When the field narrowed to three, he did not advance.
Gokey, the 29-year-old Milwaukee native who received a hero's welcome when he visited his hometown on Friday, was eliminated from the singing competition on the popular FOX Wednesday night.
San Diego native Adam Lambert, who has been the favorite for several weeks, will square off against Arkansas singer Kris Allen in the finale, which will play out over two nights next week.
Gokey seemed to acquit himself well Tuesday, when he performed Terrence Trent D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister" -- chosen for him by judge Paul Abdul -- and his own choice, Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful."
When the results show started, Gokey seemed a bit unsure of himself. "I don't know what to feel right now," he said.
Perhaps it was the final note of the previous week that did him in. Gokey lost steam when he screamed the final note of Aerosmith's "Dream On." Much like Democratic candidate Howard Dean's infamous scream during the 2004 election cycle, Gokey's shriek was replayed on morning radio shows and lampooned on internet message boards.
Still, the Vincent High School graduate entered Wednesday as a favorite to advance. Even the judges seemed shocked when Allen was the first finalist named and Lambert got the nod over Gokey.
"None of us would have predicted this, guys," Simon Cowell said. "No disrespect (to Allen), because you were brilliant last night, and just now by the way Danny, congratulations....
"This could be what we call a big ding-dong coming up next week,
In Milwaukee, Fox 6 anchor Brad Hicks opened the 9 p.m. newscast by saying "I'm not even going to dance around it; we're bummed."
The results show featured a montage of Gokey's visit to Milwaukee -- appearances at TV and radio stations, a reunion with friend and fellow contestant Jamar Rogers, a parade, a packed performance at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse at Summerfest and a visit to Miller Park for the Brewers-Cubs game. Interestingly, Gokey's video scrapbook seemed to run shorter than those for Allen and Lambert. It also did not include highlights of him performing.
Allen, who was considered a long shot in the competition, earned praise for his Tuesday performance of Kanye West's "Heartless," on which he played acoustic guitar. Judge Randy Jackson proclaimed that Allen's version was "better than the original" and Cowell said it made him a contender.
Lambert, who recently graced the cover of Entertainment Weekly, was considered a virtual lock to make the finals for the past several months.
The show on Wednesday featured an appearance by Katy ("I Kissed a Girl") Perry, who wore a robe bearing Lambert's name, a song by former champ Jordin Sparks and a cameo by Alicia Keys, who was seeking money for her charity, Keep a Child Alive, through the Text ALIVE Challenge. Fans who text "Alive" to 90999 before June 1 will make a $5 donation to the charity, which looks to provide medicine and care to children and families with HIV/AIDS in India and Africa.
