13 becomes 11: a SIMULBLOG!...

Twists and turns and executions. Oh My! And it's gonna be a kill two dreams with one episode!

Kelly Clarkson is scheduled to show up and of course we're all waiting on pins and needles to find out what the producers have in mind this week to shake the format of this season's show.

Because THIS is American Idol, and this is a SIMULBLOG, where I'm typing as the action is unfolding on the East Coast, with a publish at every commercial, so if you don't want to be spoiled, now's the time to go visit somewhere other than here. But come back to share your thoughts in the comment thread.

Because the show is getting ready to start...

Well obviously they're backing out on their promise to shorten the Wednesday result shows to 30 minutes, because our first execution is scheduled for the full hour. Guess it takes longer to whack two than it does just to eliminate one.

Ryan says 33 million votes were called in, the most ever at this stage of the show. Of course it could be that half of them were people misdialing trying to get through to that sex line that caused Alexis to get that weird number.

Ryan explains the new rule. They're giving the judges one - and only one- save for the season. Ryan invokes the names of Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry. It requires a unanimous vote from the panel, and once it's been used, the deal is over. If the judges use the "get out of elimination free" card, no one will leave, but a double elimination will follow the next week.

Or at least I think that's how it goes.

And we get a medley of Jackson 5 hits. Sounds decent. Looks terrible. Scott's the best dancer of the group.
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I gotta get this off my chest. What on earth makes them think I'm going to sit through the commercials just to see a snippet of somebody's audition? If I wanted to watch the auditions, I would have watched them when they ran in January. There. I feel better.

We get a retrospective of last night's performances, followed by chit chat and the Crappy Ford Commercial.

Ryan starts with Michael Sarver. He is reminded of his reviews and is told that he's safe.

Allison is next. She's safe too.

It's Jasmine's turn. She does not look pleased. And for good reason. Ryan sends her to the seal.

Matt G. is told to stand and starts heading to join Jasmine. He's told to sit down, because he's not going anywhere.

Time for Kris. Megan is also told to stand. Kris is told to sit; Megan is told to join Jasmine. One of them is safe; the other isn't. Megan gets sent back to the sofa.

Jasmine is heading home and Ryan pretends like the judges might actually pull out their safe card. Meanwhile, she has to sing the song that sunk her.

Sometimes this show sucks.

Randy breaks the news that she is, indeed, finally gone. She cries like any teenager would.
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Random thought: I watched Milk last night. Fabulous film. Well-deserved Oscar for Sean Penn.

It's time for Kanye West to sing. And he did.
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Time to start killing people again.

Scott is told to stand. He is safe.

Alexis' turn. She's safe too.

Danny is told to stand. The tension mounts... Danny is safe. Whew. That was close.

Time for Anoop. And he starts walking to the stage before even being told to.

Adam is told to stand. Tension mounts again. Adam barely gets through. Whew. Another close one.

Jorge and Lil are left. Jorge gets his reviews and then Lil. Jorge is sent to join Anoop.
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It's time for Kelly! Ryan says every week another Idol alum will be returning. That's great to hear. Note to Idol Producers: It is possible to assassinate one person's dreams, do a crappy group sing, show a crappy Ford commercial AND hear a performance from an alum in one half hour. Really. It is.
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Anoop and Jorge wait center stage. Anoop is told he's safe, sending Jorge to join Jasmine at the garbage heap of last-place Idol finishers.

He gets to sing the song that killed him while the judges "discuss" whether to throw him a lifeline. I think we all know how that's gonna turn out.

Simon sums it up with a "no." So long Jorge.

See you next week.