Monday, March 12, 2007

Host Ryan Seacrest kicks things off by sending Lakisha Jones and Blake Lewis to seats in the Top 12, followed by Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks and finally Phil Stacey, who seems a little surprised. All of the men, in fact, may have been expecting a twist in which they were all sent home, or at least put through some comparable form of public humiliation.

Jared Cotter becomes the evening's first casualty eliminated following a bland rendition of "If You Really Love Me" on Tuesday. Paula reassures him that America obviously likes him. Simon tells him to work on learning to sing to compliment his good looks. Randy advises Jared to find what makes him unique.

Melinda Doolittle and Brandon Rogers, two back-up singers moved to the frontlines, are next through, a no-brainer in Melinda's case and a recognition of potential in Brandon's case. The waiting group is narrowed to six (three in, three out), as Gina Glocksen and Chris Richardson are added to the Top 12 next.

Does anybody get an iota of enthusiasm off of Carrie Underwood in her triumphant Idol return? Compared to Kellie Pickler's bubbly, eager appearance last week, Carrie looks like exactly what she is -- a Grammy winner who probably had better places to be tonight. This was Robo-Carrie in full-effect.

Ryan calls Antonella Barba and Stephanie Edwards to the stage next. In what has to be considered a minor surprised, the seemingly unsinkable Antonella is finally sent home. Stephanie is sent deservingly to the Top 12.

"I know that your fans would love to hear you sing one more time," Ryan says, stretching the truth of what, exactly, Antontella's fans would like to see her do.

Antonella's exit performance is actually better than her Wednesday rendition, not that anybody voting for her was swayed by whether or not she could sing. Ryan doesn't ask the judges to say nice things to Antonella.

Haley and Sabrina, both noticeably terrified, are up next. In the second straight shocker, Haley is safe and Sabrina is heading home.

"Sabrina should be in tha Top 12, dawg. She definitely put it down. America got that one wrong," Randy says.

Randy's correct. By my count, Sabrina was no worse that the fifth best singer left in the competition, behind Melinda, Lakisha, Stephanie and Jordin, but far ahead of Haley and, really, every single one of the men. This isn't one of those eliminations that's likely to cripple the competition, or anything, but it's a disappointment.

The night's final elimination comes down to Sanjaya and Sundance. They should both be going home, but that's not the way this works. The last place in the Top 12 goes to Sanjaya. Sundance is going home. Any chance for a last-second double-elimination?

Paula is speechless. Randy is confused. Ryan asks Simon what went wrong.

"The volume was turned down?" Simon suggests.

Seriously? Sanjaya is awful (his supporters can't even claim that he's had a couple rough weeks since he hasn't been good since the Top 24 began), but Sundance had only one acceptable week and his version of "Jeremy," rehashed from last night, is subpar.

Anyway, sound off on the night's results...

What were you happiest to see? What surprised you most? And were the Idol producers holding some member of Carrie's family hostage to make her perform? Just kidding! ;)