Top 12 Results

After a dramatic montage of the Top 12, Ryan entered the studio on different stairs, this time he's in the audience. He met Simon and the judges to discuss last night's stare down, and then brought up some big news: The judges' save is back. The rule is that the judges can save any contestant up until the Top 5, but it's got to be unanimous.

Instead of a group performance, Season 7's American Idol, David Cook, took the stage with his band to sing The Rolling Stone's "Jumpin' Jack Flash." After seeing all the equipment on stage, I realized why Ryan introduced the show from the stands. It's good to have David back, and he seemed to be a true rockstar up on the Idol stage (with a rockin' guitar!). His hair cut isn't helping the shape of his noggin, however. The Season 9 finalists had a front row seat on the stage bleachers, and when David was done he shared that he's working on a new album and he's going to Africa for Idol Gives Back. Look for him on the 4/21 show!

It was time for the first Ford commercial of the season. I used to not know what to make of these commercials, but now I find them entertaining, and I love the way the contestants laugh at themselves when they watch it back on the live show. This one involved the contestants throwing large paintballs at each others' cars.

After all of that fun, it was time to get serious with the results. Last week the metal stools equaled safety; this week they represented the bottom three. Ryan asked Paige Miles to stand first, and in a twist he tells her she's in the bottom trio of contestants. I can't remember the last time it was bad news for the first person. Next, Lee DeWyze, Siobhan Magnus, and Aaron Kelly were told to sit back down on the lushly padded bleachers. The next person in the bottom three would either be Andrew Garcia or Tim Urban, and it was Tim who received fewer votes.

Then Orianthi sang her single, "According To You," and did some crazy awesome shredding on her guitar.

Ryan returned to the results cards and there was a rip or weird lighting on the screen behind him, and it looked like some long blonde wiry hairs sprouting from his suit. Didi Benami and Crystal Bowersox mentioned that it was hard to sing after watching their emotional parents on their clips packages, but both girls were safe. Katie Stevens and Michael Lynche were also safe, so it came down to the rhyming duo of Casey and Lacey. Lacey Brown received fewer votes than Casey James, so she joined Tim and Paige in the bottom 3. One will be going home tonight (if the save isn't used), but at least one, if not two, will be going on tour, so there's a silver lining. Simon said that one is worth saving, but he didn't mention which contestant. The first person sent back to safety was Tim, who looked more shocked than Kris Allen even after he was told he won American Idol. That meant that either Paige or Lacey would be going home, and they're Idol BFFs and roomies. Why does it always work out that way, where the roommates are torn apart?

Next, Ke$ha featuring 3OH!3 took the stage, and that's a lot of symbols for one act. Ke$ha performed "Blah Blah Blah" and 3OH!3 rapped the chorus, although I'm not quite sure if that was a chorus, or verse, or rap interlude. Like Siobhan, Ke$ha wore combat boots with a dress, which helped her to stomp around the stage.

It was time for the results, and Ryan revealed that Lacey received the fewest votes. She took the microphone and was able to pick which song she'd sing for the save. That's a much better idea than being forced to sing the song that sent you home. Lacey picked "The Story" by Brandi Carlile and sang it for a shot at being saved, however the judges were unanimous in not using the save on Lacey.

Tune in next Tuesday as the Top 11 perform for a spot on the Season 9 Idols tour.