Very exciting songs.  I love Beatles music!  Not all of them though were good for a singing competition as seen in tonight's show.

The best of the night for me was David Cook.  There was just this energy in his version of "Eleanor Rigby" that made it so vital.  Loved how he sang the chorus and how it ended.  Great re-arrangement!  Simon had memorable words for him, saying he would win this competition if it was only about talent, and not popularity.

Brooke White was really very sincere with her "Let It Be".  This, and her piano playing, kept us from noticing the repetitiveness of this classic tune.  Chekezie's "She's A Woman" was very good, although I confess I was not entirely familiar with this tune.  Carly Smithsen was also good with her "Come Together."  I would agree with Paula regarding Michael Johns' "Across the Universe."  I liked its simplicity and effortlessness.  Same with Jason Castro and his guitar-driven "If I Fell".

Syesha was really forgettable. And Ramiele was boring.  She is falling into a rut, and she better extricate herself out of it fast!  Amanda was being herself, nothing particularly new or memorable about it.

3 disastrous messes:  David Hernandez with an overcooked "I Saw Her Standing There."  I guessed that when I heard his song choice there was really very little he could do with song, so I guessed he tried too hard to do unnecessary variations.  Not good at all.

Kristy Lee Cook tried to countri-fy "Eight Days A Week".  I felt it was really a bad idea.  Very corny.  Sounded like a joke arrangement, even like a polka.  And she could not move in tune with the lively music.  It is like she was standing still.  Definitely bad.

Surprisingly, David Archuleta.   For all his polish in the past two weeks, I do not know how he could have had such am error-filled performance for a song like "We Can Work It Out".  Forgotten lyrics, at this stage, and in more than one part of the song!  Unthinkable.

My bet for the bottom three:  Kristy Lee Cook, David Hernandez and Syesha Mercado.

My bet for elimination:  Kristy Lee Cook

First up, the boys.  The fist name called was David Cook.  Then David Archuleta.  Then Jason Castro.  All of them made it in.

Next up, the girls.  Brooke White in.  Syesha Mercado in.  Then Kady Malloy, predictably out.  Her exit performance was terrible and out of tune, too bad for her last impression on tv.

Then after the break, the rest of the girls were up.  Carly Smithsen in.  Amanda Overmyer (looking fresh in red) in.  Ramiele Malubay IN!

Then the boys again.  David Hernandez, who is now getting a lot of bad press because of his past occupation as a male stripper, heaved a deep sigh of relief as he was called in.  Michael Johns is obviously in.  Luke Menard, was expectedly called out.

Last 2 girls left:  Asia'h vs. Kristy Lee.  It was really hard to choose between them.  Quite unexpectedly, it was Asia'h Epperson who was called out.  Asia'h really had very strong performances before her so-so so-called "second rate" Celine and Whitney performances last two nights showed her limitations.  I feel very sorry for her.  Kristy Lee Cook survives this round.

Last 2 boys left:  Chekezie vs. Danny.  For all his colorful and sassy persona, it was still Danny Noriega who was called out.  Quite emotional for this teenager.  Chekezie was really the better singer among the two, although style-wise more traditional.

All said, this season's Top 12 is superior to last year. I foresee that it will be a cliff-hanger every week to see who will get eliminated.  On with the season!