There was so little content in this elimination episode that on top of the group sing-along (which HAD to have been pre-recorded; is this new, or have I just been ignorant for, like, years?), the drawn-out results, the Ford commercial, and not one but TWO dreary country performances, we still had filler featuring the aftermath of last week's ouster of Jasmine and Jorge. And, really? They were worth that much consideration? They were voted out in WEEK ONE! We really needed a five-plus-minute segment about how everyone was so sad to see them go? Please, please, please -- go to a half-hour for the results shows. These things are death.

The results themselves weren't that shocking. Allison, Michael, and Alexis ended up in the Bottom 3 (I had predicted something similar, just with Lil for Michael), and Alexis ultimately got the boot. I like Alexis, I think she's a good singer, but she wasn't generating any heat whatsoever. She's definitely a better singer than at least two of the people still in the competition (ahem, Michael and Megan), but I don't think she really ever solidified a fanbase. The judges said they were toying with giving her their once-per-season reprieve -- which I think would have been a total waste since there are definitely more than five people on this show who are more deserving, and will need it at some point in the not-too-distant future -- but ultimately her encore of "Jolene" didn't persuade them. (If they were even serious about commuting her sentence at all, which I'm dubious about.) The truth is, it was pretty rough, much weaker than Tuesday's run. I wonder if Megan passed along her flu to the rest of the contestants.

I was sad to see Allison in danger, but not surprised. Again, decent singer, not a real vote generator. But she might get a boost from her near-exit for the next couple weeks. The real kicker was that Sarver ended up in the Bottom 2 on COUNTRY NIGHT, the one theme week that he should have dominated. This is what he does! This is his style! And he nearly went home. The truth is, he SHOULD have gone home. But he's still getting that heartland vote, and he'll probably escape elimination next week now that his fans have gotten a little scare. But man did he look pissed when Seacrest sent him to the naughty chairs...

Next week: Motown.�