The American Idol judges decided against saving Erika Van Pelt last week, a decision she said left her feeling shafted. Unless the judges use their save, another contestant will be leaving us tonight.

But first we'll have our usual commentary by the voice of reason, Jimmy Iovine, as well as performances from Nicki Minaj and Idol Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery. That is, if we can ever get through the advertisements for Ford, the upcoming Aerosmith Global Warming tour, and watching the Top 9 flip out over tiny pantries, closets bigger than my house, and bidets in the Idol mansion.

American Idol Top 9

Elise Testone, Phillip Phillips, and Hollie Cavanagh take the stage first. Jimmy says Elise did herself a lot of good last night and totally agrees with me that Elise being older than the other female contestants is working in her favor. She's got the charisma and ability to command an audience that some of the other girls don't have. Jimmy thinks Phillip is on his way to being a "big, big star" and that Hollie is too technical and lacks experience, emotion, and soul. I think Jimmy is the smartest man I've heard speak on this show in two years.

One of my predictions from last night has come true. Hollie is in the bottom three. The lack of connection has definitely hurt her. Phillip is safe and so is Elise. Neither of which is shocking after their respective throwing down of the gauntlets yesterday.

Nicki Minaj almost had a Janet Jackson-esque wardrobe malfunction with all the jumping around she did during her performance of "Starships." J.Lo's body language after Nicki Minaj's performance says that La Diva Latina wasn't amused. She especially wasn't amused when Nicki asked to guest judge and insinuated that J.Lo would need to scoot over. Or maybe she's just feeling superior about her ability to keep her goods under wraps against all odds in ways that other female performers can't seem to figure out.