An estimated 23.8 million people watched Tuesday's American Idol IV Top Five 2005 competition.

Before it was revealed who would be eliminated from this week's contest, Bo Bice, Scott Savol, Vonzell Solomon, Carrie Underwood and Anthony Fedorov sang a song written and made famous by Simon and Garfunkel in 1970 that Clay Aiken and Michael W. Smith put back on the charts all over again, thirty years later.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters from Smith's Healing Rain album had previously been Simon and Garfunkel's biggest success.

Simon and Garfunkel's 1970 swan song won six Grammy awards, including Record, Album, and Song of the Year.

Michael W. Smith brought Simon & Garfunkel's song back into the limelight last October 2004 after Smitty decided to return to his pop/rock roots.

The Captain of The Dawg Pound Brings It

Then, Bo Bice & Company did a nice job on Wednesday night of introducing or re-introducing the hit to another 20+ million people.

Bo Bice's vocals were "shining" so bright during Wednesday's quintet he had to wear his LK sunglasses again.

The Captain of The Dawg Pound, as Randy Jackson knighted Bice on Tuesday, brought it on Wednesday.

It was the "one shining moment" of the night - to steal a turn of phrase from CBS' coverage of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

The Top Five contestants then did a clever song / Ford ad that looks like it was shot in Pasadena.

Host Ryan Seacrest said, "The more you get to know them the harder it is to see them go."

The Elimination

Seacrest shook it up a little bit by offering Anthony Fedorov and Scott Savol a seat on the couch - insinuating that they were "safe".

The reality was that Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood and Vonzell Solomon could stand strong. In fact, the three contestants left standing next to Seacrest were in the "Top Three" this week.

American Idol Judges & Host

Judge Randy Jackson promptly affirmed America's "Top Three" choices.

Anthony and Scott were invited to sing what was for one of them their "swan song."

Anthony's performance was much stronger than Scott's. Anthony sang Incomplete.

Say "Oh 'Bye' O" to Savol

Judge Simon Cowell considered Scott's second Tuesday night performance his best ever. Savol sang Everytime You Go Away.

Unfortunately, for Scott, the kudos were not enough to keep him in the competition.

On Wednesday, May 4th 2005, Scott Savol learned he would not make it to the Top Four.

However, "Scotty The Body" lasted a lot longer than people expected.

The Shaker Heights contestant left on shaky ground when the legitimacy of the votes he was receiving came into question.

Upon his departure he again sang George Benson's "On Broadway".

Our seven year-old determined that it was better that Scott was a "goner" rather than Anthony, especially since it was Anthony's birthday.

Happy Birthday Anthony!

Scott, you will be remembered as the guy that millions loved -- and still do.

Congratulations Anthony, Bo, Carrie and Vonzell.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "final four" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

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