Double Elimination Coming To This Week's 'The X Factor'

The debut U.S. season of "The X Factor" is winding down, and the stakes sure aren't getting smaller. In fact, the misery of elimination will love company this week.

With the field narrowed to the final nine hopefuls, FOX has announced that this Tuesday night, fans will be cutting the field to the final seven immediately following the performance show.

As usual, fans can cast their votes several ways: via Twitter at twitter.thexfactorusa.com; via Verizon Touch Voting using The Xtra Factor application on Verizon Android devices; calling toll-free; text-messaging, for Verizon Wireless customers; or online at TheXFactorUSA.com. Facebook users can also sign in and vote at Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA.

Though the ratings might've missed FOX's expectations, "The X Factor" has been something to talk about, between a trouser-dropping performance that ran Paula Abdul off the set, other performances being deemed too controversial for TV, and most recently, this temper-tantrum by Astro on last week's show.

Astro tweeted, “I had a 'fight the system' moment last night. Sorry if i disappointed you guys. I WILL make you all proud next week!”

It ultimately wasn't Astro that went home last week, but Stacy Francis. Much like Hope Solo on "Dancing With The Stars," whether or not he can dodge the bullet after pushing his luck last week makes for a good story worth following. And when it comes to competition shows like this, that's the most key thing: whether it's love or loathing, ensuring that an audience can invest something in any given contestant.

After all, if people can't do that, then why should they tune in?

After voting Tuesday night, tune in Wednesday night at 8 PM ET/PT to the results show to see which two have been sent packing.

Watch Astro's temper tantrum on "The X Factor":