Patch fans, we're back live at Blarney Stone for tonight's Idol viewing party! We'll bring you the latest before, during and after the show, so stay tuned and keep checking back!

6:22 p.m.

Tinley Park Patch Editor Paul Dailing and I just arrived at Blarney Stone Pub, where .50 of every Miller Lite bottle sold and $3 of every pizza 14-inches or larger will go toward a recovery fund for resident Juliana Ramos. It's quiet here so far, but we're expecting a swell as the show starts. It's group week this week, and 10-year Idol fan Traut says the drama never lacks. ....

6:46 p.m.

Allison Carroll, Juliana's cousin, says the crowd is drastically bigger than last week's, and owner Tom Spellman expects a great turnout, with Chris due to appear on the screen tonight. We'll find some of the biggest Medina fans we can, and show them to you live, here on Patch!

6:54 p.m.

We're minutes away from go-time! Patch is so stoked! 'Medina Mania' is EVERYWHERE!

7:06 p.m.

The crowd's simmered down a bit now that the show has started. Be right back—we're going to buy a Medina Mania shirt!

7:11 p.m.

Blarney is packed! Medina fans everywhere! Juliana and family have arrived and are all settled in. Now, everyone just sits back and waits for the show. The group day brings drama, as usual. Scotty McCreary can't find a group, the Sugar Mamas are feuding, and time is ticking....

7:14 p.m.

Another commercial? We're growing impatient!

7:30 p.m.

Orland Park Patch Editor Ben Feldeim here. I feel like I lost a bet, meaning I'm NOT an Idol fan. But a packed house of Medina supporters add some warmth to what is otherwise live band karaoke.

About five minutes ago, just a glimpse of Chris Medina on the screen and the room momentarily erupted in a cheer. This really isn't about a goofy reality show here at the Blarney Stone. He's got a ton of supporters, and rightfully so. This unabashed and unapologetic music snob really dug Medina's band, and Chris is no slouch either.

7:41 p.m.

Traut here, my fellow Patch editors and non-Idol fans are surprised at how fast the show has flown — but I'm anxious for Medina's performance! Can his group put in a solid show?

7:48 p.m.

It just dawned on me that tonight's show is two hours. Hang in there, folks. Hopefully Chris will be up soon!

7:50 p.m.

Hi. This is Tinley Park Patch Editor Paul Dailing here. There's drama in the air at Blarney Stone. There's excitement and tension and a whole lot of love for one Oak Forest man with a big dream.

And yet all I can think about is that Steven Tyler looks like some sort of jungle cat. Seriously. Face like an ocelot, that one.

Also, Forget You? Not the words.

8:05 p.m.

Idol certainly knows how to build the suspense! We're dying to see our local guy! Ryan Seacrest didn't have to tell us "the best is yet to come" — you haven't seen anything until you've seen our Chris Medina!

8:24 p.m.

Orland Park Patch editor Ben Feldheim and I just got into it over what makes Idol either rock, or in his opinion, not-so-much. Video coming soon, and be sure to tell him off, fans! Tell him why we love Idol.

8:36 p.m.

Dailing here. Chris Medina just finished his song and the crowd is just going nuts! Video, pics, etc. coming.

8:37 p.m.

"CHRIS, YOU'RE GOING THROUGH!!!"

8:51 p.m.

HE DID IT! Medina is moving on!

9 p.m.

Dailing here again. L.T. and Ben Feldheim are busy editing the video of their interviews with Chris and Juliana's friends and loved ones (coming soon right here), leaving the blogging part to me.

Let's see. Um. I had a really good lunch today. My shoes are sort of uncomfortable. I'm thinking of getting new shoes.

Oh wait. You probably want to hear about CHRIS MEDINA CONTINUING ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL ON AMERICAN IDOL!

The crowd flipped like a gymnast when the news came out. The guy who used to play bass for Journey said the magic words that Chris was going on and after that, I couldn't hear a thing but whoops and cheers. There was so much energy in the room Al Gore named it a better alternative to solar and wind. The crowd went as nuts as, I don't know, some other colorful idiom.

Videos and pics are coming, folks. Traut told me the folks she talked to (who you'll see in the vid) are more sure than ever Chris is going to win it all. Dailing out.

9:03 p.m.

Dailing back in. Medina Maniacs have been raising money for Juliana through raffle ticket sales. The total raised was $466, with the raffle winner getting half.

Hockey's now on the TV. Someone is playing acoustic Bob Marley. People are saying their goodbyes. Video upcoming, so keep checking back.

9:55 p.m.

Feldheim here. Our last video of the night is up, where we see Chris' fans react to his advancement. P.S. I STILL don't like American Idol, but Chris is pretty cool.

10:28 p.m.

Hiya. It's Dailing with the announcement that the long-promised debate between Traut and Feldheim about the merits of American Idol has been posted. Weigh in. Is Idol a valid way for musicians to break in or is it Karaoke: The Series? Is it a way to discover talent overlooked by Big Music or is it a game show with a parting gift of a record deal instead of Turtle Wax? We want to hear what you think.

And (although this is not in the debate video) seriously what happened to Steven Tyler's face? Ocelot.