American Idol Judges Use Their Save to Keep Michael Lynche on Elimination Show

During the opening of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest announced that viewers should be prepared for some surprises. Seacrest mentioned that someone would be eliminated unless the judges used the save option available to them until the top five performers remain. Continuing to build the drama, Seacrest announced that the producers had told him there would be shocking results revealed tonight. Normally I would think that Seacrest was busy trying to crank up the drama, but in this particular instance he spoke the truth.

After introducing the American Idol judges, Seacrest announced that personal items donated by the judges would be used to raise money for the "Help Me Give Back" charity. Next, the remaining nine American Idol contestants came out singing a montage of songs by The Beatles together. I figured that this was probably going to be the cheesiest part of the show, but I was wrong. Next each of the Idol contestants had a turn at being shown in a kaleidoscope effect on the screen while singing. These results shows have to burn an entire hour, so a lot of the stuff we see barely passes as filler. Seacrest then polled the remaining contestants for their state of mind and moved on to the actual results.

Siobhan Magnus, Crystal Bowersox and Katie Stevens were called to the center of the stage where they were made to stand in a tense array of anxiety while Seacrest asked American Idol Judge Randy Jackson if he thought any of the three would be sent home tonight. Jackson said that none of the three female contestants deserved to go home at this point and the American Idol audience was in agreement. The three remaining ladies heaved a collective sigh of relief and returned to their seats to await the fate of their male counterparts

Jason Derulo performed next with enough flashing lights, flames and backup dancers to send an otherwise healthy person into an epileptic seizure. The performance was well received by the crowd as well as resident cynic Simon Cowell, who only had nice things to say. Former American Idol contestant David Archuletta took to the piano next and performed John Lennon's "Imagine" to the delight of all of the teenage girls in the crowd. A bit too much yodeling for my taste, but he does have a great voice.

It was then time for the remaining male vocalists to feel the tension and anxiety that accompanies the American Idol elimination results. Host Ryan Seacrest discussed each of the men's performances and began dividing them into two separate groups on the stage. It was pretty clear that one group was safe and the other was not and by this time the viewers had a pretty solid idea of the results. The group, which included contestants Michael Lynche, Andrew Garcia and Aaron Kelly, made up the bottom three. Of the bottom three, Aaron Kelly was declared safe to sing again, returning to his seat full of obvious gratitude. This left American Idol contestants Lynche and Garcia standing shoulder-to-shoulder awaiting the bad news. Just to extend the torture of not knowing a little bit longer, Seacrest announced that Rihanna would come out for a performance before the results were announced. That's a wicked thing to do, but they have to keep people tuned in for the full hour, don't they? Rihanna appeared decked out in what looked like some kind of latex dominatrix attire accompanied by plenty of flashing lights; just in case anyone watching had survived the epileptic seizures induced by the flashing lights and flames from Derulo's performance. I couldn't decide if she looked more like Catwoman or something from Battlestar Galactica as she slinked around the stage. I have to admit that the flames and shower of sparks raining down nearby made me worry for Rihanna. Those of us old enough remember what happened to Michael Jackson during the Pepsi commercial. Luckily no one burst into flames and with less than five minutes remaining, the results were sure to follow.

The American Idol contestant slated for elimination was Michael Lynche, who was given the opportunity to sing for his life. Lynch took the mike and performed "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush. A lot of discussion appeared to be going on amongst the judges as Lynche belted it out. Lynche, a new father, faced the judges, who decided to use the save and keep him on the show. Simon announced that the decision was unanimous and that this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for his overly dramatic performance of "Eleanor Rigby" the night before. Secretly, I think it had more to do with the shock that Garcia hadn't been voted off. The tribe has spoken and they have been overruled.

Source: American Idol