It's all very exciting, but first, a quick math lesson with Ryan Seacrest… 

16 people remain at the beginning of this episode, but there are only 12 chairs for the next round.  So we carry the one, multiply by the average life span of geese, divide by the drag coefficient of salsa and voila!  4 fine folks will be asked to leave as if they stole fizzy-lifting drink.  

But not before last season’s almost-winner Blake Lewis gives us a taste of his robo-rock stylings.  Was this supposed to help with the nerves?  He looked a little over it.

For today’s results-show recap, we’re going to announce things Batman style.  Set the Bat-phaser to stun:

BAM! to Kady Malloy
Her impersonation skills are Brit-tastic but she’s lost custody of her own voice.

ZOWIE! at Luke Menard
The sensitive tenor will not go back to cleaning carpets.  Just FYI.

KA-POW! ala Asia’h Epperson
A consummate cheerleader, she cried and then sang herself off the show with a smile.

FLRBBBBB! atcha Danny Noriega
Who’s that little queenie standing over by the record machine... lookin' like a model on the cover of a magazine... he’s too cute to be a minute over seventeen.  Methinks Danny is going to be just fine.

America (and I guess Australia too), this is your Top 12.

David Archuleta
Jason Castro
David Cook
Chikezie Eze
David Hernandez
Michael Johns
Kristy Lee Cook
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Amanda Overmyer
Carly Smithson
Brooke White

Get to know your idols… 
Visit the LA.COM American Idol Archive and catch up on Season 7 before next week’s beheading.

Group Photo by Fred Prouser via REUTERS