Source: USA TODAY
Mostly solid performances marked Wednesday’s Detroit Night on American Idol. But two of the most popular singers had off nights. So who’s going home? One of the girls who sang well, or one of the guys in that disastrous group sing? Share your opinions and follow along in tonight’s live blog. — Brian Mansfield
So who’ll go home tonight. At one point, I thought maybe Amber Holcomb, who seems to be having trouble connecting with viewers despite impressive vocal performances week in and week out. But after the guys’ meltdown during last night’s group-sing, it almost has to be one of them, don’t you think?
As the show opens, Ryan Seacrest notes that it’s American Idol’s 450th episode, and it’ll be an night packed with former Idols — Colton Dixon from last season and Katharine McPhee from Season 5. Plus, judge Keith Urban will perform.
The performances begin with a song from a Detroit rock icon – Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll.
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A chastened Devin Velez, Burnell Taylor and Lazaro Arbos stand on the stage next to Ryan Seacrest, waiting to find out which will go home. Mariah Carey looks torn and says whatever happens, the judges won’t be unanimous. I think she means that she wants all of them to stay, though.
Seacrest says he’ll send one to safety. Jimmy Iovine thinks Lazaro Arbos will go home, and he’s got a 50/50 change. Burnell Taylor’s safe.
And, it turns out, so’s Arbos.
Ryan Seacrest tells Velez to give it all he’s got, as he sings It’s Impossible for the judges. It’s all the stuff he does well, but I can’t imagine it’ll be enough for the judges to keep him – especially since they know from his placement the past two weeks that he just doesn’t have the audience to carry him. It’d be a waste – he’d be gone in two weeks, tops. They need to save their pick for a fluke vote that could eliminate a potential winner.
The judges glance knowingly back and forth at each other, like they might be considering it. “Unfortunately, for us,” Randy Jackson says, “It’s not unanimous. We won’t be using it.”
Hate to see Velez go, but that was the right call.
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The first person who’s safe is the least surprising. After all, how do you go home after Aretha Franklin plugs you. Kree Harrison’s safe, so is Candice Glover. Third person safe: Janelle Arthur — again, no surprises yet. (Kree jumps for joy, she’s so excited for Arthur. Harrison eventually removes her shoes.
Now things can get interesting: Angie Miller, despite having last night’s arguably worst solo performance, has the viewer support to get through.
Now it’s official: All the women are safe. Amber Holcomb’s the last of them to head to the chairs.
That means a guy’s going home – again. Though I don’t think I heard Ryan Seacrest actually say they were the Bottom Three. Did he? Still, the group-sing Wednesday couldn’t possibly have helped them.
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We’re back, as Keith Urban sings Long Hot Summer. If you’re into contemporary country or classic pop-rock, it should be right in your wheelhouse, and the band’s killer. Funny thing is, Long Hot Summer isn’t the kind of song you’d at all expect to hear in an Idol competition, but Urban’s a master at selling a song. Would that some of this season’s could pull back from the dramatics and look this comfortable singing.
“That is how you do it,” says Ryan Seacrest.”So seamless and wonderful.” They talk a little bit about his summer tour (tickets go on sale April 5) then Seacrest sends Urban back to his spot at the judges’ table.
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Running into some technical problems on my end, but I got tuned back in just in time for OneRepublic and Katharine McPhee, who sound pretty great together. McPhee starts her part of the song in a familiar place — sitting on the couch with the other contestants.
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Tonight, the Ford music videos become the Ford Fiesta Challenge, starting with the top eight going to mentor some kids as they learn Phillip Phillips’ Home. The segment provides some sweet moments – a much better use of the show’s time than the old videos.
As he recaps last night’s performances, Jimmy Iovine thinks Lazaro Arbos is going home. He probably should – from watching last night’s group-sing from the guys, he seemed to be the one who threw everything off. But we’ll see – he’s been awfully popular.
Kree Harrison gets a shout-out from Aretha Franklin – and, after a commercial break, we might start getting to some results.
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