American Idol Top 12

Finally after weeks of bad auditions, followed by the whittling down of contestants on the small stage we get the payoff. The top 12 hit the new Idol stage last night singing for the first time the songs of Lennon-McCartney. A couple of notes before I divulge my top and bottom 3 from last night. I like that they are making the singers the centerpiece of the stage and moved the band to the Idol attic, and the whole hatin' on Simon bit is getting really old. Every singer respects most what Simon has to say (and want to have his seal approval more than Randy or Paula's) so Paula needs to stop babbling after she has spoken so that we the audience and the Idol, can hear Simon's usually on-point observations. Also, I thought that at some point last night that Ryan and Simon were going to get into the mother of all cat fights!!!

Top 3 Performances

1. Chikezie - the biggest risk of the night followed by the biggest payoff of the night (and I am not talking about that argyle sweater vest). He made me say "Wha....that rocked!!"
2. Carly Smithson - or as Simon called her that Irish girl (when he couldn't remember her name), she is the true rocker of the group even if her outfit looked like a blue garbage bag pulled over her head with her stuck her arms out.
3. Brooke White - it was a toss-up between her and David Cook but her performance was so heartfelt that the lack of power in her voice and wonky notes can be overlooked. She should teach the others (yes, Ramiele I mean you) how to inject emotion into your song.

Bottom 3 Performances

1. Kristy Lee Cook - there is taking advice and running with it and then there is the Kristy's school of thought. Taking some advice and beating it into a bloody pulp and then taking a Beatles classic and pummeling so badly that not even Doc Robbins and David are able to identify the body.
2. Ramiele - no emotion, no wow, no chance.
3. David Archuleta - I know he is not going home and won't even be in the bottom 3 tonight but his performance was awful. Forgotten lines, flubbed lines, and no confidence. Did he peak too early and set the bar for himself too high? I guess we will find out next week.

Prediction - Kristy should and must go home before she becomes a song serial killer!