American Idol Season 8 - Semis - Group 1 - Results: Alexis Grace Anne Marie Boskovich, Anoop Desai, Brent Keith, Casey Carlson, Danny Gokey, Jackie Tohn, Michael Sarver, Ricky Braddy, Stephen Fowler, Stevie Wright, Tatiana Del Toro

*Watch the Space for Updates*

Next Week’s group: Megan Corkrey, Kris Allen, Mishavonna Henson, Matt Breitzke, Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Jasmine Murray, Kai Kalama, Jesse Langseth, Adam Lambert, Jeanine Vailes and Nick Mitchell – DANCE! (VIDEO)

Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver and Danny Gokey advance to the Top 12.

I think Anoop Desai, Tatiana Del Toro and, possibly, Ricky Braddy will move on to the Wild Card. Anoop will move on for sure–I predict he’ll be one of the judges wild card picks for the Top 12. I’m not even worried about it.

It just dawned on my how chintzy this year’s semi-final performances are. The kids appear to be singing to backing tracks–where is the live band? And they aren’t playing instruments. It’s like we’re back in Season 3. Terrible.

Season 7’s Michael Johns and Carly Simpson perform a duet tonight. And the three singers who move on to the Top 12 sing a reprise.

There were 24 million votes last night–10 million more than this time last year.

Randy says he was pleased with last night. Kara also thought it was a good show. Kara name checks Stevie Wright, Casey Carlson and Stephen Wright as those who faltered.

Group Song: “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – Casey and Tatiana- double crazy eyes! Pointy Pose! – VIDEO

Ryan Seacrest chats with the contestants. Jackie Tohn gives her performance last night an A-. Anoop Desai says he’s the most nervous he’s ever been. Tatiana Del Toro is covered in Paula’s jewelry and Stevie Wright doesn’t quite get that the judges hated her performance more than her song choice. Casey Carlson admits she picked the wrong song. Randy says she shouldn’t advance, and she doesn’t. Stephen Fowler says he tried something different, but maybe he should have stuck to his strengths. Kara says he didn’t do enough to advance…and he doesn’t. Alexis Grace takes the stage next–she’s the first contestant to advance to the Top 12. She performs her song “I Ain’t Never Loved a Man” – VIDEO

Ricky Braddy and Jackie Tohn take the stage. Jackie sticks by her performance. She has no regrets. Ricky is not in the Top 12. And neither is Jackie. Michael Sarver and Anoop Desai take the stage. Michael says his heart is pounding out of his chest. Ryan says, “the person going through to our Top 12 is…Michael” Anoop “heads home.” Michael sings “I Don’t Wanna Be” Only 20, 000 votes separated Michael and Anoop. – VIDEO

Next is a video recap of the big American Idol Attraction grand opening in Orlando, featuring Carrie Underwood and David Cook singing “Go Your Own Way” – VIDEO

Ryan introduces the next two contestants…and it’s Michael Johns and Carly Smithson! The airlines lost Carly’s luggage in Orlando. Michael pimps his single and album. They sing “The Letter”–recycled from the Season 7 finale. Well, that was a hot mess. – VIDEO

Ryan doesn’t even bother to ask Ann Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith and Stevie Wright to come down to the stage. They stand at the couches while he tells them what they already know–they aren’t advancing to the Top 12. With only one spot left, the suspense is over. Everybody knows it’s going to Danny Gokey, who takes the stage with Tatiana Del Toro. Paula says, after heming and hawing, that Danny should advance. The crowd erupts in applause. Tatiana looks like she’s going to cry. We have to wait until after the break to find out who advances. As if we didn’t know. What a setup. – VIDEO

Back from the break, Ryan sends Danny Gokey on to the Top 12 in short order. Tatiana looks devestated. Danny sings “Hero”. The camera pans over to his friends sitting in the red room, and one of them holds up a photo of Danny and his dead wife. SHAMELESS. Still sounding phlegmy, Danny finishes his singout. That had to be one of the least suspenseful eliminations ever. I guess the producers thought Tatiana would have a meltdown or something. She restrained herself, and we were left with Danny in the pimp spot, once again. Ryan introduces next week’s group, and we’re out. – VIDEO

Top 12