No one could have predicted that Chris Sligh would find himself without enough votes to go on, but nothing has been more shocking to American Idol watchers than the perseverance of Sanjaya Malakar. During last night’s performance, Simon Cowell stated that he was going to try a different tactic with the popular contestant, and instead of bashing the kid’s pipes (as he’s routinely done), called the performance “incredible” in a voice filled with sarcasm. The favorite badboy judge of American Idol has publicly stated he will be tempted to leave the show if Malakar wins, a far-fetched idea that seems less impossible all the time. His changing hair styles, his growing showmanship, and his obviously female-oriented fan base could keep Sanjaya safe tonight. Meanwhile, Hayley Scarnato is sticking to her strategy of form-fitting clothing that shows off her best assets – none of which have anything to do with singing. When America votes for the contestants they like to look at, instead of the ones they want to hear, anyone could be going home later tonight.