It's time for the first live results show on American Idol, but my question isn't "Who will make information technology?" It's "Volition America get it right?" No i can speak for the judges' motivations except for Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban (and maybe boob masters Nigel Lythgoe and Jimmy Iovine), simply the questionable nature of their selections came full circle regarding Charlie Askew.

'American Idol' Results: Who's in the Top 10?

It's bad enough they brought along Zoanette Johnson to the finals, just at least her unwavering and overbearing confidence will shield her from harsh criticism. But for poor Charlie and his "Charlie Askew Syndrome," it was an experiment in personality destined to fail. He's a character for sure, but he didn't have nearly the chops of the other singers, and he knew it.

He tried to stick with his unique brand of entertaining, and the judges (especially Nicki) destroyed him. Here he is, watching all these singers practice with precision and clarity, and he knows he doesn't fit in. So he's thrust into this situation in front end of millions of people, and he crumbles a flake nether the pressure. Then, the judges exploit every insecurity he hides with his over-the-top happiness.

If America (or God forestall the judges in my anticipated double save) bring dorsum Charlie, it'll only prolong things for a kid who is non quite ready. Maybe he could step up and detect his zone (because contrary to how he probably feels, everyone IS pulling for him), but I call up information technology'southward time to become him and Zoanette out of the competition. And it's up to all of you to brand that happen.

So volition it be the peak ten or the superlative 12? I retrieve that with the extended nature of the show and five easy choices amongst the girls, a judges' salvage is inevitable to ensure the best move on. Just in instance America screws up and proves as irresponsible as the judges.

The guys' side is a scrap murkier, simply I think with iii easy cuts and vii guys for six spots, there shouldn't be whatever massive surprises.

Like the performance shows this calendar week, nosotros're blogging live and will be for the rest of the season. And then watch along with us, and keep those comments coming throughout the evidence! Who volition move forward? Who will get sent home? Will America restore my faith in humanity? Would Manus Romney exist president if Republicans could bandage 50 votes at once? And most importantly, will ALL twenty contestants have to perform in a cheesy Ford video? Permit'south discover out!

The Reveal Begins

Ryan Seacrest tells us that the 20 remaining singers are sweating it out in a back room (which is a bad choice of words for Lazaro), and no one but him, not fifty-fifty the judges, knows the results. They'll walk upward some stairs and through some other room to get to the stage, where they'll learn their fates in front of thousands of screaming (and booing) fans. Dunno why we need that much background info, but whatever.

He introduces the judges, and Nicki Minaj is wearing 9-inch heels and needs assistance getting to her seat. Mariah Carey is incredibly booberific, and I wonder if she has a concealed weapon permit. I recollect there are some guys on the judging panel as well.

The height 20 has been divided by gender, and (equally of now) v of each will be moving on. 1 by one, they will be brought out in completely non-random club and told whether they're headed back to Hollywood or a bedchamber in their parents' firm. And the guys are upwardly get-go.

Good lord, do nosotros really need a 30-2d-per-guy recap of each performance? What a fourth dimension-waster. It's not like anyone can vote anymore.

Really Lame Results Method

What the hell is happening? This is a actually strange fashion to denote the results. Ryan tells usa he is calling out the guys in random order, then informs us that Paul Jolley is the first one to advance. Then he comes out on stage and sings "Alone," past Center. I'm happy Paul is through, merely I don't go why they're singing over again. Even the reveal is lame. They should bring them on stage and THEN break the results.

The judges will weigh in while Ryan runs back to the other room to evangelize more results. Keith Urban thinks Paul's tonight performance was meliorate than last night'due south because he channeled his theatrics into passion. Merely keep doing that, Paul.

Welcome to the Top 10, Burnell

The next person moving on is Burnell Taylor, and he's singing India Aria's "Ready for Love." This format is and then anti-climactic and confusing. Information technology's disjointed and I feel like I'm watching an episode of Blast. Burnell sings beautifully, simply I still call up Mariah is overhyping him. She says she's but happy to be in the audition.

I guess they're just going to announce the five guys and non actually "eliminate" anyone? Just the five who don't become picked are out? There'south no drama this way, and then we hear them sing only for the sake of singing, with no pressure. Nosotros've spent sixteen episodes listening to them with actual stakes, so this feels odd. Only it might be fun to see them perform with cypher on the line. I just don't know if I like information technology, because it's unexpected. Do yous like this format?

Some other Acme 10 Addition

Ryan is dorsum in the tiny waiting room, and the next guy moving forrard is Curtis Finch, Jr. He seems genuinely excited and maybe a fleck surprised, and I actually think his smugness is just his face and non his demeanor. I still buy that he's a nice guy.

Ryan reminds us that no one on stage knows who is coming out next, and then refers to Curtis' functioning of John Legend's "So Loftier" as his "victory song." Is that new? I don't recollect seeing victory songs before. It's not my favorite performance from him with some of his shakiest notes nevertheless, but the judges and Mariah's boobs don't seem to notice.

Randy Jackson speaks for the all judges and their body parts when he says Curtis once again blew information technology out of the park and is one of the best singers in the competition.

Three Down, (At Least) Two to Go

There are but seven guys left in the tiny room, and I bet they feel similar the walls continue getting smaller. Charlie looks absolutely ill. The next guy in the top 10 is … Devin Velez. He also seems pretty overwhelmed by the news, and I wonder if he'll be channeling that when he sings in Spanish. He sings Israel Houghton's "The Ability of One," which I've never heard earlier. I discover that to be a trend this season. Perhaps that's why I liked Nick Boddington so much. He sang a vocal I not only knew but actually liked.

Devin thankfully avoids singing in two languages this fourth dimension around, which leaves me hopeful it won't necessarily be a weekly occurrence. Nicki thinks he relates to the Spanish-speaking audition and encourages him to continue pandering to performing for that demographic. Thank you, Nicki. Fifty-fifty Castilian-speaking viewers disagree with you.

The Concluding Guy Voted Through By America Is…

The tension is palpable in the room, especially afterward Charlie muttered something under his breath the last fourth dimension we were in here. I think he said, "Just tell us." Don't worry, Charlie, information technology'll all be over soon.

America's concluding choice for the top 10 is Lazaro Arbos. Did you know this guy stutters? But non when he sings. Oh, wait, you knew that? Just making sure.

To prove the show is live, Lazaro goes over some of his notes with a sound guy before he heads on stage, so he sings Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It'southward shaky, and he seems really nervous for a performance that doesn't mean anything. He ends on a strong note, though.

Mariah congratulates him, telling him each performance shows his growth equally an artist, but she wants to hear more richness in the lower part of his voice.

So every bit of now, it's the finish of the line for Charlie Askew, Nick Boddington, Vincent Powell, Elijah Liu, and Cortez Shaw. Nothing terribly surprising, only I would've liked to hear from Nick again. We're halfway through the bear witness, though, with all the girls' results still to come, so I'thousand wondering if they'll even take time for a judges' salvage. The acme 10 might just be all we have. On to the ladies!

Five Guys and One Daughter

Subsequently nosotros sit through more than pointless recaps of each functioning, Ryan is set to introduce the get-go girl moving on, which means she's automatically the all-time one in the top six. Unless there'southward some sort of surprise, but so far, America's been pretty on point.

The first girl joining the top 10 is Janelle Arthur. I didn't realize this was her 3rd time trying out, simply apparently, it's a charm for our southern belle. She loves Oliver Springs and Tennessee, probably more so because she's non headed dorsum there yet. She holds back her tears while singing Dierks Bentley'south "Dwelling."

Want some Dierks Bentley "Home" trivia? The song was released the day before my 31st birthday in 2011 and the day I met my girlfriend. It was also selected past the Arizona Centennial Committee to serve as the official song for the country's 100-twelvemonth commemoration. I'm guessing mine is not the only listen now blown.

Nicki calls her a ladybug marshmallow country superstar. That pretty much sums information technology up.

Six Becomes Seven

Ryan is actually getting a conditioning running back and forth to the waiting room! His little legs are moving then fast! He's like a two-legged centipede. He'due south probably similar, we're NEVER doing it this way again!

The journey continues for Candice Glover, and she does a little victory trip the light fantastic to go along with her victory song: Mary J'due south "Goin Downwardly." Great song choice for her. Proving you can perform like a well-known diva propels y'all correct to the superlative. She is definitely a favorite to win it all at this bespeak.

Randy once over again speaks for all the judges, saying the exact aforementioned matter he did last time.

Angie Miller Can't Hold Back the Tears

Ryan is visibly out of breath before announcing the next finalist is Angie Miller, probably the other favorite to take the whole thing. No surprise here, and she chokes up before launching into Beyonce's "I Was Here."

She is definitely fired up and incorporates some excited fist thrusting into her functioning. I am just excited to utilise "fist thrusting" in a non-dingy sentence. Keith says Angie embodies the purpose of the show, as she is someone completely ready for distinction who but needed a break. Win or lose, she got 1.

Only Two Spots Remaining

And less than x minutes of offset. Who will be adjacent? Time to speed it up, Ryan! The 2nd-to-final spot in the top 10 goes to Amber Holcomb. She rushes through Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Adult female," and near forgets to get-go singing.

Mariah, as usual, doesn't know what to say. She settles on "I'grand happy people voted for you lot."

America Rounds out its Top 10

But one more daughter to get, and since nosotros WENT to commercial at 9:24 EST, I'1000 thinking in that location are no saves in store. Merely as long every bit the final spot goes to Kree Harrison, nosotros won't need them anyway. And Kree information technology is.

That means Zoanette Johnson, Adriana Latonio, Tenna Torres, Aubrey Cleland, and Breanna Steer are headed home.

Kree says she is relieved and ready to have some fun, and she rocks out with Susan Tedeschi'due south "Evidence." It's really a not bad choice for her because she shows that she can sing something other than a ballad and have it sound really skillful. This is the first fourth dimension I notice myself getting behind her. Promise she can go on it upwards.

So that's it for the top 10, with no judges' saves or top 12. Ryan announces that the sixth-place guy and girl will participate in a sing-off to join the American Idol tour, merely that'south a chip of a letdown. Simply for me, though, non for the person going on tour.

Who is your favorite in the top 10? Were you surprised past any of the non-surprising eliminations? Anyone y'all wish stuck effectually longer? Is in that location a singer you think can't hack it with the rest of them? And what did you call up of the new non-emptying, victory vocal format?

Join us next week, every bit we hear from your superlative 10, plainly without whatsoever shocking surprises. How un-reality TV of them to do all this and then straightforwardly. And congrats, America! I think you got it right this time.

(Prototype courtesy of FOX)