Reality Roll Call

Tonight’s show includes more footage from various stars’ visits to Africa last year.  We begin with Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, best known for his phenomenal portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.  Whitaker is joined by his wife, Keisha, in Rwanda where they visited the family of a man who was blinded by a land mine.  This man lives as a beggar on the streets of Rwanda, and is assisted by his 6-year-old son as they walk through the streets begging for coins on a daily basis to pay for food to feed the family.  Whitaker and his wife were invited into the home of this man and his family, three children in all, who sleep in a hut on a dirty mattress.  Whitaker and his wife also visited an orphanage where not enough children are taken in, children who have been orphaned by the ravages of HIV/AIDS.  The people who run the orphanage are angels who have made it their life’s work to make a difference in the lives of children who would have ended up lost.  Idol fans were again encouraged to donate in an effort to also make a difference in the lives of people who are in such great need.

Idol fans were also treated to a special treat tonight.  Chart-topping R&B youngster Chris Brown performed a duet with last season’s American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks. They performed a song currently running up the charts, “No Air”, and I must say, if I didn’t know better, I’d think there was a more than just a little chemistry there!  Of course, I don’t know better, so, was there something there?  Either Jordin is a pretty good actress, or I’d say she was a little smitten with Chris – but who could blame her?  He’s cute as a button, ultra-talented and, I believe, not dating anyone right now…  Go, Jordin!

On to the eliminations:  Unfortunately, our bottom three this week makes no sense.  The three performers with the least amount of votes include Carly Smithson, Syesha Mercado and Michael Johns.  Yes folks, a travesty has occurred.  Now, mind you, I don’t believe that all of these three singers could have gone on to win the whole thing.  But I also certainly don’t believe that they belonged in the bottom three this week: not with Kristie Lee Cook, Jason Castro and Brooke White safe.  That makes no sense.  Syesha’s performance of “I Believe”, a Fantasia song, was really good. It wasn’t the quality that Fantasia would have turned out, but it was still really good.  Michael Johns’ performance of “Dream On” by Aerosmith was “blazing hot!” to borrow a phrase from Randy Jackson.  So that makes no sense.  But Carly Smithson’s performance of “The Show Must Go On” left a little to be desired.  I think she’s good, but not phenomenal. 

It turned out that Michael Johns was sent home tonight.  Ryan Seacrest teased us (and Michael) with the reminder that last year’s elimination was cancelled because everyone was in such a charitable mood with “Idol Gives Back”.  But that same consideration was not extended to Michael Johns this year, and he was let go.  I think with the exception of David Cook and David Archuleta, he was the most consistent of all the performers left.  But I have to believe that some influential record promoter (Clive Davis, pay attention) will get a clue and give Michael Johns a call.  Michael’s an awesome talent and I think this elimination is just a blip in the lifetime of his singing career.