Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010

Who got voted off American Idol on Feb. 25? Get your American Idol results 2010

Four contestants were eliminated from the ninth season of "American Idol" Thursday night: Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady.

No elimination was a total shock -- with the possible exception of Rodriguez, who some blogs billed as a front-runner since the competition's early stages.

Were they the worst of the pack? Maybe not. But all of the eliminated contestants were criticized to some extent during the performance rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wheeler and Rodriguez picked songs too big for them. Munoz chose a song with not enough energy to make up for his lack of air time during the audition phase.

And Grady? Well, judges just got tired of his hippie vibe. And, apparently, so did we.

Here's a recap of Thursday's show, which also included performances by Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen:

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As the show kicks off, Simon insists he wasn't harsher than usual this week. Ellen says the contestants have to step it up. Kara DioGuardi's hot husband also gets some air time.

Group song time! Tonight's tune: "American Boy." Cheesy as ever, especially since this song is way too high for any of the guys' voices. What a crazy mess.

After the first commercial break, it's time for an elimination. Girls are up first. Sioban Magnus, Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor, Katelyn Epperly are SAFE.

Katie Stevens or Janell Wheeler will go home tonight, Seacrest says. Randy won't give a prediction.

Janell Wheeler is OUT. Katie Stevens is safe.

Janell reprises her performance of Heart's "What About Love," and it really isn't too bad. Honestly, I'm a little surprised about this elimination. I thought her performances during auditions, plus her rumored romantic ties to Tim Tebow, would keep her around.

After commercials, we get a performance by Allison Iraheta. She sings her new single, "Scars," and it's really good. I still think she seems like a young Kelly Clarkson. I just wish she'd been better marketed post-"Idol."

Back to results. Time to give another girl the boot. Paige Miles, Lacey Brown, Lilly Scott and Crystal Bowersox are SAFE.

Ashley Rodriguez or Didi Benami will go home.

Ashley Rodriguez is OUT. Didi Benami is safe.

She sings Leona Lewis' "Happy" again. I'm still not impressed, but Ashley's rumored front-runner status makes this kind of a shock. But man, her sendoff performance is pretty awful.

Next, we learn Tyler Grady showed up to rehearsals in boots and a bathrobe. Video included. It's a little scary.

Michael Lynche ("Big Mike), John Park, Aaron Kelly and Todrick Hall are safe.

Tim Urban or Joe Munoz will go home. Kara says out of that group, they're not the right bottom two.

Joe Munoz is OUT. Tim Urban is safe.

OK, I know he's not phenomenal, but I'm a little sad. Based on his slim air time during auditions, it seems like he didn't even have a chance. I guess Tim Urban is a Vote for the Worst victory.

With just one more elimination left, we learn that "Idol Gives Back" is slated for April 21. Kris Allen takes the stage and talks about his trip to Haiti. You can download Kris' performance from Thursday's results show to help Haiti. Kris performs "Let It Be," complete with snapshots of his trip to Haiti in the background.

Time for the last elimination. Casey James, Jermaine Sellers, Lee DeWyze and Andrew Garcia are safe.

Alex Lambert or Tyler Grady will go home. Simon thinks Tyler is going home.

Tyler Grady is OUT. Tyler Grady is safe. Peace out, hippie dude. Thanks for being my one correct prediction of the night!

Tyler is bitter. Of the judges' criticism, he says, "I feel like what they told me was a little bit too late." Yowza.

Then, we get a montage of all the eliminated contestants. Tyler closes the show with "American Woman."