ANOOP TROOP DISAPPOINTED IN ‘IDOL’ SHOCKER
Although viewers were promised a shorter results show this season, last night’s “American Idol” timed in at the usual 60 minutes.  Time was filled with recaps, a toe-tapping group performance of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” encores from those progressing to the Top 12 and a duet from last season’s Carly Smithson and Michael Johns.  While the three Wild Card slots have yet to be determined by the judges, many viewers were no doubt confused by the results.

No surprise here – Casey Carlson, Stevie Wright and Brent Keith did not do enough on Tuesday to wow voters. Additionally, Jackie Tohn’s “stage-working,” Ricky Braddy’s golden voice and Ann Marie Boskovich’s likeability were not enough to progress them to the finals.  Stephen Fowler also fell victim to his forgettable performance.  

Judge favorite and Cowell-proclaimed “dark horse” Alexis Grace sailed through as the sole female finalist.  Watching her encore performance, it became clear why the judges like her.  Much like Christina Aguilera, her diminutive “blondeness” offers the perfect juxtaposition to her larger-than-life voice.   

The nail-biting moments came when Seacrest pitted two front-runners against one another.  The first instance was oil rig roughneck Michael Sarver versus fan favorite Anoop Desai, with Sarver claiming victory.  The last two contestants to learn their fates were Danny Gokey and the infamous Tatiana del Toro.  Gokey prevailed and Tatiana showed the only real emotion of the night, as she was visibly upset during Gokey’s encore performance.

The second group of 12 performs next Tuesday but be prepared to see a few familiar faces from last night’s show in the Top 12.  With the Wild Card round still looming, it is possible that Anoop is still an “Idol” contender. And Tatiana, despite her misguided fashion sense and emotional antics, has the ability to make you want to root for her. Plus, her psychic friend said she’d make it all the way to the Top 12. How can you argue with that?