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American Idol Nukes 4 more

American Idol voters have dashed the dreams of four more aspiring singers.

After receiving the least number of the more than 42 million votes cast, Brenna Gethers, Heather Cox, David Radford and Jose “Sway” Penala were sent home from the talent search Thursday, leaving 16 contestants still in the running to become the next Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia or Carrie.
And just in case those remaining contestants had any question about the sheer magnificence of life as America’s Idol, last season’s winner herself, Carrie Underwood, returned to the set of the reality show to perform her hit single “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and gush about her dreamlike existence.

“It’s been absolutely fabulous,” Underwood said of life after Idol. “I’ve totally gotten to do everything I ever wanted and then some, and I’m just trying to stay there as long as I can.”

After the country crooner said her piece, leaving the season five hopefuls virtually drooling with envy, it was time to get down to the business of eliminations.

Simon Cowell proved correct in his assessment of Gethers’ performance of “Last Dance” during Tuesday’s show, claiming it was her “last chance.”

The 25-year-old New Yorker received the lowest number of votes among the female contestants and was the first to get the boot.

But Gethers wasn’t cowed by the results. “Get ready for my album,” she crowed as she departed.

Cowell also accurately predicted Cox’s demise, after equating her performance of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” to “a ghastly pageant moment.”

“I’m going home to my goats,” the 22-year-old North Carolina native announced. (Um, okay.)

Cox’s ousting took the pressure off of Kinnik Sky, whose rollicking rendition of Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party” earned her the final spot in the bottom three.

Next came the moment of truth for the male contestants. David Radford, 17, was the first to fall, thanks to his lackluster performance of “The Way You Look Tonight,” which Randy Jackson said “bored” him during Wednesday’s show.

Radford seemed resigned to his fate. “I’m going to be happy to go home and hang out with my friends,” he said.

As Radford sang his goodbyes, he was joined onstage by his teary-eyed peers, who were either sorry to see him go or weeping with joy at their own good fortune.

Penala and Kevin Covais occupied the remaining two spots in the bottom three–a result that left Jackson “really shocked.”

In the end, it was Penala’s performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” that apparently underwhelmed viewers, resulting in his exit from the show.

“It’s been a fun ride for me,” said the 28-year-old San Francisco native, who faced down a potential eligibility scandal earlier in the season. “Hopefully, you’ll see me again later on.”

The four eliminated contestants came close to missing their chance to say a final farewell to Paula Abdul, who was almost a no-show for the filming of Thursday’s live telecast, due to travel complications.

Abdul was reportedly rushing to make a flight back to Los Angeles from Las Vegas when she was mobbed by fans at the airport. In the struggle to detangle the petite judge from the adoring masses, she was apparently escorted to her gate without clearing security, forcing the entire plane to submit to rescreening upon landing at the Burbank airport.

Abdul’s rep stressed that the “Forever Your Girl” singer was not to blame for the security breach, which was the result of poor planning by Southwest Airlines.

Fortunately, Abdul managed to arrive on the Idol set in time to take her usual spot between Jackson and Cowell. We’re guessing that next time she’ll opt for more luxurious travel accommodations.

In its fifth season, American Idol continues to rack up monster ratings, easily beating out rival programming doomed to the same time slot.

On Thursday, Idol attracted its biggest audience for a results show ever, with 26.2 million viewers tuning in, according to Fox.

Next week marks the final round of separate competition nights for the male and female contestants. After the next round of eliminations, Idol returns to a two-night schedule, with all 12 finalists performing one night, followed by the results show the next night.

The season finale is scheduled for May 24.

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