'American Idol' Recap: Five Alive

By Carla Patton

BuddyTV

I sure hope Ryan Seacrest is feeling better! The show just isn't the same when he half-asses it (or would his illness reduce it to quarter-assing?). He certainly looks recovered.

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Before things move forward, "The Queen Extravaganza," hand-picked by Brian May and Roger Taylor themselves, performs "Somebody to Love." I remember hearing about this, and everyone talking about how much this guy looks and sounds like Freddie Mercury. I'm all about that sassy guitar player, though.

I enjoyed this performance very much. I will never get tired of seeing Roger Taylor and Brian May bust out on stage. They are just the coolest! Everybody else, go home.

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Ryan tells us it's hard for the contestants because "their bond is working like magic," and they sing that darned "I've Got the Magic in Me" song that I swear has been covered on a Ford Music Video every single year and maybe twice this year. Don't applaud for that, audience. It does not merit applause. Hollie looks amazing tonight!

And now, the "American Idol" contestants go to TMZ, which tends to be a segment I enjoy. Skylar is just so adorable. It turns out there's a male strip club called "Mantasia." No one had any solutions for Elise, who looks mad by default. Why was Nigel Lythgoe there, though? He must have invited himself.

Now look at Stefano Langone, who is looking more confident than ever before on that stage. Good for him! Can't say I care for the song, particularly the part that goes, "It's. The. Best. Night. Of. My. Life" all robot-like. He's dancing, though, which is something he didn't get to show off much on this show. He has improved as an artist, I think, and that makes me happy.

Hollie and Joshua are next. The friends! Hollie is more nervous than Joshua, probably. Who does Jimmy think should be more nervous, though? Jimmy thought Hollie did a good enough job with "Save Me" and thought "The Climb" was a great choice. There was an odd break before we looked at Joshua's highlights. Jimmy thought Joshua did a great job interpreting both songs and choosing them. Smart! "If Joshua gets voted off tonight, there is something wrong with the competition, the voting, the entire ball of wax," Jimmy says. What a dated expression.

Best friends. Who stays? Who goes? Hollie is in the bottom three. Joshua is safe. Jimmy will be relieved to know there's nothing wrong with this ball of wax.

Oh, goodness. Steven Tyler is in a Burger King commercial, immediately followed by Jennifer's Kohl's commercial. But where is Randy's commercial?

Now Katy Perry sings "Part of Me," and Steven Tyler enjoys another chicken tender becoming a part of him. She seems tired. Maybe she caught the Ryan Seacrest too-much-money flu.

Now it's down to Skylar and Phillip. I thought Skylar had a great night, but Phillip is a favorite! Let's see what Jimmy has to say. Jimmy thought her second song was a "little self-indulgent." Jimmy thought she got knocked out in Round 2. Phillip "Lady-killer" Phillips was divisive. Jimmy lets us in on a secret: Phillip was sick this week, too! His energy suffered as a result.

Skylar is in the bottom three. Phillip is safe, and Phillip will probably win this whole thing. Skylar is safe, though, so she heads back to the couches. Whew!

Ryan sends the four contestants who are safe back to their couch. They object, but Ryan is in charge. Elise is eliminated. It had to happen. She was great, but this just wasn't the right place for her. It's too bad that all these contestants have to see their moments play over a twangy Scotty McCreery tune. Goodbye, Elise. Get back with your band!

What do you think of Thursday night's results? Did America get it right?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.