American Idol 2008 the final 12 - Lennon/McCartney week!

Ok, so now the fun really starts! I love when the live shows start as it means that the dead wood has been eliminated (well, mostly.. I'm looking at YOU, Kirsty Lee Cook!) and we can just sit back and enjoy our favourites and wish bad thins upon the ones we don't like. American Idol has made a big ol' fuss about how this year the contestants are the most talented ever and Ryan has also made a huge deal about how they've finally gotten clearance to use songs from The Beatles. Oh dear, I never did like them. I know I'm going to get crucified for that remark, but I've never actually enjoyed them, even though I can appreciate their cultural importance. Anyways, let's see who manages to screw it all up tonight!

Syesha Mercado drew the short straw and was on first and sang Got To Get You Into My Life. Randy thought she was "pitchy" and Paula thought she "looked fantastic" so no change there. Although you have to admit that she's a very good singer, I didn't feel that the connected with the song at all. In her taped bit before singing, she went on about how she's love acting but she didn't bring any emotion to her performance tonight, she kinda just stood there and yelled her way through. A good big ol' voice (as Randy would say) but no heart. Not tonight anyway.

Chikezie Eze said he's was going to "put his own funk" on She's A Woman and he sure did! Now, I haven't liked Chikezie at all over the last few weeks. I found him subdued, lacking in confidence and predictable in his performing. But tonight, he surprised all of us with his remarkable turn tonight. Starting off a bit hillbilly, Chikezie had this astonishing energy throughout his song and showed a very different side of himself. I loved this and I so didn't expect to.

Ramiele Malubay made an awful song choice with In My Life. She's very pretty and she has a good voice, but this was dire! Paula gave her usual back-handed compliment of "You look lovely tonight. You look really pretty!" but Simon summed it up with his caustic comment: "I was bored to tears throughout the entire song from the awful standing on the stairs to the dreary song choice. Forgettable, boring, and I expect a lot better from you." That Simon doesn't mince his words does he?

Jason Castro sang If I Fell which I've never heard before but I liked it a lot even though I could've done without the stupid audience clapping. Jason looks kinda funny don't you think? I mean, he's handsome but his mouth is sorta goofy and out of control sometimes as if he's stoned or medicated. Maybe he is! Anyway, I liked this and I like Jason's soft voice and simple presentation. By the way, I've seen some shirtless photographs of Jason from his MySpace or Facebook or whatever and you know what, he's pretty ripped beneath the awful dreads and the "vintage" waistcoats.

Carly Smithson revealed that her roomate during the show is Amanda Overmyer. OMG could you imagine what it must be like sharing a room with her? Carly sang Come Together or, rather, she yelled her way through the whole damn song as usual. Don't get me wrong, I know she's got a very good voice but does she really have to grimace and gurn through everything? The judges all liked it though.

Ugly little David Cook came on next and sang a hideous RAWK version of Eleanor Rigby which I hated but the judges loved. I realise that he brought a lot of energy to it and it's always good for these Idol kids to bring their own personality to their cover versions, but there was way too much potato-faced yelling in this for my taste and don't get me started on the hair!

Brooke White sang a traditional version of Let It Be with no bells or whistles and it really worked for her. She's another one that I really didn't like at first but what I do like about her now is her ability to connect emotionally with the songs she's singing and the way she expresses the lyrics.

Before singing, David Hernandez talked about how he was going to be "working the stage" and I have to admit that I immediately thought about his days as a stripper in a gay bar. I mean, he's gonna know some good moves right? Anyway, it wasn't good, David was frantic and he'd made a horrible choice of song I Saw Her Standing There and there was lots of eyebrow movement and mincing about (he's gay, right?) but ultimately it was just weak and not particularly pleasant to watch.

Ah, my favourite girl Amanda Overmyer was up next. I adore her, she makes me smile each she comes on, she's fun and ever so Country. When talking about her song choice she said: "this was the first that I heard it". She sang You Can't Do That with her usual Amanda spin and it was wonderful. Like Simon, I didn't quite understand all the words but when a performer is this electric it doesn't really matter. I love, love, love her.

Sweaty Australian hunk Michael Johns sang Across The Universe and he was good but a little subdued. He still managed to have his usual "glow" at the end even though he just stood still during his song. He's definitely got sweating issues. The judges had a good moan that it wasn't exciting enough, but I think he'll stick around for a good few weeks.

Unlike bloody Kristy Lee Cook. Oh, I hate this one! I didn't even want to watch her effort this week but since I'm blogging it I forced myself. Luckily, she gave one of the most hilariously godawful performances I've ever seen in the Idol finals so I doubt we'll have to suffer her much longer. She sang this terrible hillbilly version of Eight Days A Week and to add insult to injury she looked bored throughout the whole mess. Afterwards, poor Paula just mumbled "I didn't get it, I didn't get it!" and Simon said it was horrendous and said she "sounded like Dolly Parton on helium!" Oh, she is so going to get shitcanned this week.

Last up was David "you can Only vote for him, You can't actually adopt him" Archuleta who sang a very misjudged Stevie Wonder version of We Can Work It Out. Ok, we all love David but he forgot the words! Plus, what's all the lip moistening? I swear his tongue slips out between each line. Yeah, I admit that it's a little bit horny to watch on but it's also very distracting. Anyway, despite the balls up this week, I reckon he's pretty safe based on his strong performances over the past weeks.

So, who's going to go? That Kristy Lee Cook, that's who! Oh, there's simply no justice if that dumb soulless bimbette doesn't get canned this week. I'm so convinced she'll go that I'm not even going to bother suggesting anyone else. Oh, by the way, don't you think that Ryan looked rather lovely in his skinny suit and tie this week?