Four Ousted on American Idol

Two guys, two gals, four swan songs on Idol's first live results show of the season

So what if it hurts them?

Ryan Seacrest plowed through American Idol's top 24 nevertheless Thursday, weeding out the four unlucky hopefuls who received the fewest votes of the bunch this week.

There were a few "wha...!" moments as judgment was passed, but overall, America got it pretty right after being given a multitude of deserving candidates to not vote for.

But no one wants to be the first to go...

Sadly, that distinction fell to 24-year-old Janell Wheeler, who picked exactly the wrong song when she tried to tackle Heart's "What About Love" on Tuesday.

The tune was too big for her, and she obviously received little love for her efforts.

But yes, Idol still makes the castoffs sing the songs that got them booted in the first place, so we had to hear it again, along with three other misfires.

Ashley Rodriguez, who couldn't have been too surprised after doing a disservice to Leona Lewis' "Happy," was next to go and offered up what had to be one of the angriest "thank you's" we've seen in a long time.

"Well, I'm gonna sing a song," she informed Ryan when he asked what she was thinking.

Also out is 20-year-old Tyler Grady, who miscalculated how far his mop-top would take him by choosing to scream his way through the first week with "American Woman."

Overall, America saved its slap in the face for Joe Muñoz, who garnered some of the few words of praise dished out by the judges last night for his vocal on Jason Mraz's "You and I Both."

Meaning, Tim Urban, who Simon Cowell may as well have smacked with a ruler, gets to stay another week. The Brit did predict that the voters might feel sorry for the last-minute top 24 replacement, but we certainly didn't expect a Tim-Joe swap.

And neither did Tim, apparently, who looked positively stunned when he was told to sit back down.

Aside from all the bloodletting, Kris Allen, fresh from a relief trip to Haiti on behalf of the resurgent Idol Gives Back initiative, and Allison Iraheta, rocking bright red curls, both performed tonight, as well.

The top 20 resume performing for your votes next week.