Another Idol must fall. Tonight was results night and it was a biggie. The last man down doesn’t go on tour so the stakes were off the charts.

Big Mike’s wife looked much happier, laughing at a story Mike was telling. Apparently she and the baby are staying nearby in a small apartment so he is able to spend evenings with them.

Siobhan Magnus was first up. Simon had some comments about the screechy note and Siobhan said she added it last night in the hopes that it would be different enough to put her in the Top 10. Apparently it was because she made it. I’m sure if she hadn’t the Judge’s Save would have fixed it. No way she can go yet!

Paige Miles was still battling the rough voice, which helped to put her side by side with Tim Urban for the first seat in the bottom three. When Randy was asked which of the two would take the seat, he predicted Paige. But they fooled us. Instead of sending just one, both Tim and Paige were sent to the bottom three stools. No doubt a sigh of relief went through the others with only one seat left to fill. Tim said he wouldn’t have done anything different in hindsight, that he’d had great fun last night and felt the need to expand his horizons, which he surely did.

They left Lee Dewyze and Casey James hanging, waiting for their results the whole time Paige and Tim were getting theirs. Lee and Casey had been told to stand up earlier but were never freed from their torment. The announcement was made that next week would bring Usher, soul and R&B.

Miley Cyrus played the piano and sang “When I Look At You” to a backdrop of trees draped with Spanish moss and twinkling with starry lights. Swamp fog came rolling in as she sang, showing her off as the perfect Southern Belle from the bayou. Okay, so she’s not from the bayou, she’s from Nashville, but it still was an interesting theme.

Miley believes that the judges aren’t as rough as we might think, that they are simply offering tough love in the hopes of helping the contestants grow. Tough love must have worked for Lee and Casey because they were finally sent to safety.

Aaron Kelly made it to the Top 10 without much fanfare as Simon had predicted the night before.

Then it came to Didi Benami, who’d gotten the brunt of the judge’s harshness for several weeks running. She said the judges often confused her with their comments. She definitely did something right because she got the thumbs up for the Top 10. Was it the flirtiness? Did she tickle the fancy of men to be poking their fingers at the telephone keys?

Michael Lynche played the opposite end of the spectrum, selling love instead of sex. If you believe in love you have to vote for Big Mike because it’s all over him when he sings, and love is in the air for Mike who took the next love seat in the Top 10.

Crystal Bowersox got called up next. Randy reminded us that Kara wanted Crystal to lose the guitar while Simon loved the guitar and wanted it to stay. Randy asked, “Who do you listen to?” Crystal broke into an impish smile and answered, “Me!” She dropped a hint for us to expect something different from her next week and yes, we’ll definitely be seeing her again.

That left Katie Stevens and Andrew Garcia fighting for the last spot in the bottom three. I just knew it would be Andrew, who underwhelmed the judges and who’s had more bad weeks than good weeks since the Paula song. Somewhere that dude’s got a bunch of voters because against all odds, he was sent to safety while Katie took the last hotseat from which someone would be sent packing.

They didn’t leave her in suspense however, Katie was the first of the bottom three sent back to safety, leaving Tim and Paige to sweat it out while Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas took the stage singing the “Make A Wave” song. The crowd loved them, squealing with glee to show their approval.

Finally it was time for the bad news. Tim and Paige were left to sweat it out for who was going home. To his absolute amazement, Tim was sent to safety leaving Paige Miles to sing in hopes of a Judge’s Save.

Tim, the underdog who wasn’t supposed to even be in the finals, and who has taken such a beating from the judges, fought his way into the Top 10 proving that all things are possible in this world. His 110% effort week after week paid off. Way to go, Tim!

Before Paige could sing for hope, Simon figuratively threw a glass of ice cold water on her dreams telling her that no singing would save her, that it was the end of the road for her. They made a pretty big deal out of it being unanimous. Geez, they could have at least let her believe that someone might have argued on her behalf. I felt so bad for her. Yes, she had some rough weeks but truly, it should have been Andrew. He was the weakest link. Paige, I do wish America would agree with me more often because you would have been there. May your journeys continue to a joyful place of songs. Good luck!

So our Top 10 American Idol’s are: Lee Dewyze, Tim Urban, Aaron Kelly, Crystal Bowersox, Michael “Big Mike” Lynche, Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens, Casey James, Didi Benami, and Siobhan Magnus. Let the singing begin!

Tags: aaron, aaron kelly, american idol, andrew, andrew garcia, benami, bowersox, casey, casey james, cowell, crystal bowersox, degeneres, demi lovado, demi lovato, dewyze, didi benami, ellen, ellen degeneres, joe jonas, kara dioguardi, katie stevens, lee dewyze, lynche, magnus, michael lynche, miles, miley cyrus, paige miles, ryan, ryan seacrest, seacrest, season 9, simon, simon cowell, siobhan magnus, stevens, tim urban, urban, usher

Category: American Idol 2010