Idol 2012: Top 11, Songs from the Year They Were Born

Or, I should say, "Idol 2012: Top 11, Songs Done to Death"

Seriously, these themes! So overdone.

• Phil Phillips - Hard to Handle (by Counting Crows) - Obviously restrained, but 100% for the better. Great opener.
• Jessica Sanchez - Turn the Beat Around (Gloria Estefan) - Somewhat of a forced performance, but she handled it decently.
• Heejun Han - Whatever It Takes (by Richard Marx) - I think we get the picture, Heejun.
• Elise Testone - Let's Stay Together (by Al Green) - Started strong, got awkward. Love her tone though.
• Deandre Brackensick - Endless Love (by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey) - On autopilot? No connection. Blech. 
• Shannon Magrane - One Sweet Day (by Mariah Carey) - Safe and predictable, yet seemingly desperate. Seemed forced.
• Colton Dixon - Broken Heart (by White Lion) - Here's a kid that knows what he's doing. Well done.
• Erika Van Pelt - Heaven (by Bryan Adams) - Loved the song choice, but disappointing. Messy. Too much.
• Skylar Laine - Love Sneaking Up On You (by Bonnie Raitt) - Not Skylar's best, but bravo for holding her ground.
• Josh Ledet - When A Man Loves a Woman (the Michael Bolton version) - I like the passion, but a bit OTT for me.
• Hollie Cavanagh - The Power of Love (by Celine Dion) - Nothing new here. Some pitch/screaming issues. Moving on.

The Jermaine Jones ordeal… awkward and tasteless. Why not just have Ryan break the news at the top of the show, say the 'Idol family' is sad to see him go, then move on? The whole tease and confrontation just reeked of a ratings ploy. Sad.

Overall, an uneven night. Some bad choices, some good. Some bad performances, some standouts. So, just another Idol night.

I did find it interesting that no definitive plan was laid out about this week's elimination. Seacrest said that the lowest vote getter would be "in danger" of being voted out. Given the whole TV schedule being laid out, guess this means the save is back in the picture. Oh joy.

Winner of the night... For me, I'm going to go with Colton Dixon. He made an unknown song memorable, which is always a good thing. That said, I'd say Josh Ledet is the ultimate winner of the night, with a solid performance and the judges slobbering all over him. Honorable mention to Phil Phillips, too. I love that guy.

Better watch out... Shannon Magrane. Didn't do anything for me to take her out of this category, unfortunately. Heejun and Deandre are probably down here, too.