A judges reprieve

All day I was nervous -- nervous about the new rule -- were the producers going to take over from America? Was the vote system going to be tampered with? The hanging chad to reign?


Luckily Ryan didn't leave us hanging -- the new rule was revealed right away. This season, the judges have the opportunity to save one eliminated contestant. One chance to give a second chance. If they use the reprieve, two contestants go home the following week. Very interesting to see if they use it, when they use it and if their save then stays in during the next week. And it gives Ryan one more dramatic moment to add to his lines to use each episode -- "Will the judges save a contestant tonight?" "Who could get another chance tonight?" "Will the judges agree with your vote America?" "All this and more tonight on American Idol..." Seacrest Out.


Re-cap that I hope Jasmine and Jorge go home tonight. Let's see...

Anyone notice how they are using the stairs for dramatic effect? Hysterical.

First to be safe, Michael Sarver, then Allison Irahita, then Matt Giraud, then showdown between Jasmine and Megan Corkery. I love using the word showdown! Megan is safe and Jasmine goes home (1 right so far). Of course Ryan then refers to the already tired -- "but will the judges save her?" Of course gives another reason for the loser to sing his last song -- it could save him/her. But Jasmine just reinforced why she and her flatness had to go, and Randy signals her certain end.

Then intro of new going home song for the season -- Carrie Underwood doing a remake of Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home. It is going to be sold as a single to benefit animal shelters. Not completely convinced on this one yet, we'll see...

Kanye comes out to perform, but it is actually pre-recorded hence the contestants and judges cleared from the stage. At least the Lionel Richie haircut is gone. Hoping Kelly is live just to feel the audience / judge reaction.

Back to results, and Ryan gets to say "One more person is going to go unless the judges decide to save them." Then Scott McIntyre is safe, Alexis Grace is safe, Danny Gokey is safe and Anoop is sent to bottom. Adam Lambert is safe, Jorge and L'il showdown for the other bottom spot. Jorge heads to bottom with Anoop. Not an unexpected situation. Either Anoop or Jorge are going home. This is going so fast my head is spinning. But then Ryan takes a break and I can finish breathing. Jesus!

Jorge and Anoop get to enjoy Kelly and Ryan announces that every week they are going to bring back a former Idol (now that is fun stuff!!!) So they begin with Idol number 1, that's right, numero uno, Kelly Clarkson. Ryan says she is the top-selling Idol alum which I don't think is true -- pretty sure Carrie surpassed her with two albums to Kelly's three, but I will need to check my facts folks. Kelly is live and the audience goes wild!!! She looks adorable. She kills it and love the clean makeup, brown natural hair and sequin jacket over black dress. Good look.

So now the results. Anoop is.......SAFE! Jorge is going home. He sings the muzak and Simon bluntly, so bluntly, painfully bluntly, tells him he will not get a reprieve. Ouch.

I was right on the money folks. Usually top 10 goes on tour, so for Jasmine and Jorge, they get to be seen on finale, and then this is the end of the road.

No reveal of next week's theme, but guarantee the 11 will be MUCH harder to pick from.

Good night, my readers. And remember, don't be ashamed of your obsessions...