American Idol Announces 2010's Top Ten

American Idol contestants aspire to being a part of the season's top ten. The talented ten are given unique opportunities, one of which is the American Idol summer tour. I doubt that many people were taken by surprise Wednesday night when Paige Miles was told she wouldn't be a part of that tour. If Paige had done as well Tuesday as she did tonight on her exit song, she might not have gone home. But she didn't. Tim Urban and Katie Stevens joined Paige in rounding out the bottom three.

If your first experience with American Idol is a 'results show', you'll more than likely be disappointed. The majority of the program is spent on the drama of who will end up with the least amount of viewer votes. The lights are dimmed and a trio of threatening stools awaits the victims. The bottom three contestants are then treated to a little more agony before one of them is deemed safe.

The drama unfolded...

Siobhan Magnus was told very quickly that she was in the American Idol top ten, and rightfully so. Ryan questioned her about her trademark 'screams'. Siobhan's retort was that she felt this week held great importance so she used the screams one more time to be sure she would survive.

Lee Dewyze and Casey James were asked to stand up in a pair. Usually when that happens, one stays and one goes. I would have been surprised if either Lee or Casey ended up in American Idol's bottom three this week. They deserved to move forward.

The next pair of American Idols to receive the news was Tim Urban and Paige Miles. They were both sent to the stools. Tim said he wouldn't do anything differently if he had it to do over. Paige just said that she'd 'had a blast'.

Aaron Kelly, Didi Benami, Michael Lynche and Crystal Bowersox were told one at a time that they were safe. Of course we knew Crystal would be in the top ten. The others deserve to join the tour as well.

Katie Stevens and Andrew Garcia received their verdict in a pair. One was staying and one was in the bottom three. I thought for sure Andrew would be making the trip to the stools, but he survived. He needs to think about his direction on the show or he'll be gone quickly.

Protocol dictates that the departing American Idol sings one last time and the judges decide whether or not they'll use their one 'save' of the season to keep the person on the show. Paige was told upfront that she had no chance. She was fighting back tears, but handled it well. She's had laryngitis and, unfortunately, wasn't in top shape this season. She really gave it her all on the last song...she went out with a bang.

On Tuesday, March 30^th, the top ten American Idols will perform R&B and soul with Usher as their mentor...should be interesting.

Idols Sing for a Spot in the Top Ten on Tuesday, March 23rd
For more information visit the American Idol website.