American Idol: Top 11 Finalists

(S06E22) Tonight was an important night for the remaining 11 Idol finalists. The Top 10 get to go on the Idol Tour all summer. The guy (or girl) who is voted off tomorrow only gets to go back to their boring job or school. So, there's a lot at stake.

Before things get started, Randy says he's expecting the contestants to "bring their game" tonight. Paula advises them to "shake out their nerves . . . have fun . . . and picture Simon not dressed." Simon has only one question for Paula: "Is that what you think about?" Yeah, is it, Paula?

Did the contestants bring it tonight? The judges and Ryan sure think so. They love just about everyone and they give out lots of heaping praise. I'm not as overwhelmed as the judges, mostly because I find these two-hour shows to be brutally long. I swear that by the second half of the show, I've pretty much forgotten who's already performed. Good thing I take such meticulous notes.

But despite being long, it's not too bad. After all, we do get two full hours of 1960s British Invasion music (minus the Beatles, of course). Peter Noone works with the guys, and Lulu works with the ladies. I have to say that I really like Peter Noone. He's quite personable. I think he should get his own reality show.

And the performances begin:

1) HALEY -- Lulu tells Haley that she might not be one of the big voices in the competition, but she has a place in it just the same. Haley sings "Tell Him" in a sexy backless top and shorty-shorts. She has miles of legs. The boys are surely gonna like it. Randy says it was a perfect song for her. He thinks it was her best performance, and had the "Yo Factor." Paula also likes the song choice, and calls her "adorable." Simon says, "You naughty little thing." He thinks it was young, fun, but "a bit shrieky in the middle." However, Simon thinks people will be talking about more than her singing. OK, Haley Scar is sexy, but isn't this a "singing competition"(according to Simon)? Yeah, I didn't really think so.

2) CHRIS R. -- Peter advises him to watch out for vibrato and "stick with the melody." Chris Rich sings Gerry and the Pacemaker's "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying." He's sitting on the stool for the performance which alerts me that this is going to be slow and boring. I do like the acoustic guitar. Randy calls it a "great performance . . . beautiful . . . one of your best." Paula calls it "sexy and charming." Simon thinks it was his best performance EVER. Simon likes that Chris didn't make it sound old-fashioned. On the bad side, Simon warns it was a bit nasally. Honestly, I don't get the love for C. Richardson. I just find him very average. He always sounds likes he's whining to me.

3) STEPHANIE -- Lulu tells Stephanie that she's been watching her and she reminds her of Beyonce. Stephanie sings Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." I like Stephanie, but why is she wearing a metallic blue strapless dress from the 1980s? Randy calls it a great song choice, but "a little pitchy." Then Randy says she has a tough time with ballads. Which makes me think this WASN'T a great song choice for her. I'm confused. Paula likes what Stephanie is wearing, because it makes it contemporary (for 1983 perhaps). Paula wants her to have some fun. Simon thinks Stephanie is losing her edge. He calls her performance "a bit night-clubby" and "cabaret." He misses Stephanie's "passion and rawness." I don't like the outfit, and I also thought she was trying a bit too hard to sell the song.

4) BLAKE -- Peter advises Blake not to let "the business" get in the way of the song. I think this is Peter's nice way of saying "lose the beatboxing, and sing!" Blake sings "Time of the Season," by The Zombies. Paula is up and grooving. Randy likes Blake's "vibey, edgy, massive Yo Factor" and the way he made it "very current." Paula says he has "raised the bar." She believes he could release his version of the song. Simon calls it "a million times better than last week." Simon thinks Blake chose the right song, and made it contemporary without messing with the melody. I'm not sure why the judges are so excited tonight. I like Blake's originality, but when he isn't dancing or beatboxing, he looks kind of uncomfortable up there on stage.

Ryan tries to Blake-dance and sing, and it's really, really scary. Make. it. stop. Yay for commercials! I never thought I'd say that.

5) LakISHA -- Lulu strongly advises LaKisha to sing "You Are My World" over "Diamonds Are Forever." But LaKisha sings "Diamonds Are Forever." Randy says it wasn't his favorite performance, it was "just all right" for him. Paula thinks Kiki picked the right song, and calls her very smart because by choosing the song, she got to wear $1million worth of diamonds. Simon says it wasn't his favorite. He calls it "too old, too old-fashioned." He didn't get it. Look, Kiki is amazing no matter what she sings, but we all sort of expect a big show-stopping tune from her each week. And I didn't care for the song, and agreed with Lulu that she should have gone with the other one. No worries, though. I'm sure Kiki is safe.

6) PHIL -- Peter is really impressed by Phil during rehearsal. Phil (a.k.a Uncle Fester) sings "Tobacco Road," and Randy calls it a "pretty good performance." Paula feels some parts were pitchy, but likes the emotion he put into the song. She also likes that Phil had some fun with it. Simon wasn't crazy about it. He calls it a "third division bar band performance." Simon also says the song wasn't believable because Phil doesn't have "grit"in his voice. What can I say? I'm not a fan of Phil's. He was bottom three last week, and I won't miss him or his bald dome if he goes this week.

7) JORDIN -- Lulu thinks Jordin is amazing and has a big chance of "making it to the finale." Jordin sings "I Who Have Nothing." With her hair straightened, Jordin looks even more like America Ferrara than usual. After she is done, the crowd goes wild. Randy calls it "very controlled," and probably one of the best we'll see tonight. Paula thinks her range is becoming better each week, and calls her "a wonderful performer." Simon says she sang it "beautifully," but he feels like jumping off a bridge because it was so gloomy, and depressing. Wow, somebody who sang and actually made you feel an emotion! I am really starting to like Jordin as a possible front-runner. She actually gets better each week, picks appropriate songs, and connects with the audience. Plus she is young, and cute, and has wide appeal.

Ryan jokes that in order for Simon to get Jordin's song, "You have to experience love with someone other than yourself." Randy enjoys this joke. And Ryan likes that Randy is happy. Randy is happy because the "kids are performing great tonight." Of course, Sanjaya hasn't performed yet, so that could change.

We're back from commercials and Ryan chats with Peter Noone who says what many of us are thinking: "Its not a singing competition (sorry, Simon) -- it's a voting competition." Wouldn't it be great to have Peter back every week to cheerfully disagree with Simon?

8) SANJAYA -- Peter advises him to go with a song, and really believe it's his best choice. Sanjaya sings "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks. As soon as he starts screeching, the camera shows us Sanjaya's biggest fan -- a little girl crying hysterically in a way that young girls once cried for the Beatles. It's the Sanjaya Invasion! Randy is shocked, and says Sanjaya "came out of his shell tonight." Randy thinks it's his best performance. Paula loves that Sanj went for it, and had fun. Simon snarks, "the little girl's face says it all." Sanjy goes into the audience and gives the crying girl a big hug. Sanjaya did not win me over with that, er, unique performance. However, what really shocks me is how NICE the judges are being to Sanj for a change. I have to think that the Idol Executive Producers sat them down and reminded them that if Sanjaya doesn't make the tour, then they're going to lose millions of teenybopper fans, and hence, millions of dollars.

9) GINA -- Lulu believes Gina has to devour the song, "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones. Rocking Glocksen is looks pretty edgy tonight. But her vocals are shaky, especially on the low notes or when she's not screaming. Randy loves her edge, but it's not his favorite vocal. He calls it "a little pitchy in spots." Paula thinks that it's "miles better than last week." Paula also tells Gina she's "gonna have more fun" the more she does her own thing. Simon says "there were moments of complete torture" during her performance. He calls it "style over content," and tells Gina it wasn't good enough, vocally. Randy advises Gina to keep singing songs with big notes which she can do. Simon and Paula bicker a little. And Gina seems hurt by Simon's scorching critique. I can't gauge how popular The Glock is. Will her fans keep her safe another week?

10) CHRIS S -- Chris is a huge British Invasion fan. He sings "She's Not There" by The Zombies. Peter tells him to figure out what the song is about, so that the audience will believe him. Chris walks through the audience, while his fans hold up signs that read: Bringing Chubby Back and Fro Patrol. When Chris S picks up the microphone stand, he comes a little too close to Simon. Paula is up and dancing. Randy says it's "like a concert" in here tonight. Randy thinks Chris ended really strong, although it started rough. Paula thinks Sligh is dressing much nicer, and she likes that he worked audience. Oh, she thinks his vocals were good too. Simon says Sligh "did his thing." Simon calls it "fun . . . a good choice of song . . . a lot better than last week."

Last, but obviously not least:

11) MELINDA -- Doolittle feels out of her comfort zone this week with The British Invasion songs, but chooses "As Long As He Needs Me." Lulu thinks it's the perfect song for Melinda. Mindy Doo does her thing, and the little girl who cried for Sanjaya is crying again. Randy says, "I guess . . . we probably saved the best vocal for last." Randy likes her control and pitch, and calls her a pro. Paula says, "you are in your own league." Simon asks, "Are you really as nice as you seem?" Simon thinks the song sounded boring when it started, but M.Doo's impeccable vocals made the second part sensational. She's nice, she's really nice! Talent and personality should take her far.

Ryan invites Ashley (the little crying girl), on stage and she hugs and cries all over her Idols. It's a wrap, and time to vote.

Who is going home? Stephanie? Phil? Gina? Sanjaya? We'll find out tomorrow.

Tomorrow: Live Results Show #5 -- Lulu and Peter sing!

Don't forget to choose your favorite finalist in AOL's poll.

And for more Idol coverage, go to People.com.