We’ve finally made it to the Top 12. (check here to see what msnbc.com thinks of the Top 12)

(Image of the Top 12 from americanidol.com)

It’s been quite a ride, so let’s get a move on. First up – there’s a brand new set and a brand new intro. I don’t like the new intro, but the set looks pretty cool and I like that the band is elevated on the stage.

Theme: Lennon/McCartney Songbook (of which I’m probably familiar with exactly 1 song)

1. Michael Johns – “Across The Universe“. Hate the hair. Boring performance. Boring song. Good vocals. I’m still not convinced on this one – I sense an arrogance there that he thinks he’s already won. It’s too much of a love fest just because he has a sexy accent. He’s through to next week of course, but I’m not sold.
2. David Hernandez – “I Saw Her Standing There“. Good energy on stage and a pretty good vocal performance. I liked last week better, maybe because I have never heard this song before so can’t compare it. It was an OK performance for me for him. He might be in trouble, and Ryan alluded to him having a “stressful” week.
3. Chikezie – “She’s A Woman“. Um, Deliverance anyone? I’m not a fan of banjo pickin’ music. But I do like his voice, and it got pretty rockin’ after the first part of the song. Exciting, energetic, hate the sweater. He’s through after that performance, especially after Ryan rubbed his head and danced around the stage with him.
4. David Cook – “Eleanor Rigby“. Never heard of this song. Loved the coat – it looked like something from Project Runway. I really like David, but there was WAY too much yelling in this song. It reminded me of what I hated about Chris Daughtery. No no no. But he’s through to next week, especially when Simon said he could win the show.
5. David Archuleta – “We Can Work It Out“. Oh dear he forgot a couple of the words right at the beginning but he recovered well and kept it going. There was another minor blip in his memory in the middle as well. Vocals were excellent despite the word flubs. Not at all my favourite performance of his but of course he’s through to next week, and hopefully this is his kick in the rear to step it up on song choice.
6. Jason Castro – “If I Fell“. Doesn’t his mouth look like John Travolta’s? Ok now the audience is clapping AND waving their hands. Stop the madness. Pretty good falsetto, and tone in his voice, and I love his face (but not his hair) – but he did something really weird with his mouth there at the end that was odd. Silly vest. He’s through but Simon’s right he’s got to kick it up a notch.
7. Kristy Lee Cook – “Eight Days A Week“. Like totally like OMG like totally um like like like. UGH! SPEAK ENGLISH PLEASE. Have I mentioned I’m not a fan of country music, especially when it wasn’t originally a country song? Things aren’t made better by twanging them. Hated the performance – she’s trying to be Carrie Underwood. Cheesy, boring, too sparkley. She’s in trouble. And what was with the wonky camera work?
8. Amanda Overmyer – “You Can’t Do That“. Love the outfit, including the striped pants and the scarf thing. I haven’t figured out if her hair is cool or annoys me though. It seems like bad hair is a theme this season…I do really like her voice, but I’m not sure I could buy an album of all her. It would be too monotonous – all rock songs, all the same sound. She might be in trouble for no other reason than people are getting tired of the same sound every week.
9. Brooke White – “Let It Be“. Ok, so I am familiar with this song, but didn’t know who it was written by. I love the sultry nature of her voice. And she’s multi-talented, playing piano as her accompaniment. The song wasn’t as rocking as some others tonight but she did an excellent job on it. She’s through.
10. Ramiele Malubay – “In My Life“. Ok what was with the audience waving their hands back and forth? I would have stopped the song and told them to knock it off. I hated the instrumentals but I love her voice. It’s not a voice you expect from a teeny little girl. She is probably through to next week but she needs to pick less boring songs.
11. Syesha Mercado – “Got To Get You Into My Life“. I couldn’t hear most of the words she sang – it was as if she didn’t know the words so she was just murmuring into the microphone. She was able to sing the chorus though – guess she remembered those words. I like the tone of her voice, but I don’t really care for the song. She’s through to the Top 11.
12. Carly Smithson – “Come Together“. Very rockin’ song, love the outfit (hate the hair), vocals were good, high energy level. I’m not familiar enough with the song to know how she “changed it up” but she worked it out and she’s through to next week for sure.

Results Show:

First we’re…treated/subjected…to a Top 12 montage that looked like it was choreographed by Amy Grant of the early 80’s. The stepping back and forth – you know what I’m talking about. I hated it. The montage was horrific, the dancing was ridiculous, I felt sick to my stomach watching. But that might be because I just finished watching a really gory horror movie. Anyway – we have to put up with another week of this as well, they are going to sing more Lennon and McCartney songs next week too…feel my excitement?

Anyway…on to the rest of the show…a whole lot of blah blah and we find out that Syesha, Kristy, and David H are in the bottom 3. Not a surprise I suppose…but then we find out…

The life of the former stripper has finally caught up with him and we lose David Hernandez tonight. (Check here for David’s reaction to the news…) Frankly I’m surprised because Kristy Lee Cook was horrific/horrendous. Oh well – I’m sorry to see David Hernandez go if only because he was fun to look at. Next week, more of the same. I’m tempted to skip it, but of course I won’t. See you next week folks!