Cheaper by the Dozen

It's time to find out who made the top 12, or as recapper extraodinaire Linda Sharp would say, who fills the American Idol metallic egg carton.

But first, Blake Lewis--wearing more layers than an onion and some shiny pants--is here to perform his newest single "How Many Words." B-Shorty beatboxes for most of the song (perhaps it should be titled "Not Many Words") and does some moonwalk-type moves. Ironically, the song includes the lyric "right back were we started" which makes me long for the "Somewhere Only We Know" days. He also sings about "getting caught in uranus." Actually it's "your reign and" but he doesn't enunciate well. The song feels extremely long and drawn out but that could be because AI has us trained to expect half-songs.

36 million votes were received, which is five million more than last week. Paula's in a fedora and is congratulated on having the #1 song on iTunes (which has since been surpassed by Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" thanks to Castro). Simon is asked to congratulate Pauler and he hems and haws over it before saying "well done."

After rolling the tape of the highlights of the guy's performance night, Ryan reminds us that there are eight faces, but only six places. The first person to be inaugurated into the coveted top 12 is David Cook. Archuleta and Castro are quickly asked to join him.

After the break it's the girl's turn, and we watch their recap video. Brooke is deemed safe and shyly makes her way across the room. Smirkado is asked the stand and the judges are consulted as to whether or not she's in. After three quick "yes'es" they make it official. Kady Malloy is then let go and makes her way to the center of the stage to watch her Idol journey and sing her swan song. Asia'h cries, Danny cries, and the performance isn't even as good as the night before--Kady is shaky and has got her b*tch face on.

Ryan announces that beginning next week they will be opening up the phone lines live on the result's show. Well that sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen.

It's back to the guys. Hernandez and Michael are IN, Lukeolas is OUT. For once Luke decides to wear a hot shirt, we see his journey, he sings and then he go-goes.

Ramiele, Carly and Amanda are asked to stay, while Kristy and Asia'h are left to cross their fingers for the final seat in the girls row of shiny saucer stools. After the break, the judges are consulted as to who they think is going home. Randy says he thinks it's going to swing Asia'h's way, Paula refuses to answer directly, and Simon predicts Asia'h is going home...and d*mn it he's right. We see her tearful video and she reprises "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" which is completely inappropriate save for the line "I've done alright up until now."

Danny and Chikezie--the only boys remaining, are asked to come down front and center. Unfortunately, it's Danny who gets the axe. I know there are at least two Danny haters to every Danny fan, but you gotta admit the guy is more entertaining than McCheesy, who I just can't see going platinum or filling up stadiums. We see Danny's tape, Ramiele cries, and Danny sings the words "take my tears and that's not really all."

They then recycle footage from the Top 24 video to announce the top 12 (and edit the "Eze" from Chikezie's name which mysteriously vanished during week one of performances).
So here you have it America, your top 12:

Jason Castro * David Archuleta * David Hernandez * David Cook * Michael Johns * Chikezie * Kristy Lee Cook * Carly Smithson * Brooke White * Ramiele Malubay * Amanda Overmyer * Syesha Mercado

Who will be the first to leave?