And Then There Were 16

Eliminated:
Jason Yeager
Alexandréa Lushington
Alaina Whitaker
Robbie Carrico

Watch video of Jason Yeager elimination:


Watch video of Alexandréa Lushington elimination:


Watch video of Alaina Whitaker elimination:


Watch video of Robbie Carrico elimination:


Watch video of Top 20 '70s medley:


Next week, the Top 16 semifinalists will be singing hits from the '80s. The week after, the Top 12 finalists will sing music from the Beatles songbook, available to the show for the first time. There will be a new set, new opening credits and a special exit song by Ruben Studdard.

"Idol Gives Back" returns on April 9. The producers have already signed Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood to appear.

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America Gives Back

Celebrities appealed, singers performed, heartrending film clips were shown and no one was eliminated. IdolGivesBackPalooza was filled with tears and compassion, giving and understanding.

• Ryan Seacrest announced that the show received a record 70 million votes Tuesday night, so NewsCorp donated their maximum $5 million pledge.
  
  
  
  
• Ellen DeGeneres co-hosted the show from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where most the night's musical numbers occurred.
  
  
  
  
  
• Earth Wind and Fire performed a medley of their hits (watch video).
  
  
  
  
  
• There were celebrity appeals by the likes of Forest Whitaker, Dr. Phil McGraw, Hugh Laurie, Eric McCormack and Teri Hatcher.
  
  
• A film clip of Randy Jackson's trip to his home state of Louisiana and his visit to a FEMA park still filled with the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
  
  
• The six finalists, all dressed in white outfits the entire evening, performed "Time to Care" (watch video)written by Quincy Jones, who appeared in a film clip with them.
  
  
• A running joke satellite link up with Ben Stiller, who threatens to continuously sing "Reminiscing" by the Little River Band until $200 billion is raised. The joke dies as soon as he begins to sing and becomes less and less funny as it continues throughout the night.
  
  
• A particularly touching clip of Ryan and Simon Cowell in Africa with Grauman, a 12-year-old orphan raising his sister alone without help. If your heart didn't break, you were made of stone.
  
  
• Melinda Doolittle was the first of all six Idols to be pronounced safe. During the course of the night, we'll learn, in this order, that Blake Lewis, Phil Stacey, LaKisha Jones, Chris Richardson and Jordin Sparks (who is given about 15 seconds to think she's been eliminated) are safe as well.
  
  
• A clip of Paula Abdul visiting a Boys and Girls Club in Hollywood.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Il Divo sings "Somewhere" (watch video).
  
  
  
  
  
• Jack Black does a skit as a random person chosen from the audience to come onstage. He demands to sing and be judged, breaking into Seal's "Kiss From a Rose," (watch video) while his partner, Kyle, cries holding a rose in the audience. It wasn't happening for Randy, who tells him maybe the stretchy pants would have helped. Paula says "The School of Rock called, they want their diploma back." And Simon calls him better than Sanjaya (who the camera pans to sitting in the audience and laughing beside his sister). Seal, sitting behind Randy, calls it the best rendition of "Kiss from a Rose" he's ever heard. Not hilarious, but cute.
  
  
• A clip of Carrie Underwood in Africa singing "I'll Stand By You" (watch video) with a group of children.
  
  
  
  
• Back at the Disney Concert Hall, Rascal Flatts performs "My Wish" (watch video).
  
  
• A film clip of why education is important to the children of Appalachia.
  
  
• Paula, wearing something from the Kellie Pickler Collection, joins Ryan on stage where he teases her about her height while the home audience stares at her cleavage.
  
  
• The finalists do the Ford commercial to "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (watch video) going to a drive-in in a Mustang convertible, where they watch a video of "Stayin' Alive" featuring Good Charlotte, Dr. Phil, Keira Knightley, Lebron James, Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, Helen Mirren, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Harvey Weinstein, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Blue Man Group, Miss Piggy, Marc Anthony, Shaquille ONeal, and Kevin Bacon, among others.
  
  
• A clip of Ryan and Simon visiting AIDS patients and homes of AIDS orphans in Africa.
  
  
• Back to the Disney Concert Hall, where Ellen DeGeneres donates $100,000 before introducing Josh Groban singing "You Raise Me Up," (watch video), backed by the African Children's Choir.
  
  
• A clip of celebrities discussing how many funerals they've attended, followed by an African who has been to 280 funerals. There is a discussion about how malaria, a treatable disease, is deadly in Africa.
  
  
• Again in the Disney Concert Hall, Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol, sings Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" (watch video) accompanied by Jeff Beck.
  
  
• A clip of "The Simpsons" has Simon, singing the Pussycat Dolls' "Don'tcha," auditioning for Lisa, Homer and Marge, who keeps saying "dawg." Lisa, as Paula, wants to know, "Where's the dog? I like dogs!" The best part? After Homer tells Simon he's going to Hollywood and drops him through a trap door, Bart says, "Lions haven't eaten this well since Dunkleman" (watch video).
  
  
• Next, the long-awaited (dreaded) duo of Celine Dion performing "If I Can Dream" with a phantom technology-produced Elvis Presley ( watch video).
  
  
  
  
• Madonna appears in a filmed message (watch video) from Malawai, where many people are HIV Positive. Honestly, she and Celine Dion look gaunter and deader than Presley.
  
  
• Seacrest announces that they've received $30 million in corporate donations, followed by the "what color is the sky" Idol Trivia Challenge.
  
  
• At the Disney Music Hall, DeGeneres introduces Annie Lennox singing "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (watch video).
  
  
  
  
• The Idols "discover" they're all safe. No one seems surprised, though minutes later Jordin's eyes are full of tears ... crocodile tears.
  
  
• In a final brief clip, Bono mentors the finalists, telling them they can end brutal, stupid poverty, before they perform "American Prayer" (watch video).
  

No one can argue with raising money so that starving children are fed, educated and cared for. Not only in Africa (where the need is probably the greatest) and in the United States (where it hits home the most), but anywhere in the world. Does a country exist where some child does not go hungry or uneducated? And, certainly, most anyone comfortable enough to be watching "American Idol" can afford to give a dollar to the cause.

But on a very un-PC note, it must also be said that IdolGivesBackPalooza was contrived, manipulative and, unfortunately, boring for most of its 2 hours. Americans watch "Idol" for escapism and entertainment, and, for the most part, last night was neither.

It's wonderful that tens of millions of dollars were raised for the right reasons. But our cynical side knows that every dollar of the $5 million that NewsCorp donated was made back last night alone during the Idol's commercial breaks, that AT&T made a small fortune off Tuesday night's text-messaging votes, and that the high ratings won't hurt Fox Television either.

We also don't need to be told by the likes of Teri Hatcher and Madonna and a bunch of other celebrities what we should believe in and contribute to, no more than we'd vote for a candidate they're endorsing. Let's not forget, celebs are not the great thinkers of the world. Most should be visiting the Wizard and asking for a brain.

Finally, the true spirit of giving is selflessness, not self-promotion and endorsements for Ford, AT&T, Coca-Cola, ConAgra and every other Idol corporate sponsor. Give from your heart, not because you expect some form of payback. So forgive us if we seem a bit disillusioned by it all.

For those who do wish to donate for all the right reasons, here is a link you can use.

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A First: All Idols Are Safe

As Ryan Seacrest said, "It's charity night, how can we send anybody home?"

At the very end, when it was down to just Jordin and Chris, Seacrest tells Chris he is safe. There is a gasp from the audience before Seacrest tells Jordin, she, too is safe. All 6 finalists are safe tonight. Last night's vote total will be added to next week's total, when the bottom two finalists will be eliminated. Jon Bon Jovi mentors and each contestant sings two songs.

More in the morning ...

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IdolGivesBackPalooza & Idol Spoilers

Note and warning: Tonight's show was taped yesterday. Spoilers of everything you need to know about it -- song choices, song order, what they wore and judge critiques -- appear at the bottom of this entry with another warning preceding it in case you'd rather be surprised tonight.

Thank goodness it's finally here. Let's get through these two nights of Idol's pledge drive to benefit relief programs for children and young people in extreme poverty in the United States and Africa, hope they make tons of money, then we can stop being pummeled by the producer's incessant promos for its Big Event and get back to regular show. (Except, off course, soon we will begin getting pummeled for promos about the finale show, but that's OK).

A few things about tomorrow night's Circus Maximus have been leaked by both Fox and other sources. From the official Fox press releases:

U2’s Bono will participate on Wednesday's show, meeting with the finalists to talk about the work of ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History and how Idol's audience can help. The contestants also will perform "American Prayer," a song written by Bono and Dave Stewart about the AIDS emergency in Africa.

Ellen DeGeneres will host tomorrow night's segments from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Participants includes Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban with the African Children’s Choir, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox and many more.

On tonight's show, the Top 6 finalists will sing "life anthem" songs of compassion and hope. After the show, viewers will vote as usual and corporate sponsors will donate money to the charity.

The special two-hour Wednesday results show features live performances from the Idol stage as well as Walt Disney Concert Hall. Viewers will be able to donate via toll-free pledge lines and the Internet. Ford will produce a special music video to air on Wednesday. This video, as well as other music segments from the night, will be available for download after the show.

All proceeds will go to Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF), a new charitable organization whose mission is to use the power of entertainment to drive positive change and create a just world free from poverty. In the United States, CPEF has selected Save the Children, America's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Children's Health Fund as beneficiaries. In Africa, funds will be dedicated to The Global Fund, Malaria No More, Nothing But Nets, Save the Children and The U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Donate online NOW!

TMZ.com has leaked that the "A.I." tease for "Idol Gives Back" of "two of the biggest stars in musical history come together," is actually Celine Dion singing Elvis Presley's hit "If I Can Dream" with an Elvis impersonator (at least that is what has already been pretaped). But, the site says, they're told the impersonator was just used as a stand-in, and what viewers will actually see when the show airs is Dion singing with a virtual Elvis, kinda like Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" video. At the taping, the Top 6 also sang with Celine and Elvis, but as backup in the choir.

Of course, what would any major event be without celebrity naysayers? Here's what caustic comic cynic Kathy Griffin had to say about Idol Gives back in Newsday:

"Give me a break. Ryan Seacrest discovered poverty in Africa. ... They should make donations retroactive to the first season," she said. " 'Idol' should have given back $10 million," based on all the money producers and sponsors have made from the show, she added.

SANJAYA SITING

Sanjaya Malakar is travelling a lot these days. Last night, he appeared on Letterman to give the Top 10 "Things I Learned from "American Idol":

10. The camera adds 10 pounds to your mohawk.
9. Work hard and make sacrifices, you can finish in 7th place.
8. It's very important to "Keep it real, dawg."
7. I should have gone for the immunity idol - oh wait, that's "Survivor."
6. On-camera Simon is a bit nasty, but off-camera, he's a total jerk.
5. Voting for yourself 100 times an hour causes some wicked carpal tunnel.
4. When you forget the words, just do this. (Sanjaya belts out a riff like"Ohhhhhhhh")
3. Honestly, I thought I was auditioning for "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"
2. Nothing.
1. America loves performers with bad hair - right, Dave?

Or, watch it here:



PARIS' PEACE OFFERING

Remember Paris Bennett's recent "Idol" dis, immediately followed by her promotional turn for McDonald's Happy Meals Idol toys? It seems that Princess P has sent a missive to her myspace friends apologizing for her recent comments about American Idol:

"Hey guys I know this week yo’ve all heard some not so nice things about me... I just want to say I give my up most respect and honors to American Idol... without them I wouldnt have met you all and you all would have never known me.... Im not a mean person by any means....Im grateful for each and everything i get and every new opportunity I get I thank American Idol cause thats why that opportunity flowed my way...!! As for all the sanjaya fans I have lots of respect for him he reminds me of myself with the hair changes etc.... i never meant to come off like I hated him cause thats not what kind of person I am.... What I’ve learned from this week is that your words may mean one thing to me and another to other people....! I truely apologize....Love Always,Paris Bennett aka Princess P “You’ve Officially Beeen Princessed” "

Whatevuh, your highness

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! IDOL SPOILERS FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW


Tonight's show was taped yesterday. Here is everything you need to know about it -- song choices, song order, what they wore and judge critiques -- as reported by accounts on the Web sites Fans of Reality TV (the dress rehearsal) and Idol Forums. Do not read any further if you want to be surprised.

The show features clips from Africa and America interspersed with the Top 6 performances. Each contestant will have two phone lines tonight, open for 4 hours instead of the normal 2.

Song choices, performance order, critiques (from a poster who allegedly attended the taping):

Chris Richardson (wearing a tie and jacket, phone numbers 1 & 7): "If I Could Change The World" by Eric Clapton. All three judges liked his performance. Randy said Chris started off the show great. Paula thought it was one of his best. Simon said it wasn’t nasally, it was a great song choice and he’s finally living up to the potential they saw in his first audition.

Melinda Doolittle (wearing a gray dress, phone numbers 2 & 8): "There Will Come a Day" by Faith Hill. All the judges loved her. Randy said Melinda showed everyone how it’s done. Simon said she made it completely her own -- a master-class performance.

Blake Lewis (wearing a purple shirt and jacket, phone numbers 3 & 9): "Imagine" by John Lennon. Randy thought it was a little boring -- blah blah about being compared to the original. Paula felt his performance was quiet, sincere. Simon liked the vocal and thought it was more about the sincerity than the vocal.

LaKisha Jones (wearing a black strapless dress, phone numbers 4 & 10): "I Believe" (Season 3 coronation song). The judges "slammed" her. Simon thinks she shout-sings. The judges preferred Fantasia’s version from Season 3. (two separate accounts say that the audience loved her and that she sounded great).

Phil Stacey (wearing a blue shirt and jacket, phone numbers 5 & 11): "The Change" by Garth Brooks. Randy and Paula thought he was great. Simon liked it but told him to continue going for the country-style songs.

Jordin Sparks (wearing a beige dress, phone numbers 6 & 12): "You'll Never Walk Alone," from the musical "Carousel" and famously sung by Jerry Lewis during the Muscular Dystrophy telethons. Randy told her tonight it was the best vocal by any Idol on any season. Simon joked that “Unlike Randy, I liked you tonight Jordin.” Paula liked her too.

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© 2007

She Couldn't Get a Leg Up on Them

She might have turned the beat around with her Tuesday performance on "American Idol," but finalist Haley Scarnato failed to turn the voting public around and was eliminated after placing in the bottom three for the third consecutive week and receiving the fewest of the over 35 million votes cast.

The San Antonio, Texas, wedding singer, 24, who has relied heavily on her good looks, long, shapely legs and a decreasing amount of clothing to attract voters, had been harshly critiqued by the judges the past few weeks. After her performance of "Turn the Beat Around," for which she wore hot pants and a transparent zebra-print blouse over a bustier, judge Simon Cowell told her, "I think you have a very good tactic at the moment, Haley: Wear the least amount of clothes as possible. ... I’ll be honest with you, you can't do well in this competition based on your voice, because there are much better singers."

The contestants were mentored by Jennifer Lopez for the Latin-themed week. Wearing a flowing, kimono-like dress with leggings and knee boots, Lopez performed "Qué Hiciste" from her current release "Como Ama Una Mujer."

Akon, who seemed more a part of the chorus when he accompanied mentor Gwen Stefani on "Sweet Escape" a couple of weeks ago, also performed last night, singing "Don’t Matter."


The show included a pitch for the charity special "Idol Gives Back," during which host Ryan Seacrest announced that Celine Dion had been added to the roster of celebrities who would appear.











Next week singer Martina McBride mentors the remaining seven finalists for a country music-themed performance show.

More in the morning ...

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© 2007