By Lauren Bishop
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Matthew Metzger won't be the next American Idol.

The 23-year-old Miami University graduate was knocked out of the running on Wednesday night's show. American Idol judges and TV viewers chose instead four other formerly eliminated contestants who had been brought back for Tuesday night's wild-card show.

After Metzger sang Bad English's "When I See You Smile" on Tuesday night's show, judge Randy Jackson said his performance wasn't consistent, and constantly cranky judge Simon Cowell said Metzger needed to show more confidence.

Judge Paula Abdul told Metzger, "If you want to pick rock songs, you're gonna have to have a rock edge to your voice." But she also complimented him, saying, "I think the girls have found an American heartthrob in you."

American Idol viewers found something they liked in Jon Peter Lewis, who received 22 percent of the votes cast after Tuesday's show.

The 24-year-old Idaho resident sang (and danced) to Elvis' "A Little Less Conversation," a performance Cowell proclaimed "horrible" but which Jackson and Abdul said they enjoyed.

The judges each got to pick a wild-card contestant to join the other eight finalists. Jackson chose 22-year-old Jennifer Hudson of Chicago, Abdul chose 17-year-old Leah LaBelle of Seattle, and Cowell chose 23-year-old George Huff of Louisiana.

The singers will perform in a two-hour live show (8 p.m. Tuesday, Channels 19, 45). An hour-long live results show will follow at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The top four finalists will be announced May 5, with the series finale May 25-26.

Lauren Bishop