It's been a long four months, but the end is in sight as we kick off the last remaining kid before launching into that extravaganza we call the finale.
Because THIS is American Idol.
And this is a SIMULBLOG, where I'm writing as I'm watching the feed on the east coast, publishing at every break, so if you don't want to know what's happening before it happens in your living room, this is not the place to be for the next 60 minutes.
Just be sure to stop back by later to celebrate or complain with the rest of us.
Homer Simpson kicks off the show in an improvement over Ryan, who reminds us that Elliott Yamin and Maroon 5 are in the house. We get the traditional highlight reel of last night's performances in the first five minutes before taking the first of the commercial breaks.
It's almost tour time, and we get a pretty cool promo with the top ten kids all remembered. (I had forgotten about some of them...)
Ryan sits on the sofa with the kids and lets Jordin talk about her trip home. And, of course, we get to see the highlights, always a fun time watching the kids get special treatment. And just in case anyone's forgotten that Jordin is 17, she reminds them, reacting every inch the teenager revisiting her high school.
Ryan gives Jordin her reviews from the night before before telling her she'll find out how America voted...later. Gee. Didn't see that one coming.
It's time for the always-challenging Idol Challenge. Pick A!
Time for Ryan and Blake on the sofa. And we get to see his hometown celebration, complete with limos, planes, screaming girls, baseball and a special dad, who knows the words to his son's songs as well as his son does.
Blake is joined on the stage by dad, before he's thrown off by Ryan. Blake is reminded of what the judges had to say the night before before being told to go wait it out with Jordin.
It's time for Elliott and his homecoming to the Idol stage with Wait for You.
It's the Ford Commercial, where the kids really are kids before climbing into the car. Very cute.
It's Melinda's turn to go home to Nashville. She got her own very special state day - not a city day - a state day. She shoulda lowered taxes. And she got her own street. Tennessee does things nicely.
She gets her reviews from the night before, and is sent to the waiting room.
It's too bad the hometown highlights were abbreviated, but, as is this season's custom, we must make room for visiting artists. Elliott gets a pass, cause he's a returning veteran.
Maroon 5 performs, and Blake is obviously itching to rush the stage and sing along. And obviously Paula is drinking again. hee.
This is going to be one of those results that really comes out of nowhere, because there is no clear indication of who is leaving.
The kids are on the seal.
Jordin is told to step forward and is told that almost 60 million votes have sent her through to the finale. She cries and hugs the other two. Her parents holler as the crowd stands.
Melinda is told to step forward. And she's told she's going home.
It's Blake and Jordin.
Wow.
She gets to see her funeral video to the sound of Daughtry and chooses to sing out to I'm a Woman.
So long Melinda!
