The time has finally arrived. Sanjaya Malakar was voted off American Idol last night and it’s about damn time. His talents are pretty good, but not good enough for this stage in the competition. You know it’s pretty bad when they interview people on the street and even they say Sanjaya should go home. And then you have Simon Cowell grinning from ear to ear to see Sanjaya in the bottom three. It’s getting to the point that I almost feel bad for the kid. But now he’s gone and we are all free to enjoy Idol again.

Joining Sanjaya in the bottom was Lakisha and Blake which wasn’t really a surprise. Lakisha’s performance lacked the greatness of her previous performances and Blake had a horrible song choice. When the Stars Go Blue is a good song, but only after you here it a few times. For those that heard it for the first time on Idol, they probably hated it. It took me a long time to warm up to the Tim McGraw version.

Fergie and Martina McBride also performed. Fergie sang Big Girls Don’t Cry and I liked the song. She’s got a powerful voice, to bad she doesn’t use it for all it’s worth. Instead she does that kind of rap thing that I dislike. But that’s a different topic. Fergie also looked like she got dressed in the dark. She’s a hot woman but didn’t look it on Idol.

Martina McBride on the other hand was steller. She sang Anyway and it really showcased her amazing voice. That lady is a good inspiration for the Idols and I’m glad they go to hear her sing!

Next up is Idol Gives Back! The star studded night where American Idol is raising money for those that need it. Details on that in an upcoming post.

But for now, American Idol is Sanjaya Free!

Here are a few stories from around the web:
- Is it actually possible that our long national nightmare is over?
- Sanjaya’s Going, Going, Gone
- America Idol’s Down to Six: Sanjaya finally goes home
- Hair He Goes: American Idol Sanjaya Malakar Loses
- American Idol: America Sends Sanjaya Home
- Many Many More

Country night is next up for our Idol contestants and the lovely and talented Martina McBride will be on hand to help them out.  What I really hope is that that they pick actual country songs, not the adult contemporary country songs.

Keith Urban, Shania and Faith Hill all have songs that have been big on the pop/adult contemporary charts.  These are great songs, but their not truly country.  They don’t have that twang and most listeners won’t even recognize the pop versions as country songs.

What I’d like to see is the contestants pick songs from Travis Tritt, Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich, Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson or Tim McGraw.  Granted some older Shania and Faith are very country and those would work too.

I’m just worried contestants will take the easy way out and not pick a song that’s that much different than what they are comfortable with.