The fifth season of Fox's American Idol continued its semifinals eliminations this week, with Tuesday and Wednesday's second semifinals performance shows culminating in last night's live results show that eliminated the four remaining American Idol 5 semifinalists (two male, two female) who had received the fewest votes from home viewers.

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After watching Tuesday's American Idol 5 broadcast that featured the ten remaining female semifinalists performing, Idol viewers decided that the American Idol journey had ended for Brenna Gethers, who received the fewest number of votes among the remaining female contestants and Heather Cox, the girls group's second-lowest votegetter. Kinnik Sky, a 28-year-old from Duluth, GA, was the third member of this week's bottom three female votegetters.

In what turned out to be an ironic song choice, Gethers, a 25-year-old from Mt. Vernon, NY, had entertained viewers with Donna Summer's "Last Dance." After her Tuesday performance, American Idol judge Simon Cowell had quipped that given her rendition of it, Thursday night's results show was likely to be Gethers' "last chance." Despite being eliminated, the brash and outspoken singer remained confident in her abilities even after American Idol host Ryan Seacrest revealed her departure. "It's OK, I'm still ready to make some money... thank you fans... get ready for my album," she remarked.

Cox, a 22-year-old from Jonesville, NC, had chosen to sing Mariah Carey's "Hero" on Tuesday -- a performance Cowell had dubbed "a ghastly pageant moment." Unlike Gethers, Cox remained humble after her elimination was announced. "I've been blessed, and I'm thankful to be here, and I'm going home to my goats," said Cox. "Thank you for supporting me."

On the men's side, David Radford, Jose "Sway" Penala, and Kevin Covais found themselves in the bottom three after the viewer votes from Wednesday's broadcast of the ten remaining male semifinalists' performances were counted. Radford, who received the fewest number of votes among the remaining male semifinalists, and Penala, the mens' second lowest votegetter, were eliminated. Radford, a 17-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL, had sung "The Way You Look Tonight" while Penala, a 28-year-old from South San Francisco, had opted to sing Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed."

According to Seacrest, American Idol viewers cast over 42 million votes for last night's results show.

Next week, the eight remaining female semifinalists (Kinnik, Paris Bennett, Ayla Brown, Mandisa Hundley, Melissa McGhee, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, and Lisa Tucker) will take the stage for the show's third and final semifinals round, singing during an one-hour American Idol broadcast on Tuesday, March 7 at 8PM ET/PT.

Then it's once again men's night, with the eight remaining male semifinalists (Kevin, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Will Makar, Gedeon McKinney, Elliott Yamin, and Ace Young) taking to the stage in another one-hour American Idol broadcast on Wednesday, March 8 at 8PM ET/PT.

After that, American Idol 5's Top 12 finalists will be revealed when the show announces the elimination of four more semifinalists during its live results show airing Thursday, March 9 at 8PM ET/PT. Once the Top 12 finalists are announced, American Idol 5 will return to its twice-weekly Tuesday/Wednesday schedule. American Idol's fifth season finale is scheduled to air on May 24.

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