This Week in American Idol History: Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

First, let me congratulate American Idol on last week’s Idol Gives Back event. It was a noble effort, and a memorable and moving evening of entertainment that also served to raise over $60 million to help people here in the U.S. as well as in Africa. Of course, with the non-elimination, this week’s show will be the first top five round in Idol history to feature six finalists, yet another bizarre way this season is setting itself apart!

While it is doubtful that last week’s bottom two will be able to dig themselves out of a 70 million vote deficit, theoretically, they all have one more chance to survive. This week, Jon Bon Jovi will be the guest mentor/performer. Can Melinda rock? Will Blake beat box? I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out!

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at how the previous seasons have gone down.

Season Five: Last season’s top five had two themes – songs from the year of their birth and songs from the top 10 of any of the Billboard charts. In the first round, Elliott sang “On Broadway” and Paris chose Prince’s “Kiss.” The judges were split on both.

They loved Chris’ “Renegade,” but weren’t terribly impressed by Katharine’s “Against All Odds.” Taylor went for broke that night, pulling out all the stops with a memorable performance of “Play that Funky Music,” collapsing on the floor at the end. Randy and Paula loved it, but Simon was horrified, calling it “horrible wedding performance.”

For the second round, Elliott chose Michael Buble’s “Home,” perhaps tempting fate a bit by the lyrics. Paris took on Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” and Chris sang “I Dare You.” Katharine debuted what would turn out to be one of her signature songs, “Black Horse in a Cherry Tree” and Taylor did the Beatles’ “Something.” Both were well-received by the judges.

The following night’s elimination was tense. Elliott and Paris ended up being the bottom two, but before one was eliminated, they each had to sing one of their songs from the previous evening. Ultimately, Elliott survived and Paris Bennett was sent home.

Paris hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped since leaving Idol. Her CD, Princess P, is due out May 8, and she will become the seventh Idol from season five to release an album. Paris is credited as a co-writer on the effort. The album features Kevin Covais, Lisa Tucker, and Paris’ mother Jamecia Bennett, and grandmother, Ann Nesby. The video for Paris’ single, "Ordinary Love," was officially released on Yahoo's Music Site on April 23, 2007.

Season Four: This was another tough week for the season four Idols. On the heels of Constantine’s shocking elimination, the Smoking Gun broke the story of Bo’s arrest record for drug possession. Fans speculated wildly as to whether or not this would disqualify him. Apparently, the producers were aware of his past and were satisfied that he had put all of this behind him. Idol fans were also dealing with the upcoming ABC exposé that promised to “reveal the truth” about the show.

On performance night, each Idol sang two songs; one a Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller classic, and the other something from any of the Billboard Top 40 charts. Anthony sang “Poison Ivy” and “Incomplete,” while Scott did “On Broadway” and “Every Time You Go Away.” Vonzell sang “Treat Me Nice” and the Idol single, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me." Carrie did “Trouble” and “Bless the Broken Road,” and Bo sang “Stand by Me” and Los Lobos’ “Heaven.”

On results night, the top five performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and the girls gave flowers to the judges and kissed Paula, who was definitely not having a good week! This was a great show of support for Paula, and felt right somehow. At the same time all of this was going on, ABC’s PrimeTime Live was airing. It turned out to be an hour of Corey Clark’s self-promotional BS and nothing more.

As nicey-nice as the evening was, however, someone had to go home. Ryan got real tricky, and sent Anthony and Scott to the couch. Scott pumped his arm triumphantly as Bo, Carrie, and Vonzell stood nervously onstage. Then Ryan announced that they were in fact the top three, and asked Anthony (whose birthday it was) and Scott to perform. In the end, Anthony got a nice birthday present when Ryan cleverly said, “Anthony, it’s bad news, buddy. We forgot to get you a birthday card, but we do have a gift… you are safe!” Scott Savol was sent home.

After the Idol tour ended in September, Scott recorded nine songs in his home studio. He wasn't satisfied with the results, though, and put the project on hold to try and find someone he could work with who understood his vision. He kept himself in the public eye by performing at various local events and selling karaoke machines on QVC. In August 2006, he was married, and he and his wife Rochelle has since moved to Nashville.

Season Three: Idol fans had an extra night of the show this season, with the “Final Five Special” airing on Monday. Ryan did a sit-down interview with each finalist, and then they had a chance to sing their favorite song from the season to date. The week’s theme was Big Band. This was ironic considering that John Stevens was booted the week before and would certainly have shone with this genre.

Fantasia and LaToya both had spectacular performances this night (Fantasia's “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life” and LaToya's “Too Close For Comfort” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”). George sang “Cheek To Cheek” and “What a Wonderful World,” and was also fabulous. Jasmine did “The Way You Look Tonight” and “It’s Almost Like Being In Love,” and Diana took on “Someone To Watch Over Me” and “Come On Get Happy.”

RNO recapper, Sting7 wrote about Fantasia, “I sit here in front of you, a puddle of goo! ‘What Are You Doing’ was another star-making performance.” He was equally complimentary about Latoya writing, “LaToya is just amazing! She was so classy, so comfortable, so sassy, so masterful. You could not take your eyes off her, and your ears were treated too. LaToya has taken that bar and raised it again!”

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