Last night’s performance will hereafter be known as The Night of the Crying Girl. It was, without doubt, the most fun I’ve had watching American Idol this season. I especially loved seeing each of the idols give her a hug onstage as she bawled her eyes out.
Now here’s what I thought of each performance:

Haley Scarnato sang Tell Him, a great song, and did good. Lulu gave her excellent advice, and I loved the outfit.

Chris Richardson sang Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying, a beautiful song I’ve always loved. He was a little nasally (is that even a word?), but that’s his style- and his stage presence was awesome.

Stephanie Edwards sang You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, which I had such high hopes for. She should have really let loose, but I felt she was holding back until the very end. I’m a little worried for her tonight.

Blake Lewis sang Time of the Season, continuing to win me over. I love this guy more and more each week, he’s more fun to watch than Taylor. The singing was excellent, the dancing was great, the beatboxing was perfect… I really, really want him in the finals. Can you tell?

LaKisha Jones sang Diamonds are Forever, which was disappointing. There was something missing in her performance, although I can’t really put my finger on it. It’s as if she didn’t believe in what she was singing, like she didn’t really love diamonds. One of my least favourites of the night.

Phil Stacey sang Tobacco Road, and it was just the wrong song for him. Why didn’t he sing a Herman’s Hermits song? Not much to say about this.

Jordin Sparks sang I Who Have Nothing, and wow- this girl can emote. Her voice really shined through on this. Go, Jordin!

Gina Glocksen sang Paint it Black, but was all bark and no bite. I would have preferred something from Janis Joplin, or even Lulu. I’m still supporting her, though, because this competition needs a female rocker!

Chris Sligh sang She’s Not There, and it was- as Randy would say- “just okay for me”. Why do the idols have to run around so much? I would have loved to see him just plant himself in front of the mic stand and belt it out.

Sanjaya Malakar sang You Really Got Me, ha ha ha ha ha. I like the energy he had onstage, definitely his best performance to date. And the crying girl! Ohhh, the crying girl.

Melinda Doolittle sang As Long As He Needs Me, a song I’ve always hated… and now love. She is amazing. Amazing. AMAZING. I actually reached over and held my husband’s hand during the song. Oh yes.

And the winner of tonight’s performance: The crying girl.

We have our Final 12.

Who went home tonight:

Jared Cotter, which was surprising because I really liked his last performance. Maybe he should have played the “sexy guy” card more.

Antonella Barba, which made me sad, but was to be expected.

Sabrina Sloan, who totally didn’t deserve it… the girl can sing.

and surprise, surprise, Sundance Head! That was sad, too, and I think he should have at least made the top 12.

American Idol Season Six Top 12:

Blake Lewis
Gina Glocksen
Brandon Rogers
Chris Richardson
Haley Scarnato
Jordin Sparks
Chris Sligh
Lakisha Jones
Melinda Doolittle
Phil Stacey
Stephanie Edwards
Sanjaya Malakar

Filipinos, what happened? Why did we lose A.J. Tabaldo, who was- as Paula would say- leaps and bounds beyond the pretty Sanjaya?

I’m sorry to see Leslie Hunt go. All I can say is… Antonella Barba is a lucky lucky girl.

Was it the deepest? The first round of eliminations had us saying goodbye to: Paul Kim, Amy Krebs, Nicole Tranquillo, and Rudy Cardenas.

All four of them were great singers- I think it was definitely a lack of popularity that got them.

Would it be extremely lazy of me to not write about tonight’s performances, and just say “Simon was right.”? Because he was. On every count.

I adored: Melinda Doolittle & Jordin Sparks. They can sing- they really, really can. Mostly everything else made me feel like I was in a Karaoke bar.

And Lakisha Jones: Oh. My. God. What an amazing singer!

The songs they sang:

• Alaina Alexander:  “Brass in Pocket”
• Amy Krebs:  “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
• Antonella Barba:  “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”
• Gina Glocksen:  “All By Myself”
• Haley Scarnato: “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”
• Jordin Sparks: “Gimme One Reason”
• Lakisha Jones:  “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going”
• Leslie Hunt:  “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman”
• Melinda Doolittle:  “Since You Been Gone”
• Nicole Tranquillo:  “Stay”
• Sabrina Sloan:  “Never Loved a Man The Way That I Love You”
• Stephanie Edwards:  “How Come You Don’t Call Me”