Review: Top 12

I'm short on time so here's the quick recap and prediction.

Top performances: Siobhan Magnus, Didi Benami, Lee Dewyze, Aaron Kelly.

Biggest Surprise = Aaron Kelly. Biggest Disappointments (meaning that I had wanted or expected them to be good) = for the 3rd straight week, Andrew Garcia.

The 1 who will get chopped by way of America's axe is noted in RED below. The 1 who should get chopped, based on performance, is noted in PURPLE.

[sidenote: did Kara refer to Randy and Ellen as "the guys" twice tonight?]

THE TOP TIER
Siobhan Magnus Although that note was awkwardly long, her followup resolution to the song wowed me. She also reminded me of Blondie (1st 1:30 of Rapture) in this performance.

Didi Benami She's back. I also like how Ellen called out Didi's ability to make one syllable into two with ease (just as I had weeks ago - see past entries).

Lee DeWyze For any Big Brother watchers, his Chicago accent is almost the same as Jeff's from BB11.

Aaron Kelly Who does wardrobe for this guy? His outfits are ridiculous. He can't rock a leather jacket and he needs to stop tucking his undershirt in. Also, what is up with his hair tonight? That aside, his performance was great.

THE ALRIGHT
Crystal Bowersox Nothing special, although she rocked the peacock earrings that Lilly usually sports.

Casey James

Katie Stevens What? No hard criticism from the judges this week? Surprise, surprise. I think her problem is a lack of fans.

Paige Miles Although her performance wasn't bad, she hasn't done anything to date to wow me or win me over. I don't think she's done it for America either...but she'll likely stay another week.

Lacey Brown

THE FUGLY
Michael Lynche I want to root for Big Mike, because he's from New York...but when he continues to do the cutesy dancing stuff that I've mentioned in previous entries, he falls off the likability list.

Tim Urban I actually did not mind that 'reggae' version of the song. Although he's the VFTWer this week, I think he narrowly loses to Katie Stevens.

Andrew Garcia Is it possible that Andrew Garcia was the worst performer this week? Yes, yes it is. Although he maybe should be eliminated, and my patience with him is wearing thin, he'll live through this week's elimination. His fans are young; they rally for him through YouTube and other social outlets; and they likely have cell phones with unlimited text plans. For those reasons, he stays to disappoint us for another week.

/rl