testing captions

Are we running short on time or did no one show up? That was weird.

Simon chose "Hallelujah" for Lee, and there's the mini-choir! "Idol" uses any excuse to trot out a choir, I swear.

Lee just had the closest thing to a "moment" this show has seen tonight. I felt cheated on the last note though cause he pulled away from the mic like he was about to pass out.

We will see you, like, next week Lee.

8:41 p.m. – Hey, Colin Hanks looking just like your daddy, Tom!

He and co-star Bradley Whitford are in the audience to pimp, umm, I mean represent, their new Fox show "Good Guys."

MamaSox sings Ellen's choice for her, Sir Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed." Love the performance, but it was disconcerting to hear her keep singing "Maybe I'm a man ... "

That messed me up a little bit.

8:30 p.m. – How did they figure out what judges picked what songs for which contestant? Did they draw straws?

Randy and Kara picked John Mayer's "Daughters" for Casey, and I get that it's supposed to make him even more appealing to the young, female voting demographic (is that even possible?), but it was too sleepy for me.

I liked the guitar playing and that has always been Casey's wheel house. It was sweet and yet not enough for me to make me yell at the TV, "That's our American Idol right here."

Frankly, I found the judges arguing at the table more exciting than Casey's performance.

If I were Casey, I would be annoyed right now with Randy and Kara for picking what felt like a swan song.

8:21 p.m. – Lee DeWyze says he wanted to bring some of the energy from his home town visit back with him to the show.

The words "energy" and "Lee" don't go together for me.

He sings Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man," and it's very Nickelback lite. That works for Lee, though.

Everyone is singing songs they like so far tonight when I think they should have been selecting songs that are going to make the fans go crazy.

The judges are going crazy over Lee's performance, which to me is just indicative of what a snoozer this season has been.

8:10 p.m. – All season, I have been saying that Crystal "MamaSox" Bowersox is the one contestant who knows exactly who she is and how to stay in her lane.

Her selection of Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window" proves that she "don't care what they say" or "what they think." As she said, she is out here now having fun, and I have to believe it's because she is confident in her status as a front runner.

It didn't knock my (Mama) sox off, but it was all good.

8:03 p.m. – "OK, It's Alright With Me" if it's alright with you Casey James.

Casey looks comfortable back with his guitar. His song choice is pretty smart, in my opinion, as it shows off the easy, breezy, beautiful Casey his fans love.

I'm just nervous for him kicking off the show. When you go first, you really have to knock folks out, and I don't think he did that.

Crazy alert: I agree with Ellen for the first time this season I think. He did not bring it with that performance.

testing captions

The Top 3 are lined up on the stairs, and they're looking cool as always.

Ryan Seacrest really needs to stop standing next to folks. It makes him look so wee!

"This is the fight for the finale."

Indeed it is!

testing captions

It’s now down to the three amigos on “American Idol.”

Tuesday will see the last woman standing, Crystal “Mamasox” Bowersox, take on Lee DeWyze and Casey James for a battle to see who makes it to the “Idol” finale.

The trio will head to their hometowns for what is sure to be a warm reception and each will sing two songs: one they choose and a judges’ choice. FULL POST

testing captions

9:56 p.m – Ok, no fair bringing Big Mike's baby up on stage!

I feel a tear. He sings his heart out. Way to leave with class, Big Mike.

9:54 p.m. – Big Mike's wife looks destroyed.

So sad, but at least she got to hang on for an extra five weeks. Think of all the people he got to meet and pick up in the air.

He should be very proud.

9:52 p.m. – Sounds like two girls planned to yell "I love you Lee" just at the right moment.

The person in the top three is...

Crystal a.k.a. MamaSox!

9:42 p.m. – Yeah,  you knew it was too early to find out that Big Mike didn't make the Top 3.

Instead we have a performance by Bon Jovi who perform "Superman Tonight."

I swear these cats never age, though I have to say that I find Jon Bon Jovi's hair slightly disturbing for some reason. I just look at it and think "Baby Trump."

I still dig Bon Jovi anyway. Their music makes me feel like I am back in a bar on the Jersey Shore. This new single doesn't rock as hard as their older stuff, but I'm glad they are still in the game and doing so well.

9:34 p.m. – Seacrest reminds us that the "results are in no particular order."

Well, clearly since Casey is the first to go sit in a safe seat. No way that dude got more votes than Lee.

We drag out some more time by letting folks ramble about their performances. Clearly no one is going to step up and say "Yeah, I stunk up the joint last night and I regret it."

The next person to be announced as safe is....

Lee!

His people look overjoyed.

That means either Big Mike or MamaSox is headed home. I will be stunned if it's MamaSox!

9:23 p.m. – I probably straight look the fool bouncing on my sofa waiting for Seacrest to announce Daughtry.

Chris D., oh how I have missed you. You take me back to the days when the majority of the contestants were either awesome or borderline awesome.

But I digress.

Daughtry sings "September" and he's still my favorite rocker from the show.  Wow, he's good.

9:14 p.m.- Everyone is so earnest in their desire to return home as one of the Top 3.

Alas, it is not to be for one of them.

"Big Mike" Lynche and Casey James both want to see their pups. So sweet!

The families being up on stage is going to be crazy emotional I sense.

First up, Mike and Casey. "Big Mike" picked their duet song so good for him.

Crystal "MamaSox" Bowersox and Le DeWyze talk about how much fun they had learning their duet song.

The first person announced as safe is....

Casey James!

Uh uh. I think I know what that means....

9:11 p.m. – Whoever leaves tonight is probably sure to miss filming the music video/commercial every week.

Not!

Everyone is on a stool waiting to find out who gets the hometown visit that comes along with being in the Top 3.

Great to see some of the past ones.

9:01 p.m. – Lots of people voted for our Top 3 apparently. Hope they made the right choice.

Fantasia is back!

She sings her new song "Bittersweet" and she looks like she has been hitting the gym on the regular. Wish I could see her eyes more, but her shaggy haircut is hanging in her face.

I always thought she should have had such a bigger career than she has because she's so talented. Her voice is just incredible and she is an amazing performer.

I interviewed her a few months ago and asked her if she regretted not having a better career and she laughed that little girl laugh and said "I ain't done yet baby!"

Love me some Tasia!