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'American Idol': Picking on the three finalists

We're down to the final three, who'll be performing twice tonight – one song of their own choosing and one picked by the judges.

The contestants' selections range from good to so-so to what was he thinking?

And the judges' picks are even more varied. One is divine. One is surprising. And the third? Such a horrific song, you really feel for the contestant who had to sing it.

'American Idol': The last picture show


Expectations for the "Idol" results show are never really too high. That's particularly the case this week after Tuesday night's weird movie theme show – in which the final four contestants performed lackluster songs from films and guest mentor Jamie Foxx kind of creeped us out by asking one of the finalists to "seduce" him in song.

But at least this results show had a plot twist worthy of an Alfred Hitchcock or M. Night Shyamalan movie.

Plus, two of the biggest North Carolina "Idol" contestants of the past return to sing. And there's an appearance by Bon Jovi, who famously hails from a state a little farther north.

'American Idol': Of all the songs in all the movies in all the world ...

... the "Idol" Final Four picked these???

It's movie night on "Idol" this week, with the finalists each performing a favorite song from a film. (I'm hoping no one dare attempts Whitney/Dolly's "I Will Always Love You," that awful Phil Collins mess "Against All Odds/Take a Look at Me Now" or the even-worse Aerosmith "I Don't Want to Miss That Giant Asteroid Thing That's About to Crash Into Bruce Willis.")

But after hearing what the contestants do select, a big ole ballad from "The Bodyguard" might have actually improved things. Also this week, the finalists are paired up to sing duets. And Jamie Foxx, who has had much success with movies and music, is the guest judge.

What to Watch on Tuesday: Jamie Foxx mentors on "Idol"

Dancing with the Stars (8pm, ABC) - It's elimination night and The Gypsy Kings perform. But more importantly, Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice, and Len Goodman host Dance Center. 

American Idol (8pm, Fox) - Jamie Foxx is the mentor and the remaining contestants sing songs from the movies.

Glee (9pm, Fox) - Rachel freaks out when she gets a sore throat and Kurt makes a personality adjustment to please his dad. Also, Puck makes a move designed to increase his social standing.

The Good Wife (10pm, CBS) - The winner is announced in the competition between Alicia and Cary to see who gets to stay on with the firm as the new associate. 

Parenthood (10pm, NBC) - After keeping their financial problems from his wife, Zeek ends up moving in with Adam and Kristina. 

American Idol recap: Fly him to the moon

Filling in for Thad tonight, and I know I won't do nearly as well, so cut me some slack. At least I have a forum to make an important clarification from his Tuesday night recap. For the record, Harry Connick Jr. is about a billion times better (in every way) than Michael Buble. Just for the record...
 
To open the show, The Sinatra Five came out in black suits and sang a medley of "The Lady is a Tramp," "It Was a Very Good Year," "I've Got the World on a String," and "Night and Day." Overall, everyone seemed a tiny bit more relaxed than the night before. 

What to Watch on Wednesday: Harry Connick Jr & Lady Gaga on "Idol"

American Idol (9pm, Fox) - Harry Connick Jr (left) and Lady Gaga perform (hopefully not together), and someone goes home.
 
Criminal Minds (9pm, CBS) - A serial killer commits suicide but leaves behind clues indicating one of his victims may still be alive somewhere. NFL player Greg Jennings stars as an evidence technician.
 
Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - Gloria surprises Jay with a trip to Hawaii for his birthday, and the entire family is coming along.
 
Cougar Town (9:30pm, ABC) - Jules and Grayson did the deed last week, but that may not mean they're ready for a relationship. Tonight they ponder being "friends with benefits."

Top Chef Masters (10pm, Bravo) - The champions round begins with the master chefs catering a wedding from mobile kitchens.
 
Sunset Daze (10pm, WeTV) - Three words that will either have you tuning in or scrubbing your scorched ears: Pole-dancing grannies.  

'American Idol': Chairmen (and woman) of the bored

A week after they got saddled with the less-than-thrilling songbook of Shania Twain, the final five "Idol" hopefuls have some much, much bigger shoes to fill. They'll be singing the songs of the Chairman of the Board himself, Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

As a huge Sinatra fan, I don't exactly have, um, high-apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes for how this will turn out. And of the five, four of them, under the mentoring of Harry Connick Jr., give performances that are nothing to get excited about.

Thankfully, it was a very good night for the fifth "Idol" wannabe.

'American Idol': And now we're down to five

After last week's bloated, two-and-a-half-hour elimination show/ fund-raising extravaganza, "Idol" gets back to a more managable (yet still bloated) hour results show.

In keeping with the "country week" theme started by mentor Shania Twain, we get plenty of down-home performances, including Lady Antebellum, Sons of Sylvia (um ... who?) and Rascal Flatts with Shakira (huh?)

Finally, we get down to results ...

Miss the end of "Glee" (again) because of "Idol" overrun?

It has now happened three weeks in a row: those taping "Glee" likely missed the last few minutes of the episode because "American Idol" is incapable of ending their show on time.

I know, I know. We can tape the show after "Glee" to make sure we catch everything, but we shouldn't have to do that. There are already way too many good shows on Tuesdays at 10 for me to give up taping one of them to make up for Fox's ineptitude.

So if you missed the ending last night (like me), you missed guest star Kristin Chenoweth performing the song, "Home."

You can watch it below.

'American Idol': That don't impress us much

Shania Twain seems like an amazing woman. She's always friendly, funny, kind – a perfect mentor for a group of "Idol" wannabes. Of course, she's also very easy on the eyes, and – judging by her country and pop success – she's a heck of a performer.

So it pains us to say this, but Shania's "very special songbook," as Ryan Seacrest calls it, feels a bit lacking. Sure, she's had some memorable hits such as "You're Still the One," "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" and "That Don't Impress Me Much."

But after recent weeks when the contestants had the songs of Elvis and Lennon and McCartney to choose from, this week's theme was a letdown. The performances, like the songs, are fine, but not fantastic.

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