“American Idol” Season 10: Judges Save Casey Abrams

Top 11 Will Tour for “AI10”

Everything about tonight’s “American Idol” elimination show felt dramatic. Stevie Wonder singing “Happy Birthday” to Steven Tyler. Surprise! Hulk Hogan ripping out of his t-shirt to tell Paul McDonald and James Durbin they were safe. Surprise! Casey Abrams getting eliminated… surprise! The last was the biggest one of the night. The judges used their one “save” of the season on Casey Abrams tonight, nearly causing him to pass out on stage.

The start of the “American Idol” elimination live show came with the required group number. It was obvious the “Idol” hopefuls had been better coached this week. We saw a film clip of Marc Anthony, judge Jlo’s husband, schooling the contestants on the tech side of things. Specifically the in-the-ear mics they wear. Most of the singers have had pitch problems during live performances and say they can’t hear themselves. After a  tutoring session Anthony said, “I don’t want no ******* excuses this week!”

Tonight’s “AI” elimination show would leave us with the top 10. These are the ones on the tour this summer. It did not take long for Ryan Seacrest to start calling names to the center of the stage. It took even less time for him to pronounce Pia Toscano, Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery safe.

After a performance by Sugarland, which could have used a dose of Scotty McCreery baritone I thought, it was clip time again. This time we saw the developing bromance between Paul McDonald and James Durbin. The two have bonded over their mutual love of professional wrestling. You can’t make this stuff up. Seacrest called both young men to the center of the stage and pronounced them unsafe. Huh? He said neither one was safe… then moved himself away from the center stage for a large figure to emerge.

Out stepped Hulk Hogan to the center of the “AI” stage. James Durbin’s face was that of a five year old on Christmas morning. He went to the floor nearly crying. Paul McDonald was going nuts on the other side of the stage. Hogan pronounced them both safely into the top 10. Then Hogan called out Ryan Seacrest and said, “you’re not safe!” Then he fake punched Seacrest into the front row of seats before ripping off his shirt.

When things got serious again, Seacrest called out Jacob Lusk, Thia Megia and Stefano Langone for their fate. Thia and Stefano were the first two “Idol” contestants named to the bottom three. Jacob Lusk was quickly told he was safely going on tour this summer.

Ryan stayed right in pace, calling out Naima Adedapo, Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams to the center of the stage. We knew one would be going to join Stefano and Thia in the bottom three. Which girl seemed to be the question. Oddly enough, Naima was the first one pronounced safe. Things got worse when Haley was told she would be safely touring as well. Casey Abrams was in the bottom three with Thia and Stefano.

Jennifer Hudson made her triumphant return to the “American Idol” stage with her performance of “Where You At?” She has really turned into a professional. Talk about the whole package. Hudson has it.

Back at the bottom three results. Seacrest called them out again. The real drama started when Thia was told she was safe first. Stefano looked broken hearted. Casey looked nervous. Then Ryan said Stefano was safe. Stefano looked stunned, then turned and hugged Casey and told him repeatedly to sing his heart out and they would save him.

Casey looked a little more nervous as he met Ryan for his final introduction to sing for his “Idol” life. He said he would do his first audition song, “I Don’t Need No Doctorr” for his finale. I was excited just to hear him sing it, this time with the band. It started out just like I expected, but a few lines in Randy Jackson waved his arms to stop the band. Casey looked sick as Randy said, “stop, stop.” Steven Tyler spoke up as Casey looked close to tears next to Ryan and said, “We’re not even going to make you sing. As soon as we heard the results we knew we had to use the ‘save’ tonight on you.”

I thought Casey Abrams was really going to pass out right there on the “American Idol” stage. I’ve never seen someone get so pale so fast and stay standing up. He looked sick. Casey went out and shook the judges’ hands and asked them if they were sure saying he didn’t think they’d use it this early. I’m sure no one thought they would have to. There were several f-bombs dropped on tonight’s live show, and I don’t think any of them came from Steven Tyler. Most of them came from Casey as he realized he was going to be going on tour after all.

Ryan did explain at the end of the long over live show that next week two contestants will go home since the ‘save’ was used this week. That said, all 11 will go on the “American Idol” season 10 summer tour.




Copyright @ 2008 TV Review

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