Three More Top 12, and Wild Card Hopefuls!

Three more American Idol Season 8 hopefuls are feeling a little more relaxed following tonight's results show: Lil' Rounds, Scott McIntyre and Jorge Nunez. I think this is more or less the right group from tonight, although I think Scott and Jorge lack the depth necessary to travel very far into the season after this. Lil, on the other hand, will be Top 6 at the very least....she's got "mad pipes" as the judges often say, and huge likability.

More interesting tonight was the announcement of the much-anticipated Wild Card slots. There has actually been little press about how many slots there would be, and exactly how they would be chosen. For example, I'd read around the 'Net that those from Hollywood who weren't necessarily chosen for the Top 36 would be available for the Wild Card (apparently not; you needed to have been in the Top 36 to have been eligible). I'd also read anywhere from 8 to 12 would be selected; we learned tonight that 8 singers would compete tomorrow night for the remaining 3 slots to round out the Top 12.

Performing last night was apparently a disadvantage, as only one from this week's group of 9 not immediately advancing gets another shot (Von Smith). I supposed that's because the judges had more time to think, consider and discuss the other rejects who had performed a week and two ago, although I might be wrong. Von should consider himself VERY lucky....I think they could have easily gone with Arianna Afsar (since they called her out on her song choice), on lovely Felicia Barton or on Ju'Not Joyner, who had a terrific night.

Returning for another shot from Group 1 are Anoop, Ricky Braddy, Tatiana and Matt Giraud. Anoop, although announced last, was the obvious Wild Card choice, given his immense popularity and the announcement back at the first elimination that only 20,000 votes had separated him and the third-place vote getter. He looked a little shocked...either he was completely unaware that his Wild Card was pretty much a given, or he was quietly trying to figure out how to gracefully drop out of graduate school to continue on Idol.

I liked Ricky Braddy and had hoped he would get another chance. Likewise with Matt Giraud, although song choice will be key and I think he gets that now. Tatiana, on the other hand, was a huge disappointment for me....her Wild Card was also widely predicted, but not because the girl has mad talent but because Idol can't resist the drama. I sincerely hope tomorrow night is the last we see of her!!!!!! Was that worded strongly enough?????

Group 2 returnees are, interestingly, 3 ladies: Jesse Langseth, Jasmine Murray and Megan Cokery. Because the top 12 currently has 6 guys and 3 girls, it reasons that at least one gal from the Wild Card will make it, not because the Top 12 have to be gender-balanced (they don't this year), but just because it makes sense. But honestly, based on what I've seen from each of these ladies so far, I wouldn't choose any of them.....so I need them to convince me tomorrow!

So, was your favorite advanced and given a second chance? Are you liking Kara as a judge after all? And do you really think the judges suddenly changed their minds on a Wild Card just tonight during a commercial break and if so, who was left behind at the last minute so Jesse Langseth could advance?