AMERICAN IDOL Recap: Tearful Elimination Sends Home Contender Far Too Soon

This week AMERICAN IDOL welcomed back Season XIII's Top-8 for the second week in a row. This time they were mentored by the incredibly professional and discerning David Cook (especially compared to IDOL's 'full-time" mentor, Randy Jackson, who followed Cook around like a lost puppy all night). The Season 7 Champ brought a focused specificity to each performer's rehearsal, and in most cases that resulted in enjoyable performances.

Thus far this season, the contestants have fallen neatly into two groups, the "Haves" and "Have-nots." You may be asking what exactly they have or have-not; the short list would be talent, artistry, and a chance.

What has me nervous is that with the lone judges' save prematurely exhausted on Sam Woolf, a few of the "Haves" had some hiccups last night, and some of the "Have-nots" gave unexpectedly competent performances. Would this be a recipe for an upsetting elimination? Scroll down to find out!

After the most unspontaneous "J-LO" chant in the history of live television and another wasted minute by brought to you by Ford, Ryan Seacrest announced that we would only be getting a Bottom-Two tonight. And was David Cook not available for a live performance?

Ok, now onto the results...

Safe (in order of announcement)
Caleb Johnson
Jessica Meuse
Dexter Roberts
Alex Preston
Jena Irene
Sam Woolf

On a personal note, I wish the IDOL producers would be consistent with their number of contestants in danger. Not knowing if it is going to be Two or Three makes it really hard for online prognosticators!

Also, they bucked IDOL precedent with only eliminating one contestant the week following a judge's save. Does that have to do with how many weeks are left in the season, or is something more sinister at hand? Do-do-dooooo.

Bottom-Two
C.J. Harris
Malaya Watson

Eliminated
Malaya Watson

Even though I predicted this last week, tonight's goodbye is disappointing knowing that the judges should have reserved their save for someone with a better shot to win, like Malaya. While I would not say that this elimination is on the same level as that of Jennifer Hudson going out in seventh place in Season 3, I do feel that this high school tuba player has a huge upside. In fact, with her ability to connect to a lyric, I would not be surprised if she ends up on stage. If that does happen, I for one will be there to buy a ticket.

So, do you think that America got it right this week? Are you disappointed that the save wasn't still available? Let me know what you think in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. Check back with BroadwayWorld TV next week for all of your AMERICAN IDOL needs.