X Factor's annual 'Thanksgiving slaughter' cuts Lillie McCloud and Josh Levi

The X Factor isn't doing too well in the United States. Season 3 has continued to see a drop off in viewers, so the series had to hope that its annual Thanksgiving spectacle would bring some attention back, otherwise the show might not survive to see a fourth season. Playfully titled the "Thanksgiving slaughter," the show has made it a habit of axing two contestants during its holiday episode. Last night that dropped the remaining number of players down to six.

The first to go was Lillie McCloud, a contestant Rolling Stone (probably accurately) pointed out was probably targeted because of her 54-year "old" age. The night's theme was "Big Band," featuring a 25-piece group playing behind the contestants. McCloud performed a cover of George Gershwin's "Summertime," a hit from the opera Porgy and Bess. A performance that sounded alright to us must have struck the national audience the wrong way; McCloud wasn't even given a chance to "sing for her survival" as typically happens during the show.

Rion Page and Josh Levi instead found themselves in the hot seat going into the second round of elimination, after having sung "Swingin" by John Anderson and "Treasure" by Bruno Mars, respectively. Page came back with a bit of edge, performing "F--kin' Perfect" by Pink, whereas Levi stuck to his guns with Mars, singing the pop star's "When I Was Your Man." American pop fans aren't renowned for their taste for variety, but they didn't take well to two separate tracks from Mars, and voted Levi out accordingly.

In happier pastures, fans also got two musical performances. Judge Demi Lovato performed her current single, "Neon Lights," and Michael Bublé returned from Wednesday night's performance with his "It's A Beautiful Day."