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American Idol 9: Top 10 Results


’s Top 10 results show opened with a Clash of the Titans movie tie-in. Simon Cowell, of course, was the villain, with the contestants portrayed as Titans in the opening video package. It was pretty cute, but it’s still blatant cross-promotional advertising.

Viewers were not graced with a group performance this week. To see the entire Top 10 singing together on one stage, it seems you’ll have to go to one of the summer tour shows. Though the Idols did not sing together, this particular results show was still jam-packed with stage shows, starting with one favorite AI alum.

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American Idol 9: Top 10 Perform


started the Tuesday performance show in the backstage area, something of an unusual start for American Idol. After Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres exchanged a kiss, the host walked to the big stage to soak up applause from the waiting crowd. Ellen’s outfit, by the way, was pretty weird-looking.

The Top 10 performers of this performance round will for ever be part of the Idol pantheon. This summer, they will tour the country and continue to peddle music. After that, only a few of them - if even that many - will go on to lasting recording industry success. Will your favorite season 9 contestant soon be a Grammy-winning artist? Maybe…but first, they’ve got to get through this week’s elimination.

was the mentor for the week, the theme of which is R&B/Soul in honor of the star. “To be a great performer, you really have to understand what it takes,” he told the contestants upon their group meeting. “I want you to be great.”

“This is their time to shine, and this is the stage to do it on,” Usher seemed to accept his responsibility with sincerity and seriousness.

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American Idol 9: Top 11 Results


The Top 11 results show of was given a big intro, with emphasis on the importance of being in the Top 10. Only this group will make it to the Idol summer tour and stretch their fame a bit longer, potentially going on to long-lasting success in the music industry.

The judges’ save is still in effect and unplayed. Would it be used Wednesday night? Before we could get to any votes results, the Top 11 performed the lasting favorite “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.” Great choice. The Top 11 sounded great together, too, easily making this the best group performance of the season.

This week’s Ford commercial was set to the tune of “It’s Our Time Now,” and featured lots of colored balls. That is the truth. As always, you can watch the Ford videos on the official Idol site.

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American Idol 9: Top 11 Perform


started the Tuesday performance round of American Idol with well wishes for Lacey Brown, who was eliminated from the Top 12 last week. “This is a big night…the Top 10 make the tour,” Randy Jackson explained the stakes at the top of the episode. Ellen DeGeneres then took a few moments to promote voting (because that helps make the show more money). Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell also buried the hatchet at the beginning of the episode. Cowell offered an apology after Kara explained her point of view: that “every song tells a story.” Then, quite randomly, Ellen and Ryan kissed - quite awkwardly.

“It’s probably the worst night to go,” Simon Cowell grimly reminded the contestants, just before they were brought onto the stage.

The theme for the week was Billboard hits - again. This led into a video package about Billboard’s “Hot 100” list. The mentor for the week was , who certainly knows something about #1 hits. “The talent is not the question. It’s just making them feel comfortable,” Miley explained her mentoring style.

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American Idol 9: Top 12 Results


The Top 12 results show opened with a montage of the contestants’ journey on the show. The intro was very dramatic…would it lead up to a surprising elimination?

The theater went green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, but only for a moment (and more’s the pity - it would be a blessed change on the same old, same old set). Right away, confronted Ryan Seacrest for his “aggressive behavior” during the Tuesday performance round. The judge then went on to talk about the “judges’ save,” an element which was introduced only last year on the show.

started off the elimination round with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” It was rather odd that he chose not to do an original tune, but the performance was as solid as you’d expect from the Season 7 Idol champ. Cook is currently working on a new album, so be on the lookout for that one, AI fans. He will soon take a trip to Africa for the upcoming Idol Gives Back extravaganza.

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American Idol 9: Top 12 Perform

American Idol Top 12

The Top 12 have the honor of performing on the big Idol stage, a privilege which can only be earned after three intense results rounds. Some always fail miserably the first night, while others shine like never before. Which of the contestants would tank terribly on Tuesday…and which would rock the stage?

The judges got a big intro for the episode, strolling out onto the stage shoulder-to-shoulder. took the long walk down the stairs right after them, and suddenly the show was under way. The Top 12 had the honor of performing Rolling Stones songs for the night, truly a huge and varied catalog. First question: which one has the nerve to do “Paint It Black?” We shall see.

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American Idol 9: Top 16 Results


American Idol’s Thursday elimination round opened with an expectant promise: by the end of the show, we would know which contestants will make up the Top 12. Heady stuff, and the show gave the moment the appropriate drama.

The Top 16 performed “Haven’t Met You Yet” to kick off the show. Alex Lambert and Casey James sounded terrible together, but the other pairs of males were pretty good. The women eventually joined in, but the easy-listening vibe really wasn’t so hot. The group performances this year have been absolutely horrible.

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American Idol 9: Top 8 Men Perform


The Top 8 men of American Idol 9 performed on Wednesday night, following a few amazing performances by the competition’s female contenders from . It’s all boiling down to Thursday night, where four more contenders will be released from their reality duties. The Top 12 will subsequently be voted off one at a time.

Lee DeWyze kicked off the show with “Fireflies.” As usual, Lee delivered engaging vocals that got the crowd fired up immediately. It was another solid performance from DeWyze, who has been winning high praise from the judges. “For me, it was a strange song choice,” Randy Jackson critiqued. “But, you made it work,” he offered a positive note. “I think it was great,” Ellen DeGeneres smiled at him and called DeWyze “adorable.” “You looked confident tonight,” Kara DioGuardi observed, saying “I think you made the song a better song.” “There’s nothing to rave about,” told him, however Simon thinks Lee has “a great chance at making the Top 12.”

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American Idol 9: Top 20 Results


Thursday’s elimination round saw the end of four more contestants, as we march ever-closer to the Top 12.

Ryan Seacrest spent a few moments, as usual, talking to the judges before the results were read. “There were certain contestants I heard back that we gave some compliments to. One in particular that was so bad, I had to turn the TV off,” Simon Cowell actually admitted he might have been wrong during Wednesday’s performance round.

The Top 20 performed “I Got a Feelin’” for our enjoyment to get the show good and started. It was another low-key, soft number from the group, and it was just as bad as last week’s group sing.

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American Idol 9: Top 10 Girls Perform


After a few changes to the schedule, American Idol 9’s Top 10 girls were ready to sing their hearts out for Wednesday’s performance round. Crystal Bowersox, who was hospitalized Tuesday night, was back in the studio and looked wonderful at the top of the episode. She spent a few moments talking to before the performances began. “I’m a tough cookie,” Crystal promised. I had no doubt she would deliver a great number for the night.

“The guys were hot last night,” Randy Jackson exclaimed. “I’m hoping the girls show up like that tonight.” 

Crystal Bowersox, for whom the week’s line-up was switched around, was the first to be featured. She revealed in her video package that she’s a twin. She picked “Long As I Can See the Light” from CCR, a pretty bold choice, for her Wednesday performance. The bluesy/gospel feel of the song beautifully highlighted Crystal’s vocal talent. It was a great way to start the show. was enthusiastic about the performance, shouting “that girl is hot!” Ellen DeGeneres loves Crystal’s “pure, raw, natural talent,” saying “you’re amazing.” Kara DioGuardi found the performance to be “effortless,” and compared Bowersox to “the greats.” Be interesting to know whom Kara includes in that category. “I completely misunderestimated you,” Simon Cowell admitted, saying “the vocal was incredible.”

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