American Idol cuts to 6

Hmmm, FOX has a new logo, with a green globe in place of the O... ironic given that a lot of conservatives don't think there's anything wrong with the environment. Season-high nearly 35 million votes says Ryan, which is down majorly from the same time period last year (135 million votes over two weeks, since they did cut two contestants).

The Idols do the group sing, One Sweet Day; it's totally forgettable. Curious to see what the ratings are like tonight, going up against the Obama-Clinton debate over on ABC (which was a mess, thanks in large part to the questions).

Then they recap last night, with Mariah saying pretty much everyone would make a worthy champion. Okay.... More veiled gay baiting between Simon and Ryan, then Jason Castro up first, he starts a group to Ryan's left but doesn't say which group.

David Cook next, well depending on where he goes we'll know, right. Ryan asks him about the tears last night, he after a while says a lot happened over the week, he put a lot of himself into the song and was overwhelmed by the reaction. Starts his own group.

Carly Smithson, acting all nervous and looking dowdy, says she thinks Simon's been a bit hard on her. He says because you're potentially great, I want to give you that extra push sometimes. She goes off and joins Castro in the loser's group.

Kristy Lee Cook, she'll join David; and does. They come back with the Ford commercial, they're all puppets in cubes; and 'break free' with Fords (both cars are the exact same color). It's dumb; the quality of these commercials has been down this year, overly-produced.

Elliot Yamin, singing Free, got a bit of Bruce Springsteen/Bob Dylan going on look-wise. It's a weird song for him, don't think it really fits; and seems out of breath at times. It's pretty boring, and goes on forever. Has We Miss You Mom written on his palm, who apparently died recently, he says it's the first time he's actually taken the stage without her watching. Wow, what a nice guy.

Syesha Mercado comes on out, she joins Jason and Carly in the loser's group. Brooke White is all exultant, since this means she's not in the bottom three, and is extra-chattery. She was better when she was painfully shy; joins David and Kristy of course.

Poor Archuleta's left backstage by himself while they go to the taped segment of people asking questions. Kristy's asked if she got her horse back, she says no, the guy won't sell it back, Ryan has fun with that. Judges are asked what was the first record they bought, Randy says Led Zepplin, Beatles, James Brown; Paula was Jackson 5, Earth, Wind, Fire, Carol King; Simon says at 10 he bought Paula's record.

Some chick keeps going on, eventually asks Paula which of her songs best describes her relationship with Simon, he says Straight Up, she says Opposites Attract, then says "I'll never be forever your girl". Uh, ok... another question for Simon as the contestants sit; karaoke/theme park/piano bar performance differences. He just says they're all horrible. David Cook is asked if he's single, he says yes.

Mariah Carey does Bye Bye, vamps out to huge applause, complete with her own blinged up mike and mike stand, it's crazy actually. She sings likes she's in a recording studio, or lecturing--it's pretty artificial, and the song's not very good, audience doesn't seem too into it either. It's weird, she seems to be going into Jennifer Lopez territory, but without her cred. Kindof goes all shrieky at the end, it's painful, almost like there are audio issues.

Ryan tells us she looks fantastic, asks her to judge Randy, she plugs her album instead; for some reason the wind machine is still blowing as she's talking, it's comical actually.

Back, pretending like Archuleta will break the tie. He says he's getting more comfortable, has never been happier in his life. He's safe, says Ryan to thunderous applause--then has David Cook and Syesha switch places; tells Archuleta to join the group he thinks is safe, he just sits down in the middle, he refuses to do it. Ryan tells him to move closer to Cook's group, so they join him sitting on the stage--Carly is like get out! Can't sit down, obviously, in a skirt, is going all crazy.

Ryan sends Syesha back to safety, which is cool, she deserves it. Could this finally be Kristy Lee's night to go?! Randy says it's tough every week now, Paula says everyone's very special, Simon says no surprises, Kristy's time may be up. Paula says it could be Ryan. Brooke is really upset, says we don't know what's happening as Kristy starts to say it's her.

It indeed is, bye to Kristy as they show her boyfriend and friends; Brooke is the one crying, Kristy's wiping tears away. Sings us out, sitting down with the judges, and singing to Simon as he cracks up, before going back up on stage.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is guest judge next week, should be great fun.