We're almost there.... TONIGHT we get our Top 36*

*There have been some questions regarding a Top 36 versus the Top 24 of years past. The first three season of Idol involved this year's "new" format.
Season 1 - Top 30, with 3 groups of 10; Season 2 & 3 - Top 32, with 4 groups of 8. Each of these seasons also had a wildcard show. In Season 1 the judges picked the final contestant to make of the Top 10; while in Seasons 2 & 3 the judges picked 3 of the final contestants and America was given the final choice to complete the Top 12.

This season will be following Season 1 the closest. The Top 36 will be divided into 3 groups of 12 to perform, then the top MALE vote-getter, the top FEMALE vote-getter and the 3RD highest vote-getter (regardless of gender) will move on to the Top 12. There will be a wildcard show held and the judges will pick the remaining 3 contestant to finish out "our" Top 12. A lesson in American Idol history :)

On to last night's actual show... so the "around 75 contestants" Ryan quoted to us last week is actually 72 who will be competing for a spot in the Top 50, then their widdled down to the Top 36... got it? Pretty much 22 kids went home last night and another 14 go home tonight! The kids will be performing with the band & back-up singers and can finally bring out the INSTRUMENTS (although we didn't see too many)

The contestants will be put into four different rooms (and if you even remotely good at math you'll realize only 1 of those rooms isn't going to turn out so lucky!)

Adam Lambert is first out of the gate tonight and apparently he's on the show because he wants to... be david cook (and a less awesome version of him to boot) He plans to wow us all with his spin on "Believe" by Cher... it just sounds whiny and shrill to me! I think Adam needs to tone it down a bit! Top 12 potential? Shoe-in
We get the first taste of an instrument with Matt Giraud and the dude is awesome (at playing the piano), but I actually didn't think his voice was as strong as it was during group day... it is strongly plausible that his penchant for vocal runs is really turning me off. Top 12 potential? I'd say pretty strong
BFFs Jamar Rogers and Danny Gokey are up next. Jamar sucks it up with the Plain White T's "Hey There Deliah"... sorry, but I'm so not this kid's biggest fan. Danny, the singer... awesome; Danny, the person... kinda bugs me! Top 12 potential? Danny's got nothing to worry about! Jamar on the other hand might be in a world of hurt while his BFFs off being famous without him.
Anoop Desai is nerd/cool personified! His rendition of "My Perrogitive" by Bobby Brown was stellar and I can't wait to see him bring some old school R&B to the Idol Stage! I just have one request... more Noop Dawg please? Top 12 potential? If he's not there... maybe I'm not there (how you feel about that idol?)
Jorge Nunez and Scott MacIntyre both showed a little contempary style with Neyo's "Closer" and Daughtry's "Home". Top 12 potential? I just don't know if either has the charisma to take them that far... we shall see
Carrie Underwood just shouldn't be messed with... example #1 Kendall Beard warbling her way through "Before He Cheats". Top 12 potential? She's our token country chick
Stevie Wright pick a terrible song for her voice. Colbie Calliat's "Bubbly" is such a breathy, airy song... Stevie voice is more suited for the richer tones. Top 12 potential? Performances like that aren't gonna stand out among 11 other people. She's got to pick the right song!
Lil Rounds does absolutely nothing for me, but the judges seem to love her as does Ryan (or at least the guy who writes his cue cards) Top 12 potential? Shoe-in
I'm interested to hear more from Kristen McNamara. Her attempt at Kelly's "Because of You" was more hollering than singing, but maybe with the right song? Top 12 potential? Kinda like Stevie... without the perfect song choice in the semis Kristen could fall through the cracks.
Mishavonna Henson is just another girl with a raspy voice this season! Her take on Michael Buble's "Everything" was pleasant, but slightly pedestrian. Top 12 potential? Cannon Fodder... sometimes I think they put kids through just so they can't come back anymore (harsh? maybe? true? probably)
I don't care what Tatiana del Toro is singing I just want to knock her upside the head! The sad thing is her voice isn't terrible she's just annoying as all get out! Top 12 potential? There no way... no way... right?
Alexis Grace becomes example #2 of why we should steer clear of Carrie! I meant she wasn't too shabby, but that's a sing your butt off kind of song... Top 12 potential? She gonna need the perfect song choice and a group that's not over run with the "Raspers".
The only thing interesting about Kenny Hoffpauer's was his twist on Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours"... the singing was pretty forgettable. Top 12 potential? Not a chance
Jasmine Murray does a crap job on Jordin's "Tattoo", once again the complete wrong song for her voice. Top 12 potenial? I could see her being one of the Judges choices.
Crybaby Nate is still way too much to handle, but his acoustic take on Rhianna's "Disturbia" was kinda cool and he play the guitar. Top 12 potential? If Danny didn't make it... why should 2.0?
Joanna Pacitti can sure hum with the best of them, but the look of sheer panic in her eyes almost made me feel for her. Top 12 potential? If you forget nearly every word to your song and still make it to the next round... you might just be a Judge's pick.
Apparently "Tattoo" by Jordin Sparks is a hard song to remember... or Casey Carlsen just isn't very good... you decide! Top 12 potential? A pretty face can only carry you so far... Meet this seasons Amy Davis
Stephen Fowler totally butchers "Time of My Life" by the DAVID COOK and it hurts my heart a little bit (who am I kidding.. a lot bit), but apparently his smooth vocal will carry him through. Top 12 potential? I'd say it's a long shot
What is it with dudes sounding like old women when they sing? Nick Mitchell is just one big joke... but surprisingly I'm kinda okay with it. Top 12 potential? None... it's gotta be none... idol has to retain some kind of cred... right?
We get an "I Hope You Dance" by Leann Womack montage that includes a second glimpse of Danny, a not so annoying Jackie Tohn, a pleasant & sweet Arianna Asfar and the earthy Anne Marie Boskovich. The latter doesn't necessarily have the best voice of the bunch, but something about her gives off the sweet innocent vibe of one Brooke White.
Junot Joyner's "Hey There Deliah" by the Plain White T's dazzles us... well at least in the beginning, but seems to fall apart towards the end. Top 12 potential? If it's between him and Stephen... I'd pick this kid, mainly cuz he didn't butcher DC
*I love the random clips of Alex Wagner Trugman waiting they keep showing me! Just glad to know he's still around. I really don't think he's got a shot at the Top 12, but he's still a cutie!
I would have kicked Kaylan Lloyd off just for chewing gum like a cow during an audition... hello this is American Idol not Poedunk Karaoke... oh yeah and the bad singing didn't really help either.
So Leneshe Young fell apart in Hollywood... oh well... I didn't like her anyway!
It took me most of the song to figure out Kai Kalama was singing Stevie Wonder's "Part-time Lover" (which is awesome by the way)... I'm not really sure that's a good thing. Top 12 potential? Not feelin' it dawg
Closing out the singing portion of the evening is Michael Sarver who just sang OTOWN! Dude definitely gets point for awesomeness and his singing was pretty good too! Top 12 potential? Dude's getting a lot of face time in Hollywood... he could be a potential Judges choice if he doesn't get through on his own merit (ie: Dad appeal)

Final Verdict:

Room 2 is safe... Ryan's voice over lets us know this includes: Alexis Grace, Joanna Pacitti, Casey Carlsen, Kai Kalama, Arianna Asfar, Jasmine Murray, Stephen Fowler, Crybaby Nate & Michael Sarver (plus a handfull of other that will probably be cut tonight!) It's also Alex's room... in case you were wondering :) He and Kai share a cute hug!

Room 3 is not... We say goodbye to rapper India Morrison, Michael Castro (who apparently made it all the way to Day 4... even though we never saw him), Leneshe Young and cutie Ryan Johnson

Room 1 has waited the longest and they too are safe (as if there was any doubt with Adam, Lil & Danny in the room). Also included in the Seacrest voiceover are Anoop Desai (yes!), Scott MacIntyre, Danny's BFF, Jorge Nunez and Jackie Tohn. I'd say were going to see a pretty large amount of the Top 36 come from this group! Deductive reasoning leads us to believe they were the easiest group for the Judges to pick...

Room 4 is also safe, but they only knew because Matt Breitzke was cool enough to raise his hand and ask, "so it's a no right?"... that was freakin' hilarious! Once again Ryan points out the kids that matter (and a few who don't) Tatiana del Toro, Jackie Midkiff (who?), Cody Sheldon (getting a major hug from Crybaby Nate), Matt Breitzke, Junot Joyner, Nick Mitchell, Anne Marie Boskovich, Felicia Barton and TK Hash.

So tonight we finally get the Top 36 and it's about dang time! Apparently it's not enough to have screaming and crying this year we need some drama from the judges as well.... "Sing for your survival"? and a Judge's Mansion... what the heck?

I forsee a lot of fast-forwarding through the 2 hour episode in my future!

Check back tomorrow for a complete rundown of the TOP 36 and my take on each and everyone!