Spoiler! Inside the 'Idol' Taping

Since the show was pre-taped this means they did not have to start on time right at 5 PM. The show finally kicked off around 5:25 PM. If you don't want to know what happened tonight then don't read any further. Since however, I can tell you that information about what happened is all over the internet already, I won't feel too guilty giving my account as some people do want to know. OK, last chance to close your browser before the spoilers run rampant.....

The show begins like any other with Ryan's intro but this time instead of his signature, "This is American Idol" he begins with "This is Idol Gives Back!" We learn that News Corp which owns the Fox Network will donate 10 cents per call up to 50 million votes tonight for a total of $5 million. The phone lines will be open for four hours tonight instead of two to help boost calling. Each Idol will have two phone numbers to help as well.

A taped piece, which is meant to pull at the heart strings is then shown over Ryan and Simon Cowell's trip to Africa. Personally, I felt the story set to emotional music was all substance and no meat. I wanted to see more of the stories and less slow motion effects set to music. Hopefully, this was just a tease and tomorrow's show will be more in depth. I heard several ladies crying behind me. So, I guess they achieved the desired effect. In between the Top 6's performances, various pieces are shown. One reveals how the funds that are raised will also help charities here in American including an LA Food Bank, a mobile health center, a Navajo Indian Reservation, Hurricane Katrina survivors, a homeless shelter in Atlanta and an illiteracy organization in Kentucky.

The final six contestants were challenged to sing songs that inspired them. First up was Chris Richardson who kicked the night off with Eric Clapton's "If I Could Change the World." From my perch up in the audience I wasn't that impressed with his performance. Clearly, I must be missing something as Randy told him he was "In it to win it." Paula thought it was a fantastic song choice for him and Simon commented that the competition had just started, "after all the craziness of the last few weeks."

It was an obvious reference to Sanjaya which got a few chuckles.

Melinda Doolittle, looking cute in a gray dress and a beautiful choker that looked to be made of black diamonds or sapphires, took on Faith Hills' "There Will Come a Day." As usual she sounded incredible and ruled the stage. Simon told her the performance was a "vocal master class." Paula told her she was magical. Randy told her he just doesn't know what to say anymore as every performance is great.

After an extended commercial break, as the Director apparently had to use the bathroom (um, hello what if it were live?), Blake Lewis took a major risk singing John Lennon's "Imagine" alongside a piano player. He sounded ok but that song has become so iconic in our world, I'm not sure it was the right choice. Randy told him it was "just kind of alright for me." However, Paula enjoyed it because of the emotion he put into the performance. Shockingly, Simon agreed with Paula and was impressed that he sang it with such sincerity.

Another break and then its revealed that Carrie Underwood will perform from Africa on the Wednesday night special, "I'll Stand By You." A whole group of celebrities will band together to sing "Stayin Alive" including Teri Hatcher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Grant.

Next up was LaKisha Jones in a black strapless dress. Even though her rendition of Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" didn't pan out for her last week, she again went with an Idol winner's song taking on Fantasia Barrino's "I Believe." She walked out on stage singing and it sounded a bit rough but once she hit the middle her booming voice came through and it was great. Here is where it gets strange. The judges ripped her to shreds. I could not understand why. Randy told her she had pitch problems. Paula told her she preferred the Fantasia version and Simon told her he had issue with her shouting while she sings. She told them she was happy with her performance. My guess is they are ready for her to be eliminated.

Phil Stacey stuck with a country song this week choosing Garth Brooks' "The Change" which was written after the Oklahoma City Bombings. Randy thought it was a strong performance and nice vocal. Paula thought he had found his comfort zone and this was his best vocal so far. Simon thought it was a good choice of song and told him to stick with country because it suits his voice.

Jordin closed out the show. She looked absolutely stunning in a beige dress and sang a song I had never heard, "You'll Never Walk Alone." She sounded great (and maybe its because I didn't know the song) but the judges glowing praise surprised me. Randy told her it might be, "The best vocal by any contestant ever on the show."
Which makes no sense because Melinda was just as good, if not better, not 20 minutes earlier. Paula didn't seem to echo Randy's opinion but told her it was a lovely vocal. Simon joked that unlike Randy he really liked it and told her that the song is sixty years old but, "I think you could have a hit record with that."

The girl is a star, no doubt. I'm a Jordin fan.