American Idol Top 10 Results Show -- Tim Urban Safe Again

Teflon Tim makes it through yet another week of American Idol, surviving R&B/soul week for yet another chance at the title. Could the ever-grinning boy wonder make it to the top? While there was a certain glee in finding Simon's exasperated predictions of "Smile away, people will vote, you'll be here next week, so well done" completely accurate, it came at the expense of a possibly worthier American Idol hopeful going home. It was also another girl sacrificed on the altar of tween girl texting, leaving the "Girl's Year" American Idol Top 9 with a mere 3 girls with the 6 remaining boys.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Insert Product Placement Here...and Here

I know ads pay the bills for TV shows, but tonight's opening video of American Idol interwoven with Clash of the Titans footage was as bizarre as those TNT new movie/basketball promos. Comparing the man vs. gods battles to American Idol on stage battles was a bit of a stretch, but comparing American Idol judge Simon Cowell to the Kraken was at least an amusing match-up.

We also got to hear about the American Idol contestants getting a peek at the 3D film, as well as an inspiring message for them from the cast at the London premiere. In case it was all too subtle for the home viewer, the message was: GO SEE CLASH OF THE TITANS.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Ruben Studdard

While MSNBC lists Ruben Studdard as the 5th top-selling American Idol thus far in the show's history, I confess I've never gotten the whole "Velvet Teddy-bear" thing. While he's definitely got talent, I was all about Clay Aiken in Season 2 and was pretty peeved when he didn't win. Tonight Ruben Studdard hit the American Idol stage once again, to sing "Don't Make 'Em Like U No More," another one of those titles with fabulous grammar.

Ruben definitely had poise and a classy presentation on the American Idol stage, something the contestants could all take a lesson from. His vocal performance was competent but fairly snooze-worthy to me, though I'm willing to suggest it may just not be a musical genre I'm into. The good news for Ruben, aside from his success, is that he's gone vegan and has lost quite a bit of weight. He looks good and hopefully it's a positive step forward for his health.

Ryan complimented Ruben's new svelter look, and then couldn't resist bringing out "Big Mike", who suddenly didn't look so big. Ruben complimented Mike's "pythons" while the latter flexed his muscles. Ryan enjoyed being the amusing little white guy bookended by the R&B teddy-bears. Ruben announced he'd be touring with Clay Aiken this summer, causing squeals from the American Idol audience. "The Claymates should be thrilled about that," Ryan said, promptly earning a defensive response from Ruben saying his own fans would be pretty thrilled as well.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Product Placement and Idol Banter

We got "treated" to a surreal Ford video with the American Idol contestants singing "Kung Fu Fighting" and doing karate chop moves. Oddly, this is the most relaxed we've seen Crystal yet; apparently martial arts suits her. We also got the time-sucking chatter between Ryan and the American Idol hopefuls, discussing Mike's inexplicable purple glued-on hair extension ala Siobhan, Crystal's piano training, and Andrew's over-exuberant mother.

The highlights were: Crystal's amusing observation of choosing the guitar over the piano because it was "easier to carry", and Mrs. Garcia's advice to Andrew to "be himself 'cause Mama raised him right". Andrew defended his lack of discernible personality by saying the judges don't "hang out with him", completely missing the point that none of the American Idol audience will get to know him that way, either. We only know what you show us, dude.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- First Three Safe

Lee Dewyze got to stand up first, giving him the uncomfortable chance to say awesome things about himself in the wake of last night's praise-worthy performance. Lee, who has performed on stage before, confessed he'd finally gotten a hold of the nerves that made him so unlike himself on the American Idol stage. Ryan announced he was safe.

The "hunh?" expression is pretty much the norm on American Idol this season, and we got to see it again when Casey was asked how he would "challenge himself" in future performances. "Good question...but I don't have an answer," Casey offered. He explained that he just picked songs he liked and played them the best that he could, showing his completely non-competitive spirit. Considering that he plays and sings pretty damn well, in this lackluster season his safe zone should keep him safe beyond tonight for quite awhile.

Ryan next asked American Idol contestant Aaron Kelly if he'd ever been in love. "At 16?" Aaron asked, "Not really." Good for you, kiddo, for being honest. When Ryan tried to get into the deep psychology of how one can sing about stuff they haven't experienced, Simon said curtly, "This is not the Oprah Winfrey Show." Then Randy offered the sage advice: "You love your parents, right? It's just like that...only a little twisted." The appalled/disgusted look Ellen gave Randy was priceless. Aaron Kelly will no doubt adamantly refuse to sing any love songs from now on, having been scarred for life.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Siobhan and Katie

Ryan dug the knife in to Siobhan Magnus next, asking her how she felt about all the American Idol judge's dissing the night before. "It was not my favorite Idol moment," Siobhan said, with a big (Duh! Ryan!) implied in her tone. She then said she would offer no excuses since she "wasn't that kind of person", but wanted everyone to know she wasn't feeling "defeated".

Katie then got to partake in the argument-that-wouldn't-die about what direction she should take musically. When Katie got called down to be in the bottom 3, Ryan confronted Simon about looking smug. As I said last night, I think they're getting carried away with the whole Ryan/Simon antagonism. Simon did finally get to say that Katie had one of her finest performances with "Wild Horses" and that she ignored his advice when he told her to continue working in that same style.

Siobhan cried with her head in her hands, knowing the temperamental American Idol audience could have easily voted her off this week.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Usher

Once again we were treated with the astounding profundity of modern music with Usher's performance of "OMG". This is the perfect follow up to "Blah-blah-blah" by Ke$ha on the American Idol stage. No, pop music doesn't have to be deep, but complete words and sentences would be nice. What's next, random grunting noises or animal sounds? Don't answer that.

I'll give Usher props for some nice dance moves, but the auto-tuned number wasn't much to get excited about. While it's good that he wasn't lip-syncing, the vocal performance wasn't stellar, and Usher sounded out-of-breath before he'd even done anything on the American Idol stage. Scantily clad women danced around, Will.i.am rapped away, and it all seemed pretty routine.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Two Safe, One More in the Bottom Three

Didi Benami was called up next, and got to defend herself against Kara's lament that she was no longer the guitar-playing singer-songwriter girl. Didi confessed she'd only been playing the guitar for a few years, and actually felt that using an instrument she wasn't that experienced with was a bigger risk than performing on American Idol without it. After this sensible declaration, Didi was told she was in the bottom 3.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Two More Safe

Ryan asked Ellen what she saw change in Mike Lynche's American Idol performance last night. "I didn't see him; he was behind me," Ellen deadpanned, before going on to lavish praise on Mike's new subtlety and the "tiny sensitive man" inside of him. Ryan then said "This is a surprise," and asked Mike to walk over...and sit back down. This was a dangerous tease, as Mike yanked back on Ryan's jovial handshake and then lifted Ryan like a sack of potatoes. Ryan must have a chiropractor on call at this point.

With her Rastafarian hat and clunky boots, Crystal went back to hippie dress-up after trying out elegant pop princess last night. She proudly told Ryan she could pick him up, too, if he wanted. "Of course you can, since I weigh 95 lbs.," Ryan said darkly. Crystal was quickly kept out of suspense and told she was safe for another week of American Idol.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Tim & Andrew

From the moment the American Idol results show started, Tim Urban was relaxed and resigned, clearly imagining himself gone tonight. He and Andrew once again gripped each other's shoulders while they awaited the verdict, and the judges tore into Tim again about his continued smiling. "I don't even think he understands what we're saying," Kara huffed.

Turns out my assessments of Tim have been correct--he feels privileged each time he gets to perform in front of millions of people, and he's not going to darken the memory by getting all down about the judges' comments. This seemed to tick them off even more, but I say good for him. His good humor is what people like about him, and certainly is one of his better qualities. After running the gauntlet, again, Tim walked over to the bottom 3 chairs to join the girls.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Diddy Dirty Money

Katie Stevens got quickly sent back to safe-land, leaving a worried Didi and grinning, thumbs-up signaling Tim Urban in the bottom 2. The boy just can't seem to help his good cheer. Ryan then introduced Diddy Dirty Money, and it took us a few moments to realize it was P. Diddy, aka Sean Combs, aka Puff Daddy, etc. What's next? Diddy Diddy Bang Bang? Zip Diddy Doo Da? Sybil?

Diddy's performance of "Hello Good Morning" was a fair dance track, and I have to confess he put on a better and grander performance than Usher's. It's interesting to note, however, that Adam Lambert's sexual displays at the AMAs caused a scandal, but Diddy's back-door dry-humping of his lady dancers on family show American Idol will probably not even be mentioned in the reviews.

Love the number or hate it, it's hard not to admire the fact that Diddy has built a successful musical career based almost entirely on charisma. Smoke machines and mirrors, and he's laughing all the way to the bank. Diddy was gracious when he spoke to Ryan afterwards, commending the "new superstars" and acknowledging how hard it is to get up on stage in front of people. He channeled Big Mike and hugged all the judges and Ryan. He also thanked the "American Idol crew for the opportunity" to appear on the show, which may have seemed a surprising declaration unless you consider Diddy's business sense. Despite what people might think about American Idol's hipness, performing puts you in front of millions of viewers, particularly the disposable-income teens that ware willing to spend money on your music.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- Top 9 Revealed

Both Tim Urban and Didi Benami had a look of disbelief when Ryan announced Didi would be singing her last song on American Idol--only Didi's had a bit more of an angry WTF? appearance to it. With Tim consistently being in the bottom 3 and Didi being a recent arrival, it hardly seemed fair that she got the ax. While I feel Didi had more verve and potential than Tim, it has to be said that vocally, his performance last night was stronger than hers.

Unlike Paige, Didi had to suffer the indignity of the judges' faux deliberating while she sang "Rhiannon". Didi gave it her all, putting out some powerful and emotional notes at the end, and going out on a winning American Idol performance. Simon told her that while she didn't earn the save, her "Rhiannon" was "a million times better than last night". If she'd performed this strongly yesterday, it's a good bet Katie or Tim would have been going home instead.

Ryan showed more of what has seemed to be a bit of a bias for pretty Didi, consoling her and telling her how brave and awesome she is while holding her hand. I think Ryan is truly going to miss her.

American Idol Top 10 Results -- The Verdict

While Didi's elimination isn't totally out of left field, it is once again an unfortunate loss of one of the more interesting American Idol contestants. It's also the cutting of yet another girl. I wouldn't be surprised if Tim makes it another week and Katie goes home after this, leaving just Siobhan and Crystal left to fight it out against the guys. It's getting to the point where it might be wiser to keep the genders separate until the top 2, since those teenage girl voters always eliminate the girls faster than the boys, regardless of talent.

Siobhan's possible brush with the bottom 3 was hopefully a wake-up call to listen to some of the advice given to her. Siobhan had some stellar performances earlier in the American Idol competition, and I'd like to see her get back into the vocals race again, rather than resting on her odd clothes and screeches.

Next week we'll find out if the American Idol Top 9 will murder the Lennon/McCartney songbook as badly as they did the Rolling Stones collection. The Beatles did tend to have some mellower tunes, so that might work better for this crowd.

Check out: American Idol Top 10 -- R&B Soul Week Performances

Watch American Idol on FOX, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Check local listings for times, as they can vary.