LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Twenty-nine million votes were cast as “American Idol” bid adieu to another contestant on Wednesday night.

As the show began, box office draw Jim Carrey appeared in the audience to promote his new movie, “Horton Hears A Who!”

“I love the show, I love the contestants.” Carrey said.

Ryan Seacrest then revealed that next week, thanks to phone calls and e-mails, the “Idol” competition will again borrow from the Lennon/McCartney Beatles songbook. He then went straight to who was safe and who might be sent home.

Carly Smithson was the first contender to make it to the Top 11, followed by Aussie Michael Johns and dreadlocked Jason Castro.

Actress Syesha Mercado, however, was revealed as a member of the bottom three vote getters. She then, in a change to the show format, was asked to perform her Beatles cover which she also sang on Tuesday night – “Got To Get You Into My Life” — before knowing whether or not she'd been kicked off.

The safe list then grew again with Chikezie, Amanda Overmyer and David Cook.

Country-friendly chanteuse, Kristy Lee Cook then asked for her “microphone,” as she correctly figured out she was in the bottom three. She once again performed her fiddled-up version of “Eight Days A Week.”

Another new addition to the results show occurred when a brief phone-in question and answer session took place with online fans. Judge Simon Cowell was asked during the segment if British or American singers were better.

“I will concede American singers have the most talent, however, on the judging panel, the Brits,” Simon said.

Katharine McPhee then performed “Something In the Way,” alongside David Foster on piano, who mentioned that he is joining Access Hollywood as an “American Idol” expert this season.

Though he messed up his lyrics on Tuesday night, 17-year-old baby faced David Archuleta was given a second chance and put through to the safe seats followed by Brooke White and Ramiele Malubay.

David Hernandez was the final contestant put in the bottom three. He sang, “I Saw Her Standing There.”

As the three contenders faced their fate, Ryan told Syesha she was safe and Kristy Lee Cook was also sent back to the group, as David was sent home.

“Honestly things happen for a reason. We all have a plan,” a shocked David said. “This isn’t the end.”

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Nancy, Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter now!