February 11, 2009 4:56 PM
- Text
"American Idol" Boots Two Contestants
(AP)
With no one ousted at the end of last week's charity-focused show, "American Idol" gave the heave-ho to two contestants Wednesday night — Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson.
The viewer vote tally from last week was added to this week's, with more than 135 million phone and text-message ballots cast in all. Stacey, 29, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Chris Richardson, 22, of Chesapeake, Va., drew the fewest votes. With their departure, the number of finalists is down to four. The winner will be chosen May 23.
Randy Jackson said on Tuesday's program that Stacey's take on Bon Jovi's "Blaze Of Glory" was his "best performance ever." Stacey — a "good man," said host Ryan Seacrest — performed that song one last time on Wednesday, as LaKisha Jones and other finalists wiped away tears.
Richardson, a Justin Timberlake lookalike, hugged "best friend" and finalist Blake Lewis when Seacrest announced he was going home.
And the final four are Jones, Lewis, Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle.
Wednesday's program also featured performances by Robin Thicke and Bon Jovi, the multiplatinum band whose shaggy-haired lead singer was this week's guest coach.
In its sixth season, "American Idol" continues to rule the ratings. It has attracted 26 million to 37 million viewers per telecast this season.
By Erin Carlson
The viewer vote tally from last week was added to this week's, with more than 135 million phone and text-message ballots cast in all. Stacey, 29, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Chris Richardson, 22, of Chesapeake, Va., drew the fewest votes. With their departure, the number of finalists is down to four. The winner will be chosen May 23.
Randy Jackson said on Tuesday's program that Stacey's take on Bon Jovi's "Blaze Of Glory" was his "best performance ever." Stacey — a "good man," said host Ryan Seacrest — performed that song one last time on Wednesday, as LaKisha Jones and other finalists wiped away tears.
Richardson, a Justin Timberlake lookalike, hugged "best friend" and finalist Blake Lewis when Seacrest announced he was going home.
"Thank you to everybody for keeping me in this long," said Richardson, before giving a farewell performance of "Wanted Dead Or Alive" — again, by Bon Jovi.
Photos: "American Idol" Season 6
And the final four are Jones, Lewis, Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle.
Wednesday's program also featured performances by Robin Thicke and Bon Jovi, the multiplatinum band whose shaggy-haired lead singer was this week's guest coach.
In its sixth season, "American Idol" continues to rule the ratings. It has attracted 26 million to 37 million viewers per telecast this season.
By Erin Carlson
Popular Now in Entertainment
- Adele in Whitney's shadow as Grammys start
- Leslie Carter dead at 25
- Adele wins 6 Grammys, including Album of the Year
- Zsa Zsa at 95: Husband releases birthday photos
- Beyonce, Jay-Z post photos of Blue Ivy Carter
- Watch: Whitney's final performance
- "Idol": Carrey's daughter out, and then disaster
- Bobbi Kristina on alleged coke snorting photos
- Whitney Houston's final performance
- Beyonce shows off her post-baby body
- Whitney's mother: "We are devastated"
- Mariah Carey on Twitter: "Heartbroken"; Others react
- Schwarzenegger, Stallone have hospital run-in
- Remembering Whitney Houston 1963-2012
- Gender-bending model a runway sensation
- Whitney Houston's body moved from hotel
- Celebs mourn Whitney Houston at Clive Davis event
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
- Iran: Nuclear facilities immune to cyber attack
- Big rally in Somalia for al-Qaida-al-Shabab merger
- Nigeria: pirates kill 2 on cargo ship attack
- Official: Pirates off Nigeria's coast attack cargo ship, shoot dead captain, chief engineer
on Facebook Most Discussed Stories
on CBS News
