8:07 The American Idol top-12 is performing “School’s Out For Summer” with Orianthi and Alice Cooper. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a bit of a crush on Orianthi. She shreds, is easy on the eyes and has a cute accent. Grace Potter would have some serious competition, if she played a flying-V guitar and the B3. The top-12 sounded fine, and it was good to see Alice Cooper onstage. I haven’t been in school for a while now, but that song still makes me happy.

8:14 If Kris Allen sounds worse than both Crystal and Lee did last night. Is it too late to vote him off the show?

8:18 Simon’s co-judges and Seacrest’s sarcastic comments about Simon were way funnier than the audition highlights they put together. They lost the joke when the moved to forced excitement over his departure.

8:21 How did Siobhan Magnus get shafted with an Aaron Kelly duet…and how did they both get shafted with the Bee Gees. Sorry guys.

8:27 Big Mike Lynche is performing “Taking it to the Streets” with Michael McDonald. Big Mike is winning this duet.

8:30 Dane Cook is doing a musical number of Simon’s best disses. In his long history of stealing jokes, it appears he’s stealing Stephen Lynch’s entire act.

8:35 Lacey Brown is singing “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera. Didi Benami, Katie Stevens, Paige Miles, Siobhan Magnus and Crystal Bowersox have joined her. Now they’re doing “Stronger.” X-tina joined them for the final chorus of the song. She looks like Princess Leia.

8:43 Ricky Gervais wouldn’t go a half a mile to see Simon off in person, but he got some digs in live via satellite.

8:48 Lee DeWyze, Andrew Garcia , Aaron Kelly, Casey James, Big Mike and Tim Urban are getting their funk on with some Hall & Oates.

8:54 Crystal Bowersox is singing with Alanis Morissette and more than holding her own. You deserve to win when you can sing with god.

9:02 @MattSilver insists that Carrie Underwood is that hot in person. That’s all I have to say about her.

9:08 Casey James is singing “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.” Is Bret Michaels gonna be there? Didn’t he die? Maybe they’re just setting it up so they Casey can tour with Poison after he does die. I apologize for all of my comments in regards to Bret Michaels, but let’s be honest. I’ve said worse.

9:15 Lee DeWyze is performing with Chicago. It is as hilarious as it sounds. Trust me.

9:22 General Larry Platt is doing the “Pants on the Ground Remix.” Hahahaha…featuring William Hung. Lee perfoming with Chicago was funnier.

9:24 I’m pretty sure the girl in that mayo commercial just admitted to her husband that she got railed by a donkey.

9:31 Paula Adbul is on stage, attempting what it seems is stand up comedy. She would have been funnier if she was on drugs…or more drugs?

9:33 If I know anything about foreshadowing, I’d say that Simon was going to be the next American Idol.

9:37 Every single past American Idol winner is performing..except for David Cook. @CandidCate joked it wasn’t too late to vote him off, after I asked the same thing about Kris Allen. Tons of past Idols are on stage now.

9:46 The top-12 are performing with Janet Jackson. I’m fine with that, as long as it doesn’t turn into another performance of her singing in front of a screen of Michael. That song was so old school, it might have come out on cassette.

9:55 Crystal and Lee are performing “With a Little Help From My Friends” with Joe Cocker. Definitely the best guest performance of the night.
10:03 Lee DeWyze is the next American Idol. Chi-city representing. We don’t stop, no. We don’t quit. Crystal deserved to win after last night. At least the alternative was a hometown guy. I’m still more excited for her debut album

8:10 “The Boxer” was not my favorite performance from Lee DeWyze this season. I think he’s performing it better this time around, but I don’t think it’s blowing anybody away. He needs to be in it to win it. Randy told him to get the energy going. Ellen said she couldn’t be prouder if she birthed him herself.

8:15 “Me and Bobby McGee” was one of my favorite Crystal Bowersox performances of the season. I remember being floored the first time around. She was great this time too. She brought a ton more energy than Lee. That’s what you need to do for the finale.

8:22 Simon Fuller chose “Everybody Hurts” for Lee. I could hear how this would sound before he even sang it, and it sounded the same as I expected. Not a bad performance, but not a pitch perfect performance either. There was more energy, but still nothing that matched Crystal.

8:31 Crystal is singing “Black Velvet” as per Simon Fuller’s choice. Wow. She brought the fire on that one. Went for the notes, had the right amount of grit in her voice. The judges loved it. That’s two straight rounds that go to Crystal. George Costanza would wrap himself in that “Black Velvet” if given the opportunity.

8:39 Lee’s first single could be “Beautiful Day.” Zack’s girlfriend has him on a U2 kick. I wonder how he’d swallow that pill coming from Idol. Maybe she’ll take a guess. It’s more likely she reads this than Zack does. I don’t think any of Lee’s performances were good enough to win this competition. Not great, but not awful. Crystal would have to tank her performance for me to think Lee has a chance.

8:49 Crystal’s first single could be “Up to the Mountain.” I can’t wait to hear the rest of her music, if this is the first single. Folksy, with enough gospel and soul to fuel James Brown’s church in Blues Brothers. Randy is right. That was incredible. Ellen said if Crystal made a salad, she’d eat it. Is that a lesbian joke? Simon’s last critique on American Idol? That was outstanding.

My take: Crystal Bowersox will win American Idol, if all is good and right in the world. All three of her performances were better than all three of Lee’s performances. They weren’t anywhere close to the same level tonight.

Lee DeWyze: Last year, Kris Allen defeated Adam Lambert in the finale. I theorized that this was a result of the American Idol voting public. Teenage girls are going to vote for the boy they can fantasize  about. Lee has this factor going for him over Crystal Bowersox. It may come down to that little, in a competition with two legitimate artists.

Lee’s Sinatra and Elvis night performances were two of my favorites, but I’m not sure he reprises them for the finale. “Treat Her Like a Lady” seems like it might be a hit with the cougar voters, but I could see him going all the way back to “Lips of an Angel” too. The coronation song and judge’s pick will play a big role in how the next two rounds go.

Crystal Bowersox: She doesn’t have the cute boy factor going for her and even admits to having a “musical” crush on Lee. She is a mom though and her little guy is adorable. This could sway some votes back her way. The judge’s pick will likely be a song that suits Crystal well. That round will have to be determined after their performances tonight. The round that could trip Crystal up is the coronation song. If it’s written as a pop tune, she may struggle as a singer-songwriter.

People will always compare Crystal to Janis Joplin. Her cover of “Me and Bobby McGee” was one of my favorite performances of the season. I don’t know if she’ll want to go with someone that she is so often compared to for the finale. “Midnight Train to Georgia” is another song I’d like to see Crystal sing again, but “Come Together” might be the fan favorite to go with.

My pick: I can see either one taking this competition. I want to see Crystal Bowersox win. I have a thing for female vocalists, and Crystal is one of my favorite ever to take the American Idol stage. Her and Lee have probably had the same amount of highlights, but she really hasn’t had any lows. Lee has Owl City to live down. That being said. I think Lee DeWyze will win this season of American Idol. I think he fits more of what the American Idol voting public wants or likes. He’s the new David Cook or Daughtry. Both massive hits on American Idol and beyond. Crystal Bowersox should have the career I enjoy more in the long run.

-Is Ellen on a first name basis with Melissa Etheridge because she’s a lesbian? Wait…no, Kara also said it. Did she say it becaus Ellen saying it made it ok? Or is she just fronting with the husband, like the crazy chick in United States of Tara?

-Score after round one: I’ve got Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox even. The judges gave Lee the edge. I liked Lee’s song choice of “Simple Man” better, but dug Crystals harmonica. Casey was not bad, but was nothing special.

-Let’s keep things in context here people. That would barely be considered a guitar solo at a live concert. It won’t be because of his musical talents if Casey James makes it past this round.

-Crystal put down the guitar and rocked out her vocals harder than we’ve ever seen before for “Maybe I’m Amazed.” Kris Brown won last season on his “Heartbreak” cover last season. I wouldn’t put it on that level, because he turned the song on it’s side. Crystal did show us more than we’ve ever seen from her before. She better be in the finale. Both performances were better than Casey.

-Lee Dewyze went home for some Chicago loving and came back to LA to sing “Hallelujah.” He might have that a little backwards. Unless he’s in the finale. Which he should be. That performance was awesome. He rocked it, with a choir behind him. It would have almost made sense, if this was the version playing in the background of super heroes boning in a spaceship.

Round two: Again have to put Lee and Crystal ahead of Casey. Crystal showed us something new and special with her voice, but it still wasn’t Paul McCartney. Nor could it be. Lee did something special with a song I also love.

Final thoughts: I don’t have to pick a winner tonight. Just the loser. Casey should be the odd man out. He doesn’t have the same vocal chops or range that Lee and Crystal both possess.

9:06 Did anybody else catch Kara wiggling around in Randy’s lap during the group lip sync?

9:13 It’s time for a montage. MONTAGE! Throw in a Black Eyed Peas song for good measure.

9:17 Simon threw out a Yogi-ism right there. “I like to be there live.”

9:18 Lee Dewyze is safe. He’ll get to look like he’s pooping his pants during the results show for at least another week.

9:34 I would officially like to throw Harry Connick Jr. into the mix to replace Simon next season.

9:53 Crystal Bowersox and Casey James are safe. Big Mike and Aaron Kelly are the bottom two.

9:57 Aaron Kelly is going home. I enjoy all the remaining contestants.

8:12 Simon hugged Sinatra’s brunette daughter, but didn’t want to touch the blond one with a 10 foot pole.

8:14 The notes are all there for Aaron Kelly’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” but I don’t think you’re allowed to sing Sinatra before your balls drop. Simon put it nicer, calling Sinatra a lion and Aaron a mouse.

8:23 Casey James is singing “Blue Skies.” This is terrible. He didn’t do anything that got him to this point. It doesn’t even sound like the same person.

8:35 Crystal Bowersox is singing “Summer Wind.” There is a special place in my heart for girls who sing like that. Very jazz singer in a dark, smoky club.

8:45 Big Mike Lynche is singing “The Way You Look Tonight.” This song is the right vehicle for Big Mike’s R&B voice. Probably the best so far.

8:54 Lee Dewyze is singing “That’s Life.” The times Lee struggles, are when he Chad Kroeger’s his vocals too much. This isn’t one of those times. Easily the best of the night. Not even close. The best parts of his voice came through and he hit notes he hasn’t really gone for all season.

8:05 Casey James is singing “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.” Casey hasn’t shined in the last week weeks the way he did early on. There was only one small point when he went out of his vocal comfort zone. His guitar was good tonight. It was far from his best, but an average Casey James performance is better than several other contestants.

8:14 Lee Dewyze is singing “The Boxer.” He seems to have found himself in this competition. He was timid early on, but he has come out of his shell. Lee is on fire these past couple weeks. This was another excellent performance, where he made the song sound fresh and new.

8:24 Tim Urban is singing “Better Days.” Alicia really liked his rehearsal. I think it sounds like someone trying to sing on RockBand.

8:29 Aaron Kelly is singing “I Believe I Can Fly.” They said he’s been singing it since he was five. My original  theory was that was the same year that Space Jam came out, but he’s too young for that. Aaron is another contestant that has been better in the last few weeks. He was alright, but I still don’t see him going much further in the competition.

8:38 Siobhan Magnus is singing “When You Believe.” I like when Siobhan is doing her rock thing. She’s got a spectacular voice, doing get me wrong. In terms of singing and range, this was above and beyond most contestants. This just wasn’t the type of performance I want to see from her.

8:47 Big Mike Lynche is singing “Hero.” He was strong on the verses, but not great during the chorus. Tonight just isn’t the night for most of these contestants. I agree with Big Mike. I like Spiderman too.

9:55 Crystal Bowersox is singing “People Get Ready.” This is one of my top-5 favorite songs of all time. I’m pretty sure she’s about to put on a clinic. Wow. She is leaps and bounds better than all but possibly Lee. She nailed that. Curtis Mayfield would be proud. She broke down in tears at the end. The judges loved it.

Top 1 Crystal Bowersox…nobody came close. Except for maybe Lee Dewyze.

Bottom 3: Tim Urban, Aaron Kelly, Big Mike

9:13 Casey James and Aaron Kelly are safe. Andrew Garcia is going home. I’m not surprised, but I’m still sad to see him go.

9:25 Kara should eat something. Those Angolans have more meat on their bones.

9:28 Brooke White and Justin Gaston should have lip synced, if they’re going to allow it for the group performance. At least be consistent. Those two sounded awful.

9:37 Crystal Bowersox, Sioban Magnus and Lee Dewyze are all safe. Big Mike Lynche, Katie Stevens and Tim Urban are the bottom 3.

9:44 Wowwwwww. That’s how you use fog! Adam Lambert’s performance looked awesome at the beginning, but he had 4-5 better performances last season.

9:54 Tim Urban is safe. Either Big Mike or Katie Stevens is going home. Big Mike was saved again, and not actually in the bottom 3. Katie Stevens is trying to reprise her performance of “Let It Be,” but she’s struggling. As emotion as she is, some of the remaining contestants seem to be taking it harder.

8:06 Hahaha. Adam Lambert just said artist’s package.

8:07 Ryan Seacrest to Adam Lambert: “my tongue isn’t as talented as yours.” I can’t make that up.

8:08 Crystal Bowersox is singing “Saved.” What makes Crystal’s voice so special, is very similar to what made Elvis who he was. They’re both rooted in blues, gospel and a more than just a little bit of country. The judges are running out of nice things to say about her.

8:19 Andrew Garcia is singing “Hound Dog.” Adam Lambert told him that his rehearsal was boring. I do like Andrew’s voice. I do not like this performance. It was boring. He sucked the life out of Elvis (again?).

8:29 Tim Urban is singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” I haven’t really liked him at all. That being said, this was probably his best performance. He didn’t overdo it or goof on it. He sung it nicely and sounded good.

8:38 Lee Dewyze is singing the theme song from Las Vegas, aka “A Little Less Conversation.” Apparently it was an Elvis song first. I called that Lee would be good this week. I just didn’t know he would be that good. Wow.

8:42 Just realized the cast of Glee is sitting behind the judges. How are they gonna be on TV right after?

8:43 Aaron Kelly is singing “Blue Suede Shoes.” Another contestant I haven’t always enjoyed that put on a good performance. The note at the end fell short.

8:53 Siobhan Magnus is singing “Suspicious Minds.” This reminds me of her performance during R&B week that I did not enjoy. Her voice is better than that time though. She did get her scream off. I would have rather had her sing a tune that rocked a little more. She hit the notes she needed to.

9:04 Big Mike Lynche is singing “In the Ghetto.” I figured the R&B singer of the group would shine during the week dedicated to the guy that made it ok for white people to sing R&B music. Like Lee, Big Mike exceeded what I thought it would be. He sang like a man who almost had this all taken away from him.

9:13 Katie Stevens is singing “Baby What You Want Me To Do.” She wasn’t as good as last week, but I thought it was pretty good. Ellen just made a joke about the song being “horny.” Inappropriate Ellen. She’s underage.

9:21 Casey James is singing “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy.” Casey did not seize this opportunity, as Lee and Big Mike did. It wasn’t awful, but it was far from his best.

Top 3: Crystal Bowersox, Lee Dewyze, Big Mike

Bottom 3: Andrew Garcia, Siobhan Magnus, Casey James

9:05 Lee Dewyze sounds better tonight in the group performance, than he did last night. He should be safe though. I’m not a fan of how they Glee’d out “Got To Get You Into My Life.” “Fool on the Hill” came out of left field. What a random, excellent song choice.

9:14 Kara looked good last night. Tonight, she looks like the Bride of Frankenstein.

9:15 Siobhan Magnus, Crystal Bowersox and Katie Stevens are all safe. Deservedly so. Short of Casey James being voted off, nothing will be “shocking.”

9:25 Did my TV break? Or was the dance breakdown during Jason Derulo’s performance supposed to be black and white and poorly turned into slow motion?

9:31 David Archuleta is performing “Imagine.” That reminds me. If you know my roommate, @MattSilver, get him to show you their picture together. Not pictured in photo: candy and van.

9:35 Group one is Lee Dewyze, Casey James and Tim Urban. Group two is Big Mike, Aaron Kelly and Andrew Garcia. I’d have to guess group two is the bottom 3, since I picked 2/3 of them to be there last night. I hope it’s Aaron Kelly, because I still like Andrew Garcia. Big Mike should be safe. Quite surprised hes in the bottom 3. Aaron Kelly is safe. Looks like Andrew Garcia is going home.

9:50 Is it wrong of me to hope Rihanna’s relationship with Matt Kemp has a similar effect on his career as it did Chris Brown’s? I hate the Dodgers.

8:56 Andrew Garcia is safe. Big Mike Lynche is singing for his life. I had him in my top-3 last night. This is terrible. He’s singing Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Work.” He left it all out on the stage. Busted out his falsetto, hit all his notes and brought the energy. Simon really played it off like Big Mike was going home, but the judges save went to him. This guy deserves it. That means two contestants go home next week. Drama!