At this point, Lauren and Scotty are officially fighting over the same voting segment. They've been doing it all season -- but the purse for this prizefight is a pass into the F2. There's a good chance their battle will split the vote enough to let Haley go sailing through.

So how do they ensure their survival? Well, over the seasons, we've seen there's one guaranteed way to make yourself fit with a given segment: wrap yourself in a flag, stand on the steps of a church, and (optionally) call someone a socialist. (Probably Randy.) But we've never had two contestants pulling all of their tricks out of matching bags this late in the game. Both of them only know one way to get their votes up -- and ironically, it's the same one.

How do they step up their game from here? How can they be more Perceived Country Christian? How they can sing songs that are even more patriotic? How in the name of California safety commissions are they going to get a circa 1862 functional cannon on the stage?

Post your suggestions here. They need all the help they can get.

I know 'throw Ryan off a cliff' sounds good, but you really have to save that for the finale.

• RE: No, I love Jesus and America more!,zazzy, 03:27 PM, 05-13-11
• Remember...,emydi, 03:33 PM, 05-13-11
  • RE: Remember...,Estee, 03:56 PM, 05-13-11
    • RE: Remember...,frodis, 04:11 PM, 05-13-11
      • RE: Remember...,Estee, 04:27 PM, 05-13-11
        • RE: Remember...,frodis, 12:08 PM, 05-17-11
          • RE: Remember...,Estee, 12:17 PM, 05-17-11
• This might work.,Estee, 03:57 PM, 05-13-11
• Bump.,Estee, 09:25 PM, 05-19-11

I posted on the other thread that I had expected someone to sing God Bless the USA. Guess they are saving it for next week.

New thought-slight thread hijack, apologies, has Lauren been coached to play up the insecure, vulnerable teenage girl who is trying to find her voice and confidence only to *magically* have it appear around the F3?

Yikes. I know AI loves a growth story, and currently Haley is holding that theme. Will Lauren try to take it away from her (meaning she had it all along and just did the aw shucks thing the past few weeks per some coaching)? I felt that Jordin Sparks did some of that her season. Recall that she won Junior American Idol, so she knew how to get up on stage and belt and be confident. Instead we got the "she's only 16!" utterances from Randy and the other judges.

Nigel is fully aware of the idol playbook. He's been taking pages from season 4 and 5 for this season (country vs rock from season 4; put a lot of talent in the race all at once from season 5); why not use the "little girl grows up before your eyes" from season 6? How many seasons was Nigel gone, anyway? Why wouldn't he go back to what worked before he left the show?

The show thread from last night over at MJ'sbigblog is like a Haley love in. Some are convinced Haley got the most votes, because casual voters were pissed at Randy and voted for 2 hours to spite him. That's the theory, anyway. How does AI stop the Haley train?

Will Scotty get flushed next week? Girl versus girl F2? Now that's a page from season 3!

I still don't think AI would repeatedly show its winner falling down the steps..but maybe it was part of keeping her a semi-underdog.

the judges get to pick one for each...so I'm sure they'll pick some nice Jesus loves real Americans songs

oh and what could they be thinking for Haley...some nice unamerican boring ballad no one knows...I'm sure Randy will pick it

As the judge who was the most vocally critical of Haley (and had a visible reaction when she was safe), he's a strong candidate to make her pick -- or, in the darker view, trigger her sabotage.

The only problem I see with the judges deliberately picking something for her to struggle with sing, is that the past two weeks they've been telling her that her problem is poor song choice (doesn't know who she is, blah blah.) They can't say that if they pick it.

So if you go with the reverse pimpage angle, they'll pick something perfect for her and then say she's in it to win it and hope that it throws a little sand on her fan base.

So dos she pick up James' votes or do those votes follow through on their vow not to watch this season anymore?

Also, Haley is out to irritate her hometown voters, as her parade is scheduled to turn a very busy road into a spaghetti morass tomorrow.

A Mmmmmmmoonie plate special!

Blame the parade route planners. (Few others will.)

James' fanbase... Some of them will switch to Scotty: the ones who wouldn't vote for a female under any circumstances. A number might vote for whoever they're not blaming for knocking James out, but that's not likely to be Haley. And there will be a few who outright go away.

Overall, I think Scotty gets the most vote benefit from James departing. The vote totals next week will tell the tale: even using every trick that exists, there's only so many ballots one person can cast in two hours. If we drop significantly from Ryan's seventy-two million, then the walkout was (mostly) sincere. Match it and they're the same people who swear every Big Brother season is their last.

They can't say that if they pick it.

Your logic has failed to penetrate the panel. Or to make it musical, say it anyway...

No matter what the judges do or don't tongue-bathe, I still feel Haley's best chance to advance is Scotty and Lauren cross-fighting at two paces. It just doesn't help her in the finals.

No matter what the judges do or don't tongue-bathe, I still feel Haley's best chance to advance is Scotty and Lauren cross-fighting at two paces. It just doesn't help her in the finals.

You may be right. But I have a sneaking suspicion that the fans of Scotty/Lauren might be a a pretty big group - big enough to split with plenty for both of them.

Or there's the ever-popular 'You think we bother counting the votes?' theory...

Sing while hanging from a cross. (Nails are strictly optional. Ropes and bungee cords should do nicely, but if you really want the full effect..) Warning: may lead to Jennifer almost-criticism about your lack of stage movement.

And on a further plus side, the enforced arm position might actually help Scotty's microphone-handling skills.

Ryan would be well-advised not to stand near any cliffs.