Who's on top heading into semifinals week #2?

There didn't seem to be much backlash about the four contestants who left Idol last week...who were they again? (just kidding!) but from surfing the Internet today, it looks like, popularity-wise, there are three guys and three girls who appear to have spots in the Top 12 all but sewn up.

There is little debate that David Archuleta, Michael Johns and Jason Castro are the male front runners. Each is enjoying a comfortable popularity level that should take them to the Top 12. According to my blogger colleague idolblog (who, unlike myself, is sophisticated enough to mount such a poll), when asked Who Is Your Favorite Male Top 20 Contestant? readers responded in force. With 1,161 total votes cast, David A. has a huge lead with 45% of votes, Michael Johns follows with an impressive 23%, and Jason Castro enjoys a slimmer but respectable 10% of votes cast on this blog.

After those top 3, the pack flattens ... any of the remaining 7 male contestants has a shot at the Top 6. Historically, Chikezie's appearance in the bottom 2 last week will be tough to overcome, and idolblog's poll this week is consistent with his lackof support since he fetched the lowest number of votes at 1%. Next up from the bottom of the male poll with 2 percent of votes are Robbie Carrico and Jason Yeager. Now, the latter I can understand, but Robbie? His performance last week was pretty favorably reviewed, but something about him isn't impressing. Moving up from the bottom men, David Hernandez and Luke Menard both got 3% of votes, David Cook 4% and Danny Noriega 7%.

The situation with the ladies is quite a bit different! Ramiele has a way comfortable 43% of the 1,150 votes cast for Who Is Your Favorite Female Top 20 Contestant? on idolblog, with second and third-place vote getters far in the distance tied at 9% (Asia'h and Syesha). Three gals tied for 7% (Brooke, Amanda and Carly), Kady got 6%, Kristy Lee was next with 5%, Alaina at 4%, and Alexandrea hit the bottom of this poll with 1%.

Those results are very interesting. The only female contestant with a margin comfortable enough to suggest a sure Top 12 berth is Ramiele, while the rest will certainly be duking it out in the coming weeks. I was quite surprised by a couple of things. First, Amanda's appearance in the bottom 2 last week is not consistent with her 7% popularity vote in this poll. Likewise, Alexandrea's spirited performance was well-received, although not as reflected here as she got the lowest number of female votes. Finally, our two reigning professionals-with-failed-record-contracts that have gotten so much press? Carly and Kristy got a disappointing 7 and 5% of votes, respectively, which tells me it's any one's game for the ladies!