‘The X Factor’ results: And the final 3 are ...

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

In a remarkably unsuspenseful results show, Marcus Canty was sent home on ‘The X Factor.’ That means the three contestants who made it to the finals were, as expected, Chris Rene, Melanie Amaro and Josh Krajcik.

Because there was no final showdown, no judge decision, nothing but voter results to determine the final outcome, the producers had a lot of time to fill, but they didn’t really pack the night with much razz or matazz. There were three performances to burn time. The final four turned in a pretty good mash-up of ‘No Diggity’ and ‘Shout.’ Florence + the Machine performed the song ‘Spectrum’ from the album ‘Ceremonials’ in a deco-inflected stage production complete with Erte poses, stained glass and classic ballet dancers.

‘X Factor’ judge Nicole Scherzinger premiered her new song ‘Pretty,’ which Simon Cowell, who was sitting in Scherzinger’s chair at the judging table, critiqued thusly (channeling Scherzinger, he said): ‘I believe in you. You believe in me. You transcend the universe. God is smiling on you. Life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow.’

Cowell was clearly feeling pretty pleased with himself after learning that Amaro had made it through. Rene and Amaro were the first to hear they’d cleared the hurdle for the finals, though of course the results, as host Steve Jones never hesitates to remind us, are given ‘in no particular order.’ That left Canty and Krajcik to sweat it out. In fact, Krajcik, awaiting his fate backstage, didn’t appear too concerned. He was anxious to begin preparing for the finals, he said. Canty, meanwhile, looked like he knew it was all over, but since he’d successfully (miraculously) cheated fate before, you couldn’t fault him for holding out some hope that America would, as he put it, ‘just give me a chance.’

Alas, America opted not to give Canty any more chances. Eventually, after a pause that Jones didn’t stretch long enough to build tension -- perhaps rightly fearing that the audience would simply fall asleep -- it was revealed that Krajcik and not Canty had earned that final spot in the finale. No one seemed terribly surprised.

‘Why you looking sad, Steve?’ Canty asked Jones, who said he didn’t want to see Canty go home.

‘Trust me, this is not the last time you will see Marcus Canty,’ Canty vowed.

Jones tried to get Canty to admit to at least some disappointment, reminding him he had come ‘so, so close’ to the finals. But Canty wanted only to reassure his fans and send a message to family at home: ‘Stop crying. It’s ai-ight. Relax,’ he said.

Mentor L.A. Reid said he’d ‘be lying’ if he said he ‘wasn’t a little sad,’ admitting he’d felt a particular connection to Canty. But, he said, Canty is a ‘major star, a great singer’ and had his support, which is not nothing coming from an industry mover and shaker like him.

‘It ain’t over yet, y’all. It’s not over yet,’ Canty said.

I, for one, believe him.

Are you pleased with the results -- or outraged by them? And who do you think will win the whole thing next week?

RELATED:

‘The X Factor’ results: The top four vie for the finale

Simon Cowell blames other judges for ‘X Factor’ voting snafu

Should ‘The X Factor’ elimination process be changed?

‘The X Factor’ results: The final five are revealed