Time for the contestants to find out if they’ve secured a coveted spot in the Top 12! And this time, they’re giving out the news to the boys and girls together.
Here are the results, in the order they got the news:
Blake Lewis and LaKisha : They both advance to the Top 12, and will work with Diana Ross next week. Was there ever any doubt?
Chris Sligh: Ryan made him sweat it out until after the break, but no worries dawg, ’cause he is safe!
Jordin Sparks: America loves you, Miss Heartbreaker. Safe!
Phil Stacey: Safe! The unfortunate hat-wearer will live to see another week.
Jared Cotter: The journey ends for him tonight…he’s going home.
Melinda Dolittle and Brandon Rogers: Is there room for two backup singers, Ryan asks? YES, they’re both safe.
Gina Glocksen and Chris Richardson: They’ve both made it into the top 12. Only 3 spots left, and 6 people still sitting on the couch.
A short Carrie Underwood break…and the promise of a “big announcement” coming up later
Antonella Barba and Stephanie Edwards: Antonella is GOING HOME!! YES!!!!!! There IS a God! Stephanie is safe. Whew!
Haley Scarnato and Sabrina Sloan: One is safe, and one is going home. Haley is safe (take THAT, Simon Cowell!) and Sabrina is headed home. C’mon, we knew there had to be at least one shocker. As Sabrina cries her eyes out on Haley’s shoulder, Ryan calls it “one of the most intense episodes we’ve had here.” Randy says, “America got it wrong.”
Ryan makes the BIG announcement: in honor of AI’s 200th episode, they’ve decided to “give back” and donate money to worthy causes. They’re showing Simon & Ryan doing some male bonding in Africa, visiting poor children and passing out what looked to me like bunches of overripe bananas.
Randy reveals that he’s going to bring Paula back to his hometown in New Orleans, and also visit parts of Mississipi, to help people who are struggling in those regions.
On April 24th and 25th, the Top 6 show will feature “inspirational songs”, and for every vote cast after the Tuesday night show, AI sponsors (Coke, GM and others)will donate money to this new charity. During the Wednesday show, viewers will be able to call in and pledge additional numbers. Borat will be making a special appearance (because, nothing says “We care” more than a comedian with a fake accent saying, “My name eh Borat!”), along with Gwen Stefani, Pink, Quincy Jones, Josh Groban, Bono and others.
Alllll-righty then. Back to the results:
We’re down to Sanjaya Malakar and Sundance Head, neither of whom deserve a spot in the Top 12. Nevertheless, one of them IS staying, and we’ll find out who….after the break!
And…Sanjaya has STOLEN…uh, I mean, taken the final spot in the Top 12. Buh-bye Sundance!
The judges take a few moments to act stunned that Sundance the Screamer is leaving, and it’s so long for another week. Cue the Daughtry music…4 unlucky contestants fade back into obscurity, and here is your Top 12 America:
Blake Lewis
La Kisha Jones
Chris Sligh
Jordin Sparks
Phil Stacey
Melinda Dolittle
Brandon Rogers
Gina Glocksen
Chris Richardson
Stephanie Edwards
Haley Scarnato
Sanjaya Malakar
Sanjaya? That’s crazy. The robot zombie of Michael Jackson walks the earth.
I know…I can’t imagine who is out there voting for this poor kid, but they really ought to put him out of his misery. He’s totally out of his league!