After hearing all the cheers and the judges’ praise for Scotty McCreery’s performance of a Garth Brooks song this week, it seemed pretty likely that he would sail through tonight’s “American Idol” elimination.

And he did.

After the 30 million viewer votes were counted, Scotty, the Garner High school junior and baseball player, easily advanced to “Idol’s” Top 12 for this season.

His version of Brooks’ “The River” may not have been his best yet, but it certainly was good enough to keep him around. The bottom three this week:

The 13 “American Idol” finalists were asked to choose a song from one of their own musical idols tonight, and the only question for Garner’s Scotty McCreery was which country artist he would pick.

After chatting with host Ryan Seacrest about how it’s “killing him” to miss his Garner High School baseball season (and sending a shout out to his “blue crew Trojans”) Scotty tells us he picked Garth Brooks’ song “The River.”

Legendary producer Don Was, who was working with Scotty, called him a natural storyteller. Scotty noted that, “You’ve got to be country music. You can’t just sing it.”

It was not his very best performance, but it certainly was good. And the judges, as usual, liked Scotty. Randy Jackson was glad Scotty didn’t try to change who he is: “If it ain’t broke, don’t even think about fixing it.”

"American Idol" performances are usually a tightly kept secret until showtime. But because tonight's show was taped in advance, word is leaking out about who is singing what.

The 13 finalists were asked to pick a song from one of their favorite artists. For Garner teen Scotty McCreery, you knew it would be someone country.

Warning: Spoilers ahead. Read no further if you want it to be a surprise ...

Blondes may have more fun, but all the hussies in "Unanswered Prayers" (Lifetime, 9 tonight) are brunette.

I'm pretty sure there's no subliminal message there because this isn't that kind of movie. Based on the song by executive producer Garth Brooks, the movie is a straightforward account of small town living, lost love, and family. And that's the problem; it's sweet, but just not as emotional and effective as it means to be.

The film centers on Ben Beck (Eric Close), the high school football hero who now works as a contractor with his wife and her family. He's known his wife Lorrie (Samantha Mathis), forever, and he loves her; their marriage is happy. They have a teenage son who also plays football; dad's forced it a bit, seeing it as a way to a college scholarship.

Chuck (8pm, NBC) - A Thanksgiving-leftovers dinner is stuffed with complications for Chuck when his mother (Linda Hamilton) shows up with a guest (Timothy Dalton). At Buy More, Morgan gears up for the busiest shopping day of the year while Jeff and Lester launch their latest scheme. Also, Ellie continues to uncover family clues left behind by her father.

Lie to Me (9pm, Fox) - A terminally ill restaurateur (John Amos) hires Cal to track down his murdered daughter's killer. She had been first in line to inherit her father's successful restaurant chain, and Cal discovers that this fact could have something to do with her death.

Unanswered Prayers (9pm, Lifetime) - A happily married father (Eric Close) is confronted with a life-altering decision when his high-school crush (Madchen Amick) returns to town. Garth Brooks is the executive producer of the film, which is based on lyrics from his hit song of the same title.

In Treatment (9pm, Showtime) - Paul is alarmed by Sunil's unpredictable behavior at home, and Frances leans on Paul for support as her sister's health deteriorates.

Restrepo (9pm, National Geographic Channel) - Filmmakers Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington visit Afghanistan's Korengal Valley to spend a year with the Second Platoon, a besieged squadron that dubbed their stronghold Outpost Restrepo in honor of their fallen comrade, PFC Juan Restrepo. An Al Quaeda and Taliban stronghold, Korengal Valley sees some of the fiercest fighting in the country. More information at the movie's website.

CMA Country Christmas (10pm, ABC) - Country performers Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Sugarland, and others sing with members of their families and share holiday traditions.