Three More of the Twelve. . . and SHOCKER!!

As usual, I’m looking forward to the show tonight ONLY to find out who the last three "America’s choice" contestants are, NOT because of the lame, lame format, where Ryan brings one, two, or three people down and, one by one, with America holding their breath, announces either "yes" they’re in the top 3 or tells them "it’s the end of the line".

So, while Ryan chats up the judges and the rest of America watches some video clips of this particular group, I’ll toss some ideas out on how to change the way the results are announced.
How about Ryan calls the first designated victim, gives them their sentence, then that person calls the next person and delivers THEIR news, and so on until everyone is either "safe" or "out"?

How about if Ryan gives each contestant a sealed envelope? On the count of three, they all open their envelopes and scramble around the stage, comparing numbers and putting themselves in order from highest to lowest? As they complete this task, everyone can see who will advance.

Or, they could do it "Biggest Loser" style. First performer steps on a big square and a number eventually comes up that says how many votes they have. Their name goes on the board as highest. Next person comes up, steps on the square to see their number and are either placed at #2 or #1, knocking the first person down to #2 and so on until we "find out" who the top three are.

Anything but the same old, same old: group sing, then dragged out results interspersed with snippets of video with perhaps a guest performer thrown in.

Alas, that’s not to be, as the group launches into a group sing of "You’re Hot and You’re Cold". They handle Scott’s inability to navigate the stage on his own by keeping all the guys seated on a curved settee, letting the girls move around them.

Then, of course, we’re "treated" to an abridged version of last night’s show, including some backstage tears.

Ryan starts with Lil (a sure thing). Yay!! She’s in the Top 12!!

Lil repeats her killer performance from the night before.

Arianna, Taylor, Alex, Kendall, and Scott are asked to stand. Ryan announces that one of these people will be going on.

Back from commercial, Arianna is asked to stand for a rehash of last night. She is, not surprisingly, told she’s going home.

Taylor is also told she’s going home.

It’s not difficult to see which direction they’re going here. As each person is called, because they’re not the last two or three, they KNOW they’re going home.

Alex is told he’s out, then Kendall and Scott are asked to stand. At this point, I’m not sure what’s going to happen, and then Ryan announces that Scott will be in the Top 12. I’m very pleased.

I have so much respect for this kid. Watching him repeat his performance from the night before, it’s obvious that he isn’t really comfortable standing alone on the stage. He must feel terribly exposed without having his keyboard there to anchor him.

Nathaniel and Kristen are asked to stand. You know, the two old friends. Both are going home.

Felicia and Von are next. I don’t hold out much hope for Von, since I’m sure Ju’not is gong to be in the Top 3 tonight. They both look resigned to going home. Good thing, because they’re both out.

Ju’not and Jorge are the last two. I’m getting nervous now, because the judges are crazy for Jorge, but Ju’not is one of my personal favorites. Ryan fakes going to commercial, then switches and tells Jorge that he’s in the Top 3.

Crazy disappointed, because I really like both Von and Ju’not. However, between the two of them, I’m holding out hope the Ju’not will make it as a judge’s wildcard choice.

The judges have pre-selected a large group from the past two groups of twelve; they’re waiting upstairs. Ryan tells them that, along with the remaining contestants from tonight, they are all eligible to be wildcard picks.

So, this changes things just a little, because the wildcard picks will come from the "rejects" as a group and not one from each week.

Eight of those will be asked to return tomorrow night to sing again, then the judges will name their wildcard picks.

I think about quickly naming my wildcard choices, but I honestly can’t pick three people from the large group. There are too many talented kids there.

Randy announces that Von is named as the first of the possible wildcard choices. I agree with that decision.

Kara tells us that Jasmine is named the second of the wildcard possibles. Kara almost tells her exactly what to sing. Is that fair?

Paula gets to say that Ricky is the judges’ next selection.

Simon says (ha!) that Megan has been given another chance.

I’m pulling for Anoop, Matt, Ju’not, and Jesse.

Randy gets to tell us that Tatiana will get another chance. Unbelievable!! I’m almost physically ill! You can see the other contestants’ faces drop.

Kara lets Matt know he’ll be singing tomorrow night, adding a big hint that he should go bluesy.

Paula then calls Jesse to be among the wildcard possibles.

Simon gives the last spot to Anoop. But I'm so bummed about Tatiana, I can't even muster any enthusiasm. I can't believe that Tatiana was chosen over Ju’not!! Or almost any of the others that were left.

Why, oh why am I forced to beg to kick someone off every season? It seems like there’s always someone who I can’t WAIT to have leave.

Looks like this year’s Sanjaya is Tatiana. I’m not so eager to watch tomorrow’s show. If the judges gave her another chance, there’s a chance she could be one of the wildcard choices. Let us pray.