Trama

Open with Ryan explaining the nature of elimination shows, followed by giving us his uber-dramatic "this . . . is American Idol. "

The judges are introduced and Ryan walks onto the stage. Ryan assures us that a lot of fans will be disappointed with tonight's result and brings out the final six contestants.

The finalists are sent to the couch and Ryan speaks with our judges. Ryan points out Steven is on the cover of several magazines this week and tells us Bruno Mars and last season's runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, will both perform tonight.

Ryan then kicks it to a vignette of the finalists visiting the British consulate. Scotty and Casey affect accents that might cause the Revolutionary War to resume.

Next we have a medley of Carole King hits. All six finalists help perform pieces of "It Might As Well Rain Until September," "One Fine Day," "Go Away Little Girl" and "It's Too Late."

After the break we see the gang in a music video for an American car company.

Ryan then introduces Bowersox. She plays guitar and sings her new single, "Ridin' With the Radio."

Ryan reads a few fan questions to the finalists. Casey is asked who he would most like to perform a duet with. He goes with Candian jazz pianist (yes I had to look him up) Oscar Peterson because it would be "so fun" to play with a "musical genius." Jacob is asked when he discovered his vocal range. The answer is when he was "six or seven." A fan wants to know what Lauren feels is the hardest thing about being a finalist. She says "missing friends and family back home." Scott is asked if he ever had a pre-Idol job. He worked at a grocery store. James tells us before Idol he's played with "a few" bands. Haley is asked her favorite past Idol contestant and mentions four or five different people.

The lights dim as the results portion of the show begins. Ryan calls out the finalists in random order. We will flashback to their performance last night, recall a few judge comments and get a thought from Jimmy Iovine.

Steve told Haley ("Beautiful") he saw God in her voice and Jennifer said she has one of the best voices in the competition. Jimmy basically agreed, but said he doesn't think Haley knows who she is as an artist. After listening to the comment from Jimmy Haley says something that has to be bleeped. Ryan then tells her she is safe.

Up next is Scotty who sang "You've Got a Friend." Jennifer said his strength was storytelling and Randy thought the beginning of the song was flawless. Jimmy calls Scotty a "phenom" but wonders if his subtlety will be missed by voters. Scotty agrees with Jimmy, just before Ryan tell him to "hang tight for a second."

Lauren, who sang "Where You Lead," is next. Jennifer was "so proud" of her. Jimmy thinks she doesn't do a good job of hearing the positives in the judges' critiques. Jimmy thinks she's "here for the long run." Ryan tells he to "hang tight" without saying she's safe.

Casey ("Hi-De-Ho") is next. Randy called him "different and entertaining" and Steven said his performance made his scalp itch. Jimmy was disappointed that Casey growled the night before but thinks he will be safe. Casey is also told to take a seat.

James ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow") is called up after the break. Randy thought he proved his was a great singer. Jimmy thinks James is more believable he sings a melody with a rock feel. Ryan tells James that he is safe.

Jacob ("Oh No Not My Bab") is the last finalist on stage. The judges weren't blown away. Jimmy points out that Idol is more than just a voice and thinks he could possibly go home.

Jacob is told to stay on stage and Ryan brings up Casey, Lauren and Scotty. Ryan next announces that Lauren is safe and has her take a seat. The means Casey, Jacob and Scotty are the bottom-3.

Bruno Mars performs "The Lazy Song."

After the break Ryan gives us the results "in random order." Jacob is told he is safe tonight and takes a seat. Down to Scotty or Casey. Ryan gives us a "The person who leaves the competition tonight on Idol is . . . Casey Abrams."

We look back at highlights from Casey's season, starting with his first tryout. Ryan then points to Casey and says "This is what talent look like." Casey sings "I Put a Spell On You." as the show ends.