Live-Blogging the American Idol Top 11

The top 11 contestants in America's most popular talent show get a second shot at the Lennon/McCartney songbook tonight. Fingers crossed that Kristy Lee Cook learned her lesson last week and won't twang-up another Beatles classic and think she deserves some get-out-of-jail-free card because she's trying to bring a little country flavor.

Tune in tonight to see what happens...

9:59 - Wrap-up comment: For whatever reason (perhaps the producers felt guilty about what their work did to Kristy Lee last week?) the musical arrangements were unusually slanted towards the country vibe. It was Beatles music guys, not Montgomery Gentry. Overall, I don't think Beatles week part deux was a great idea.

9:57 - Ramiele just isn't great at singing softly. When she goes for a louder note she's generally good. You really need to be able to carry off both, though, so I think she may be in for another bottom 3 showing after that performance.

9:43 - Whew, Chikezie broke out the harmonica! Simon said it was atrocious...I can't decide if I agree or not, but I agree that overall it was gimicky. The little games he was playing with his voice were odd, but bearable. I was hoping it would be a little closer to the style they used in Across the Universe, but that's neither here nor there.

9:40 - Yessss! Someone is singing I've Just Seen a Face!

9:34 - Sayesha Mercado will probably be safe from the bottom three this week. Her take on Yesterday was really powerful. Out from under the shadow of traditional song arrangement that she's been under in her past few performances, her spin on the tune was well done without being distracting.

9:23 - Maybe choosing the song with French in it wasn't the best choice for Jason. Though, he seems to be able to get away with a lot and his laid-back demeanor on stage is fun to watch. Like Simon pointed out, his face can carry just about anything it seems. It was a little awkward, but Jason's steady ooze of non-sleazy charm is nice. A friend of mine may have been right when she said she thinks he hides behind his guitar. Without it, he was a little awkward (that's right, I just agreed kind of agreed with what daft Paula had to say during her endless commentary).

9:19 - I know someone who was hoping for the song Michelle, so cool!

9:14 - Carly was solid too. It seems that Simon just wants to nitpick song choice this week since that's all he can manage to comment on.

9:01 - David Cook may go the way of Daughtry and do really well on his own but only come in third. He is consistent and he stands out in a good way, but quasi-emo rockers and American Idol may not go hand in hand.

8:51 - Simon's critique of Brooke makes it obvious just how unfair it is that they unexpectedly brought back Lennon/McCartney this week. She did such an amazing rendition of Let it Be that she was destined to fall a little short this week.

8:48 - Brooke did a solid job on Here Comes the Sun, but the Idol producers and stylists either need to communicate and realize that a frilly yellow dress plus an orangey, sunny style backdrop is overkill.

8:39 - Well, that awful note he hit towards the beginning of the song should speak for itself. MJ will be an interesting Idol experiment: how far will a mediocre voice, a gorgeous face, and an Australian accent carry a contestant? Paula's point about him sounding better in dress rehersal only points out that his weakness is performing under actual stressful conditions, which is a must.

8:34 - Ugh, Michael Johns. I don't really want to listen to him because he did an awful job on Across the Universe last week, but I'm going to try to go in with open ears.

8:28 - Long and Winding Road worked out better for David A. than last week's pick. I'm not sure if he can teach the master class as Simon suggests, but he manages to pull more composure and power out of his performances than most of the other contestants who have a few more years maturity.

8:24 - Yes, David Archuleta, hopefully you will remember all of your words this week. Let's see.

8:23 - Kristy Lee just doesn't have the voice of a top contender. Plus, her shoes did not go with her dress. At all.

8:18 - Are those animal photos supposed to make us want to vote for Kristy Lee?

8:15 - Who wants to take bets on when the ridiculous and annoying "You're gayer than I am" battle between Ryan and Simon breaks out tonight?

8:10 - Amanda Overmyer kicks it off with Back in the USSR. The issue with Overmyer is the same issue Nickleback suffers from. Her voice sounds the same everytime she sings, all the songs sound the same. It's fun to listen to one song, but after that you want to kill the radio if you hear "Rockstar" one more time.