American Idol:The Top 10 Results Show

Bottom Three:
Chikezie ("If Only for One Night")
Syesha Mercado ("If I Were Your Woman")
Jason Castro ("Fragile")



Eliminated: Chikezie










Watch video of Chikezie elimination journey:

When Ryan Seacrest introduced the Top 10, he coyly stopped by Jason Castro and then between Chikezie and Syesha Mercado. This is the third time in as many weeks that we've noticed a "tell" on the results show, either indicating the Bottom 3 or the contestant who was about to be eliminated. Last week, Amanda Overmyer was the only girl missing in the medley chain as the girls stood onstage to sing "Here, There and Everywhere," showcasing one after another. Amanda only appeared later on the left rear side of the couch as they finished the song. Her "solo" came after that, she sang: "And in the end the love you take ... ." Watch video.

The week before, the Top 12 were each individually shown in fast succession during a video segment on the "Horton Hears a Who" premiere. The last contestant was David Hernandez but, as they got to him, the film dissolved into a digitized blur and you never saw his face (at about 1 min 10 sec. into the video) Watch it. Interesting. Are the producers intentionally playing games to tip us off before the actual results are announced?

Back to last night. Next was the the group medley, Maxine Nightingale's "Right Back Where We Started From." We must admit, this season's contestants sound great together compared to contestants from seasons past, when some of the medleys were actually painful to listen to.

Watch video of Top 10 group medley, "Right Back Where We Started From":

We also saw footage of how the finalists go into the studio each week and record full-length versions of their shortened show performances that are for sale on iTunes.

Watch video of finalists recording in the studio:

The eliminations began and Chikezie, the first contestant onstage, was told to take a stool. Uh-oh. Next cames Brooke, who, of course, was safe and then Carly, who dispelled the pregnancy rumors that began swirling earlier this week. We had deja vu of Katharine McPhee needing to do the same thing two years ago after wearing loose-fitting tops a few weeks in a row. Carly was told to head for the couch, the stage safety zone.

The week's Ford commercial was sung to "I Want You to Want Me," with graphics of the contestants on T-shirts, posters and CD Cases becoming animated. Cute, but it's still just a commercial.

Watch video of the Ford commercial, "I Want You to Want Me":


David Archuleta joined Ryan and said maybe Simon Cowell thought his performance was theme park-like because he was having so much fun he got a bit carried away. Uh, no, David, that wouldn't be the reason. He also said that he didn't understand why Simon didn't think he chose his own song. Uh, that would be because your father did, David. Anyway, he was safe, as we all knew he would be. David Cook, too (a no-brainer). Ryan told Cook he spoke with Chris Cornell, who loved David's version of Chris' version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Got it? Ryan told Syesha Mercado that Randy and Paula loved her the night before, but America didn't, and she's in the Bottom 3. Michael Johns, however, found safety on the couch.

It was then time for more fluff, the stupid caller Q&A's, though we have to admit when they are directed at Simon he usually makes them funny. One caller asked Simon what she would have to do to get Ryan's job. He told her, "The good news is, you don't need a lot of talent. So there's a chance for everyone." Another caller asked Cowell if he thought he's the best-looking person on the show and why. Simon told her, "It's not what I say, it's what other people say." Paula banged her head against the judges' table on that one.

We also learned that if she could do a duet with anyone, Brooke would pick John Mayer, that Chikezie is "very single," and, once, again that David Archuleta chose his own song Tuesday night. Hmmm, why do they think they need to keep telling us that over and over again?

Watch video of caller Q&A:

Next up was Season 2 third-place finisher Kimberley Locke, first introduced in a video where she talked about her post-"Idol" life, including her single "Eighth World Wonder," the restaurant she opened, Croton Creek steakhouse and wine bar, in Croton Falls, N.Y., and how she's lost 40 pounds in the past year. She sang her new single, "Fall," a pleasant, if rapidly forgettable, song. But compared to her Idol days, she looked spectacular. The dress Locke wore on the show, designed by Bravo "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano (see photo above), is being auctioned off for charity here.

Watch video of Kimberley Locke singing "Fall":

Of course, there was the obligatory pimping of the upcoming "Idol Gives Back," begathon, focusing on how last year's contributions benefitted people in the United States. The guest list now includes Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jennifer Connolly, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia, Amy Adams, Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, Heart and Gloria Estefan.

Tickets are currently on sale to the general public. The event will tape at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, April 6. For more information, click here.

Watch video of "Idol Gives Back" pimping:


Back to the results and Ramiele Malubay, who was, surprisingly, safe. At that point we were surer than sure that Kristy Lee Cook, too, would be safe and slacker Jason Castro would be joining Syesha and Chikezie in the Bottom 3. We were right. Jason told Ryan he expected something because he hadn't been out onstage this late before and that he was prepared for it. Well, duh, if you're coming out as the last two contestants it's a 50-50 chance you're in the Bottom 3. That's not exactly rocket science, Stoner Boy. But Ryan let him off the hook entirely too quickly, much to our annoyance. Syesha, too, was declared safe and Chikezie sang his way out beautifully.

Next week it's country music as the Top 9 sing the songs of guest mentor Dolly Parton.






And we're predicting right now that Kristy Lee Cook will be eliminated next Wednesday.

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