There were two big winners from last night's second round of semifinal auditions on American Idol.

1. Adam Lambert.
2. Anoop Desai.

Allow us to explain:

Lambert put on the best performance - by far - of an otherwise woeful series of auditions. Yes, Allison Iraheta surprised the judges and the viewers. But Lambert was the true star.

He closed the show with a rendition of "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones that Simon called "brilliant" and caused Paula to yammer something about how the nation was attending a special Adam Lambert concert.

So, why was Desai, who peformed last week but did not advance to the finals, also a winner? Because no other contenders emerged last night, especially considering that two singers (aside from Lambert, of course) will be voted through to the next round tonight.

This means that Anoop will have very little competition during next week's Wild Card round. We expect him to make the finals, after all.

Who was your favorite peformer this week?

Who will win this year's American Idol title?

Simon Cowell doesn't know for sure, but he revealed a few of his feelings about season eight so far during a recent interview with People Magazine:

On who which gender will win: “[It will be a] boy this year"

On the Joanna Pacitti controversy: “I like scandals. It’s not American Idol without a scandal. In fact I hope we have some more, I really do.”

On the new semifinal format: “The fact that we change these middle rounds makes it less monotonous. It’s a more interesting group of people than last year, a bit more personality, different types of singers.”

A boy, Simon? Who do you think he's referring to, readers? The obvious choice so far is Danny Gokey, but you never know what will happen over the next few weeks!

One second you're an American Idol semifinalst, the next second, the dream is over.

Such is the life of a contestant on the world's most popular reality show, as proven this week: Danny Gokey accepts a berth in the final round of 12, while Tatiana del Toro is left in tears.

This photo says it all...

This wasn't on par with Michael Johns or Chris Daughtry being voted off earlier than expected, but we definitely didn't think Michael Sarver's name would be called last night.

The oil rig worker gave a decent rendition of Gavin McGraw's "I Don't Wanna Be" on Tuesday, and we agree with Simon Cowell that he seems like a very nice guy, but did Sarver deserve a spot in the finals over Anoop Desai? Or even Ann Marie Boskovich?

Joining Sarver as the other two highest vote-getters from the week were a pair of obvious selections: Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey.

The ride isn't officially over for Desai, Boskvoich or any other semifinalist: there will be a wild card round this season, during which a trio of contestants will have a second chance to move on to the finals.

Let the campain begin now: Anoop for Wild Card!!!

One-third of American Idol's 36 semifinalists took to the stage last night during the first round of fan voting.

While Jackie Tohn kicked the show off with an energetic performance of "A Little Less Conversation," and while Anoop Desai once again proved that his vocal talent belies his youthful, innocent appearance, two contestants truly separated themselves from the others.

• Fans were shown the original, awkward audition of Alexis Grace, during which Kara told her to go home and make love to her fiance. After her rendition of "Never Loved a Man" by Aretha Franklin, however, it seemed like the judges wanted to make love to Grace. Even Simon was impressed.

• Danny Gokey closed the show, meanwhile, and received a standing ovation for his version of Mariah Carey's "Hero." Paula already has him selling out arenas, while Simon said he wasn't buying all of the hype just yet... but was clearly impressed.

Who was your favorite contestant last night?

The top male and female will move on the final 12, along with the next highest vote-getter. We'd be shocked if Grace and Gokey aren't included in this group.

The opening round of season eight's semifinals kick off tomorrow night.

Only 12 of the show's final 36 contestants will sing for the judges, and we've uncovered the identities of this initial set of American Idol hopefuls.

Prepare to vote on the following competitors tomorrow night:

• Tatiana Del Toro
• Stevie Wright
• Anne Marie Boskovich (pictured)
• Jackie Tohn
• Casey Carlson
• Alexis Grace
• Anoop Desai
• Michael Sarver
• Stephen Fowler
• Danny Gokey
• Ricky Braddy
• Brent Keith

Earlier this week, Joanna Pacitti was disqualified from the round of 36 on American Idol.

The show cited the singer's connections to executives at the record label associated it. Was the decision to cut Pacitti a fair one?

Here's what a few past finalists have to say about it:

Season 2 champion Ruben Studdard: "This opportunity wasn't for her. Maybe God has something else for her."

Season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini: "I believe in second chances. I don't think I'd be here without a second chance, and probably a third or fourth chance. Everyone needs to be held up to the same standards on American Idol... Unfortunately, she was disqualified from the show, but I think the exposure is going to be huge for her."

Season 6's Chris Sligh: "I think a lot of contestants don't actually read the contracts that they give you. I actually read every word of it so I knew that I couldn't have a record deal, which I didn't have, I couldn't have a publishing deal...So if you're dumb enough to be that dumb, then oh well."

Season 7's Michael Johns: "One thing you cannot do is know people who work for Coke or Fox or 19 [Production Company] or anything like that. That's why I could never go on Wheel of Fortune: me and Pat Sajak go way back. It's never good to hear that she never got a chance."

Do you think the Joanna Pacitti disqualification was fair?

We got it mostly right.

The previously-released list of American Idol semifinalists was almost spot-on, with one notable exception:

According to a Fox press release issues this morning, “it has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition."

Looks like the singer's previous connections with executive at 19 Entertainment, as well as a deal in 2005 with A&M records, were too much for the show to justify her inclusion any longer.

Aside from that controversy, most of the contestants that have moved on to the round of 36 are familiar names. Among our early favorites:

• Danny Gokey
• Lil Rounds
• Anoop Desai
• Kristen McNamara

Follow this article's jump to get a close look at each semifinalist, along with his/her name, age, hometown and picture...

Continue Reading...

American Idol fans learn the official list of final 36 contestants tonight.

We'd be shocked if the following names were not on there, however, as these singers blew us away last night...

Adam Lambert goes first on the night. People say he's too theatrical, but we think he's fun and different. Sings "Believe" by Cher.

Danny Gokey goes with the cheesiest song ever written, Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." Paula pretty much throws her underwear on stage. (Ann Marie Boskovich also did a good job on this song later in the night.)

Scott MacIntyre is a blind guy on a piano. Gets us everytime. Great job.

Kristen McNamara makes a bold choice and goes with a Kelly Clarkson song. Always a dangerous move. But this beauty knocks it out of the park.

Anoop Desai totally rocks "My Prerogative." Not even Bobby Brown looked this cool singing it.

We'll return to our season eight updates shortly, but we interrupt these articles/photos for an uplifting story involving a former American Idol finalist.

Last night, Jennifer Hudson capped an emotional few months with a win at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

The singer - whose mother, brother and nephew were tragically murdered in November - took home the trophy for R&B Album of the Year for her debut album Spotlight.

Congratulation, Jennifer!