American Idol 9 Top 4 – Results – Recap

  • UPDATE: The Top 4 iTunes studio performances are available HERE.

Michael Lynch is Eliminated Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze and Casey James are your Top 3.

Next Wednesday, an appearance by…Perez Hilton’s favorite artist Travis GarlandSimon Fuller and Perez are teaming up to find a new boy band. Oh goodie. More HERE.  Plus,   The Fetus Justin Bieber performs.

  • Fantasia performs “Bittersweet” – VIDEO
  • Ford Commercial – “Put the Message in the Bottle” –  VIDEO
  • Home Visit highlights – VIDEO
  • Casey James is declared safe – VIDEO
  • Daughtry perform “September – VIDEO
  • Lee DeWyze is declared safe – VIDEO
  • Bon Jovi sings “Superman Tonight” – VIDEO
  • Crystal Bowersox and Michael Lynche are center stage. Michael Lynche is eliminated – VIDEO

Not much to say, really. It was going to be either Mike or Casey tonight, and it looks like Casey’s fanbase rallied for him this week.  Mike in the Top 3 would have made for a more diverse trio, and his performances have been more consistent than Casey’s over the weeks. So, from that standpoint, Mike probably should have advance. But, if I’m being honest, I really didn’t care what happened tonight, as long as Crystal made it to the Top 3.

It was cool having 2 ex-Idols back to perform. I didn’t really dig either song, if I’m being perfectly honest, but it was still cool. Also, I loved the hometown clip. Yeah, they are corny, but I love the hometown visits. Next week should be a fun show. Except for that lame-o protege of Perez effing Hilton who is supposed to perform. Do. Not. Want. I’ll never get why anybody listens to what Perez has to say about anything. I mean, Simon Fuller? Seriously?

Next week the Top 3 will sing 2 songs–a song the judges choose for them and a tune they pick for themselves. Traditionally, the contestants find out their judges pick during their hometown visit.

Live blog after the JUMP…

Tonight, Daughtry and Fantasia perform their new singles (“September” and “Bittersweet” respectively). Bon Jovi is also set to perform.

And of course, one contestant must go.

The cold opening is done like opening credits to a movie. Ryan is introduced and enters through the audience. Almost 37 million votes came in last night. Highest of the season.

Poor Chris Daughtry. Back to revisit the night of his elimination! Ryan introduces the judges. He pimps the tour. Tickets go on sale this weekend.

Here’s Fantasia! She sings her new single “Bittersweet” live. She’s wearing a sparkly jacket and tight black jacket. I think Simon’s going to like this AC jam better than the hip-hop thing she did last time. Fantasia sounds pretty damn awesome.

Fantasia talks about her new album. “This album is much soul, I wrote some stuff…it’s been too long, time for me to have an album out right now.” she says. Her daughter is 9. Time flies!

The Top 4 are sitting on stools while the Ford video rolls. “Put the Message in the Box” The Idols drive around the world!

Ryan mentions the Top 3 home visits and he introduces a video montage of past home visits. Ah GOOD MEMORIES!!!

What are the kids looking forward to in their home visits? Mike is looking forward to seeing his family and his puppy in St. Pete’s. Crystal says she really wants to play a gig with Frankie May her bass player. Lee says he wants to be like the images in the video and he can’t wait to see his family. Casey wants to smell the Texas air, see his puppy dogs and hear people say y’all. The Top 4 families are sitting on stage with the contestants, on the couches.

Elimination:

Mike and Casey are first. Mike picked the duet song, and was super-excited about it. Casey had another song in mind, but caved because Mike was so excited. Crystal and Lee. Crystal says “Once” is her favorite movie. Three weeks ago, Crystal suggested that he watch the movie.

OMG! Casey James is SAFE!!!!

Mike and Lee both look really bummed.

Daughtry takes the stage to perform their new single, “September” – Well, if there is a shock boot tonight, Chris can advise. The new single is a pretty ballad. The chicks should like it. After the song, Ryan asks Chris what it’s like to play to big arena audiences. He says it’s fantastic. Chris goes on to talk about how personal “September” is–it’s connected to his childhood.

Ellen tells the contestants that she’s proud of all of them. Randy says Chris is living the dream, this is what you aspire to be. “This is the dream you want to have. It feels good for us.” Chris tells the 4 to “Stay Hungry” and to “stick to what’s true to you.”

Back to eliminations.  Mike Lynche…Kara says he should have taken something unexpected and done something original–something he was connected to and moved by.  Mike says it was a really big song, when he tried to sing it, it was tough.  But, he feels he was connected to it.

Lee DeWyze is next. A scream goes up from the audience. Did Lee feel last night’s criticism was valid? He didn’t think his performance was karaoke. Although he could have done  more with the arrangement, he was happy with his performance.

Crystal Bowersox…Simon thought her overall performance was better, and was once again the artist the judges fell in love with a few weeks ago.

Aw shit.  Ryan faked out Mike…he called his name and then said…hang tight for a moment. Then he said Lee…your going…back to Chicago.  Lee looked like he was going to crap his pants.

Lee DeWyze is safe!

OK, is a Crystal Bowersox/Mike Lynche B2 supposed to be suspenseful?

Bon Jovi takes the stage to sing “Superman Tonight” – Not a Jovi fan. Sorry kids.  Ryan interviews Jon and Richie. How do they do it? Hard work and good luck! Jon is humbled by the crowds.  Dude with the perm! The 80’s wants your hairdo back.

If Crystal isn’t safe, I’m going to cut a BITCH.

Back from break. Lee says he’s still taking it all in right now.  Casey was getting ready to sing before he was declared safe.

One will be in the Top 3.  The person who is in the Top 3 is…Crystal Bowersox. Crystal is hugging her boyfriend–she’s crying.

Michael Lynche is Eliminated. I wasn’t even supposed to be here, says Mike.  His video goodbye rolls. After, Kara tells him not to give up. Michael sings out with the tune he sang last night. Mike’s wife is holding their baby and crying.

Oh man. Ryan’s actually got time to kill tonight! Mike hugs the judges. The contestants take center stage and it’s one big hugfest. Finally, we’re out.

Safe

  • Casey James
  • Lee DeWyze
  • Crystal Bowersox

Eliminated

  • Michael Lynche

About mj santilli 34844 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!