American Idol started off tonight with a sly innuendo.
With a sweeping gesture to the contestants on stage, Ryan Seacrest quipped with a straight face.
“I give you the top nine."
Catch that?
It was right up there with Ellen’s comment that one singer’s performance was horny.
No, Ellen didn’t have the hots for the nubile young babe, to my knowledge.
She was referring to the horn section which buttressed the segment up during the performance.
By the way, the intro to American Idol was electric.
At the top of Fox's hit show, clips featured flash-backs of Idol contestants in the midst of sets, interspersed with dazzling shots of Vegas nightlife.
A medley of Elvis hits - though a bit pedestrian - put the rapt audience in a great mood.
The highlight here was “Teddy Bear” which teased fans affectionately.
Producers satisfied the desires of the thronging masses with up-close-and-personal candid shots of their favorite performers.
Indeed, when artists in full song strode full-frame into camera, they must have caused hearts to flutter at home.
The rendition of "Return to Sender" was a little too cheery and lacked bite.
Listen to the lyrics, kids!
Elvis was frustrated about the fact his passionate letters were being returned post haste unopened and unread.
Casey’s interaction with the judges in this segment underscored there is a mischievous likeable dude underneath the stoic shell he presents to the world.
Lee’s playing to camera was a turn-on for fans, no doubt.
He has that teddy bear quality about him that girls (and guys) snuggle up to.
But, all eyes were on Adam Lambert last night!
Adam Lambert, rising Pop Icon, appeared in a swirl of lasers on stage.
From a symbolic standpoint, he appeared to be locked inside a cocoon, at first.
As the camera panned in, the Idol legend was captured in silhouette in a breathtaking shot or two, that was worth the price of admission (ha!).
Then, after he wailed soulfully a moment or two, he busted out with the catchy infectious lyrics.
"What do 'Ya want from me?"
Amid a dazzling spray of blinding lights - and a riot of captivating musical indulgences - Adam Lambert proceeded to strut the stage cocky, confident, in charge and in control.
What a dynamite show-stopping performance!
Down 'n dirty, soulful, other-worldly.
Surely, he gave David Bowie a run for his money.
Tonight, was an emotional turning point for the competitors, no wonder.
A “double elimination” would close the show-biz door on 2 hopefuls pining to stay through the final stages of the ratings-getting show.
As Sinatra would say, that's life.
In a surprise built-in promo, Ryan Seacrest noted that American Idol was going green.
Cut to singers in the street astride fuel-guzzling autos when - poof - the clunkers suddenly disintegrate before the audiences's very eyes.
In their place, fuel-efficient green vehicles sprang up in their place, natch.
“Follow the day and reach for the sun” was the catchy upbeat slogan the songbirds chirped proudly to all within earshot.
Get this, viewers may cruise over to the Idol site, and enter a contest to win an Idol-inspired Ford Fiesta.
Meanwhile, back at the Fox lot, the drama strarted to unfold in the first elimination round.
Fans went wild when Ryan asked Casey to stand up and have a chat.
Liked his shirt, by the way. Cool.
Aaron, unfortunately, rustled up a timid response when he was asked to stand in the huddle to face the music, too.
Andrew savored a moment or two in the sun, before bowing his head in anticipation of the drum roll, next up.
As the three stood in line, facing the gun, the audience held their collective breath.
Talk about high drama
When the camera panned to Simon, for some inexplicable reason, he was flushed.
Too many drinkie poo's?
Or, too long under the sun lamp, perhaps?
Just maybe, he was keeping a lid on things in view of his recent spats with fans in the audience?
In a recap prior to the axe falling, it was underscored that that there wasn’t much hound dog (or swagger) in Andrew’s stab at Elvis.
“The coolness was sucked out of you.”
Ouch.
Without much drawn-out-drama after that - Andrew was banished by Ryan - just like that.
No build up. No nothing.
Andrew's last song to the audience, in the final analysis, appeared to signal why he was shown the door.
Talk about a forgetable mediocre performance!
Even still, the other contestants swarmed the lad on stage at the end of his swan song, in a heartfelt attempt to console the optimistic crooner.
In my humble opinion?
He overstayed his welcome.
At this juncture, producers cut away to a promo for "Idol Gives Back" which broadcasts next week (featuring inspirational songs).
Seacrest noted there is still a good selection of auction items available to bid for online.
Since the funds go to charity, check it out, eh?
Also, Idol partnered with Exxon to help the impoverished (suffering from hunger and disease) in Angola, Africa.
In a touching clip, plans underway for a new dormitory to house the homeless, was uplifting to watch.
The organization has been providing "nets" to prevent the spread of malaria, too.
Malaria kills 3000 people a day in that troubled nation.
A net, which costs a mere $10.00, can save (and has prolonged) lives in Africa.
An upcoming concert will feature headliners such as Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, Black-eyed Peas, and others.
Tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster.
A live on-stage performance - of a tune Elvis made a hit - was beautifully performed on Idol by two artists (on piano & guitar) by the names of Brooke and Justin respectively.
Their song styling of - "If I could Dream" (was that the exact title?) - was vastly entertaining.
Popular Seacrest noted that it can be downloaded on I-Tunes for free.
Idol is introducing a new feature - Mom Idol - as well.
The show is searching for amazing moms to celebrate.
Check the Idol site for details.
With all that out of the way, the lights were dimmed, and the second elimination commenced.
At this juncture, audience members got quite vocal, and more emotionally involved.
Lee, when asked, noted his performances didn't feel like auditions at this stage of the contest.
"I'm doing a show and enjoying myself."
Simon said he nailed the tune.
Katie Stevens, Ryan recalled, was considered annoying in some quarters.
Randy said she exhibited a confident sassy side, though.
Ellen’s horny comment (aforementioned) unfortunately went over people’s heads for the most part.
I got it.
But, I’m a fan of bad puns, so you figure it out.
Katie expressed the sentiment that she wanted to grow each week as much as possible.
“I’ve done that, I think. I hope so, anyway.”
Michael lynch got a lot of applause in the elimination line-up.
“I love the Judges and the people," he beamed.
He felt grateful for every moment he assued the attentive fans pulling for him.
Crystal Bowersox, a favorite, was described as the second coming of Bonnie Rae.
Tim Urban was lauded for his best performance to date.
Ellen compared his set to the first shot of tequila.
"You've gone from zero to hero," Simon piped up.
At this juncture, Ryan walked up behind Crystal and patted her on the back.
"You're safe."
Lee was asked to take a walk with Ryan, who summarily sat him down on the other side of the stage, and hit him with the news point-blank.
You're coming back!
Oh, Ryan, you devil.
As it turns out, Katie Stevens was given the heave-ho.
Ironically, her send off song was "Let it be".
When she sang - "In my hour of darkness" - both she and the audience choked up.
Was there a dry eye in the house?
It wasn't meant to be, after all.
If it is any consolation, Katie, I have learned over the years that sometimes we make plans for ourselves which aren't a good fit.
In spite of that fact, folks go on blindly banging their heads against the wall, in pursuit of a goal that's not suited for for them.
Sometimes, the Lord has better plans for us, so let go - Katie.
Let God's invisible hand guide you.
On that note, see y'all next week, when Alicia Keyes hits the stage!
