Wednesday's Idol: What You Didn't See
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Say What?! When Ryan Seacrest announced that Sanjaya Malakar was going home on Wednesday's show, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe gasped with surprise as he turned to Simon Cowell. The rest of the Idols were there to support a tearful Sanjaya: the remaining Top 6 made their way over to their fallen pal for one final group embrace. And after the 17-year-old singer's final performance, Randy Jackson came onstage to shake hands and give him a hug goodbye, all the members of the house band walked over to wish him well and members of the crowd screamed, "We love you, Sanjaya!," prompting him to flash his famous smile one last time before leaving the stage.
Timed Out: Each week, the judges have been getting closer and closer to missing that mark when the stage manager starts to count down 30 seconds to airtime. On Wednesday, Paula Abdul – who had cut it about as close as one can previous times – finally did and was only halfway to her seat as Ryan Seacrest introduced the show. Lucky for her, the host kept his focus on the task at hand as she subtly tiptoed by just a few feet away and squeezed into her chair.
Famous Fans: Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith weren't the only celebrities in the house on Wednesday. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation''s Eric Szmanda and Justin Long (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, The Break-Up) thrilled three female audience members when they sat next to them in the audience. Both guys were great sports, signing autographs, taking photos and having a blast to boot, dancing and clapping right along with the rest of the audience during Martina McBride's performance. Also showing his Idol love: Heroes star James Kyson Lee, who plays Masi Oka's loyal pal.
Tsk, Tsk: When Ryan Seacrest tried to make Melinda Doolittle choose which of the two Idol groups (Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson or Sanjaya, LaKisha Jones and Blake Lewis) was the night's bottom three, Randy Jackson turned to producer Nigel Lythgoe during the commercial break and shook his finger in shame at the man who orchestrated the stunt – and had been lining up the Idols just moments before onstage.
Bucky in the House! Season 5 finalist Bucky Covington, who countrified last season with his vocal stylings, was in the house – and the judges were happy to see him (Randy even gave him a high five). Other former Idols there for country night: season 4's Amanda Avula and season 3's Matt Rogers, who was greeted by an excited fan screaming, "You rock, Matt!"
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