After taking a night off for Miley Cyrus Gives Back, American Idol returns on Thursday (April 10) for what we're promised will be an elimination episode. How many plugs for charitable giving will we get beforehand? Here's the website, in case you've forgotten. Now on to the recap...

8:00 p.m. The results are in and American Idol is actually starting at 8 p.m. What a sweet relief after all of the 8:58 and 7:31 starts of recent weeks.

8:01 p.m. Even more guest stars and surprises? Hannah Montana? Please?

8:02 p.m. Remember last night? I do. I was watching for all 158 minutes. But just in case you've forgotten... Did we get to a googillion dollars? And can we ban Robin Williams from live performances until he gets back on the drugs? I mean, I know we're supposed to say "No," but if it'll make Williams and Dan Aykroyd funny again...

8:05 p.m. So what's the Brad Pitt-saving soundwoman's name? You can't keep showing her without giving her some real recognition.

8:05 p.m. So far, the Idol Gives Back tally is over $60 million. Good on you, America.

8:06 p.m. This Jewish recapper isn't exactly sure why the very Jesus-specific "Shout to the Lord" is getting its second performance in two nights. There are so many fine religious songs that are directed at a general, more-encompassing, all-loving "God." One of those might bring more viewers under the Idol Big Tent (we won't discuss the atheists or agnostics who might also want to watch Idol without being preached at). Uh-oh. Cue the hate e-mails.

8:13 p.m. Puberty hasn't been kind to Zack and Cody. Uh-oh. Cue more hate e-mails. I'm on a roll tonight. Anybody got a puppy for me to kick?

8:14 p.m. Hi, celebrity lip-synching montage that didn't make the cut last night (set to "I'm a Believer"). Poor Cat Deeley. She's primetime-worthy to me. Ditto with Eddie Izzard. Dr. Phil? He should stick to mid-afternoon when it's easy to concentrate on my job and avoid his existence. And Vinnie Jones? He's the Juggernaut, bitch!

8:15 p.m. There were 31 million votes cast after Tuesday's show. Who will take their place on the Ignominious Stools and who will ride out the hour in the plush comfort of the Sofa of Love? America's Nanny Brooke White is out first and Ryan lets her read her own card, guaranteeing that she's both safe and that she'll miss her sister's wedding. How about David "The Leader" Cook? After one of the best three or four episode streaks in recent memories, David has been less convincing the past two weeks. After a discussion of David's pompousness, the rocker's sent to join Brooke.

8:19 p.m. Presumptive American Idol Winner David Archuleta isn't going anywhere. That leaves three empty Ignominious Stools and five contenders waiting backstage.

8:25 p.m. On his trip to Africa, Forest Whitaker shot a lot of footage. We saw some of it last night and we get more tonight. I get it. He's a great actor and he's got a lot of atoning to do for Battlefield Earth.

8:29 p.m. Where's Melinda Doolittle at? Just curious. I have no quarrel with last season's Idol winner Jordin Sparks, who wasn't important enough for last night's show, but who pops up singing a heavily synthesized single with former O.C. guest star Chris Brown.

8:33 p.m. Four fans bring out a pair of platinum records for downloads of two singles, plus a gold album for her debut CD. This is a direct retaliation against the naysayers who have questioned the success of recent winners. I know this because Seacrest ends the segment with the very imperative pronouncement, "Idol works!" Now stop talking about all of those recent favorites without record deals!

More than half-way through without a single person in the Bottom Three? And who went home?!?!?

For the full recap, head over to our It Happened Last Night blog...

Comments

I think that Syesha Mercado should have been eliminated and the only reason that Michael Johns was eliminated was the damn mother fucking asshole named David Archelela. They kept a god damn future Clay AKA GAY Aiken Wannabe instead of him!, I think that the show shoudn't have eliminated nobody and SYSEHA SHOULD GO BACK HOME!!!!!!!

DMC Rebellion | Apr 10, 2008 6:37:10 PM | #

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missed the show by minutes and was pulling my hair out. THANKS for the fast news - and total drag about Michael. SHould ABSOLUTELY been one of the girls. Syesha or Carly. Michael had another couple of weeks in him! btw, "The Kid" is in til the end, Rebellion. you may not like him, but he's got a golden set of pipes, and alot of votes.

AI-AI-O | Apr 10, 2008 7:10:22 PM | #

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They might as well hand the title to the little boy and call it a day. I myself am done with the show. It is just about popularity, not talent.

mg | Apr 10, 2008 8:43:58 PM | #

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Syesha....please ...boring...and Kristy Lee Cook...terrible I am from Oregon and can't stand her. At least Michael Johns had talent and tried new challenging music...too bad real talent does not survive

bf | Apr 10, 2008 9:37:28 PM | #

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Michael is great, such a wonderful talent. Still hoping he will get a record deal. America has heard his beautiful voice.

Gaye Currier | Apr 11, 2008 4:34:38 AM | #

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This is an email I just sent Idol at Fox:

I’m 50 and have been an avid Idol watcher since it’s inception and have enjoyed the show.
I have never written on a blog or sent an email concerning Idol before but what I witnessed last night was cruel and heartless.
In a week where you are asking us to give and you turn around and treat a contestant like you did with Michael was just plain just cruel.
Why did you find it necessary to give him false hope, bringing up last years show with no elimination, obviously, it was just for ratings, that was a new low.
I feel an apology is forth coming and I really don’t know if an apology doesn’t come that I will be supporting Idol in the future.
I feel this was a turning point, to abuse someone’s feelings like that and especially when the vibe of the show was ‘caring’ for your fellow human being was cruel.
I realize I am just one viewer and probably this won’t even get read, but Idol you truly disappointed me last night.

Paul

Paul | Apr 11, 2008 7:21:04 AM | #

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Been watching Idol for years

and this was the worst pick ever. I see now it's not about talent but (how many fans you have) We won't be watching anymore.

Andrews & Fouchey Families | Apr 11, 2008 2:05:31 PM | #

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Michael Johns should NOT have been eliminated from American Idol 2008. If American Idol contestants were judged solely on talent and all the other elements that contribute to success in the entertainment sector then Michael Johns would have won this year's American Idol.

Michael Johns was/is one of the best singers and one of the best performers in this year's pool of contestants. Coupled with these strengths, he has a great stage presence and an authentic level of comfort in front of an audience, something many of the others do not possess. Michael Johns also has timeless appeal. His talent is consistent. He has great sexual energy. And he has a very charming countenance.

Michael has left behind him in his wake a very uninspiring group of over tattooed, under testosterone, and sadly coiffed minstrels who are not capable of incorporating Randy's and Simon's comments to make them stronger. Fortunately, Paula always strokes their egos with clothing comments... which of course we all know how much better you sound when you look good.

Michael Johns will continue to soar in his entertainment career because his talents far exceeds the insipid mentality of the voters who voted him off this year's American Idol stage.

The name of this year's show should now be changed to American Losers...because that is what the public has done, left us with the dregs of contestants from a show that is now destined to disappoint. Your call America....

La Jeanius, Toronto, Canada | Apr 12, 2008 11:01:46 AM | #

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i think u are pretty & should stay on american idol. i love u.u are my biggest fan on american idol

gianna | Apr 13, 2008 10:09:04 AM | #

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What in the world is going on that I had to listen to American Idol preach to me about Jesus with the song "Shout to the Lord?" Is it not enough that Fox news is right wing propoganda? Now these views are coming through Fox TV shows like American Idol? I believe that everyone has a right to worship/believe however they want. Don't preach to me.

TJ | Apr 13, 2008 10:19:01 AM | #

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In my personal opinion I don't think listening to "Shout to the Lord" is preaching to anyone. My remote has a MUTE button! It is there to MUTE what I don't wish to listen. I just push the MUTE button! All this propaganda about religion has GONE TOO FAR. If you don't want it, leave it alone, there are ones that do. We have to read and listen to the non-belivers if it wasn't for the remote to MUTE or CHANGE channels. We all have that choice to make.

Sue | Apr 14, 2008 3:31:12 PM | #

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