TVSquad

Former American Idol contestant Bo Bice underwent more emergency intestinal surgery last Thursday. This is the third time he has had to go into the hospital for stomach problems. He had emergency surgery in August of last year, then went back into the hospital last December after coughing up blood. This surgery was rather serious. He has intussuception, which mostly occurs in kids.

This news comes at the same time we hear that Idol champ Reuben Studdard lost 100 pounds. What is it with American Idol contestants and stomach news?

Until tonight, the regular visits every season from past AI winners have been a good thing. The singers make a triumphant return to the stage where they got their start, and do a good job singing their latest (or future) single.

And now we come to Bo Bice. Ahem.

Was he sick or something? He sounded terrible. It was like a performance where viewers finally vote you off. If they had asked the judges what they thought of Bice's performance ("The Real Thing"), I think Simon would have been honest and said "I don't see how you made it so far, based on that performance," or "you were really off tonight," and probably even "you shouted that song tonight. It was your worst performance ever," which is exactly what I thought. Ugh, it just wasn't good. (Randy would have said something that included a couple "dawgs," and Paula would have just mumbled something about it being good and then would have knocked over her Coke cup).

And poor Peter Brady got voted off! I thought he'd at least make it far enough for his voice to start changing.

Finally. A reason to watch the American Idol results show. Tonight, Bo Bice makes a special appearance on the show that made him famous last year. He'll perform his new single, The Real Thing (no, it's not a Diet Coke ad). Bo's album of the same title is nearing platinum, with 550,000 copies sold. The video reached No. 1 this week on MTV's TRL. Will he wear shoes? Maybe. A shirt made by his grandmother? Probably. Will he call someone "cat"? Certainly.

After Bo's performance, four contestants will be booted off the show and we will finally have our Top 12 Finalists.