The top 12 performed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 22, making tonight the first full hour of filler of the season, as one person will be sent home.

Starting this week, the judges get one save whenever they unanimously choose to save someone. Last year, they used it on Matt Giraud, who was then sent home two weeks later.

Paige Miles is the first person to join the bottom three.

Lee DeWyze is safe. Siobhan Magnus is safe. Aaron Kelly is safe. Andrew Garcia and Tim Urban both get poor reviews from Kara, who would be comfortable seeing either of them go. Andrew can sit down. Tim joins the bottom three.

Didi Benami is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe. Katie Stevens is safe. Michael Lynche is safe. Casey James and Lacey Brown will duke it out for the final spot in the bottom three. Lacey is the one in danger.

Simon says one of the three in the bottom three is worth saving. The first one sent back to safety is Tim.

That leaves Lacey and Paige in the bottom two. Randy’s not surprised to see them there. Paige is safe. Lacey Brown is out unless the judges save her. They won’t. Too early to use it.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 24, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The eliminations of Katelyn Epperly, Todrick Hall, Alex Lambert, and Lilly Scott in American Idol Season 9 Episode 21 brought us down to the top 12. Tonight’s theme is The Rolling Stones.

Michael Lynche
Song: Miss You
Randy: Reminded me how great of a performer you’ve become.
Ellen: Way to start the night. Amazing.
Kara: Hot on stage.
Simon: Kind of corny performance, particularly the dancing. Sang it well. Tiny bit desperate.

Didi Benami
Song: Playing with Fire
Randy: On fire tonight.
Ellen: Got right back in the song after losing your way.
Kara: Attacked the song with intensity. Two steps in the right direction.
Simon: Beginning to show the kind of artist you want to be. Very solid performance.

Casey James
Song: It’s All Over Now
Randy: Back to the Casey I love.
Ellen: Fantastic.
Kara: No longer just trying to be a rock star. Best performance since we met.
Simon: Like an audition performance.

Lacey Brown
Song: Ruby Tuesday
Randy: Pleasantly surprised. Kinda held it together.
Ellen: Tiny bit sleepy.
Kara: 50/50. Could have put more into it.
Simon: Song way okay. Stop overthinking this.

Andrew Garcia
Song: Give Me Shelter
Randy: Pitchy everywhere.
Ellen: Your best performance yet.
Kara: Didn’t feel the connection. Oh, great, another of Kara’s connection talks.
Simon: Gave it 100%, but something didn’t quite connect.

Katie Stevens
Song: Wild Horses
Randy: Sang really well. Very strong performance.
Ellen: Sounded amazing once you got into it.
Kara: Never technically perfect, but where you were going was the right direction.
Simon: Only week where you’ve chosen a really strong song.

Tim Urban
Song: Under My Thumb
Randy: Didn’t get that. Very bizarre.
Ellen: Felt like being at a resort drinking a pina colada.
Kara: Applaud you for doing something so incredibly different.
Simon: Also applaud you for being different. But it didn’t work.

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Paint It Black
Randy: Bringing the drama to American Idol. That was hot.
Ellen: Rise above and stand out.
Kara: Best interpretation tonight.
Simon: Stand out performance of the night.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Beast of Burden
Randy: Very singer-songwriter kinda thing. Dope.
Ellen: Sounded great, but expected a tiny bit more from you.
Kara: Growing faster than anybody.
Simon: Held back by personality. Chose a very safe song. But you have an incredibly good voice.

Paige Miles
Song: Honky Tonk Woman
Randy: Did alright.
Ellen: Such great star quality and presence.
Kara: Really hit some big notes for someone who had those issues with your voice this week. Young Paige is back.
Simon: Great considering you have laryngitis. Song’s a little generic and old fashioned.

Aaron Kelly
Song: Angie
Randy: Definitely born to sing. Like a little Justin Timberlake.
Ellen: Beautiful stand out performance.
Kara: Very powerful. Really great.
Simon: Sang the song within the limits of your vocal. One of your strongest performances.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Randy: Not your best performance, but I love you.
Ellen: Saw a little bit of personality tonight.
Kara: So comfortable. Easy to watch.
Simon: Song didn’t have what you needed. Beaten by Siobhan.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 23, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

We follow the performances of the top 8 guys and top 8 girls with the voting results to eliminate four more people and determine the top 12.

Didi Benami is in the top 12. Siobhan Magnus is as well. Between Paige Miles and Katelyn Epperly, Simon picks Paige, although she’s been lacking since getting to the live stage. He is correct. Katelyn has been eliminated.

Casey James is safe. Tim Urban is also in the top 12. Randy says that Lee DeWyze definitely deserves a spot, and although Todrick Hall came back tonight, he’s been inconsistent. Lee survives. Todrick has been eliminated. Interesting that this comes on the heels of a good performance, rather than his two prior disasters.

Crystal Bowersox is in the top 12. Michael Lynche is also in the top 12. Lacey Brown is, too. Aaron Kelly joins them.

The final spot for the boys is between Alex Lambert and Andrew Garcia. Unsurprisingly, this spot goes to Andrew, but eventually he’s gonna have to do more than coast on Straight Up. Alex has been eliminated.

For the girls, it’s between Katie Stevens and Lilly Scott. Kara says it’s an odd duo. Lilly knows herself, while Katie may be struggling to find herself but sounds contemporary. The final seat in the top 12 belongs to Katie. Lilly has a good voice, but I’m just not sure most of the audience “gets” her.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 22, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 8 girls performed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 19, and tonight the guys go next.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Fireflies by Owl City
Randy: Worked it out.
Ellen: Liked that you made it a little rock.
Kara: Look confident tonight. Made it a better song.
Simon: Nothing to rave about but really glad you’re here.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Alex Lambert
Song: Trouble by Ray Lamontagne
Randy: Liked it but wasn’t jumping up and down.
Ellen: Better and better every week.
Kara: The only thing standing in the way of you winning is you. Be you.
Simon: Never seen you relaxed or having a good time. Let yourself go. Really good distinct voice.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Tim Urban
Song: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
Randy: Walked in some pretty big shoes and did a pretty good job.
Ellen: Fantastic (and hugworthy).
Kara: Thought you were going home, but may just about be in the top of the boys now.
Simon: Very very smart. Strongest performance you’ve given by far.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Andrew Garcia
Song: Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera
Randy: Good idea that didn’t quite work. Made it feel like the whole song was three notes.
Ellen: That’s what you needed to do, but the genie came out of the bottle a little too late at the end.
Kara: Couldn’t hear you until the end.
Simon: A little bit desperate.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Casey James
Song: You’ll Think of Me by Keith Urban
Randy: Safe choice.
Ellen: So much more comfortable.
Kara: Better than last week.
Simon: Not memorable but better than last week. Sounded great.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Aaron Kelly
Song: I’m Already There by Lonestar
Randy: Really good. This dude can sing. Still some work to do.
Ellen: Love you. Confidence of someone so much older. A little too much song for you.
Kara: Not a relevant song to you.
Simon: What Kara just said is rubbish. Right song. Not a great vocal but had emotion.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Todrick Hall
Song: Somebody to Love by Queen
Randy: Todrick is back. One of the best vocals by a man the last couple weeks.
Ellen: Worked like a gospel song.
Kara: Really good singing, but there were moments where it was possibly laughable.
Simon: Broadway singer. At least made an attempt to perform.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Michael Lynche
Song: This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush
Randy: Dope. Unbelievable.
Ellen: The show just began. You are the one to beat.
Kara: Never cried after hearing something like that before.
Simon: 100% nailed it. Best performance of all the live shows so far.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 21, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

Four more people were sent packing in American Idol Season 9 Episode 18: John Park, Jermaine Sellers, Michelle Delamor, and Haeley Vaughn. Tonight the top 8 girls perform, and they’re given an hour. Oh geez. Let’s hope the incompetent producers have sorted this out so it doesn’t run 8 minutes over or remove half the judges’ comments.

Katie Stevens
Song: Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
Randy: Paled in comparison.
Ellen: Didn’t feel the connection or the personality, but it was the right song choice.
Kara: Great radio voice, but don’t know who you are yet.
Simon: Haven’t worked out what kind of artist you want to be. 10 out of 10 for trying.

Siobhan Magnus
Song: House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
Randy: Different. Love what you do.
Ellen: Why I love music.
Kara: Brilliant choice to do a cappella at the front. Doing great.
Simon: Weird. Underimpressed.

Lacey Brown
Song: The Story by Brandi Carlile
Randy: A little sleepy but your best performance in a long time.
Ellen: Distinctive voice. Really good.
Kara: Why you got here. Effortless singing.
Simon: Didn’t love the song, but it feels like you’ve been doing this a long time. In danger of being forgotten, but good.

Katelyn Epperly
Song: I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King
Randy: Didn’t feel the right connection.
Ellen: Not the song to choose to wow people. Just not enough.
Kara: Didn’t feel like you were competing.
Simon: Kind of like request night in a restaurant. Other people look as if they’re trying harder.

Didi Benami
Song: Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
Randy: No wow moment but a lot better.
Ellen: Lovely performance. Liked what you did with the song.
Kara: One of my favorite moments so far this season.
Simon: Head and shoulders above anything else tonight.

Paige Miles
Song: Smile by Charlie Chaplin
Randy: Just didn’t work at all.
Ellen: Supposed to be an inspiring song. Instead, it was just sad.
Kara: Just all wrong.
Simon: Horrible choice of song. Awful arrangement.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: Give Me One More Reason by Tracy Chapman
Randy: Love that. Love you. Love the song.
Ellen: Need new adjectives for you. Best performance of the night.
Kara: Easy for you because you know who you are.
Simon: 1 million billion percent in the top 12 (Randy’s math is rubbing off). The one everyone has to beat.

Lilly Scott
Song: Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline
Randy: Loved the mandolin. Loved that song.
Ellen: Love your voice, love it, love you.
Kara: Kinda made Patsy Cline feel current.
Simon: Cute, quirky, no wow factory.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 20, which airs Wednesday at 9/8c on Fox.

Following the performances of the top 10 girls and the top 10 guys, 4 more people will be sent home tonight.

Simon says he watched the show back and changed his mind on some contestants he gave compliments to.

Tim Urban is safe. Michael Lynche is safe. Casey James is safe. That leaves John Park or Todrick Hall. Randy says both of them lost the plot. Simon is right that Purple Haze is getting their lead singer back, and John Park is heading home.

Lee DeWyze is safe. Aaron Kelly is safe. Alex Lambert is safe. That leaves us with Jermaine Sellers or Andrew Garcia. No brainer. Jermaine Sellers has reached the end of the line.

Lilly Scott is safe. Paige Miles is safe. Katie Stevens is safe. That leaves Didi Benami and Michelle Delamor. Kara has decided that Michelle’s performance was not very good after all, and she may be in jeopardy. Michelle Delamor has been eliminated.

Katelyn Epperly is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe. Siobhan Magnus is safe. That brings up Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown. Haeley has been eliminated.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 19, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 10 boys competed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 16, and tonight the girls get their shot.

Crystal Bowersox
Song: Long As I Can See the Light by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Randy: Love that girl.
Ellen: Pure raw natural talent.
Kara: Completely recovered from last week. Effortless. Hit a new level.
Simon: Like the moment with Kelly Clarkson where we realized we’ve got a really serious artist here.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Haeley Vaughn
Song: The Climb by Miley Cyrus
Randy: Didn’t work. No connection. Rough.
Ellen: No connection to the song.
Kara: Need about a year. Inconsistent.
Simon: Complete and utter mess.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Lacey Brown
Song: Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer
Randy: Would have worked, but nothing new brought to it.
Ellen: Good song choice. Adorable.
Kara: Brought the special tone back, but you have to step it up.
Simon: Marginally better.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Katie Stevens
Song: Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
Randy: Some bright moments.
Ellen: Want to see you younger still.
Kara: Not enough of a performance song.
Simon: Tell us what kind of artist you are going to be.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Didi Benami
Song: Lean on Me by Bill Withers
Randy: Song choice showed more of the imperfections.
Ellen: Great voice, but not a great song choice.
Kara: Not good.
Simon: Screeching bad choice of song. Wasted opportunity.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Michelle Delamor
Song: With Arms Wide Open by Creed
Randy: Didn’t do enough with the song.
Ellen: Thought it was good you changed it up that much.
Kara: Favorite performance of yours ever.
Simon: Kind of got 80% of it right.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Lilly Scott
Song: A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
Randy: So unique. Favorite performance of the night.
Ellen: You have it, whatever it is.
Kara: Riveted. Gonna change the game.
Simon: Good but not crazy about it.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

Katelyn Epperly
Song: The Scientist by Coldplay
Randy: Really liked it.
Ellen: Way too slow.
Kara: Kind of love you. All over the place but really good.
Simon: Million times better than last week.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Paige Miles
Song: Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson
Randy: Liked it. So many words.
Ellen: Loved it.
Kara: Could have a hit with that song. But it was supposed to be an angry song.
Simon: Failed to choose the right song. Getting lost in these songs.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Siobhan Magnus
Song: Think by Aretha Franklin
Randy: So bold and so fearless. Dope.
Ellen: Aw man, that was good. Like a Snuggie.
Kara: Don’t know how you hit that note.
Simon: Parts of the song were terrible, but that note was incredible.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 18, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

Following the elimination of Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady in American Idol Season 9 Episode 15, the top 10 guys perform tonight, switching nights because Crystal Bowersox was taken to the hospital this morning.

Michael Lynche
Song: This Is a Man’s World by James Brown
Randy: Standing ovation.
Ellen: Everybody now has got to top that.
Kara: Did not get it until tonight. Potentially a great artist.
Simon: Like going from a pussycat to a lion.

John Park
Song: Gravity by John Mayer
Randy: Probably your vibe, but didn’t bring anything new to it.
Ellen: Right song choice. Could have been a little more soul in it.
Kara: Way better than last week. Lack the connection.
Simon: Nothing to get excited about. So what?

Casey James
Song: I Don’t Wanna Be by Gavin Degraw
Randy: Could see you making this as an artist.
Ellen: Everything is there, but there’s just a stiffness.
Kara: Two steps backwards. This is a singing competition.
Simon: Turned into somebody trying to be a rock star.

Alex Lambert
Song: Everybody Knows by John Legend
Randy: Didn’t sound as sound-alike as it had in the past. Really enjoyed that.
Ellen: So much better than last week. Most unique style of anybody here.
Kara: Not a person out there not rooting for you. Incredible recordable voice.
Simon: A million times better than last week. Not taking part to win.

Todrick Hall
Song: What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner, kinda
Randy: The end of the song was hot. Didn’t need a different wild arrangement.
Ellen: Not the right song.
Kara: Don’t get it. All over the place.
Simon: Not working out at all.

Jermaine Sellers
Song: What’s Going on by Marvin Gaye
Randy: Better than last week but just not a great performance.
Ellen: Pushed too hard again.
Kara: Don’t need every trick. Just one trick that means something.
Simon: Frustrated and disappointed. Watered down the song.

Andrew Garcia
Song: You Give Me Something by James Morrison
Randy: Not the vibe for you.
Ellen: Liked it a lot.
Kara: Just been kind of going down since Straight Up.
Simon: Beginning to become a problem. Just okay.

Aaron Kelly
Song: My Girl by The Temptations
Randy: First half was brilliant. Can really sing. 200% better.
Ellen: A whole lot more confidence. Song was a little forgettable.
Kara: Liked it. Gonna get better and better.
Simon: Didn’t like the song. Need to work out what kind of artist you want to be. Too old fashioned.

Tim Urban
Song: Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson
Randy: Didn’t really get it. Very karaoke.
Ellen: Don’t think the strong point is the singing.
Kara: Liked the song choice. But not all there yet.
Simon: Marked improvement. Really listened to the criticism.

Lee DeWyze
Song: Lips of an Angel by Hinder
Randy: Bold move. Liked it.
Ellen: So much passion and intensity.
Kara: Big improvement. Could hear you on the radio right now.
Simon: Head and shoulders above everyone else vocally. But look terrified.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 17, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

With the completion of performances of the top 12 boys and top 12 girls, America’s votes will send 4 people home. 4 people going home at least means the filler will be somewhat more limited than it usually is.

Siobhan Magnus is safe. Haeley Vaughn is also safe. Michelle Delamor is safe, too. Katelyn Epperly is safe as well. That brings us down to Janell Wheeler or Katie Stevens. Randy does not have an opinion who will go. It’s the end of the road for Janell.

Paige Miles is safe. Lacey Brown is also safe. Lilly Scott is safe. Crystal Bowersox is safe as well. That brings us down to Ashley Rodriguez and Didi Benami. Didi is safe, so Ashley is going home.

Michael Lynche is safe. John Park is also safe. Aaron Kelly is safe. Todrick Hall is safe as well. That leaves Tim Urban and Joe Munoz, the guy who was cut to begin with and the guy who’s had no camera time. Kara would not say this is the right pair to choose from that group. Tim is safe and quite stunned. Joe has been eliminated.

Casey James is safe. Jermaine Sellers is also safe. Lee DeWyze is safe. Andrew Garcia is safe, too. That leaves Tyler Grady and Alex Lambert. Unlike the others, Simon does not wimp out. He thinks it’s over for Tyler. That would be correct. Tyler blames lack of constructive criticism during Hollywood week.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 16, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

The top 12 girls competed in American Idol Season 9 Episode 13, and tonight it’s time for the top 12 boys.

Todrick Hall
Song: Since You Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson (a completely unrecognizeable version)
Ellen: Love that you did something different with the song, although the singing wasn’t the greatest.
Randy: Didn’t even sound like the same song. Completely obliterated that.
Kara: Undeniable that you are a performer. Don’t have to go that crazy.
Simon: Came over as a dancer trying to sing. Crazy arrangement. Murdered the original song. Verging on stupid.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-01

Aaron Kelly
Song: Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts
Simon: Quite a good performance. Not confident.
Kara: Favorite kind of contestant.
Randy: You can definitely do this.
Ellen: Gonna be here a long time. Love how humble you are.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02

Jermaine Sellers
Song: Get Here by Oleta Adams
Ellen: Felt more like a performance than feeling the song. Trying too hard.
Simon: Tried to do too much vocally.
Kara: Make the runs meaningful so they impact the audience. Felt a little old.
Simon: Kind of song that somebody in their 50s would request in a cocktail bar. Sounded like screaming in the middle. Totally blown opportunity.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03

Tim Urban
Song: Apologize by One Republic
Simon: Made the right decision the first time by not putting you through.
Kara: Music overpowered you.
Randy: Wrong song. None of it worked.
Ellen: Couldn’t hit those high notes.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04

Joe Munoz
Song: You and I Both by Jason Mraz
Ellen: Sounded really good. Great stage presence.
Randy: Worked it out.
Kara: Had a few issues with the chorus, but the best so far tonight.
Simon: Not a star. Okay. Safe. Forgettable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-05

Tyler Grady
Song: American Woman by The Guess Who
Simon: People are going to remember that. Partly for the wrong reasons. Come over as somebody who’s gone to pretend to be a rock star school (TM).
Kara: Playing too true to the 70s obsession.
Randy: Style over substance.
Ellen: Lacking the charisma of the rock stars from decades ago.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-06

Lee DeWyze
Song: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Ellen: Went off a tiny bit, but love the tone of your voice.
Randy: A little too rangey. Too pop kind of fusiony kind of rock kind of thing.
Kara: Almost made the song unrecognizeable in parts.
Simon: Best performance by a mile. Naturally good singer.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-07

John Park
Song: God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday
Simon: Have got to have an incredible voice to take over that song, and you haven’t. Very flat and zero emotion. Pointless.
Kara: Loungey. Sleepy. Almost indulgent.
Randy: Got a voice, but doesn’t suit this kind of thing.
Ellen: Sounded great. Not something that’s gonna get a lot of young girls to vote.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-08

Michael Lynche
Song: This Love by Maroon 5
Ellen: Personality is just bursting out.
Randy: Picked the energy up.
Kara: Would be more critical about this performance if there were a lot of great performances.
Simon: Like the support act before the main act.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-09

Alex Lambert
Song: Wonderful World by James Morrison
Simon: Most uncomfortable performance of the night.
Kara: All there, but just not completely together.
Randy: Hope you stick around.
Ellen: Just not ripe enough.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-10

Casey James
Song: Heaven by Bryan Adams
Kara: Eye candy but also ear candy.
Randy: Really liked you. Great song choice.
Simon: Absolutely chose the right song. Honest. Severe. Likeable.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-11

Andrew Garcia
Song: Sugar, We’re Goin Down by Fall Out Boy
Simon: Too serious, too indulgent, not original enough. Disappointed.
Kara: Strange rendition. Straight Up bought you a lot of time.
Randy: Arrangement was really strange.
Ellen: Want to see you open up more.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-12

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 15, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.