4/5 Results: "Can't Unlove You"

Tonight's results show was just as odd a mix as the performance show the night before--and while the torture was a little less protracted for Bucky's fans this time, it still had its moments. After the clips from Tuesday night were aired (Bucky's pretty much consisted of Paula's "in your element/wear the hat well" comments), the camera panned to the sofas, where Bucky sat on the end of the lower tier...next to Katharine...uh oh. Could we be in for another one of those nights?

At least the guest performance's moments were mellow. Kenny Rogers sang a cute new tune called "I Can't Unlove You", as the Idols swayed nervously to the beat, some a bit more enthusiastically than others. (The lighting people gave us swirling triangles this time, rather than Barry Manilow's dizziness-inducing daisies. No odd geometrics for Shakira, though. Are the wild lights some sort of compensatory, short-attention-span visual excitement trotted out when more, er, mature performers are in the guest spot? Because if that's the case, I guarantee you that the Idol Lighting Guy is going to mortally insult one "experienced" guest or another before the season is out. Mark my words.)

Anyway, after Kenny-and-Idols hugs and a Ford commercial featuring the singers in overalls and artfully applied grease magically fixing Kellie Pickler's car, the sadistically gimmicky part began. Ryan called the singers from the sofa to form groups of three, bringing back painful memories of well-meaning grade school teacher's decisions. (Remember how you just knew that if so-and-so was in your group, it was seriously bad, "am I going to have to do fifth grade all over again" news? Like that. Ugh. These are grownups, people. I think the hard-working singers deserve a little more dignity on elimination nights.)

Taylor began the first group; Mandisa was the first member of group two, with Elliott joining her. Paris filled the third spot in the second group, and when a smiling Kellie and Chris got up to stand beside Taylor, you knew which bunch had safe written across their foreheads. Kellie, Chris and Taylor made a quick U-turn to the sofas.

That left Bucky (wearing a white shirt and yesterday's soft brown cowboy hat) with Ace and Katharine--bottom-three veterans, all--in one group. And as a group, they were declared safe. (Yes!)

Paris, Elliott and Mandisa were the bottom three, and first Paris, then Elliott, were fine. Mandisa--who no doubt has a great career ahead of her, with or without Idol--elegantly sang the show to a close.

I have to give the Idol people credit for squeezing in a preview of next week's show--with any luck, I'll be able to screencap Bucky's wild (hatless!) rocker gyrations to the music of Queen. Next week should be fun.

Safe again--congratulations, Bucky!