TV Line is reporting that, according to sources from American Idol, The Save can no longer be used in competition. The only problem with that? There were only 10 finalists, but 10 weeks of final competition to fill. In other words, if The Save had been used, it would have made up for an extra week in the schedule. No double elimination needed.

So what will the producers do to make up that extra week now that The Save is out of play? Sources tell TV Line that there was ALWAYS a contingency plan in place if the Save was not used. ”A little unpredictability can be a good thing,” says the source

In any case, whatever this “contingency plan” is, it will HAVE to include a non-elimination week. It’s happened before. Remember the first Idol Gives Back back in Season 6? It aired on a results night. The producers went through the motions of elimination, making it appear as if eventual winner, Jordin Sparks, was in grave danger. But at the last minute, there was a reprieve for the entire group that was credited to the spirit of the feel good event.

So, can we expect an “Inspiration” theme in the next couple of weeks? Or maybe, during the Top 3, which is traditionally the week of the hometown visits, Ryan Seacrest will claim that the audience is just TOO DAMN TEARY EYED to eliminate anyone! Except, the longer the producers wait, the more contrived and obvious the non elimination will seem

Or, there could be a giant two week final extravaganza. Which, in my opinion, would be absolutely HORRIBLE. That would mean filling 6 hours of programming with performances from two contestants. I suppose the producers could fill the shows with appearances from ex-Idols and big guest stars. But that turns Idol into even more of a variety show than it already is. And two weeks of THAT would be so dull.

So, what do you think? How should Idol solve its scheduling problem?

VIA TV Line

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