'American Idol' results night recap: Big Mike bows out

I didn't join the live chat Wednesday night, so I'm missing the usual words of wisdom from our worldwide contributors. You're stuck with just my take as "American Idol" is whittled down to the Top Three.

Here's a quick review of the Tuesday performances, for those who've forgotten: Duets ruled, solos were so-so. Michael Lynche did OK; I closed my eyes to listen and avoided the visual with all the cheese. Casey James - baaaaaaaad. Sorry, but I can't take the vibrato any longer. Lee DeWyze did as well as Seal does singing his own song live. Seriously, it can be rough. Crystal Bowersox did an amazing arrangement of what will always be the song with the dancing gopher. Big Mike and Casey did a fine duet, but it paled in comparison to Lee and Crystal and their beautiful rendition of "Falling Slowly." And Jamie Foxx gave the exact same advice as last season. All caught up now?

On to the results!

We open with Fantasia. Yawn. Boring. She's a niche singer and it's not my niche of choice. And she's trying to look like Mary J. Blige.

Funny moment of the night: Host Ryan Seacrest promo'd the big Top Three Hometown Visits! With a stop at an AT&T store! Yippee! Sign me up! Maybe they can find that 3G coverage I'm supposed to have with my iPhone.

Doh! moment of the night: During the video montage of previous Hometown Visits, who should appear on screen but Taylor Hicks. Remember him, winner of Season 5, almost never to be seen or mentioned again by the Idol machine? That was the year Chris Daughtry went home in fourth place. Oh, wait, look who's performing later tonight!

A quick cut away to the family and friends of the Top Four, all sitting in the usual Idol bleachers. Hmmm, could be awkward for whoever ends up in fourth place.

Seacrest says the Top Four are in no particular order. But up first is Casey - who is safe. Noooooo!!!! I was so hoping he'd be going home. He's been the worst singer two weeks running now (at least). Thanks VFTW! Love ya'!

Now Daughtry debuts their new single, "September" from their second album, "Leave This Town." Which has gone to No. 1 on Billboard, and is still riding high on the charts. You hear that, people who voted for Taylor Hicks? The band was great, I heard they were great in Seattle on Sunday (missed it, still bitter about it). And I still wonder, what the heck were people thinking in Season 5????

Thanks to Daughtry's fourth-place finish, no one assumes a front-runner is safe now. Will that help Crystal or Lee?

Back to the Idols. Next up, Lee. Lee is going to Chicago! Oh wait, as my husband points out, is that Lee is going home, or Lee is GOING HOME?? Not so smooth, Seacrest. Lee is safe.

Time to ping pong back to the performances. Bon Jovi is the third and last of the night. It was fine, the sort of performance you expect from a band that "works hard" and has been around since the 1980s. Let that statement sink in and decide for yourself whether that is a good or a bad thing. There is dissent in my house on that issue.

FINALLY we get back to Crystal and Big Mike. And the third singer in the top three is - Crystal. Big Mike is finally going home, five weeks after being voted off and then saved. He sings his way out, does his two-handed wave to the crowd, stops to hug the judges, completely ignores Seacrest's attempts to get him back on stage, and becomes completely engrossed in conversation with Simon. Talking contract already, are we?

Don't forget to hug all the other contestants before you hug your distraught wife and crying baby girl. Was it just me or was he oozing arrogance and anger again?

Shout out to frequent flyer on the live chat, Austin, who was rooting for Mike. Who are you going with now? Please don't say Casey!