the bottom three made this a pretty easy guess.

Rounds performed her last song using all the range in her powerful vocal arsenal, and Vote for the Worst has lost yet another candidate. It was a good performance, and I’ve always liked Lil. “Lil, baby, you’re just on your way. This is just the beginning,” Randy Jackson  encouraged her. “I’m actually a fan of you,” Simon Cowell told her.

Freda Payne was introduced next, and I’m quite sorry to say I didn’t recognize the name. I was familiar with the song, however - it’s an Oldies channel joint. Her dress was okay, her voice was a little off (and she lost some lyrics) and the performance was pretty much painful.

Payne introduced Thelma Houston, another name I didn’t recognize. This canary-clad diva sang another song I also sort of recognized, and I thought her overall look was much better even if not highly age-appropriate. Houston sang the heck out of her song, bringing the crowd to their feet.

KC of KC and the Sunshine Band then marched on stage with a gaggle of girls. His well-known ditty got the entire audience in a disco mood, even if his vocal capability didn’t.

More results were featured after the break. Kris Allen was asked to stand, and then to sit back down. Adam Lambert came to his feet next. “Take a seat, you’re safe,” Ryan delivered the quick news. No surprises so far. Danny Gokey, sporting a little too much chin stubble, rose to a standing position. He was also put out of his misery and granted a stay of safety.

Anoop Desai was called to rise next. He was moved to the other side of the stage - again, Desai is in the bottom three with Lil Rounds. Allison Iraheta and Matt Giraud stood up together. The shocker of the night was that Giraud was saved from the bottom three - it’s adorable Iraheta who went to sit with Anoop Desai.

This is a pretty sad state of affairs. Both contestants are highly likable and great vocally, but eventually all but one of the remaining contestants will be eliminated from the show.

David Archuleta, last year’s runner-up, then made his big return to the Idol stage. I thought he sounded weird, actually, and I still can’t fathom why he wore pants that ridiculously tight. “You both have awesome voices, by the way,” Archuleta told Desai and Iraheta. “Know that it’s not over, even after this,” he smiled at them.

Easy for him to say. Archuleta was consistently popular through Idol’s seventh season and almost won the show.

Desai or Iraheta will definitely not be so lucky. They stood on stage together to hear their fate. A groan went through the audience when Desai’s name was announced; Allison went back to the safety of the bleachers. She is now the last female in the competition, a fairly auspicious position.

The lights dimmed as Anoop Desai sang his final American Idol song. The highly popular thirteenth-place Wild Card contestant made a few bad song choices during his reality run, but he’s definitely got the vocal chops to enjoy a musical career once he’s freed from the shadow of his Idol obligation. “I’m still really disappointed,” Desai said sadly, but he is at least pleased to return to Chapel Hill. Again, I have a very different basketball affiliation.

Good-bye clips for Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai then played on the Idol big screen, and the country’s biggest reality competition is now down to just five.

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