American Idol: Top 12 Perform

Hello Idol Fanatics! Welcome to the 2008 Season 7 FINALS! New Stage, New Lights, New Opening Credits and some new and decent talent! I was quite impressed with some of the performers tonight and feel this show is ANYONE'S for the taking (well with the exception of the awful ones!) And I am super excited that my initial prediction is closer to coming true with a "peaking too early" favorite! That sounds like a positive endorsement when it couldn't be further from the truth! All in all...very excited and impressed with Lennon/McCartney night. Do you recall the last time I was actually EXCITED by American Idol? Man...I sure can't. Tonight was BEATLES NIGHT (kinda) with selections from the Lennon/McCartney songbook. Of course, if you haven't read this interview with vocal coach Debra Byrd and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe you should. Apparently the 12 contestants could only choose from 25 songs total and this is a common occurrence on Idol. This explains so much about some songs that have been selected in the past! Anyway, lots of contestants to break down, and we need to figure us out a bottom 3 and kick off somebody! Let's get to work!

1. Syesha Mercado

Song: "Got To Get You Into My Life"

Always tough being the first person to perform on the big stage. Borrowing from Simon Cowell, she really let the stage control her. I thought the big band drowned her out for the majority of the tune. And when she finally found her footing, I had already lost my interest. Syesha won't be turning anyone's heads with that performance. And I think she might find herself in bottom 3 territory. Simon thought it was decent though or at least better than last week. If she can improve her nerves she might be able to last a few more weeks, but I don't see her winning this thing.

2. Chickezie

Song: "She's a Woman"

Well, this was the first shocking performance of the night for me! Starting off with that bluegrass southern vibe (or as Paula dubbed the "O' Brother Where Art Thou" style) was very cool and then he just went and ROCKED the house! You could feel his excitement through the TV and he just sang his heart out and enjoyed the whole performance. I sound like Paula, but that energy really adds something to the show. I was ready to write off Chickezie...but now I want to see more! He's totally safe this week. And how about RYAN going a little nuts with Chickezie after the judges' comments? Good times!

3. Ramiele Mullaby

Song: "In My Life"

I still can't figure out why the judges keep telling her "you're better than that." Eventually they have to realize that maybe she's only cut out to be pouring sauce at a Sushi Restaurant! I mean....she joked about not wanting to be called "LULLABY" but then she performed the dullest rendition of "In My Life" that she ever could've tried. I agree with Simon. Forgettable and eventually this will catch up with her!

4. Jason Castro

Song: "If I Fell"

I really predicted him performing "Yesterday" which was funny because he said he loves the song. But what we got was okay this week. It's crazy though, it seems like every other week he's either GREAT or "Been there done that." When he is just sitting there with his guitar it just seems to get old for me. Also, I agree with Randy a bit. He was changing up the melody to the song a bit much for his own good too. My favorite part though was when he channeled Jewel and instead of saying "YOU" it sounds more like "HUGH." So then the song took on a whole new meaning when he sang at the end "I Fell in Love with HUUUUUGH!" Anyways, he needs to figure out what he does that really makes America root for him and then he could be in good shape. I still like the guy and think he'll be around for awhile. He's safe this week!

5. Carly Smithson

Song: "Come Together"

Well, I gotta say...Carly was AWESOME tonight! I just wish she would cover up that crazy Tattoo!!! It really is ugly! Anyway, she came out with a little rockier version of the Beatles Classic and it was just solid from start to finish. I actually did get a little Kelly Clarkson vibe from her similar to Simon. But I think Simon was referring more about her not really connecting with a song until she got to the Top 12 (or Top 10 for Kelly) Stage and then BAM!!! Whole new competition. (I just thought the screamy notes sounded like new-fangled screamy Kelly Clarkson). Carly was comfortable and commanding out there. It really was a stellar performance. Now, if she could just drop that Irish Accent and act AMERICAN, maybe she CAN be an "AMERICAN" Idol!

6. David Cook

Song: "Eleanor Rigby"

But wait kids we're not done yet! David Cook came out and blew the roof off with yet ANOTHER modernization of an old tune. He turned a Beatles classic into an Alternative-Rock masterpiece. And let me say, since we're supposed to compare him to Chris Daughtry, David Cook definitely has found better use of his Mic Stand than Chris did for his affectionate "MOLLY" (yep...Molly the Mic Stand..check the season 5 blogs you'll understand!). While Chris couldn't seem to part with the mic stand, David used it as part of his performance and used it very well! Some of these contestants were just BUILT for the main stage. Do you get the feeling some of our heavy hitters were holding back until they got here? I mean, this is just nuts! I'm still a COOK fan and apparently Simon is coming around on him. Maybe I wasn't so far fetched way back in the auditions to think he had a chance of winning???

7. Brooke White

Song: "Let it Be"

Yep, now there's 3 in a row that I couldn't help but be impressed with. I've said it before. I just enjoy Brooke's musicianship on a week to week basis. This time she brought the piano out (fittingly so) and sang a touching and gut wrenching rendition of "Let it Be." Yes, it was simple and she didn't try to add any crazy notes to it. She just sang it and "LET IT BE" the song that it was. And props to Randy for making her cry and getting her to talk about how appreciative she is to be there. That really shows a side of her that everyone wants to root for. GO BROOKE and get your shoes from Ryan!

8. David Hernandez

Song: "I Saw Her Standing There"

Well, that was just awkward hearing about his Pizza Boy days wasn't it? My bad PIZZA BISTRO! (is that what we're calling it these days???) A very forced interview to not talk about his days at "Richard's Cabaret" (Yeah, I used the full name and not Nickname to keep this a family blog!) Anyway, while last week I was supporting his cause because he sang pretty well. This week was just horrendous. The song was barely recognizable with all of the runs he threw into it. Very unnecessary with one of the most COVERED Beatles Songs ever (don't quote me on that...I made it up! But I know Billy Joel performed it at concerts!) That's a song that you sing the melody and work the crowd. Hernandez should know a thing or too about working the crowd! (man, the jokes just don't stop coming!) Anyway, I'm not too sure he'll be going home this week, but he might have to worry about flirting with the bottom 3.

9. Amanda Overmeyer

Song: "You Can't Do That"

Another shocker for tonight. I was ready to write off Amanda too. And granted she is not going to be winning any titles this season, but she really has bounced back from this first couple semi-final weeks. Her hair looked better (although, still a little too bleachy), she looked better (more like the Amanda we had expected to see) and she actually SANG better! Sure, she still has a limited range but it was a little broader this week than I had expected. And she still has a great sense of timing and ROCKness about her that as Simon said...she brings a "Breath of fresh air" to the competition. Vote For the Worst can keep promoting her, but she's getting by on her own for now. I think there's someone else they should be targeting and we'll get there soon! Amanda is safe this week!

10. Michael Johns

Song: "Across the Universe"

Randy and Simon are really hating on Michael. I guess I see their point. No one is arguing that the Aussie has a huge voice and great talent. But he sang that song straight up when he has the ability to do so much more with it. I still thought it was amazing and while he has a lot of competition for the top spot, I still think he'll be around for quite some time. I mean, maybe it's just his quiet confidence right Paula??? I mean, what does that even mean???

11. Kristy Lee Cook

Song: "8 Days a Week"

There really are no words to explain what Miss Cook did to that poor song this week. It was a disgrace! She thought "well, I guess I need to make it country because Simon said so" and then she went with the weirdest arrangement you could possibly thing of! Totally didn't fit the song and was very very forced. I'm sure she thought she was doing a really impressive thing to it but it was just an INSULT to country music to call that a COUNTRIFIED version of a Beatles song. I sat there dumbfounded while watching and listening to that horrendous display of non-talent. This is what separates the Kristy Cooks from the David Cooks. David Cook was able to change the song to something that still worked. Kristy? did not. She seems like definite bottom 3 if Paula couldn't even come up with anything nice to say. I'd say it was worthy enough to get eliminated, but it was SO bad that she might get a sympathy vote. Ugh....here's where my indecision comes in!

12. David Archuleta
Song: "We Can Work it Out"

Oh man, I really hate it. REAAAALY hate it when I'm right. Can you guys remember what I said about Mr. Archuleta? That his age would eventually show in SONG SELECTION? That there's no way he's going to win this competition? In the great words of David Hernandez last week "It's all coming back to me now!" Yes...it's a bit early to be stating that my prophecies are coming true. But tonight was a good reality check for all of those fans out there that were convinced David had already had this thing wrapped up! I mean, forgetting the words? Not just 1 time but multiple times??? NOT KNOWING BEATLES SONGS?????? How can you be HUMAN and not know Beatles songs? I don't care if you're 17! But if you think "We Can Work it Out" is a Stevie Wonder song, something is wrong! I had a feeling theme nights would bring out David's weaknesses and it didn't take long to find that out. I am loving life right now because there is so much other great talent this year and I don't think Artichoke is the best of the bunch. Sure, he is definitely safe this week and probably won't even see the bottom 3. But Simon is right...if America votes on talent and not on popularity, this competition is wide open this year. I'm sure ARCHIE will bounce back next week. But in my opinion, the damage has been done. I am now convinced he's not invincible.

So here we are, the fun part. It's been a long time since I've been guessing my bottom 3's and elimination picks so I may be a bit rusty. But here goes nothing!

UNTOUCHABLE this week: Chickezie, Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmeyer, Michael Johns, Brooke White, David Cook

Good enough to get by: Jason Castro

Only getting by because of his forseeably shrinkable fanbase: David Archuleta

Worst Performance of the Night: Kristy Lee Cook

Forgettable Performances: Syesha Mercado, Ramiele Mullaby, David Hernandez

Bottom 3 Picks: Kristy Lee Cook, Ramiele Mullaby, David Hernandez Wildcard: Syesha Mercado Bonus Wildcard: David Archuleta

Elmination Pick: Ramiele Mullaby - It's been fun while it lasted, but you are needed elsewhere! You were just born to pour Soy sauce! Tomorrow night we look forward to hearing you "Sing us a lullaby" paraphrasing another great Beatles song "Golden Slumbers"

I'm sorry, but I'm going to just keep picking her until she is finally voted off. How is anyone still supporting her? She's incredibly boring and needs to go! But I won't be upset either if Kristy Lee Cook goes. Really was bad!

Okay okay..hope no one is sleeping out there! Overall, very impressed with tonight's show. It's hard to crack jokes in the blog with all of this good talent this year. Thankfully, there are a couple "semi-talents" that might be sticking around for awhile. I'm looking at you Artichoke! Anyway, Katharine McPhee sings on the results show Wednesday night. See you then!

American Idol: Top 12 Revealed!

Yeah yeah yeah....so I got 2 of 4. whatever. I'm fine with who got eliminated! There's always next year (should I brave to do these blogs for yet another season!) Farewell folks!:



Eliminated: Luke Menard, Kady Mally, Asia'h Epperson, Danny Noriega

I really should've seen the Asia'h one after her comments of being happy with 2nd Rate Whitney. But you know, it's not like she sang her song badly! Luke and Kady were obvious in my opinion. And let us all REJOICE that DANNY has been put out of his misery! And let's hope that crushed Ramiele losing her flamboyant girly male friend so early will put her in a state of depression and have her soon follow! (Sorry Ramiele fans...that was a bit overdramatic on her part!!)

Anyway...IDOL ADDICTS meet our TOP 12! (in blue are my initial top 12 picks, in orange were my wildcard picks)

1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Jason Castro
4. Carly Smithson
5. Kristy Lee Cook
6. Amanda Overmeyer
7. Syesha Mercado
8. Brooke White
9. Chickezie
10. David Hernandez
11. Michael Johns
12. Ramiele Mulaby
    

Not bad not bad! Only one I didn't have going through was Ramiele. And 9 of the 12 I had pegged without the assistance of Wildcards! Granted, I remember wanting to put Brooke in there but she couldn't fit and Castro I liked because he had Dreads! Anyway, this is a pretty decent top 12! All the guys are great singers and the girls...well most of them are good. The rotten eggs of the bunch that may stick around for awhile? Amanda Overmeyer and Kristy Lee Cook (I know I know...the 2 I liked from the auditions!!! Things change!!!) And of course, I'm not a big fan of Ramiele, but she may be able to fix whatever issues she's been having. Other than that....this competition (let's pretend the David Archuleta experiment doesn't exist!) is wide open!! Last year I was able to peg our Idol winner immediately when the top 12 commenced. Not sure if that will be the case this year...but I may try it! Okay...I've rambled enough kids. Are you shocked at the results? Upset? Indifferent? Thanks for helping get the discussion started last night! Keep it up with this one! And please let me know if you're getting excited to call into next week's results show! I mean....isn't that the most fabulous news ever???? (yes yes...sometimes the sarcasm is hard to read in these blogs!) I'll see you next week as we FINALLY begin our top 12!

American Idol: Top 8 Girls Perform

Hello Idol fanatics! Don't worry, we're almost done with our 5 hour Idol weeks! The 2nd 2 hour segment showcased the final 8 females left in the competition. Last week, they didn't really give us much to be excited about. This week? Well, as a whole, they were better. But, no one really was posing much of a threat to the guys. It's difficult to pick out who of the bunch is going home. But, as usual, I have 3 suspects! If we go strictly with Simon's comments, we know the 2 he picked out (and I'd like to pick the same!) We'll see how that works!

Speaking of the judges...what was wrong with them tonight? I guess Randy and Simon were feeling left out of Paula's cluelessness that she brings on a daily basis. Lots of inside jokes abound tonight with the judges...and between the male and female contestants. Like the SCARFS? What was up with all of the crazy scarfs? Danny wearing Ramiele's glasses?? "I LOVE MUTTS"?????? Anyway...just another crazy day in Hollywood! Here goes nothing. My breakdown of the final 8 girls for 80's week

1. Asia'h Epperson - "I fell on roller skates once!" - Well when you think 80's power vocalist...you think Whitney Houston right? I feel like we've taken a step back into season 1 music for Idol when they compared everyone to Celine, Whitney and Mariah. I mean haven't we all grown up now? Can't we just compare them to our former Idol winners??? I dunno.... Anyway Asia'h sang "I wanna Dance with Somebody" and like Simon said it was a total clone performance and no one is Whitney besides Whitney. But, on the bright side...it was still really good for Asia'h and good enough to stick around for the top 12. Much better than her take on Celine last week. I guess Mariah is next week?
2. Kady Malloy - "Tripped on a Microphone cord. Reverb happened!" - Kady really has had chance after chance to win over America. I picked her to go home last week. After her performance of Queen's "Who wants to live forever?" it looks like she is the girls' Luke Menard this week. The obvious choice. She wasn't awful. But she doesn't compare to the rest of the girls.
3. Amanda Overmeyer - "Set fire to a pool" - Joan Jett is definitely more in her comfort zone and she was a million times better than last week. Her hair was back to being under control (but the bleached front still confuses me....it's very Jason Yeager of her!). I've always said Amanda deserves to be in the top 12 just because she's unique. And considering she has votefortheworst behind her, she probably has twice as much support to make that happen! She sings well for the kind of singer she is, and I guess that's all you can expect from her. But with the limited vocal range, I cannot see her standing up against the rest of the boys and power girls for TOO long.
4. Carly Smithson - "Got my Legs stuck in a railing and greased them up. People laughed. Got tattoos on my arm, and my husband has them on his face. People Screamed" - My notes for Carly: "Awesome. Don't like Song" I summed up Simon's critique into 4 words! To borrow from Paula's dictionary, Carly has an amazing instrument and she COULD sing the phone book (I really think that there are some great names under "A" if she wants to get started!) But what is with these song choices? "I DROVE ALL NIGHT?" Okay Carly, you proved you can hold a high note for 10 seconds. Congrats! Now put that high note in a better song! and STOP SINGING CELINE!!!! I also am not a big fan of how these contestants are taking 80's songs that have been covered in later years and singing THOSE versions! This was a song recorded by Roy Orbison in 1987 but not released until 1992. Cyndi Lauper recorded in 1989. Celine??? 2003!!! Same with "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" last night. The song wasn't big until the 90's. To me, that's just messing with the system to sing 80's songs you know! Do some more research! Anyway...Carly is safe!
5. Kristy Lee Cook - "Used to think I was a dog" - Dogs and Journey.....Randy's favorite. Ugh....the judges were on my nerves tonight! (Can't you tell?) So Kristy promised to do a country song if she was back this week. And she did Journey's "Faithfully" with a country twist. Yeah, it could be a big country hit. But probably not sung by Kristy! Anyway, she wasn't TOO bad. Simon said it was forgettable, but then went to say she'd probably make an exit when she gets to the top 10. She really can't hold up against the power singers in the competition. But based on everyone else's performances tonight, I don't know if she is necessarily safe this week either. But I'm going to keep Simon's comment in mind when we get to the bottom of this blog!
6. Ramiele "Lullaby" Mulaby - "Rode a pink bike in 5th grade and gave a picture to a boy. He laughed at me" - This may have been the most uninspiring performance of "Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now)" I have EVER heard! Actually, starting to think about it...this song may be the most overused song in the history of American Idol (it might be time to retire it). There were these lousy performances Corey Clark, Katharine McPhee Actually, of all people Scott Savol pulled it off pretty well. I just can't understand the big fuss about this girl. She really isn't that great! How about the train wreck of an outfit she was wearing with the grey, purple and red ensemble? I mean, I'm not the most stylish person in the world....but did she raid a closet with the lights off??? Anyway....the judges kept saying how she was definite top 12 material. I'd have to side with Simon this week and say that this performance really wasn't that great. And she may have something to be worried about!
7. Brooke White - "Jumped on Dad's back told him she was hungry. Wasn't her Dad" - Well Brooke took an emotional 80's Power Anthem of Pat Benetar's and turned it into a modernized acoustic tune. She lost the instruments this week and just went with a a backup guitar player and sang her tune sitting on the stage. Well, with Brooke what you see is what you get. I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. I do worry that it will tire on us eventually. But for now....great singer, great talent and definitely a top 12er!
8. Syesha Mercado - "My 2nd grade crush ate my gum and told the teacher on me!" - Oh what do you know? Another Whitney song! I won't get into Simon's comment of calling this PREDICTABLE besides saying that isn't it convenient that both Asia'h and Syesha sang a Whitney Houston song? I think the rest of the words can be filled in for me! She sang it really well. As painful as it is to hear "Saving All My Love for You" in these modern times, she did sing it well. The high notes were very impressive. But PLEASE...NO MORE WHITNEY!!!!! Syesha is a top 12er also!

Okay okay, so where has all of this rambling brought us? Did we figure anything out? Well, I did. Whether it is right or wrong I am going with it!

Definite Top 12: Asia'h Epperson, Amanda Overmeyer, Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Syesha Mercado

Definitely Gone: Kady Malloy

Should be Worried:

• Kristy Lee Cook - Simon said forgettable, but won't leave us until top 10
• Ramiele Lullaby - I said she had an off week last week, and think this week was even worse

Elimination Picks: Kady Malloy, Ramiele Mulaby Wildcard: Kristy Lee Cook

Well there it is America! By the end of tomorrow night's broadcast we will have our next top 12! If we are able to weed out the bad stuff that is left, this really could be an exciting top 12. Of course, it will only be as exciting as the Themes and Songs they pick. We will check back in with my predictions at the start of the top 24 and see how well I did tomorrow night. But again, it will be brief due to conflicts with one of the Greatest Television Programs ever to air on TV! LOST! Don't forget, our resident Idol Beat Boxing season 6 runner up Blake Lewis will be back tomorrow night to sing us a tune. Ooooh, foaming at the mouth already!

And please....start COMMENTING! I'm starting to feel like I'm talking to myself every week! See you tomorrow night!

American Idol: Top 8 Guys Perform

Well well well....a lot has happened in the media since our last Idol recap! And before I can possibly begin to blog tonight I must get everyone up to date on one of our probable Top 12 contestants, David Hernandez! Just click on this magical link and you will learn some things that will make you look at him in a whole new way! All I can say is, THANK YOU DAVID for giving me material to last an entire season!!!! Anyway...this is a blog discussing the TALENT on the show...so I'll try to keep my joking comments to a minimum. I'm sure David's "vocal" talent will, in the end, outweigh his "dancing" talent as was the case tonight. But it is hard to look at him the same way isn't it?

Anyway, if you couldn't translate Paula Abdul tonight, it was overall a great night for the guys yet again. They are clearly the front runners in this competition. So 4 of the 5 we deemed as Top 12 material last week still have nothing to worry bout. Another guy with Dreads redeemed himself to definitely get the 5th spot. So what about the 6th spot? Well there are 3 potentials. In my opinion, 1 that deserves it, 1 that has no shot at it and 1 that probably is going to get it instead! I am not happy about this folks! While VOTEFORTHEWORST.com is great for uncovering information about contestants like in Mr. Hernandez's case, it also possibly has an effect on worse talent staying in this competition longer than it should! But, it's what keeps everyone on their toes. Okay...I'm rambling!

It's 80's night folks! Here is my breakdown of the top 8 guys along with their most embarrassing moments:

1. Luke Menard - "My older sister dressed me up like a ballerina" - Well I guess it's better than undressing in front of a bunch of other men right? Whoops??? Sorry David H! The only thing better than LUKE singing WHAM's "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" may have been David Hernandez dancing and singing this after the big reveal of his PAST. But Luke got to sing those George Michael high notes. And well, there is a reason they put him first! He should've been gone ages ago and when you put a mediocre singer 1st, you may as well be kicking him out the door yourself! He is FINISHED!
2. David Archuletta - "I'm thirsty and I have to pee! Oh yeah and my Mom finished singing a song for me when I lost my voice!" - David had a lot to live up to after his declaration of being the most probably winner of Season 7 last week. He came out with Phil Collin's "Another Day in Paradise" because he liked the message. I mean...you'd think this guy was running for President with all of his picking verses that send a good message or songs that inspire the world. Or singing John Mayer's Cookie Cutter Chord Combo Political Statement song to "CHANGE THE WORLD" (yep..just can't let it rest!) Anyway besides all of that cheesy stuff, his piano playing transition to pianoless singing was a nice touch. Obviously, the kid has tremendous talent. But this week he at least showed some weaknesses in song selection. 2 dreary songs in 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see him try an upbeat song next week and if the judges and America will be singing the same praises for Archuletta. I know I know..I said I'd be easy on him. But there are a lot of good Guy singers this year, so I really can't declare him the winner just yet! He's safe this week though!
3. Danny Noriega - "Tripped in the movie theater in front of his 'Crush'" - Please note that he used the word "Crush" instead of the "GIRL he liked." I think we'd be fooling ourselves to think that would've been the case! Anyway, Danny tried to take on some Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" It really didn't work. He is tiring on me. He was tiring on me at his audition! But...votefortheworst have begun their campaign! Can they pull another Sanjaya on us? I really really hope not. This guy should go NO further!
4. David Hernandez - "I had a booger in my nose once" - Sure David, I'm sure that's your most embarrassing moment. Not the whole world learning what your job has been for the past 3 years (including when you auditioned for American Idol!). This publicity is either going to work FOR or AGAINST David. This week, I don't think it's really going to matter. He still sang the hell out of "All Coming Back to Me Now." Now let's clarify something. The song was written by Jim Steinman and performed by Celine Dion in the 90's (and in the past couple years by Meat Loaf). But was it recorded in the 80's too? Maybe Jim wrote it then. Who knows??? Who cares?? The point is David sang it very well, minus a couple off notes here and there. It was good that he sang a ballad tonight because if he did something like "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" I would be thinking more on the lines of "yeah...he really wants to call Papa, 'Daddy' doesn't he???" Poor poor David....but here's my thoughts on the situation he now finds himself in. When he signed up for Idol, he had to know that his past would come to haunt him. He is probably one of those guys that is PROUD of what he had to do to make a living and say stuff like "it's really good money!" The big question is if he disclosed this information to American Idol beforehand. I mean, we all know what happened to Frenchie Davis in season 2 when she didn't disclose info! She got the boot! Something tells me, Idol is going to milk this publicity for all it is worth! There are controversies every year, and they don't get more hysterical than this one!
5. Michael Johns - "I used to be a Kangaroo Mascot and got beat up!" - Well Michael still carried on his "polished performer" stage presence. Paula actually nailed this critique with her comments on his unique "hop" and stance on stage. It works for him! and he really does seem like a Michael Hutchence carbon copy. I mean....he really should've auditioned for Rock Star INXS a few years back! He performed "Don't You Forget About Me" and pretty much rocked it out. Mixed in some unexpected high notes and mostly to success. He's definitely going to be around for awhile. Something tells me when the Top 12 begins next week, we'll be seeing multiple females going home before the guys start getting picked off. Of course, that depends on if Danny makes it through!
6. David Cook - "I once was performing a song and forgot 2nd verse and stood like a statue during it!" - Well, I may not have indicated it in the blog last week, but I was starting to lose my interest in Mr. Cook. He pulled me back in this week with his risky take on Lionel Richie's "Hello" I mean, who saw THAT coming?? He turned it into a rock ballad and it worked! That one may actually get a few downloads on Itunes! He's definitely going to rock into the top 12!
7. Jason Castro - "I pulled a dread out on a date!" - Well once I heard the opening guitar riff, I knew what song was coming our way. Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah." A song I've heard many times on THE O.C. (yeah I watched it!!) or in SHREK or in probably various other shows. But always forget to download the song. I did this time. I love that tune and Castro had the perfect voice for it. He lost the guitar and just sang an emotional rendition of the tune. Very smart choice! He definitely redeemed his misstep last week and has solidified his top 12 status, and possibly more!
8. Chickezie - "I used to go to the Women's Restroom in High School looking for urinals" - Well, I knew he was trying to sing Luther's rendition of "All the Man/Woman I need" Sure, I guess Whitney's version is the most known. But I didn't think he did TOO bad. Unfortunately, if you don't blow people away with a group of guys this good, and you have a quirky guy like Danny Noriega in the competition, there's a good chance you might get edged out. I hope not Chickezie, but I'm prepared for the worst! And the WORST is Danny Noriega!

I think I pretty much already did my analysis above so nothing left to do but spit out my guesses!

Definite Top 12ers: David Archuletta, David Hernandez, Michael Johns, David Cook, Jason Castro

Definitely Eliminated: Luke Menard

Who Should be eliminated: Danny Noriega

Who shouldn't be, but probably will be: Chickezie

Elimination Picks: Luke Menard, Chickezie Wildcard: Danny Noriega

Really pains me to do it, but I took a risk last week and it paid off. And I am in a quest for my 4 for 4! Simon likes risk takers, so that's what I'm doing! That's it for tonight folks. I'll see you tomorrow night for the top 8 female performances. In the meantime, I will heed Paula's advice and "LEAVE THE PLANET" for awhile. Perhaps I will then learn how she is able to communicate with America as well as she does!