'American Idol' Bonus recap: Idol gives back and takes away

By M&C Smallscreen Feb 29, 2008, 17:55 GMT

Ryan Seacrest - © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Last night's elimination round had host Ryan Seacrest spill the beans with "exciting news" that Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which controls the Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney composed hits, had finally given "Idol" permission to let contestants perform tunes from the songbook. 

Idol 's season seven Top 12 finalists will perform tunes from the Beatles' songbook during the Tuesday, March 11 episode broadcast.

Seacrest then promo-ed the upcoming "Idol Gives Back" and nored that producer Nigel Lythgoe told him that Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dog, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood will  be participating in the second live two-hour concert and fundraiser scheduled to air Wednesday, April 9 at 8PM ET (PT tape-delayed) on Fox.

The next group of four to go will happen next week, as the top 8 male semifinalists will take the stage next Tuesday at 8PM ET/PT for a one-hour performance episode broadcast, followed by the top 8 female semifinalists on Wednesday night at 8PM ET/PT. 

On Thursday night at 8PM ET/PT, two male and two female semifinalists will be eliminated based on home viewers votes, and finally the top 12 finalists will be revealed and the real horse race begins

Our predictions are that we will see Amanda Overmyer, Luke Menard, Chikezie and Brooke White leave next week.

Here's the winner for season 7 according to Simon: