By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 5/3/07 – The Final Four. Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson were voted off “American Idol,” and not even President Bush can veto it. Though in a taped plea for donations to the poor he joked he might sing himself, so perhaps America will have a chance to vote him off one day.

Randy told bald dude Phil his rendition of Bon Jovi rocker “Blaze of Glory” was “his best performance ever,” and polite Paula said it was his “best this season.” But Simon was the one who reflected the 135 million votes counted in the last two weeks. Simon said he sung it like “a bad actor.” America agreed and he went down in uh, a blaze of glory.

Chris, the Justin Timberlake-looking guy, was told by Randy “he owned the song” he sung, “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Simon commented he “did his best with that song.” Voters wanted him dead.

Or at least off the show, he’ll be touring with the other finalists soon enough.

Blake is now the one male left in the competition, along with three robust ladies. But still the chasm between great karaoke singers and true performers has been more evident in the last few weeks of superstar appearances than before. Jon Bon Jovi showed why he sold 75 million records by demonstrating the old rock technique of the slow, quiet build to a big rock finish. Annie Lennox did the same recently topped off by a vocal range not possible in humans. Celine Dion did a casually pitch perfect special effect duet with an Elvis Presley tape.

One thing the stars had in common was understated, almost quiet performances that knocked your socks off. No fake gesturing, pained looks, scrunched faces or posturing. They cooly delivered nothing but net.

The on-again American Idol songwriting contest is winding to a hasty conclusion after the nearly dead tune showdown was resuscitated in recent weeks. More than 25,000 submissions have been whittled down to 20 lucky tunesmiths that can be voted for on Americanidol.com. Ryan Seacrest confirmed on-air that the winning songwriter will have their song performed in the finale of the show and released by this year’s Idol winner.

And then there were four.