‘Idol’ sends oil roughneck Michael Sarver home

The journey from the oil rig to Hollywood ended on Thursday for Michael Sarver, as he became the fourth of this season’s 13 finalists voted off the show.

Sarver was the lowest vote-getter on Motown night, and though he sang well in his sing-for-your-life performance, having to get onstage right after Stevie Wonder didn’t help. The judges took every second they had to make a decision on whether or not to save him, before the great and powerful Simon Cowell unilaterally decided to send him home.

Just happy to be there: It’s hard to remember a contestant who was more cheerful and self-aware than Sarver, even when he struggled. That was evident on a night when he seemed to know what awaited him. When he and Lil Rounds were told that one of them was in the bottom three, he told Rounds to sit down because she was safe. Later, when he was onstage in the bottom three with Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre, and host Ryan Seacrest asked if someone didn’t deserve to be up there, he pointed to Giraud. Even when he saw the end-of-the-show montage and knew he was walking out the door, he had a big smile on his face.

But you said…: On the other hand, Giraud looked surprised and angry to be in danger, as the judges had all complimented his Wednesday performance. It’s the second time he’s survived a scare, as he needed a wild-card save from the judges to make it into the finals in the first place. He has to be wondering what he has to do to get viewers to call in their support.

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Back to the Miss Clairol: Adam Lambert was the first of the finalists who was deemed safe by Ryan. But anyone hoping that his Wednesday outfit signaled a more wholesome look for one of the favorites was in for disappointment. No more ‘50s rocker slicked-back hair for Lambert — it was back to the old style.

Slideshow: It’s down to 2 on ‘Idol’

Gotcha — again: Ryan Seacrest is toying with Kris Allen like Lucy Van Pelt does when she yanks the football away from Charlie Brown, only with a happier message at the end. Again this week, Seacrest fooled Allen with the ol’ “and you too …  are safe.” Allen had already started to head down to the seats of shame, and he blurted out a rueful “every week!” as he sat back down.

More May-December: “Idol” is into pairing older men with younger women performing onstage in romantic duets. Last week, it was Randy Travis crooning with Carrie Underwood. This week, it was Smokey Robinson and Joss Stone. And every week, it’s Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. OK, Paula and Simon are much closer in age, but it’s still uncomfortable to watch.

Simon saysSimon who?: President Obama and Simon have been linked a couple of times in recent weeks. Obama compared all his critics to Simon when he appeared with on "The Tonight Show," and then the “Idol” judge seemed to suggest that he couldn’t manage to clear his schedule to meet Obama in Los Angeles. But on Thursday, he clarified that he was joking and had not dissed the president for dinner. Ryan Seacrest said he already knew that. “When we had lunch, he said he’d never met you before,” the host said.

The Velvet Teddy Bear returns: There’s no question that “Idol” has been very good to second-season winner Ruben Studdard. He became the latest former champion to return, performing his new song “Together” live on the results show. He also was given a big boost at a down point in his career when he was selected to sing the send-off-the-losers anthem a year ago, covering “Celebrate Me Home.” All things considered, he’s one singer who can’t complain about "Idol" producers 19 Entertainment.

Craig Berman is a writer in Washington, D.C.