Siobhan Magnus Says Goodbye as American Idol's Top 5 Revealed

After viewing six fine performances on Shania Twain week that drew very little criticism from Randy, Ellen, Kara and even that notorious meanie, Simon Cowell, viewers and the audience waited on tenterhooks to find out who was going home on the April 28 elimination show. It would have been a blessing if the show only ran half an hour, but it was a full hour show of waiting to see who didn't get enough votes to be in the Top 5 of American Idol 9.

On hand to ease the anxiety were Rascal Flatts opening the show with their hit song "Unstoppable." We were then shown footage from behind the scenes of the Ford commercial to show us how close the contestants have become, then they showed the vampire commercial. I feel bad that they make them do this stuff, but they did seem pretty happy about it. Must be the paycheck.

A film of the Idols was then shown where they were given the chance to voice Ryan Seacrest's part in "Shrek: Forever After." They then went to see the movie. The contestants heaped praise on the film and Seacrest (what else could they do?) then Antonio Banderas and Cameron Diaz came out. The film will be out on May 21st and Banderas and Diaz assured us it would be the last one.

Ryan then formed 3 groups of 2 while recapping the judge's remarks. The contestants were grouped as follows:

Siobhan Magnus with Lee Dewyze - Aaron Kelly with Crystal Bowersox - Mike Lynche with Casey James

It is at this point that we're feeling that Mike and Casey got the lowest votes, because rumor had it that Aaron Kelly's popularity was sky high based on his performance of "You've Got A Way." No one was thinking Crystal, Lee or Siobhan had anything to worry about. Contrary to what I thought yesterday, they did name the bottom 3 and Siobhan was sent to get in Mike and Casey's group when Ryan revealed they were the bottom 3 vote-getters.

Remember during Elvis week when they cut Andrew Garcia loose right in the middle of the show? Well, that wasn't happening tonight. We had to wait right till the bitter end.

Perhaps the voters felt that Big Mike didn't belong in the Top 5 because he was still in the show due to the judge's save in Lennon/McCartney week.

Maybe Casey James' fine performance of Shania Twain's "Don't" came too late to do him any good.

The voters might not have been that enthralled with Siobhan's over-the-top caterwauling after Simon's "giving birth" remark.

Carrie Underwood further delayed our finding out what the deal was by introducing The Sons of Sylvia singing "Love Left to Lose," the first single from their debut album "Revelation." Lady Antebellum came on next with "Need You Now."

Rascal Flatts then came back to perform their hit song "Gypsy" with "Hips Don't Lie" singing star, Shakira. Ryan Seacrest asked Shakira if she had any words of advice for the contestants. She said she would tell them a quote from Roosevelt. "Keep your eyes on the stars but remember to keep your feet on the ground." Ryan said Casey Kasem said that too. Bully.

All of these were very entertaining performances without a doubt, but the main attraction was still who was leaving. Even before the commercial break, Big Mike was sent to safety leaving Casey in the bottom two for the second time in two weeks. Siobhan Magnus was sent home. Siobhan sang Aretha Franklin's "Think" as her farewell performance, letting her trademark high note rip.

Harry Connick, Jr. will be mentoring the Top 5 Idols next week, when they will be singing Frank Sinatra songs.

Source: American Idol 9 Elimination Show on Fox (4/28/2010)