Michael Lynche's second chance at claiming American Idol's ninth-season title has ended.

ADVERTISEMENT

Five weeks after the show's judges saved him from elimination via the use of their one-time "The Judges' Save" viewer-vote override, American Idol eliminated Lynche and determined its Top 3 ninth-season finalists during Wednesday night's live results show broadcast on Fox.

Lynche, a 26-year-old personal trainer from Astoria, NY, became the ninth finalist ousted from American Idol's ninth-season competition after he received the fewest home viewer votes following Tuesday night's live performance show that saw the Top 4 finalists be mentored by Jamie Foxx and perform songs from the movies.

"It's been unbelievable man, unbelievable," Lynche said after American Idol host Ryan Seacrest announced his ouster.

"I just sit here right now and think I wasn't even supposed to be here, you know.  Thank god the judges saved me and I got to spend more time here and be with the people performing for my wife.  It's all good man."

Almost 37 million votes -- a season high -- were cast following Tuesday night's performance show, according to Seacrest.

"Do not stop, keep going.  Write great songs, record great songs, and above all, go out and sing your heart out every night.  Keep gigging because you've got it in you," American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi advised Lynche after his elimination.

"This is a jump-off.  Keep it going now," Randy Jackson said as all four Idol judges hugged and shook hands with Lynche.

"I'll see you tomorrow on [my daytime talk] show," Ellen DeGeneres told Lynche.

"Sorry it didn't work out for you Michael," Simon Cowell added.

In addition to Lynche's elimination, the results show broadcast also included performances by third-season American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, fifth-season American Idol fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry, and Bon Jovi.

Crystal Bowersox was the other Idol finalist still on stage and in danger of elimination prior to the announcement of Lynche's ouster, however Seacrest did not refer to the pair as this week's bottom two vote-getters and noted he was revealing the voting results "in no particular order."

Lynche -- who had been the surviving member of last week's bottom two vote-getters and was also among the previous week's bottom three vote-getters -- had performed Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There" to lackluster reviews from the judges during Tuesday night's show.

"I don't know what's quite going on tonight... I didn't love this for you either man," Jackson told Lynche afterwards.  "It was just alright for me.  It didn't really take off ever, and it started kind of rough."

"I think it was a little bit predictable.  That's the only thing I'll say about the performance," DeGeneres said.

"I know you have more and you played it safe.  What you did tonight, you could do in your sleep.  I want you to go back to those [great earlier] moments," DioGuardi said.

"What you just did, it doesn't make sense.  It's that same point again, I think that you could have chosen -- there's thousands and thousands of songs," Cowell said.  "Look, at least -- at least -- you gave it a 100% and I kind of felt that you meant it."

In addition to Bowersox, Lee Dewyze and Casey James are the other finalists still in the running for American Idol's ninth-season title.
About The Author: Steven Rogers

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS