Ray Mickshaw / FOX17 Again synergy was in full force tonight as American Idol tried to shrink to six.
Along with guest mentor Quentin Tarantino, Zac Efron was in the audience to witness Wednesday's elimination, which was supposed to come after the Top Seven plied their would-be trade at songs from the movies.
In keeping with the theme, the show provided a Hollywood ending: The judges' save came into play tonight, meaning the contestant who was going to be eliminated based on America's votes is around for at least another week.
"Matt, it's good news," Simon Cowell informed Matt Giraud, who didn't do anything magical with his encore of Bryan Adams' "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman," but was too far embedded in the hearts of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi to be forced out just yet.
But Simon, who before the big reveal had rambled on about not being able to picture Matt winning the competition, didn't let the welcome-back party get too out of hand.
"I wouldn't be so quick to congratulate him," he interjected when Matt's fellow contestants swarmed him for a group hug.
"Two people are going home next week now. And next week is disco week."
[Cue Jaws theme.]
Right before Matt sang, Ryan Seacrest informed Lil Rounds she was "going to have to endure the competition one more week, at least."
Lil's appearance in the bottom three was expected, considering she's been turning up week after week with songs that have showcased her technical skills but left the judges—and apparently a hefty portion of 36 million voters—emotionally cold.
Bottom-three returnee Anoop Desai was dragged into limbo for the third time, but was squired to safety before an evening-gown-clad Miley Cyrus went onstage, leaving his fellow struggling hopefuls, Lil and Matt, to sweat out a performance of "The Climb."
First up, however, Allison Iraheta didn't have to wait around—a night after Simon called her "the girls' only hope left in this competition," she was the first to be ushered to the safety stools by Ryan Seacrest.
Adam Lambert, who disappointed some but thoroughly thrilled others with "Born to Be Wild," received similar treatment from the reaper, er, Ryan. When Seacrest asked Adam whether he was insulted by Simon comparing his performance to something out of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the musical-theater enthusiast unsurprisingly said no.
"I think that's a great movie!" Adam said cheerfully.
Safe once again were Danny Gokey, who seemingly can do no wrong in America's eyes, and Kris Allen, who took a chance with the indie tune "Falling Slowly" but then, according to Kara, had one of his "best moments."
Meanwhile, Idol also-ran turned Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson showed 'em all how it's done with her new song "If This Isn't Love." (Verdict: she sounded great.)
Well, you heard Simon. There will be a double elimination next Wednesday and, before that, a little Tuesday-night fever.
(Originally published April 15, 2009, at 7:37 p.m. PT)