The Final 12 is Final, kind of...

Nerves, steel-hard crazy nerves. That is what I had tonight. I won't do the whole re-cap but let me give some highlights. First of all, last night, L'il Rounds (big surprise) got through and then Scott and Jorge. I was really pulling for Ju'not but I thought at least he would get a wild card spot. But NO - they put Anoop, Megan, Jesse, Matt G and Ricky in which I could handle and then they pulled in Jasmine, Von and TATIANA????? Come on!

This is what made me so nervous -- I thought if the judges brought Tatiana to Wild Card, they were going to bring her all the way. And then I would actually have to consider not loving this show any more. See the show has always had moments of "WHAT?" Weird judges choices, shocking voters choices, great singers getting sent packing early, outrageous song choices (remember Kristy Lee Cook's Eight Days A Week?) But in the end talent prevails or bad choices get outshone by good ones. Every time I would think the producer's were pulling strings, they would show me they had faith in the process. Look there is no question that this season more than any other, the judges and producers have made their favorites clear by giving Danny, Adam and L'il the pimp spot at the end of the show. And incessantly pimping Anoop. But when we actually break down the top 12, as I will do shortly, there aren't that many who don't deserve to be there.

So based on wild card performances, I was rooting for Megan (she did her thing with energy and she does feel contemporary), Ricky (I thought he was slick, sang amazingly and was better than Matt) and Anoop (this is purely personal fun - I love his energy and he isn't the best singer, but I want to hear more of him). Was so happy Tatiana sang the same song so the judges could rip her apart but then Anoop repeated so I was scared to death.

I knew the judges would need to choose 2 girls to try to make the top 12 balance better and although I liked Jesse (I happen to like her name for personal reasons too), I didn't think the Top 12 needed her and Megan and Alexis. But Jasmine? I guess it is better than Tatiana going in. I think she will be first to leave. She is so trite and boring. And when Ricky got kicked off I knew Matt could be in.

Let me give you a sound re-cap of the last 4 minutes (thank god I was home watching live because if I had missed this since the DVR cut off I would have FREAKED out).

Simon announces that Matt has made it to the Top 12
RACHNA (blood-curdling scream): NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO No way, no way, what, what, what is Simon going to say?

Simon announces that they have decided it is a Top 13 and Anoop is through too
RACHNA (with a fist pump motion towards the heavens): YES YES YES I knew it, I knew it, YES!

That about sums it up.

So here is your Top 12 my friends in the order I rate their singing and performance quality thus far. Remember, when it comes to the performances, I attempt to give them a clean slate.
Danny Gokey
Adam Lambert
L'il Rounds
Megan Corkery (she could move down if she's not careful vocally)
Allison Irahata (she could blow me away)
Alexis Grace
Anoop Desai
Kris Allen
Michael Sarver
Jorge Nunez (could become cheesy, would rather have seen Ju'not)
Scott (could become cheesy, would rather have seen Ju'not)
Matt Giraud (could move up if he keeps it cool, but would rather have seen Ricky Braddy)
Jasmine Murray (would rather have seen Jesse or Felicia)

Oh and did you see the commercial for the new show GLEE? Looks hysterical.

So there you have it. Let the games begin...

Remember, don't be ashamed of your obsessions...