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Car-mercial

Featuring the Idols singing that Pat Benatar classic, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", dressed in dorky pastel golf outfits. Bucky is featured prominently. This makes me uneasy.

Ace to Ryan: That's the first time I've ever worn pink
Ryan to Ace: I've done it many times. I'm still alive.

Elliott, Ace, Bucky and Paris sit on the bottom couch. Oh man, I could see this one coming down Sixth Avenue: Elliott and Ace are Bottom 3. It's between Bucky and Paris for the third spot. Of course, Bucky is sent to the seal.

In the meantime, we hear about Elliott's various illnesses as a kid and notice that Elliott and his mom are very close. We hear Ace Young's impossibly adorable brothers rag on their youngest sibling. Ace is already crying at the end of his segment.

After Elliott and Ace are sent to the seal, Ryan asks the judges what they think. Randy seems irked that Elliott's bottom three. Ace says sarcastically to the judges after Ryan quotes Simon saying, "I really really hated it."--"Thanks guys, I love you too." Once Ace is on the seal, Simon reiterates his Total Hatred for Ace's performance. Then, the contestants are asked to perform. Elliott seems surprised by this--or maybe he was just overcome with emotion. Yeah, probably the latter. Elliott sounds unbelievably awesome on what could be his final "singout"--as contestants, who loosen up when they believe they have nothing to lose often do. Ace performs better too--he sounds much stronger.

Elimination

We come back after break with Bucky and Paris Bennett left to learn their respective fates. In Bucky's clip, we hear how his Idol run has brought excitement to his economically depressed hometown. Paris's segment features her young mom, (I'll bet she's about 30) and learn that Paris gave up singing for a little while. Bucky comforts a crying Paris as her clip ends.

Bucky is sent to the seal. The audience is absolutely quiet. The entire time, Bucky is smiling. He performs a good singout. Afterward, Ryan asks Simon who he thinks will be eliminated. Simon says, "Based on last night's performance-Ace." Ryan says, "Ready guys?" Bucky says, "No". Whaddaya think Ryan? Sheesh.

Finally, we find out that Bucky's singout is truly his last performance, as Ryan announces his elimination. Through it all, Bucky continues to smile.