American Idol

Casey James put on such an awkward performance on Tuesday night that he publicly admitted he should go home.

Instead, Kara's former crush didn't even land in the bottom two this week. That dishonor befell Michael Lynche and Aaron Kelly instead.

When all the votes were counted, Kelly's name was finally called. Upon the elimination, the 16-year old simply said: "I've had a blast."

As for the evening's performances, Lady Gaga whipped out "Alejandro" and was her usual, eccentric, entertaining self. Harry Connick Jr. also sang a cover of the Beatles' "And I Love Her," off of his new album.

Finally, the top five regrouped for an anticlimactic medley of Connick's music. No matter how hard they try, these numbers never come across as anything but forced and cheesy.

But back to Aaron: Were you happy with his elimination? Can you believe Lynche was stuck in the bottom pair? Sound off now!

It was made official this week: Casey James is as lost without his guitar as Sue Sylvester is without her power of intimidation on Glee.

James, an early front-runner on American Idol, is the most likely finalist to be eliminated this week, as he bombed during Frank Sinatra night. Simon said he looked "awkward and embarrased," which may have been an understatement for Casey on stage.

Kara's crush may have a future in the business, but you need to be versatile in order to win Idol and Casey has proven that he's a one-note, aspiring rock star.

Lee DeWyze, conversely, could put out a radio hit right now. He's always had the voice for it and, maybe, with Kara's encouragement, is starting to believe: he might win this thing.

Lee's take on "That's Life" and Michael Lynche (with "The Way You Look Tonight") were our two favorite performers on the night.

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It was a shock to our TV viewing system when Siobhan Magnus got eliminated from American Idol this week.

How does the young singer feel about the development? The outspoken finalist talked to Entertainment Weekly about it...

On the elimination: It’s sad, and it’s bittersweet. But I’m so grateful for the whole experience, and I couldn’t ask for more.

On her glory note: Well, I learned how to do it in the shower when I was in high school, and it came in handy in a few different instances when I realized that this was something I could do that not a lot of other singers could do. I started to work it into my singing as much as I could. Then I realized how much I sound like my dad when I sing because I grew up listening to him, and he could do that, too.

On her future: I’ll never stop making music. I think I’d explode if I couldn’t sing. But I have really big ideas — not just in singing and recording. I’d love to do more theater. I’d really love to be in some kind of opera. The Phantom of the Opera is one of my ultimate goals, to star in that some day. I’d also love to do some film. Especially horror movies because I love scary movies.

Read the full interview at EW.com.

Dear American Idol viewers: please tell us what you see in Aaron Kelly.

It's one thing for this singer to have survived another week of competition, but he was somehow not even included in the bottom three last night.

Instead, that dishonor fell to Michael Lynche, Casey James and Siobhan Magnus, the last of whom was eliminated in one of the more shocking results of season nine.

Upon her elimination, Ryan Seacrest asked Magnus what sort of impact her run on the show had on her little sisters: "Hopefully a big one," she replied, adding:

"I did my best and I hope that I was able to show them what we're all capable of."

Even though we gave Magnus props for her rendition of "Any Man of Mine" on Tuesday night, we agree this eccentric crooner relied too heavily on hitting glory notes. But at least she was different.

With the exception of Crystal Bowersox (who seriously better win!), the remaining finalists are all virtual copies of one another. The show must change up its rules or requirements next season (perhaps contestants can't use an intrument on back-to-back weeks?) to avoid this same, boring fate.

Next week, the singers are mentored by Harry Connick Jr. and sing Frank Sinatra hits.

As Ellen DeGeneres told viewers at every opportunity last night: the Shania Twain left the station on American Idol.

Who got on board, as this country star mentored the remaining six contestants? Pretty much everyone. There weren't any weak performances. But there were two especially strong ones:

1. Casey James heeded the judges' advice from a week ago and tried something different. He didn't rely on his guitar skills or great looks, just his solid voice. It really shined through on his cover of "Don't." Best of the night.
2. Siobhan Magnus has never met a note she didn't go for, which certainly proved to be the case with her rendition of "Any Man of Mine." No one can ever accuse her of playing it safe.

Oddly, all four men chose ballads, while Magnus and Crystal Bowersox sped things up for their performances. As for who should go home tonight?

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While American Idol gave back a lot this week, it also took one thing away: Tim Urban's dreams of winning the season nine title.

The good-natured, smiley young singer was eliminated on Wednesday night, following a lackluster version of "Better Days" on Tuesdays. But the optimistic crooner says better days are still ahead, as he told Entertainment Weekly yesterday...

On his relationship to his fellow Idols: I feel like we have an awful lot of fun backstage. We’re all like a family and everyone has a role. My role was to be the lighthearted guy who encourages people. So I thought it was really funny that that’s what they chose to talk about: my smile.

On the song that resulted in his elimination: I thought they were either really going to love it or think I was reaching too far. I wasn’t shocked by their reaction to it. I was hoping it was going to be another step in my growth. I’m happy with it though. I watched it back and I thought it was a pretty good performance for me.

On future plans: I would love to pursue music and I would also love to pursue acting. I’m open to whatever is out there. If I did acting, I would still be doing music. And if I did music, I would still be trying to act.

Read the full interview at EW.com and sound off: Were you sad to see Tim go home?

On an evening that was all about giving, American Idol took something away last night: the hopes and dreams of Tim Urban.

The young singer, who only advanced to the final 24 after another singer was disqualified, had his improbable run ended when viewers voted him off to close Wednesday's Idol Gives Back special.

The elimination didn't come as a major shock, as Urban's performance of "Better Days" on Tuesday night didn't inspire the judges to say anything nice about him. But many may have been surprised to see the man standing alongside Tim in the bottom two: Casey James.

Kara's former man crush better think of something creative next week if he wants to stick around.

The Idol Gives Back event itself was impressive as always. It reunited the top 12 from this season, as seen above, and raised hundreds of millions for charities.

Among those that participated were:

• Russell Brand
• Jonah Hill
• Jennifer Garner
• Ben Affleck
• Jim Carrey
• Carrie Underwood
• Wanda Sykes
• George Lopez
• The Black Eyed Peas
• Queen Latifah
• Annie Lennox
• Alicia Keys

Inspirational song week is always a challenge on American Idol.

Most finalists choose ballads that are overly cheesy and simply difficult to get through. Cases in point from last night: Michael Lynche with "Hero," Aaron Kelly with "I Believe I Can Fly."

The latter did a solid job, as he said he's been singing that single since he was five. Man, that makes me feel old. But such selections feel forced, as if the contestant is trying too hard to connect with the audience.

Conversely, Crystal Bowersox has seemed almost subdued throughout this season. Detatched. Heck, she almost quit at one point. Choosing the lesser-known "People Get Ready," Crystal's emotions finally poured out this week, helped along by the presence of her dad in the audience.

Combined with her unique sound and stage presence, there was no question that Bowersox made herself even more of a season nine favorite last night.

Lee DeWyze wasn't too far behind, however. It was a bold decision to sing "The Boxer," a Paul Simon classic made even more iconic when that artist took the stage with it during the first post-9/11 edition of Saturday Night Live.

But DeWyze put on a tender, emotional performance that resonated with the judges. Barring a nationwide brain fart, he and Crystal are destined to meet in the finals.

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Following the judges' save of Michael Lynche last week, two American Idol contestants were on the chopping block Wednesday night.

Once all the votes were counted, Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens were eliminated from season nine, an unsurprising result, albeit one that led to many tears from fellow contestants.

The singers each spoke to Entertainment Weekly about their experience on the show, starting with Andrew...

How is he feeling? You feel bad ’cause you’re leaving performing on that big stage, but you can’t forget how far you came. I didn’t expect to go far, and to go as far as I did I’m thankful. And I made the tour and I’m going to be able to go out and have a job. And then I get to see my son.

How much did he change the arrangement on Hound Dog? I added drums and horns to it. I made it more flavorful. That’s what I think [Adam Lambert] wanted me to do. And it sounded good. I was like, man, that’s cool.

Will he miss Lee DeWyze? He’s my brother now. He’s like my family now. It was a little tough saying goodbye. We’ve been with each other every day going through the same thing. I know he’s going to rip it up. And I’m going to see him next week [at Idol Gives Back] and on the tour.

And now for Katie...

Was it difficult being so young on the show? It was hard, but everyone was so supportive. There was a little bit of added pressure since I was going up against people who were so much older. It was like racing against the big boys. But I always just tried to hold my own.

Did she feel safe this week? You never really know. I always go into it and think there’s a possibility that I could go. It’s very unpredictable. When I was sitting on the stage with Mike, I was like, ‘It’s gonna be me.’ I just prepared myself. And I did get emotional singing after that.

On getting emotional during her farewell song: I just felt the words as I was singing. But I had to remind myself that it wasn’t the end. There is going to be life after Idol. I thought it was a perfect song to have gone out with. You gotta let it be and let life take its course.

Viewers got it right on American Idol last night, but that didn't make it any sadder to watch Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens go home.

The tears started flowing for Katie as soon as her name was announced at the conclusion of the results show, as Siobhan Magnus and Crystal Bowersox also cried over this young singer's departure.

Interestingly, those are now the only two female finalists remaining, following weeks of pre-show hype from judges saying this would be a woman's year to win.

It still might be, of course. Bowersox is definitely the favorite to go all the way.

As for Garcia, he was humble and grateful: "I appreciate everything. I'm glad I'm here. I'm glad I've been through what I've been through. You guys let me experience something that I've never experienced."

Only seven contestants remain. Next week, they'll sing inspirational songs on Tuesday night and take part in the third Idol Gives Back special on Wednesday. It's unclear right now if anyone will be eliminated during that charitable edition of the show.

Meanwhile, Adam Lambert returned to the stage that made him a household name last night. Watch his laser beam-themed performance below.

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