Michael Lynche
"American Idol" The result was predictable although Ryan Seacrest, back to his 'I'm the most important person here role' managed to squeeze every last drop of suspense out of the situation before announcing 'Big' Michael Lynche had missed out on his parade appearance and was headed home.
Michael Lynche ended up in fourth-place finishing short of his first goal, a top-three finish and an appearance in his hometown - a parade in St. Petersburg, Fla.
But even though Lynche missed out it should be remembered he was the lowest vote-getter five weeks ago and would have finished ninth had he not received that once-a-season judges reprieve. It is also true he had been among the lowest vote-getters in each of the past two weeks, so the big guy knew he was walking a tightrope to survival.
Though it must be said Lynche was not the worst on Tuesday night that honour went to Casey James who it seemed was saved by his rather dodgy attempt to sing Mrs Robinson to Kara - still it worked.
To take some of the predictability out of the results show, "Idol" made sure every Crystal Bowersox fan had to endure a long wait as Ryan - god love him - had placed her along side Lynche, rigging the announcement of the results to cause maximum tension.
Indeed it was Casey James who was first announced safe, then Lee Dewyze who had an awful Tuesday solo performance trying to live up to Seal. Dewyze was the second singer who was sent to safety, leaving Bowersox and Lynche in the scary final moments onstage.
Did that mean Crystal was in the bottom two no - Ryan made a big point of saying the results were "in no particular order" Bowersox had the most votes so it was Ryan playing games, well tats our opinion anyway.
Previous winner Fantasia made an appearance and it must be said demonstrated to Siobhan Magnus how to produce that glass shattering scream at the end of a song.
Daughtry came back to remind everyone that although he finished fourth he was the only real success in season five - take note Michael Lynche before the less relevant Bon Jovi resurfaced to perform their latest offering.
So Bowersox, Dewyze and James head back to their respective home towns for the promised parade as Idol heads into its final fortnight.
Tagged in American Idol