The three most talented finalists on American Idol really made their presence felt this week.

As usual, we gotta start with Adam Lambert. He surpried the crowd with a slow version of "If I Can't Have You." Kara DioGuardi said it was her favorite performance of the season by Lambert. We disagree, but only because he's set the bar so high.

Our other top auditions went to:

• Allison Iraheta, who roared her way through the Donna Summer classic, “Hot Stuff.” Paula Abdul said: “The word compromise does not even belong in your musical vocabulary.” Well... okay then!
• Kris Allen also went with a Donna Summer song, “She Works Hard for the Money.” He slowed it down on acoustic guitar and received enthusiastic thumbs up from all four judges.

Who was your favorite finalist during disco night?

Matt Giraud received the lowest number of votes this week... but the soulful singer was saved from elimination by the first-ever judges' save!

Do you think it was deserved?

Giraud follow-up performance of "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" didn't seem any better than his original rendition, but the crooner was told by Simon Cowell that he would not actually be sent home.

Naturally, Cowell couldn't allow the singer enjoy the moment for very long.

"I wouldn't be so quick to congratulate him," Cowell said as various contestants swarmed him for a group hug. "Two people are going home next week now. And, next week is disco week."

Kris Allen, Danny Gokey and company seem legitimately happy that Matt Giraud avoided elimination.

There were a couple of unusual aspects to last night's American Idol:

Quentin Tarantino as the guest mentor? Only two judges critiquing each performance?

One thing remained the same, however: Adam Lambert blew us away with his audition. The singer went with "Born to Be Wild" during an evening where contestants sang songs from the world of movies.

Lambert wasn't the only finalist to impress, though:

Allison Iraheta, who sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing" was told by Simon Cowell that she was the only female with a chance to win; while Paula Abdul described Danny Gokey's performance of "Endless Love" it as “a beautiful, beautiful rendition.”

Who was your favorite?

Scott MacIntyre is a funny, talented, affable human being.

But his vocal skills took him as far as possible on season eight of American Idol. He was eliminated this week.

The singer/songwriter was joined in the bottom three by Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai, but it was no shock to viewers when MacIntyre's name was announced.

 “You’ve been an inspiration to the entire world through your commitment, through your talent. We love you," Paula Abdul told Scott upon his elimination.

It was the least crazy thing she's said all season.

We're gonna come out and say it:

Adam Lambert is the greatest American Idol contestant of all-time.

Who else has received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell, as Lambert did last night following his incredible rendition of "Mad World?" Who else has the range and the unique style of this former theater performer?

In the interest of fairness to other contestants, we also enjoyed Matt Giraud this week. He looked quite cool in that Justin Timberlake fedora, while turning Stevie Wonder's “Part-Time Lover” into modern hit.

We also loved Allison Iraheta, who sung far beyond her age with Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

Click on the photos above to enlarge images of our three favorite American Idol finalists.

Great look, fun personality, average singing voice.

Megan Joy went as far as she could with those attributes this season, but her name was called on this week's American Idol results show.

Upon her elimination, Joy - who appeared ready to go home and be with her son - said: "Contestants, you are the best! Judges, I love you. America, I love you," and, to her son, Ryder, "Baby, I'm coing home, baby. I'm coming home!"

Kris Allen comforts Megan Joy after the latter is eliminated from American Idol.

Look, we could praise Adam Lambert after every single audition this season.

The singer is as talented and as original as any singer in the history of American Idol.

For the sake of not boring our readers, though, we're simply gonna acknowledge another terrific performance by Lambert last night for his rendition of "Play That Funky Music" and move on to the other top crooner of the week:

Kris Allen.

While Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta were also solid, Allen's arragement of "Ain't No Sunshine" was easily his best of the season. Watch it for yourself:

Ain't No Sunshine

Who was your favorite this week?

Not much of an American Idol shocker last night.

While many fans were aghast that Alexis Grace was sent home a week ago, almost everyone saw Michael Sarver's elimination coming this time around. Nice guy, decent singer, not American Idol material.

We were surprised to see Matt Giraud join Michael Sarver in the bottom two.

So... we're down to 9 American Idol finalists. Can anyone beat Adam Lambert?

In a word: WOW!

There shouldn't have been much doubt before, but now we can certainly say for sure: this competition is Adam Lambert's to lose.

The singer blew away judges and viewers last night with his acoustic rendition of "Tracks of My Tears." Simon called it the best of the night, and that almost feels like an understatement.

Other performances that caught our attention - in a good way - were Allison Iraheta with "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and Matt Giraud with "Let's Get It On."

But this night was all about Adam Lambert. Don't you agree?

Need we even ask: Who was your favorite performer last night?

Tuesday's country night generated more than 31 million votes from viewers, and the surprising results were announced on American Idol Wednesday.

We thought she would be safe, but Alexis Grace instead landed in the back of the pack after delivering a weakish rendition of Dolly Parton's "Jolene."

Because of the newly instituted Judges' Save rule - and because the judges have liked her so much - Alexis Grace was permitted to sing an encore.

But it wasn't enough. As they did a week ago, the judges declined to oust her from elimination. Instead it was time for a farewell performance ...

NOT SAVING GRACE: The judges declined to, but she had a good run.

The other singers with Alexis in the bottom three were Michael Sarver and Allison Iraheta. The judges told Sarver in no uncertain terms that he would not have been asked to perform an encore had he finished last. Ouch!

In any case, the Idols Live touring roster this summer is now complete, with 10 finalists remaining heading into next week's third finals episode.

Do you think Alexis Grace deserved to go, or did Michael? Who of these standouts is your favorite now that the field is at 10?