The American Idol Countdown Continues, Four Go Home This Week  2/24/06

THE COUNTDOWN TO THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL CONTINUES; FOUR GO HOME AND THE REST KEEP ON SINGING!

BOBBY BENNETT, PATRICK HALL, BECKY O’DONOHUE AND STEVIE SCOTT ELIMINATED FROM THE “American Idol” COMPETITION TOP 10 GIRLS TAKE THE STAGE NEXT TUESDAY, FEB. 28, FOLLOWED BY THE TOP 10 GUYS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1; FOUR MORE GO HOME ON THE THURSDAY RESULTS SHOW, MARCH 2 ON FOX

The record-breaking fifth season of American Idol continues to sing, with nearly 40 million votes cast after Tuesday and Wednesday’s performance shows. American Idol delivered its most heart-wrenching episode this season as the four semifinalists – two females and two males – who received the lowest number of votes were eliminated from the competition. It was revealed last night that the American Idol journey ended for Bobby Bennett, Patrick Hall, Becky O’Donohue and Stevie Scott. Bennett, from Denver, CO, sang “Copacabana,” while Hall, of Gravette, AR, sang “Come To My Window.” O’Donohue, who currently lives in Dobbs Ferry, NY, entertained the audience with “Because the Night,” and Scott, from Fair Oaks, CA, sang “To Where You Are.”

Next week, the Top 10 girls (Paris Bennett, Ayla Brown, Heather Cox, Brenna Gethers, Mandisa, Kinnik Sky, Melissa McGhee, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker) will take the stage once again, singing for America on Tuesday, Feb. 28 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT). Then it’s the guys’ turn, as the Top 10 boys (Kevin Covais, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Will Makar, Gedeon McKinney, Jose “Sway” Penala, David Radford, Elliott Yamin, Ace Young) perform in hopes of winning America’s vote on Wednesday, March 1 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT). Tune in the following night to see who receives enough votes to stay in the competition, and who goes home. Another two males and two females will be eliminated on the live results show Thursday, March 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Go to AmericanIdol.com for all of your American Idol news. Check out the photos from the different audition cities, along with special, behind-the-scenes information on American Idol.

-FOX-