The official 2-disc DVD release of the American Idol Season 6 Finale show is packed with features; not only does it present the finale in its entirety (and free from commercials), but it comes with a special bonus disc full of interviews, recaps, and more.

The first disc gets straight to the point, presenting the show that featured Jordin’s and Blake’s final performances live to America. The episode is presented in widescreen, and is divided into chapters by performance. You can see all three of Jordin Sparks’ performances, as well as all three of Blake Lewis’, plus the presentation of the Songwriter’s Contest winners and special performance by Chris Daughtry singing “Home”.

The second disc is packed with Bonus Features. Here you’ll find a look into the journeys made by both of the Top 2 contenders, including interviews and a look into their American Idol experience. You’ll also find a special feature called “How to Audition for American Idol Guide”, which includes interviews with the show’s producers and other contestants from Season 6. There’s also a Bloopers chapter, which takes a humorous look at life in front of the camera.

The American Idol Season 6 Finale DVD is available in stores May 13. The brilliant and original performances by two of the most talented artists to grace the stage of the Kodak Theater, plus an inside look into the show and its contestants, make it a must-own for fans of the show.

As the show opened Ryan pointed out the obvious, that the crowd and we at home were still reeling over the loss of Michael Johns and that we had better all vote!  Staring at the final 7 I noticed the girls looked amazing in their dresses but what was David Archuleta wearing??  Were those leather pants?  Then Mariah Carey was introduced.  She has sold a crazy 160 million albums and has had 18 number one hits!!!  That girl is amazing.  On a side night I found out on Oprah that she has a 3,000 square foot closet.  Hello!  I’m praying that maybe my HOUSE is that big when we purchase this fall.  I just don’t know what to think about that.   That is a big closet.  For shoes.  And clothes.  My family of five would fit in there.  With room to spare.

Then before David Archuleta took the stage Randy said he was looking for identity in the contestants as they try to tackle Mariah and Paula and Simon had really nothing to say.  So with that we were off and running to hear everyone’s versions of Mariah’s big ol’ hits.

David picked the song “When You Believe” from the movie “Prince of Egypt”.  I LOVE THAT SONG!!!!! Well, he was amazing and made it his own.  It was David up there singing it and he certainly was not imitating Mariah.  However, the song is so powerful I kind of wish he would have stuck to the melody because that melody is what was so moving about it.  Randy said it was the bomb and he could sing anything.  Paula said David must have made Mariah proud.  Simon knew he would pick that song and thought it was very, very good and that he performed it very well.  He also pointed out that he thought the girls were going to have a tougher time because they would be compared.

Next up was Carly Smithson who sang “Without You” and Mariah thought she would do it more than justice.  Mariah loved her…now would Simon?  Her outfit was lovely and very flattering too.  I loved the lighting and her standing by the piano.  The presentation was great.  Carly has a great voice.  She made the song sound different though and not different in a way I would like it.  She changed the chorus somehow and I just didn’t get it…as Simon would say.  Randy liked that she challenged herself with the song but thought her lower range wasn’t the best.  It was just pretty good.  Paula liked that she showed some vocal restraint and then soared and that she made it her own.  Simon said he really wanted to hear her sing the song and then said she just didn’t pull it off.  He thought she was capable of it but that she was holding back and that she was still too wound up and that it was just okay.  I agreed that Carly could sing it well, she just didn’t do it as well as she could.

After Carly was Syesha Mercado who picked the song “Vanishing”.  She looked gorgeous in her gown.  I mean gorgeous!  She looked very comfortable on stage too.  She did awesome!  Syesha more than likely just made it into the Top 6 with that performance.  It was moving, it was heartfelt and I believed her.  She just kicked Carly to the curb unfortunately.  Randy liked that she was bold and picked tough songs week after week (something I can’t stand personally) but she did a really good job on the song.  Paula told her she was extremely smart to pick a song not too many people knew so she wouldn’t be compared.  Overall her performance was magical for her.  Simon thought that once again technically it was very, very good indeed.  Simon didn’t know though if she ran a risk picking a song people might not know but Randy and Paula disagreed and thought it was a smart move.  I agreed with Randy and Paula.  I didn’t know the song and I loved the performance.  Simon then said that David Archuleta so far had the best performance of the night.

Following Syesha was Brooke White who sang “Hero”.  Oh, a big Mariah Carey tune I think the whole world knows.  Brooke took to the piano totally unplugged and what I loved about Brooke was her conviction.  She had a few flubs on the piano toward the end but hey, I loved her anyway.  Would it be the best of the night?  No.  But Brooke was Brooke and that in itself was a rare thing sometimes on the Idol stage.  Paula pointed out that every part of her was truly authentic.  Paula thought the unplugged version was brave of her to do.  Simon didn’t think she had much choice in what to do with Mariah Carey tunes and what she did was really all she could do.  Simon didn’t think her voice was strong enough for the song.  Then he said it was like a hamburger without the meat.  Ahhh!! Simon.  It wasn’t THAT bad.  Maybe it was missing some pickles and mayo like Randy and Paula chimed in but there definitely was some meat in there.  As Ryan gave out her numbers I couldn’t help but think that Ryan and Brooke looked like they were going on a hot date with their totally matching outfits.

After Brooke’s sort of rocky performance Kristy Lee Cook was up and she chose to sing “Forever”.  Mariah said she liked it better than her own version and that Kristy Lee Cook gave her chills.  Wow!  So Kristy Lee Cook took me back to prom I think with her performance.  For some reason the way she sang it made me go slow dancing under the disco ball in my mind.  She did a really, really great job.   Maybe it was the little bit of country flare she gave it but I really liked her version a lot.  It suited her quite well.  I think Kristy Lee Cook is safe once again.  Randy said she stepped it up toward the end but had some pitchy notes.  Paula said she was super smart as she stepped it up, picked the right songs and basically Paula was blown away.  Simon said that Kristy Lee Cook didn’t give him chills like she gave Mariah chills.  Booooo Simon.  I thought she did great.  Poor Kristy Lee, she can’t even smile after Simon rained on her parade.  In fact, I thought she might cry.  What a big jerk!  I think Kristy Lee Cook gets better and better each week and this week was no exception.  What Simon needed to do was go back and listen to it again!  Maybe he will apologize on the results show to her.  He should!

Oh boy, next up was David Cook…oh what would he do with Mariah Carey?!! I always, always cannot wait to see what he does with a song each week.  He chose “Always Be My Baby”.  Oh man, that was good.  Oh stand up and clap all ye people!  That was hot, moving, chill making, inspiring kind of crazy.  David Cook delivered.  Randy said he was ready to make an album and that he had to stand up because it was the most brilliant performance all season. Whoa, standing “O” from the dawg!  Paula said the song could be on a movie soundtrack and that David was IT!!!  Simon said it was like coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air.  It was original, it was daring, it stood out by a mile, and it was the sign of a great potential artist…someone who takes risk!  Go David!  Wow.  David Cook is going to win American Idol me thinks.  As Ryan gave out the numbers to vote he and David were dressed almost the same.  How cute was that?  Then David Cook was in tears after that song and assessment from the judges.  His brother was in the audience too so I’m sure it was an emotional and gratifying night for him.

Finally my favorite from the beginning, Jason Castro sang “I Don’t  Wanna Cry”.  It was hot too.  He just continues to be hot, hot, hot!!!  He sticks to who he is, sings it with emotion and just keeps on keeping on!!!  I love that he doesn’t stray from what he does best.  Randy didn’t really love it.  He felt like he was at a weird beach luau.  Oh Randy, you were so wrong!  Paula said she would love to be at the luau listening all night long.  Hooray Paula!  Can I come too?  Simon agreed with Paula.  He wanted to be at the luau with her.  He said it wasn’t the best vocal but it identified with him and it was a very cool version and the guys completely won the night.  So with that here were the night’s best performances (in my opinion of course).

1. David Cook
2. Jason Castro
3. David Archuleta
4. Syesha Mercado
5. Kristy Lee Cook
6. Carly Smithson
7. Brooke White

The men obviously did amazing but I did feel bad for the girls having to sing Mariah Carey.  Now Idol needs to have a Josh Groban night or something so the guys can be compared instead of the girls having to measure up. With that being said Brooke flubbed through her song, Carly just didn’t connect and Kristy Lee got a bad review from Simon.  The rest will more than likely be safe, but how can I even say that after Aussie Michael Johns hit the road packing last week!  Anybody could go…even David Cook.  That’s why I got out my phone and voted for David Cook and Jason a lot last night (which amazingly I got through, usually its busy signal after busy signal).  Ryan’s warning put fear in my heart! I had to keep my beloved favorites safe.  Well, I did my part, hopefully the rest of America did there’s.  Sadly, I have a feeling Brooke White will be going home.  I hope for her sake she gets at least one or two more weeks to make up for the fact that she missed her sister’s wedding.  But if not, millions up on millions have seen her perform and have fallen in love with the lovely Brooke White.  I think that it would be safe to say that an album deal will come her way and me, like many others who faithfully watch the show will buy her record or download her tunes.  Brooke White will do just fine.

We the people aren’t satisfied with what it used to be and the judges and producers have, and I’ll quote Simon from the Top 10 performance of David Cook, done an insane or an amazing thing by picking who they picked for this season of Idol.  It means we can’t go back to what we used to know, Idol must stay at the standard they set this season.  They picked quite a few original and unique contestants that have changed American Idol forever.  We, the voting public cannot and will not go back to what we once knew.  That is why Ramiele Malubay (this seasons Jasmine Trias but with a bigger voice) and even extremely talented Syesha Mercado cannot win this competition.  An original with unique flavor has to win it and most certainly will. 

The obvious frontrunner after the Top 10 performed was David Cook in all of his rock and roll impassioned glory.  Just think he was a bartender a few short months ago!  Watching him sing “Billy Jean” was like watching a polished professional and still when I play it back I get chills up and down my legs.  David Cook has got “it”.  David Cook raised the bar so high the others might not be able to jump over it.

So what does this new season of American Idol mean?  It means that people like Jason Castro, Michael Johns, Brooke White, David Cook, and David Archuleta will be what we demand to see in the future.  Gone are the “old” ways of the show.  We’re tired of seeing the same “types” of singers each time and that is why an original is going to win it all.  It doesn’t matter how amazing Syesha Mercado sings each week.  She doesn’t have that different pop of Jason Castro or even Brooke White.  We won’t allow her to win.  We’ve already voted for the Jordin Sparks, Tamyra Gray’s and Latoya London’s of the show.  We want to vote for something we’ve never seen or heard before and vote we will.

Watching the Top 10 perform you could almost feel the hunger from the crowd cheering them on.  They were yearning for something new, something edgy, and something that was going to tidal wave over them overwhelming every sense they had.  America wants there Cinderella moment with a brand new funk and twist and I am confident that we the people will vote fresh and new because we have an idea of what we want and what we want is change.

So after the Top 10 did their thing it was obvious who we’ll be seeing for some time.  Ramiele Malubay finally showed her big voice but it was may have been too little too late (plus her wardrobe choices put her in junior high).  Didn’t she remember that Carrie Underwood sang “Alone” with her big hair and black outfit causing Simon to confess that she would win the competition and there were still like seven weeks to go?  There are just some song choices you should not touch when a previous Idol winner or Idol success story has already had a golden moment with it.   She may not be going home on results night this week but her time will soon be up on that stage.  Jason Castro did excellent as usual but if he wants a chance at winning he has to up his game.  We can’t see the same thing from him week after week if others are pulling out all the stops.  

We are a demanding America and so far the only one feeding our demands each week is David Cook.  I don’t think I need to say anything more about him.  He was amazing, fantastic, phenomenal…you fill in the blank with any other synonym.  He blew everyone out of the water by miles and miles.  The rest of the crew has some serious catching up to do! Syesha Mercado was spot on, beautiful and really raised her game.  She will need to keep it there too if she wants to stick around awhile longer.  We finally saw Michael Johns do his thing and I was glad to see that while David Archuleta again picked a poor song choice.  Who is picking those songs for him?  It must be him, right?  Or do they have someone “helping” them or is his dad “helping” him (seems like Simon alluded to that).  He has had defining moments so far with “Imagine” and I really liked “Another Day in Paradise” too.  David A. has got to pick the right songs or he WILL get to go to his prom. 

Then there was Brooke White who was great and unique and back to her own thing but I agreed with the judges that the arrangement wasn’t the best and Carly Smithson was just too forced and the rock edge did not suit her well on “Total Eclipse of the Heart”.  I totally 100% felt what the judges felt that something just didn’t jive.  Maybe it was because Carly was in the bottom 3 last week that she tried too hard this week?  I don’t know but hopefully she’ll have another week to prove herself.  Then there was Kristy Lee Cook who did a fine job but we all know she won’t win the competition and Chikezie who two weeks ago blew me away and now this week just slightly breathed on me.  His forgettable song choice that really had me quite bored may be the performance that sends him packing on results night.

So with that being said if you want to wear the Season 7 American Idol crown you have got to be unique, original, and you have got to bring it every single week.  Yes David Cook is the dark horse and could easily win the competition but if he falters even one week and Jason Castro, David Archuleta, Michael Johns or Brooke White nails it?  Well then they could be the one wearing the crown.  As Randy says all quite often, you have to be great every time.  It really is going to be about who is the best the most number of times and these contestants have got to bring it each and every week.  They need to sing like it’s the finale even though they’ve got weeks and weeks to go and that person who sings like it’s their last time every time?   Well, that person will be our next American Idol.

To start things off totally new for the season they changed the computer animated introduction for the show.  I noticed it ended with major focus on the last winner Jordin Sparks and the biggest and best selling artists Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.  Then there was a HOT new SET.  Dang.  You’ve come a long way American Idol.  It really was bigger and better than ever.  If you ask me it was all just plain insane!  The band had their own “penthouse” and what seemed to be a larger audience to cheer on the contestants.    They also had a mosh pit in front of the judges and what was this?  Simon was wearing angelic white with his manly chest showing through?  It really was “new beginnings” for Idol.

Then there was a big and fabulous introduction for the group that you could feel right through the television set.  The excitement and energry must have been amazing in that room! What a big night for the contestants.  The special theme for the night was the Lennon/McCartney songbook.  That would be a tall order for the kids and would most certainly make for a great night of entertainment.

First up on the big stage was Syesha Mercado.  Their video introductions just gave a little more information about them.  She was a student at FIU in Florida and was a working actress.  Her mom was a singer too and they showed some family pictures.  She sang “Got to Get You Into My Life”.  I loved the big band behind her and I loved that they were now on the big stage.  It really felt like the competition had finally begun.  Syesha did okay.  I didn’t think she took it out of its 1966 era.  She didn’t make it current.  No doubt the girl can sing it just wasn’t very exciting!  I give her “props” as Randy would say for going first on the big night.  Randy thought it was a nice arrangement but thought it started rough but she got into it later.  He told her she had to loosen up a little, it was alright.  Paula told her she was a very good singer but it started off pitch and then midway through she found her zone.  Plus, she looked fantastic.  Simon thought it was a great choice of song and better than alright.  She also looked very, very nervous but was much better than she was last week.

Chikezie was up next and there were lots of cheers for Chikezie!  We found out he used to work security for LAX.  He was raised on Nigerian cultural music and he chose to sing “She’s a Woman” with his own personal “funk” added to it.  That video showed me just how much more likeable he was becoming.  From the very beginning I LOVED IT!  He sat down at first with the fiddler and banjo players and really made it interesting.  Plus, what a great versatile voice peppered with some falsetto?  Chekizie!  I didn’t know he had it in him!  He definitely deserved to be in the Top 12 after that!!  Rock on Chikezie!!!  I loved it!  Did he let loose or what?  I’m lovin’ this new side of Chikezie!!!  Whew!! Hot, hot, hot!  He filled the whole stage.  He was in it to win it!  Randy said he was thoroughly entertained and who knew Chikezie had it in him?  He loved the arrangement and said he smashed it!  He so did Randy, he so did!  Paula told him the “reward” paid off for him changing it up!  Simon was really surprised that he agreed with Randy and Paula.  What Simon loved about it was he actually changed within a week and took control unlike Syesha.  The stage didn’t control him, it was certainly a unique version and he was terrific.  So then Ryan and Chikezie worked the stage.  I tell ya, Ryan was in rare form for Top 12 night. 

Then it was Ramiele’s turn and did I feel bad for her following that HOT act from Chikezie.  We found out she worked at a Sushi place.  Hey, that was her Sushi outfit (she had it on in her video) she was wearing in her racy photo’s that surfaced on the net!  She also comes from a musical family and they were originally from the Philippines but live in Florida now.  She chose to sing “In My Life”.  She dedicated it to her close friends who left the show, i.e. Danny Noriega.  I love this song!  She started at the bottom of the stairwell with her back to the audience but of course singing to America.  Interesting.  The accompaniment was beautiful.  She had a nice voice of course but I just kept waiting for her to blow me away but she didn’t go there.  It was sweet and boring and paled in comparison to Chikezie.  Maybe she was still thinking about Danny Noriega getting the boot last week.  Dare I say it was a “safe” song for her to sing??  Randy said it was kind of pretty but also pretty boring.  She didn’t do anything special with it.  Paula first told her she looked lovely (never a good sign) but it was pretty safe.  She needed to take advantage of her voice.  Paula told her she needs to not hold back.  Simon said he was bored to tears and the song choice did absolutely nothing for her.  He said she was better than that.  Randy didn’t know if she did enough to stay in the competition.  Oh, I agree with that but there were still nine more people who hadn’t sung yet so maybe she wouldn’t be the worst and the most boring!

Oh hooray!!  Jason Castro was up next!!!  My favorite…  Oh, what were we going to learn about him and what song was he going to sing?  He went to school at Texas A & M and really had respect for The Beatles and what they did for music.  He chose to sing “If I Fell” calling it a beautiful song that he couldn’t wait to sing.  He had his guitar back and what a smart choice to sing to the ladies Jason!  You so know what you are doing and you know your audience.  It was great, groovy, laid back and interesting just like him.  Randy liked it but didn’t love it.  It was one of his favorite songs but didn’t love the switches to the melody Jason did.  Paula disagreed with Randy.  She said what was so special and unique about him was that she did feel his heart and it was a special connection that made him truly unique.  He didn’t do all the riffs and runs because he had an emotional connection with the song and America connected with that.  Simon told him that it was all a little student in the bedroom at midnight.  He thought the song was boring, but it was good enough but not great.  Maybe next week Jason needs to pick something more upbeat to show Simon that his style is NOT boring!!  I wasn’t bored at all!! 

Next up was the lovely and talented Carly Smithson who looked totally hot!  I loved her outfit and I loved her hair!!!  She originally was from Ireland but presided in San Diego and loves it there.  She bartends and waitresses.  She chose to sing “Come Together”.  Oh how she was owning that stage.  She sounded great and man can she “blow” as Randy would say.  I’ll tell you right now that some of these singers definitely stepped up their game and the great are easily being separated from the good!  She mixed it up that was for sure and she did an amazing job.  The best performance of the night so far.  Excellent job Miss Carly.  Randy asked her if it felt good and that got the audience screaming for her!  Randy loved that she was strong, confident, that she looked amazing, had a stellar performance with not a note out of tune.  Paula felt like she was already watching a star.  Simon said week after week he thought she had chosen the wrong song until now.  Simon said that it reminded him of exactly 6 years ago on the same night in the competition back then and that was with Kelly Clarkson. Song choice was so key and Carly had it going on!!!  Now that was a compliment because there is no one like KELLY CLARKSON!!!!!!!!

After Carly was another favorite of mine David Cook.  Was David ready to rock??  He grew up in a suburban town and he was a bartender in Tulsa where he played shows there from time to time.  He picked to sing “Eleanor Rigby” with no guitar.  I loved, loved his outfit!  His jacket was totally hot.  I liked that he didn’t play his guitar too.  It showed that he doesn’t have to hide behind it but can be a front man without it.  Well David, you picked the most perfect song and totally rocked it out.  He is a true rocker and man did he nail it.  Sweet David Cook!  Randy told him that he could definitely rock out on Idol and man was he rockin’.  Paula told him that he was a dark horse in the competition and she loved seeing him as a front man.  Simon told David that he thought it was brilliant.  Simon said that if the show stays a singing competition and not a popularity contest he could win the show.  Wow!!!!!  What a huge compliment.

Up next was Brooke White and I must add again that Ryan was in rare form on that big ol’ stage!  He kept making me laugh with is crazy antics.  She moved to L.A. a few years back to work on her music and was a nanny before American Idol and was so grateful to be on Idol.  She chose to sing “Let it Be”.  Brooke was at the piano which was very nice.  I loved that she was just there singing all stripped down.  Brooke continued to do her thing and be herself.  She knew who she was and I love that about her.  Man this will be a tough season to win!  Randy didn’t know if it was her best performance but she was living her dream and he loved that she gave a very big heartfelt performance.  Randy was totally a fan along with the rest of us here in America!  Paula told her that her niche was picking songs where we could feel her heart.  Simon said it was again one of the best performances of the night.  It was a brilliant choice of song 3 weeks running now and it was believable.  Wow.  Can you love Brooke anymore with her expression of gratefulness and her tears and how genuine she was???  Then Ryan got her shoes for her and Randy and Simon razzed him forever about that…  You know sometimes I feel bad for the contestants as Ryan and Simon go at it and they just have to stand there and watch.

After that heartfelt performance by Brooke it was now time for David Hernandez. He was from Arizona and used to work at a pizza bistro and was in college.  He chose to sing “I Saw Her Standing There”.  He started out in the audience and worked them so that was kind of good.  I thought the arrangement of the song threw him back too far too, like almost from the 1950’s.  David has a great voice but he seemed kind of “weak” vocally.  Usually his voice is fuller or something.  Maybe it was because Chikezie and David had already worked it out big time earlier.  I don’t know but I didn’t love it liked I loved his performance of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”.  Randy thought the song was overdone so Randy was lost.  Paula told David that she loved his voice but he overdid it and needed to scale back some.  It was too much for her.  Simon said “no, no, no” and that is was corny verging on desperate.  He said it was all a little bit rabbit (not deer) in the headlights.  He didn’t think it was a particularly strong performance from David and I agreed.

Next up was Amanda Overmyer with her amazing striped pants and hair extensions.  We found out again that she was from a small town and her whole family rode Harley’s (not really new information from these contestants but maybe some of America doesn’t watch until the Top 12 so they have to recap for them!).  She sang “You Can’t Do That” and put her Amanda spin on it.  Well, she rocked it out now didn’t she!  Great job Amanda! She had such ease on the stage and she totally made it her own.  Loved it!  The crowd loved her too.  Randy told her she took a Beatles song and brought it to a southern bar and rocked it out.  He loved it!  Paula told her she was smiling, having fun and was a star up there.  Simon didn’t think it was as good as last week but she was a breath of fresh air when she came onto the stage.  He made me laugh saying he couldn’t understand about 30% of what she sang and then Paula and him got into a cat fight.  One thing I worry about Amanda though is what we’ve seen is all we are going to get.  Can she sing a ballad?  Can she be versatile?  I think that maybe we have seen all that we are going to see from Amanda Overmyer.

Then it was time for Aussie born Michael Johns who had been in America ten years and now lived in L.A. for the past four years.  He said he had done odd jobs like labor work and tennis coaching on the side to keep music in his life.  He chose to sing “Across the Universe”.  Michael sounded great as usual but I felt like he could take it to such another level.  He has more in him.  Of course he has a great voice but he has really got to pop.  Some of the guys, like Chikezie and David Cook brought such energy to the stage and compared to them he came in last.  Of course his voice sounded good but competition was stiff and good wasn’t going to cut it!  Randy didn’t think it was his best performance and was waiting for something big to happen.  It was a little sleepy to him.  I totally agreed with Randy!  Paula disagreed and said it took a certain inner strength to stand at the microphone and just sing.  Paula thought it was brilliant.  Simon agreed with Randy and told Michael that it was a little bit monotonous.  Now was the point you had to let yourself go.  Of course Simon is still a big, big fan but was a little frustrated that he hadn’t heard all Michael could do.  Simon!!!  You read my mind!!!

The last girl of the night was Kristy Lee Cook who came from a town of 500 people in Oregon.  Her family was musical too and she chose to sing “8 Days a Week” and totally changed the song to a country song.  I thought she sounded great.  It was different, unique, and not forgettable at all.  I totally pictured people line dancing to it.  I think she totally did the right thing making it her own.  One thing I didn’t love was the arrangement.  It seemed a little frantic.  Randy liked the arrangement and the idea of the song but thought she did too many runs (wow, I was opposite not liking the arrangement but I liked what she did with it).  He was torn on it.  Paula didn’t enjoy it and didn’t get it and man did she look irritated with Kristy.  Simon thought it was horrendous.  He thought she sounded like Dolly Parton on helium. What?  Well, I didn’t agree with that.  Simon thought it was very brave but basically bad.  He didn’t like the arrangement of the song.  Now I can agree with that but I must be from a different planet than the judges because I didn’t think it was horrendous and I certainly wasn’t irritated like Paula was.  Then Simon and Ryan got into it and I thought Simon was going to kill Ryan with laser beams from his eyes.  I feared for a knock down drag ‘em out fight after the break.  We’ll see if they still love each other after results night. 

Finally it was time for David Archuleta who lives outside of Salt Lake City.  Again we were reminded that he was a junior in high school!  He chose to sing “We Can Work it Out” and shared that he was a little stressed out about it.  Uh oh. That was not a good sign when you aren’t “feeling” it.  When David gets on stage he just seems so much older and more confident.  I hope he doesn’t fold under the pressure on him!!  He did a fine job minus a few lyrics!  Not my favorite, but very good because he is very good.  Randy thought it wasn’t on point and it wasn’t David’s vibe.  He said it felt forced.  Oh Randy that was how I felt but couldn’t express it!  The Dawg helped me out!  Paula said it wasn’t his best week but he was still a front runner.   Simon said it was a mess, he stumbled over the lyrics, he shouldn’t have done the Stevie version, and it was his weakest performance so far.  Well, that was all true but David will not be going home anytime soon if if tiny tweener finger dialing has anything to do with it!

What an amazing Top 12.  For really the first time there really are SEVERAL people who could win it all.  I have no doubt that David Cook, Carly Smithson, Jason Castro, Michael Johns, David Archuleta, Brooke White, or even Chikezie could take home the title after those Top 12 performances.  The competition is by no means all sewed up with a clear frontrunner.  It was very tough to rank them too because of that.  It was easy to pick who didn’t come up to par and believe me the oil and water separated with these performances and they ain’t gonna mix again.  I hate to even put Jason Castro at the number 4 spot because I love him so but I had to because David, Carly, and Chikezie totally raised their game and owned it!  So here they are in standing order from the Top 12 performances.  David took the top spot over Carly only because of stage presence and conviction.  She had it too but he had it more.

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

Unfortunately for Syesha and Ramiele they right now are the weakest links.  Syesha needs to sing like she did on her final song for Hollywood week.  Ramiele needs to knock off the timidity and let her voice just go.  David needs to do more “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” songs and Kristy Lee Cook needs to do country but not obnoxious.  With that being said I’m afraid Syesha may have just sung her last tune on the American Idol big stage.  Really she was better than Ramiele this time but I think Ramiele may have a bigger fan base at this point that will save her from the dreaded vote out.  Unfortunately “Got to Get You Into My Life” is “Going to Get Her Off of the Show” during results night.

First up was Luke Menard.  For his most embarrassing moment his sister dressed him up as a ballerina when he was little and of course had a picture taken.  He picked a PERFECT song for his voice I must admit.  Although I am not a Luke Menard fan, him singing “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham was genius of him.  He actually sounded kind of like George Michael.  I don’t know if he necessarily made the song his own.  Plus, because I live in Texas I hardly heard a word he sang because a scrolling message about the democratic vote kept on interrupting and beeping through his performance.  Is that a conspiracy??  Well, he kind of made it his own toward the end.  He can really hit those high notes!  Good job Luke Menard.  Randy thought it was little rough, he kind of rushed it but he pulled it together toward the end. He thought it was a surprising song choice.  What?  I thought it was perfecto!!  Paula loved his interpretation of the song.  She liked it.  Simon didn’t like it.  He thought it was weak and a bit girly and he had no chance to make it through to the final 12.  Whew.  Tough words from Simon!

Then it was time for golden boy David Archuleta. His most embarrassing moment was… wow Ryan, way to point out he is thirsty and he has got to pee!  What the heck?  Note to other contestants, don’t share your deep dark secrets with Ryan!!  He’ll announce them to 30 million people!  So, his other most embarrassing moment was when he went to sing in Honduras for a fundraiser and couldn’t finish the song (his voice went out) so his mom had to jump up on stage and finish it.  I personally think the comment about peeing was way more embarrassing.  David chose to sing the Phil Collins song “Another Day in Paradise” and play the piano.  Oh, I love that song!!!!  He totally interpreted it for himself.  He is a superstar dangit.  Randy was thought it was like watching David at one of his concerts.  He thought it was good, kind of an interesting song choice though.  Randy, what are you smoking!  I loved the song choice!  Paula loved that there were a couple of off notes because it showed he was human.  She thought he was perfect for the competition.  She told him to pick songs he could really shine on.  I thought he totally shone on that one!  Simon told him it wasn’t as good as last week and he needed to lighten up a little bit.  He was picking kind of dark songs and he wished he stayed at the piano blah, blah.  Well, I didn’t agree with the judges at all.  I guess I see where they were coming from regarding song choice, but as a viewer, I was only more amazed at David’s abilities.  Simon did say he’d probably be in the Top 2.  No pressure there!!!

After David’s very amazing rendition of the Phil Collins song it was now time for Danny Noriega.  His embarrassing moment was when his friend tripped him down the stairs in a movie theater right in front of his crush.  That would be awful!  He sang “Tainted Love”.  I love that song!!!  At least the guys are picking great songs!!!!  He is such a performer and he looked great.  I thought he did great tonight.  He sold it to me!  The judges might say he didn’t show off his vocals which was true.  Randy thought it was a little pitchy but he loved the arrangement.  Randy thought he was shy and Simon was like “what”.  Randy was talking vocally shy.  Randy told him he could do it.  Paula told him he was the bright light in the competition.  He was sensitive and spicy and he had great vocals.  Paula wanted to make sure his purple streaks would come out of his hair and Simon was like “who cares”!  Simon thought it was useless, he hated the arrangement, he hated the performance, and he hated the vocal (I’m sure he hated the hair too).  Randy and Paula had Danny’s back but I think Simon loves Danny about as much as he loved Sanjaya.  However, Danny sings WAY better than Sanjaya and I doubt he’ll try to rock the faux-hawk.

Next up was our newly minted internet buzz stealer David Hernandez.  I bet Carly was glad the attention was off of her!  A bombed record deal was looking kind of tame compared to David’s recent information leak.  His embarrassing moment was that he did a photo shoot with a booger hanging out and didn’t know it.  Of course he had to do retakes!  He chose to sing “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now “by Meatloaf.  What a great voice this guy has and what a great song!  It was a little pitchy but he sang it with conviction.  I think America will still love David Hernandez even though he is tabloid fodder now!  Randy thought it was a nice song choice.  He thought it was really good but it got a little sharp on the big notes.  Paula felt like he was getting into his groove and finding his niche and becoming a very good performer.  She thought he had some of the best vocals and I agree.  Simon didn’t think it was as good as last week but he had 100% secured a place in the finals next week with that song.  David pointed out he had on Randy shoes so not only was he extremely talented but stylin’ too.

Then because of a technical difficulty with David Cook’s guitar, Michael Johns was up next.  His most embarrassing moment was when he was dressed as a kangaroo mascot for a rugby match and some guys jumped him and he got beat up in front of 20,000 people.  Oh yeah, he totally chose “The Breakfast Club” theme song “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds.  What a smart song choice for him!  All of us thirty something ladies sang our anthem from our childhood right along with him.   Nice job Michael Johns…sweet key change too!  Oh I had visions of Molly Ringwald giving Judd Nelson her diamond stud earring.  Michael Johns, that was hot!  Randy thought he reminded him of Michael Hutchins.  Not sure if Randy was confused on the song or if he just wanted to point out he had that INXS feel.  Paula loved that he was defining who he was.  She loved hearing the strength in his low range.  Simon liked it, thought he had huge talent but hadn’t quite connected with the right song and had his moment yet.  Simon liked him better in the soul category rather than rock too.  However, overall, Simon really, really liked him and thought he would do very well in the competition.

Thankfully David Cook’s guitar got all fixed so he was up next.  Well, his embarrassing moment was singing in a talent competition as a little kid and forgetting the words to the second verse so he stood there like a statue.  For his 80’s song he chose “Hello” by Lionel Richie.  Oh I loved it!  He totally rocked it and I could hear it on the radio TODAY.  The judges had better like David Cook!!!  I’m ready to download it from I-Tunes!!  Hot, hot, hot!!! My favorite so far tonight!!!  Oh, gotta rewind for my studying husband to watch now!  I instant messaged him to come out of the den so he could enjoy David’s rendition. Randy loved that he had a great arrangement, and that it could be a single and a hit.  Hey, that’s what I said!  Paula knew she was in for a great surprise and talent.  It was a Perfect choice and he will be a great shining star.  Simon thought it was very brave and he loved it.  Simon thought it was unpredictable, it worked, and he really, really hoped they would see him next week.  Me too, me too!!!

Next up, scream, was, scream, Jason Castro.  His most embarrassing moment was when he was out on a date and was tying his hair back and he pulled out a dread.  Oh, that is sad for Jason.  But, he still got another date so all was right in the world.  He totally listened to the judges and sang without his guitar and I, scream, loved, scream, it.    He sang “Hallelujah” and did great but seemed to have lost it at the end a tiny bit (although that could have been on purpose).  I totally dug him; it was the best performance of the night.  Randy thought it was a very difficult song and he did a pretty good job of it.  Paula said he made it sound so effortless for how hard of a song it was and that he showed vulnerability.  He was unique, definitely recognizable in his technique and his phrasing.    Simon said that it was absolutely brilliant what he just did.  It was arguably one of the best performances of the night.  He was getting better and better and better and better.  HOORAY FOR JASON!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally it was time for Chikezie. His most embarrassing moment was when he first started going to high school he kept using the same bathroom because it was so clean…well, it was the women’s bathroom.  That was a great story!  He chose to sing “All the Woman I need”.  Isn’t that song “All the Man I Need”?  I get so messed up when they do that!  I think he did great vocally.  Randy thought interesting song choice but he did a really good job.  Paula thought it was a tough song choice but loved his vocals.  Simon didn’t think it worked at all because it was a Whitney song (and I guess a Luther Vandross and a bunch of other people covered it song).  He thought it was more cabaret and didn’t think it was a very smart move for Chikezie.  I would have to agree during a night of stand out performances!

The guys were really, really hot!  They put on a great show and I really enjoyed most of them and for the most part, their songs choices were great!

With that being said, Luke Menard should go home.  Please FOX, tell me on Thursday night that Luke is going home!!  Here is the standing order as I see it after the Top 8 performed.

1.  Jason Castro
2.  David Cook
3.  David Archuleta
4.  Michael Johns
5.  David Hernandez
6.  Danny Noriega
7.  Chikezie Ezi
8.  Luke Menard

It was really tough to pick who was the best tonight!  I had to give the number one slot to my favorite Jason Castro.  Not only is he my favorite but he is so unique and his performance was absolutely riveting.  After that there were four very strong showings nipping at his heels.  I really, really liked David Archuleta’s version of “Another Day in Paradise” and then David Cook ROCKED “Hello” and I envisioned it on the radio and so did Randy and Paula.  Michel Johns did great on “Don’t You Forget About Me” and David Hernandez had his vocals shining through when he sang “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”!! Danny was sassy but definitely toward the bottom vocally which we all know he can do better (come on Danny, you showed us during Hollywood week!), he just needs to be bold.  Chikezie?  Well, I know he can sing but I’ve never really connected.  Finally there was Luke.  Please, please America.  Please send Luke Menard home.

In less than 24 hours the Top 8 girls will tackle the 80’s week and I just don’t know how they are going to topple the guys.  Amanda Overmyer needs to sing “Call Me” by Blondie or some Pat Benatar song or even “Rebel Yell” from Billy Idol.  Syesha needs to sing “Fame’.  Kady Malloy should sing Madonna’s “True Blue” or “Material Girl” or “Walk Like an Egyptian” by “The Bangles”.  Carly Smithson should do “True Colors” By Cyndi Lauper or “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics or “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick.  Brooke White should tackle “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper OR she needs to do “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns-n-Roses.  That would be amazing!!!  Other than that, I hope they totally bring it for the best decade of all time and give the guys a run for their money, because so far they have not!!  If the girls are anything like the guys were it will be a tough vote for America.  On a side note I’ve been voting off and on for the past 2 hours and cannot get through for my favorites!  They need to open more phone lines…