Ryan Seacrest made sure to point out that, during last year's Idol Gives Back week, no finalist was sent home, leaving the number of contestants intact for the following week.
But Michael Johns could only "Dream On."
"If there's a song to go out on, that's not a bad one," the stoic Aussie rationalized about his Aerosmith-driven choice after hearing he, and not fellow bottom-three dwellers Syesha Mercado and Carly Smithson, had been eliminated Thursday.
Judgment day was put off for a night because of yesterday's second-annual star-studded Idol Gives Back special, which raised more than $60 million for charities benefiting impoverished children in the U.S. and Africa. (Less so far than last year's $76 million-plus extravaganza, but the phone lines were still open during Thursday's show.)
But only after the scythe-wielding Seacrest had toyed with the possibility that the 29-year-old heartthrob might be sticking around despite having the lowest number of votes did he finally inform Johns that all had been sang and done.
"I'm definitely surprised," said the native of Perth, Australia.
And so was TiVo, which had predicted earlier, based on the number of fast-forwards during Mercado's performance of Fantasia's "I Believe," that the big-voiced 21-year-old was on the chopping block.
"For the past four weeks running, the person with the lowest viewership as recorded by TiVo subscribers has been voted to go home," the company said in a statement Thursday.
But despite making another bad song choice that set her up for yet another comparison to a far more accomplished singer, Mercado still has the chance to be fast-forwarded through, rewound, rewatched and paused to viewers' hearts content next week.
Same with Smithson, despite what Simon Cowell called an "angry" rendition of Queen's "The Show Must Go On."
Good as gold, however, were David Archuleta, who returned to form by accompanying himself on the piano as he sweetly sang Robbie Williams' "Angels," and Jason Castro, who was tops among E! Online readers, at least, after breaking out the ukulele for Hawaiian artist Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
So pretty.
Good to middling, meanwhile, were Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White and David Cook.
Kristy Lee found herself in unfamiliar territory—outside the bottom three—Thursday after turning in what was probably her best performance of the competition, a faithful rendition of Martina McBride's "Anyway."
White continues to turn in pleasant but ultimately dull performances, Tuesday night taking on the Carole King-penned "You've Got a Friend."
Cook, on the other hand, didn't do himself justice with what was ultimately the least-enjoyable song of the night, "Innocent" by Our Lady Peace.
But despite a few hiccups, the charitable votes thrown their ways were at least in keeping with the theme of the week—Idol Gives Back (so perhaps Cook will reciprocate with a proper song next time).
Wednesday's 2 1/2-hour lovefest included taped and in-theater appearances by Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Miley Cyrus, California first lady Maria Shriver, NBA star Kobe Bryant, Teri Hatcher, David and Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel and countless others.
Other taped bits that didn't make it into the main event, including messages from presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John MCain, supplemented the usual elimination-night fare this evening.
Next week, the top seven finalists will croon to the tune of Mariah Carey's No. 1 hits—of which there are now more to choose from than there were on Elvis week, thanks to her latest, "Touch My Body"—with the help of guest mentor Mimi herself.
We can only hope Syesha will finally get us feeling some "Emotions," Carly will sound as sweet as "Honey," David Cook will regain his "Dreamlover" status and it will be "One Sweet Day" for all of them. (We'd go on, but "Make It Happen" only hit No. 5 on the charts.)