Two more singers dropped from "American Idol"

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Finalists Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson were sent packing from "American Idol" on Wednesday in a double-elimination episode of the hit television talent show, leaving only one male singer among the four contenders fighting it out to win the series' sixth season.

After last week's charity fund-raiser ended with no one being cut, Stacey, 29, and Richardson, 22, came up short after fans cast more than 135 million votes for their favorites.

Stacey, from Jacksonville, Florida, was eliminated during the live broadcast despite delivering what judge Paula Abdul said was the show's best opening all season. He sang "Blaze of Glory" on the rock-themed edition, mentored by Jon Bon Jovi, while Richardson, of Chesapeake, Virginia, performed "Wanted Dead or Alive."

The results left Blake Lewis as the last remaining male singer, going up against Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle for the big prize.

Lewis won praise from the judges, including prickly Simon Cowell who gave him top marks for taking a risk with his rendition of "You Give Love A Bad Name."

Just before the elimination, Lewis said he and Richardson were "going on tour together" regardless of which one lost out.

"American Idol" has become such a phenomenon that even singers eliminated before the final show, such as recent Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, have made inroads in the entertainment world.

The finale will air live on May 23.

Reuters/Nielsen