TVSquad

(S06E31) Tonight's episode starts with Simon Cowell setting the record straight about that unfortunate eyerolling V-Tech incident from last night. A sincere and apologetic Simon says, "I may not be the nicest person in the world, but I would never ever ever disrespect those families or those victims."

And then, to verify that Simon was talking to Paula about Chris' nasally singing and didn't hear what Chris said, they show us footage we didn't see on air last night. And the defense rests their case in the courtroom of public opinion. Ryan echoes what I said in my post earlier, that there would be less confusion, if Simon chatted less, and listened more during the show.

But enough about all that unpleasant business. Is Sanjaya going home or what?

After a whole lot of other nonsense, Ryan gets down to business, splitting the finalists into two groups (a top, and bottom).

GROUP ONE: SANJAYA, LaKISHA, BLAKE

GROUP TWO: PHIL, JORDIN, CHRIS

Ryan takes MELINDA to the middle of the stage and tells her that she is safe. Then he tells her to join the group she thinks is safe this week. Poor Mindydoo can't be mean. She just plops herself down in the middle of the stage. So Ryan tells her to slide on over to Group Two.

What the heck? Blake AND LaKisha are both in the bottom three? I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.

Randy can't believe it either. He says, "Dawg, I think it's crazy that Blake is up there." Paula thinks they all should be proud. But she understands why "two of you are up there." Simon grins ear-to-ear, saying, "I'm beginning to sense something here."

After Martina's performance and a lot more nonsense, we find out that Blake is safe. It's SANJAYA vs. LaKISHA. Kiki looks pissed, and frankly, I think she might kick the SanMan's butt if she's booted before him.

Ryan tells us there were 38 million votes, and "Lakisha rolls on, Sanjaya heads out."

Holy crud. It FINALLY happened. Sanjaya's "Reign of Terror" is over. I'm thrilled, yet deflated at the same time. We've spent so much energy focusing on Sanjaya and his hair -- and now, it's over. Just like that. Without a warning. The Sanjaya Storm blew into our lives out of nowhere and now it's gone. I should be happy, but I sense things are going to get a little less interesting without Sanjaya.

Ryan says, "I promise you -- we won't soon forget you. We're glad you were here this season."

Sanjaya sings his farewell song, and even throws in a little humor at the end, singing "Let's give them something to talk about -- other than HAIR." The kid's all right. And I think he's going to be more than all right. I wouldn't be surprised if the kid ends up with his own show on Disney or Nickelodeon. I'm fairly certain this isn't the last we've heard of Sanjaya.

Other highlights:

• Martina McBride: As promised, Martina sings "Anyway." There are no pyrotechnics this week. It's just a simple, straightforward, no frills performance. I'm not a country music fan, but I think she has a beautiful voice. She seems real too, like she's a nice, down-to-earth person. Her daughter, Emma, is cute, and holds her own against Ryan, practically stealing the show. Emma tells the finalists that "everybody's really really good." Without missing a beat, Ryan responds, "Thanks Paula."
  

• Fergie: The woman who brought us the instant classic "My Humps" performs "Big Girls Don't Cry." And I know they make this look live, but I'm assuming it isn't because when Akon performed last week it was pre-recorded. If you look closely during Fergie's performance, you can see that Randy is clearly wearing a white shirt, but tonight he has on a magenta T-shirt. And of course, Fergie finishes up and waves to the audience, and Ryan does not come on stage to chat her up -- because she isn't there. Not sure this matters, but I think it's odd that they don't let the folks at home know that some of the performances have been pre-recorded.

• Group Performance: The kids sing Jo Dee Messina's "I'm All Right." Blake and Chris seem to be shouting during their parts. The solos actually don't work very well. I think they sound better when they're singing as a group.

• Ford Music Video: This week's vid features "I Ran" (The Flock of Seagulls), a spy theme, oh yeah, and some Ford vehicles. Actually, I think SpyJaya looks good.
  

• Idol Gives Back Update: Ryan calls next Wednesday's event "the most important event in American Idol history." He lists the long name of stars again, and then give us this BIG TEASE: Two mystery mega-stars will perform a duet "you'll have to see to believe." Start guessing. Bono and Madonna? Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey? Paul McCartney and Paula Abdul? Meatloaf and Kat McPhee? Captain and Tennille?

• Celebrity Sightings: There's Bucky Covington (or his twin brother). And behind him I spot Antonio Banderas, his daughter Stella, and Melanie Griffith. And wait, is that DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg? It is, I would recognize him anywhere. In fact, five years ago, I spotted him at a Lakers game eating a McFlurry while nobody else seemed to recognize him. Am I the only Katzenberg fan in America?
  

• Shrek the Third: The finalists were invited to a private advanced screening of DreamWorks' latest Shrek flick. Okay, now it all makes sense. That's why Katzenberg and Banderas are in the audience.

• Other bits I could do without: 1) Ryan out and about interviewing people outside the Kodak Theater. 2) The finalists talking about the music they're listening to while getting their hair done. 3) The Idol Challenge question that is so easy a caveman could answer it.
  

And that's it. Sanjaya is gone. I know, it still hasn't sunk in, has it? Seriously, what the heck are we all gonna talk about now? How about we say "Goodbya to Sanjaya" on a positive note? After all, according to the divine Diana Ross -- "Sanjaya is Love."

Next Week: Tuesday (April 24) The Top 6 Finalists sing "Life Anthems." Wednesday (April 25) A 2-Hour Star-Studded Idol Gives Back Charity Event.

For more Idol coverage, check out People.com.

And vote for your favorite finalist in AOL's poll.