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If you're just wandering in to this results show, didn't watch the premiere, or the repeat of it directly preceding this one, no problem: we get another recap of events at "The One Academy". Ten tedious minutes later host George Stroumboulopoulos milks "the relationship" for all its worth by asking Aubrey if her blossoming relationship with Nick is a distraction. She declares they are the "official house couple". Now, George milks "the bad boy image" for all its worth by trying to stir up Michael with questions about his song selection and back-talk. Jackie is emotional, again.

We get to see a little bit of what occurred backstage after the performance show. Nick and Aubrey kiss. Nick and Aubrey cuddle. Michael asks Aubrey if she would pick Nick over someone who had a better performance. “Yup,” she says, and Michael is nervous. Someone says, "There can't be any alliances," and I think we've officially got all the reality show props covered now. They all sign a fine white acoustic guitar to send home with tonight's loser. All fret rather theatrically about being dumped into the bottom three.

The Bottom Three

Michael Cole	Jadyn Maria	Jackie Mendez

Several tedious minutes later, during which eight people are told to sit down (oh, the tension!), we wind up with the three who collected the least amount of votes. Jadyn needs to project some self-confidence, because she looks like a scared little girl out there. Mark concurs with me by saying he could "feel her fear". It sure sucks to have to perform right after getting comments from the experts. They could totally scuttle someone's chances with the right harsh retort.

Jadyn Maria, Nashville, TN - "What's Love Got To Do With It" (Tina Turner)
Comments: Her performance was just "okay". She doesn't have much stage presence. It's depressing to think that the cutest of the bunch could be sent home right off the bat.

Michael Cole, Winston-Salem, NC - "Standing On Shaky Ground" (Delbert McClinton)
Comments: Never has a truer song title been chosen, and from the contestant himself. Oh, if only "Karaoke Boy" could to aspire to Delbert McClinton's vocal greatness. He does dial his performance down a bit, taking Kara's advice: "Don't shock us -- show us." Still, a smile crept across my face as he points directly at the seated experts during the line "ever since you put me down".

The experts are asked to vote for who they would save. Andre and Kara choose Jackie, and Mark chooses Michael because... well, because rock and roll must live on, or some crap like that. Now comes an excruciating session where each remaining contestant is asked who they would save, and why, at length. Many are having a hard time even uttering the person's name, much less fight through their emotions to face them and explain why. If I was a contestant, the conversation would go much quicker:

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Host: Who would you vote to save?
Me: Jadyn.
Host: Why?
Me: Because Michael sucks.

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Buh-bye!: Jadyn

Final Thoughts: I hate to see a pretty face go, but I don't feel too bad for Jadyn since she's already under contract. Her tentative performance tonight sunk her. If she was to be chosen in the bottom three, Jackie proclaimed that "American didn't make a mistake. America wasn't paying attention." Oh, we were paying attention, all right, but she smartly put the focus on her singing ability, instead of "the girls", and improved enough to get emotional for another day. I forgot for a moment that this show is "for entertainment purposes", and not a real competition, because that's the only explanation for Michael sticking around.