Ugh. I thought for sure Josh was history. I'm not surprised at all to see that Ruben was in the bottom this week - he hasn't done anything spectacular since week two.

Josh SUCKED last night. He does not deserve to still be there.

I am totally rooting for Josh. I think everyone left is awesome, so it's hard to narrow it down. Ruben has been doing an awesome job, but maybe everyone who normally would have voted for him, but like Josh too, must have voted for Josh, thinking Ruben was safe.
Wow, am I obsessed with AI or what?

A while backed I joked that Josh was golden because of the bored military wife factor. A couple of hundred thousand military wives, home alone while their husbands are in Iraq, are slamming their phones to keep Josh in the game.

i was sort of kidding when I said that. After tonight, I'm not so sure.

I'm not pissed. Mildly disappointed is all.

What I expected was for Josh to go, and then the choice next week would be between Kimberly or Trenyce, because I still think that Ruben and Clay are the best two overall.

Kim's good, but I've always believed that Trenyce has enough talent that, if the magic was right, she could outdo Kimberly. She's outdone Kimberly before.

But, them's the breaks.

I think Chris is right about the "bored military wife factor." I also continue to think that the dark horse factor for Josh is country music fans. There are tens of millions of country music fans, and he may be the only reason some of them are tuning in at all.

Patriotism combined with country music fans are gonna make this kid a factor as long as he doesn't completely suck.

The question: how big is his base? Probably not big enough to win, but how big are they? Enough to carry him to #3? #2? Even #1?

I doubt #1. There aren't that many country fans that they can outnumber general pop music fans. And the war's over.

I still think the kid's got a huge contract in Nashville waiting for him no matter what. When he sings country, he is very good. He's just out of his element on this show.

Have I mentioned that, coincidentally, Josh is from the same town Rose and I live in?

I can kinda see Trenyce being voted off, but I can NOT see how Ruben was worse than Josh. Josh wasn't just "not quite as good as the others." He was BAD last night. If he doesn't go next week I will be PISSED.

Ruben was so amazingly much better than Josh last night. Josh doesn't have the stage presence or the voice to even be playing in the same league as the rest--I actually wholeheartedly agreed with Simon.

I'm with Erica here, although I was still a little surprised at Trenyce being down there, too.

Jesus, I've only watched two episodes of the show this entire year, and I'm already sucked into the drama. This is horrible!

Dean,
I think you are wrong about the country music thing. I think it's bigger than you think. Not only are there loyal country fans, but tons of younger people listen to several types of music, including country.

And the "bmw" factor is a misnomer. It's called "sex appeal". Ruben is too fat, and Clay is too skinny. They are both amazing singers, but I am really not attracted.

I agree that Josh will be the next to go, but I will miss him.

BTW, I think Ruben will win. The little drama with him in the bottom two will guarantee that his fans are super-diligent about voting.

God, my obsession must end.

Well, I have to disagree. I think that Josh isn't even good singing country.

Did you notice that there was no male harmonizing in the group number, but that the female harmonies were finally there?

I have a hard time sitting through those group numbers. I'm not a big fan of them. They strike me as highly cheesy, although there were some high spots last night.

Am I the only one who's noticed that every time they've had last year's contestants on--the winner and the runner-up--that neither of them would have made it to the top 5 this year?

I for one have never been that impressed with Kelly Clarkson. I think she would have been gone early on this time. Man, I started watching for the sucky performers on the audition episodes and I got totally sucked in. Do they know how to keep you watching or what?

Josh would do himself a world of good by not looking so damn angry all the time. Maybe it's a Marine thing, but he never looks like he's having any fun.

(btw Dean -- that must mean you two live in Wonderful Westland? I grew up in Lovely Livonia, and now live in Farmington Hills)