American Idol's final 12

American Idol's merging the guys and dolls tonight; here's a reminder of who I predicted would make it, after the first top 24 shows:

David Archuleta
Danny Noriega
Michael Johns
Chikezie Eze
David Hernandez
David Cook

Kristy Lee Cook
Ramiele Malubay
Amanda Overmeyer
Asia'h Epperson
Amy Davis
Kady Malloy

Not bad; only Amy Davis isn't still around.

Ryan has them all sitting around in a circle--oddly, they go straight to Blake Lewis, makes no sense to overshadow this year's contestants. They claim he came so close to winning the title last year. Oh? I remember Jordin winning in a blowout....

He's good, and interesting, doing his trademark weird stuff, oh so confident. Amazing how fast they grow up after this show.

Wonder if in 2030 Blake's style will be the norm in a robot-dominated society. Maybe one day he'll be seen like another Beethoven.

Over 36 million votes this week, says Ryan. Chats up the judges, it's all just a waste of time. It's weird, feel like this year has gone past pretty fast, still trying to get a feel for the contestants. David Archuleta, Jason Castro, David Cook are my favorite guys, Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, and Kady Malloy my favorite women.

They're replaying all the guys first, for once I like this part; there really was some pretty good singing.

David Cook up first, and he's obviously in, Ryan says Lionel Richie loved it. Takes the first chair; David Archuleta next, he's obviously in too. All the women are really happy for him as he walks past them on his way to the chairs. Jason Castro next, of course he's in. He's really come the farthest, was hardly shown at all before the top 12 guys round.

Turns to the women, after the break. I've always thought these song clips were better than most of the full performances; they should run these as commercials, how could anyone not wanna watch? My guess is Kady will be in the last pair they show, gosh I hope she makes it through.

Brooke White first, of course she's through--I liked her in auditions, thought she might be too corny. Syesha Mercado stands up next, they ask the judges if she's through, they all say yes, and... she's through. Not a sure thing, but I've always liked her. Oooh, Kady Milloy up next, and she's--cut. Ugh. She's someone I'll always think of as she could've been great, but it just never clicked, somehow.

David Hernandez, and he's in. Hmmm, that means a guy I like--Chikezie--may be gone. Michael Johns, and he's obviously in. Luke Menard is obviously cut.

Back, Remiele Malubay makes it after Ryan messes with her a bit; her parents seem pretty cool. She hugs David Noriega before going over, I guess they're both ethnically Filipino so they got that bond. Carly Smithson makes it, she seems tense for some reason. Amanda Overmeyer, obviously is in, there are three people left and Ryan calls her up first.

Kristy Lee Cook vs. Asia'h Epperson, hang out till we come back from break. Kristy's got the complete package, Asia'h may have the better voice but I think it'll be the horse girl. Simon says it doesn't matter, Asia'h probably cut; and she is indeed cut.

Interesting show; really, the differene between say Asia'h and Syesha isn't much, but one has a chance at big fame, the other has hit their peak. No hesitation about singing, of course--she's a performer.

Danny Noreiga and Chikezie, Danny's crying, says he's so close to the girls. Chikezie makes it, he's totally ready to go home--wow; substance over style. They have a long long hug, Danny is just sobbing. For some reason Ryan calls Danny one of our most courageous performers ever on American Idol. He'll have a niche career after this, I'm sure, will have a strong if small fan base--he's fun though.

Just totally goes nuts during his performance, holds nothing back, it's half hostile, half alluring. I'm disappointed, actually, that David Hernandez made it in ahead of him--Danny's much more interesting. Oh well. Oddly, his peeps don't rush the stage to stand behind him/sing with him.

Gosh, a lot of white people who can't dance seems to be the closing montage. I'm pretty excited, I guess; below's my favorite performances from the top 24 round, followed by the top 12 listed according to who I like best.

David Cook, Hello


Jason Castro, Hallelujah


Brooke White, You're So Vain


Kristy Lee Cook, Faithfully


Brooke White, Love is a Battlefield


David Archleta, Imagine



Brooke White
David Cook
Jason Castro
David Archuleta
Kristy Lee Cook
Chikezie
Syesha Mercado
Carly Smithson
Remiele Malubay
Amanda Overmeyer
Michael Johns
David Hernandez


Incidentally, check out Leonard Cohen singing his own song, Hallelujah. It's absolutely biblical in its impact--strange, powerful, profoundly unique.