Rascal Flatts opened the night with his song “Unstoppable” then Ryan divided the remaining six American Idols into three groups of two: Siobhan-Lee, Aaron-Crystal, Mike-Casey. How three would come out of this grouping was a mystery. Ellen looked at the groupings as if she were going to cry. Ryan asked Simon to explain again what he meant when he called Mike’s performance “wet” and Simon answered to Ryan, “Imagine you singing.” We were left with that.

Ryan asked Ellen about Crystal’s chance of being in the bottom three and Ellen didn’t believe America was that fickle as Crystal didn’t normally have an off week. Ryan then went over to Siobhan and asked her to follow him to Casey’s group and announced the new grouping to be the bottom three. So Crystal Bowersox, Aaron Kelly and Lee Dewyze went to safety while Siobhan Magnus, Michael Lynche and Casey James awaited the news as to which would go home.

Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood introduced Sons of Sylvia who she actually recorded a song with on her third album. Sons of Sylvia sing with an intense, almost fanatical seriousness. I was surprised that they weren’t a country group as Carrie is predominately country.

Lady Antebellum performed next with her song “Need You Now.” I was expecting some sort of Southern Belle from the name but she was simply a pretty girl singing with no mark of the South upon her.

Rascal Flatts and Shakira performed her song “Gypsy” together. She offered up a whisper of her belly dance moves but only a whisper. My favorite of her songs is “Whenever, Wherever” followed by “Hips Don’t Lie”.

Shakira’s advice to the Idols was to “keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” We caught a glimpse of Shakira’s bare feet before Ryan asked Mike about being in the bottom three. Mike answered that there was no shame in being in the bottom three at this stage. Ryan rewarded the answer by sending Mike to safety leaving Siobhan and Casey sweating their fate.

After 33 million votes, the verdict finally fell and landed on Siobhan who sang “Think!” as her parting song. I thought it was an excellent choice. She hugged Simon (at Ryan’s insistence) while Randy told her, “You’ve got an amazing career in front of you. Do it!”

Ryan announced that next week would feature Harry Connick, Jr. with the theme of Frank Sinatra songs.

Tags: aaron, aaron kelly, american idol, bowersox, carrie underwood, casey, casey james, cowell, crystal bowersox, degeneres, dewyze, ellen, ellen degeneres, frank sinatra, harry connick, kara dioguardi, lady antebellum, lee dewyze, lynche, magnus, michael lynche, rascal flatts, ryan, ryan seacrest, seacrest, season 9, shakira, simon, simon cowell, sinatra, siobhan magnus, sons of sylvia

Category: American Idol 2010