AI recap - Top 12

Tonight was the long-awaited "Top 12" episode of American Idol, complete with new stage setup and new talent. I hope the talent lives up to the stage tonight. It's a big night for all of the contestants, because that stage will make them or break them.

Syesha Mercado - "Get You Into My Life" - I have always liked Syesha's personality, but I thought she looked nervous tonight. (Who wouldn't be?) She started the song kind of off-pitch, but it got better when she got into it more. I didn't think it was her greatest moment on the show. But that's just me, and I still like her.

Chikezie - "She's a Woman" - As Randy Jackson said, "Chikezie SMASHED it!!!" That dance around the stage with Ryan Seacrest was a little over-the-top, though. He is so adorable. My husband thinks he looks like Isaac from "The Love Boat." I don't know about that, but he can definitely sing!

Ramiele Malubay - "In My Life" - Well, that was just lovely. The song didn't really show her range, though. I always look for controlled voices that can add depth and contrast to a performance, and she's definitely got it. Don't hold back, girl! I think she just lost focus a little this week with her song choice, because she was so upset about people who have been voted off. (She was sobbing while Danny Noriega sang his final song last week. I wasn't.)

Jason Castro - "If I Fell" - Hippie week could've perfect for this shy boy. I liked how he sang the song, but to me, it kinda sounded the same as his interpretation of the song he did last week. He needs to work on his breathing technique, and start showing some musical versatility.

Carly Smithson - "Come Together" - She is such an all-around brilliant performer. Randy is right - she's always on pitch, she has great contrast between her light/soft voice and her power vocals, and she has amazing stage presence and moves that make her look like she's a pro. That bright blue dress really set off her eyes, too. Love her and her little Irish accent!

David Cook - "Eleanor Rigby" - You can just tell by the look in his eyes how very badly he wants to win this thing. Very Daughtry-esque performance.

Brooke White - "Let it Be" - Does anyone else know how difficult it is to play the piano and sing at the same time?! That was such a beautiful performance, and as Simon said, believable. You can tell she's so genuine. She hasn't gone to the dark side of Hollywood yet, as Simon predicted. I was glad to see her get to take a minute and "soak it all in" after the judges' comments.

David Hernandez - "I Saw Her Standing There" - I've always liked his voice. This performance was weird for me, though. I think he did over-do it a bit. He might be in trouble.

Amanda Overmyer - "You Can't Do That" - Elvis on estrogen, anyone? Oh, and can I just say that those lyrics were borderline creepy coming from a female singer?! And yet, the judges keep praising her. I'm just confused. C'mon - let's put her out of her misery already! She seems a'ight when she's shouting, but she can't really carry a tune with "light and shade" as Simon says. And, really, who can listen to a whole CD of the shouting? Not me.

Michael Johns - "Across the Universe" - A solid, safe performance of a great ballad. However, I agree with Randy & Simon - he needs to let go a little. I believe he has great control of his voice. He should show it off more by taking more risks.

Kristy Lee Cook - "Eight Days a Week" (countrified) - The hoedown beat was distracting for me, but I liked the country twist to the arrangement. The judges obviously thought she blew it, but I didn't think it was awful. It just didn't work because it made the song sound rushed, and you never could tell if she was ahead or behind the beat, or if she was actually on tempo.

David Archuleta - "We Can Work It Out" - I was a bit bamboozled-and-confuzled by his comment in his interview about not liking 60s/Beatles music, because didn't he just sing "Imagine" a week or two ago? Tonight, though, he showed his youngness and his nervousness; he forgot some of the words, giving a forced performance.

I don't normally vote for anyone until this "Top 12" stage of the competition. My favorite pick of the night would have to be Carly Smithson, but I'll probably vote for fellow Arizona girl, Brooke White too, because I want her to stay in the competition, and I'm not sure how big her fan base is. I wish Amanda Overmeyer would go home tomorrow, but she probably won't go because she's the worst. (Let's just hope we don't have another Sanjaya situation on our hands, people! I don't think I could take it!)

Who are you voting for? Who do you think should be sent home tomorrow?

**THE RESULTS**
David Hernandez is the first contestant voted out of the Top 12. Not my first choice to go, but I don't think he was a strong enough performer to make it much further than this anyway, at least compared to everyone else in the Top 12. On a side note, I did a double-take when I saw Sanjaya in the audience tonight! Hope it's not a sign of things to come...