American Idol 9 Top 24 Part 2: Top 12 Guys Recap + Roundup + Poll

Tonight's American Idol 9 Top 24 guys night went down as the worst 2-hours of singing in American Idol history -- and it was amazing! When I watched the video recap at the end of the show, it was so funny to see the singing go from bad to worse to bad to worst. What a night.

When Ryan Seacrest announced that Todrick Hall was going to sing his own version of "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson -- it should have been a clue to everyone that this was going to be a long night. Todrick murdered the song of course, and it just wouldn't stop there. After a decent performance by Aaron Kelly (in my opinion) of "Here Comes Goodbye" composed by Idol-alum Chris Sligh, Jermaine Sellers took the stage with "Get Here". Omigosh - that was so bad. And it was so wrong in many places like his outfit and the exchange with the judges. Jermaine seemed like a nice guy, but then it was awkward when he said he was "old" and when he didn't realize that the "Michael" Ryan was referring to was Michael Orland the musical director of the very show he's on.

And of course the concert for the worst just wouldn't stop: Tim Urban's feel good story of replacing disqualified contestant Chris Golightly was stopped dead in its tracks by his own singing. He got the worst comment of the night from Simon -- that tonight proved that they were correct in not putting him through the first time. Ouch.

Joe Munoz was decent, but forgettable. Although I liked that he spoke Spanish in the end to get out the Mexican vote.

Tyler Grady - oh hell no. He was clearly trying to stay in the competition via the cougar vote and cougar vote alone with a put on image. Horrible.

And then the dark horse emerges! Lee Dewyze did great (in my opinion) but the panel was split: Randy and Kara did not like it, while Ellen and Simon loved it. Of course we all know who's correct on that one.

John Park. Ouch. Wrong song, and the explanation of why he chose it, awkward.

Michael Lynche was decent, and actually sounded better than he really was because more than half of those who came before him were just so bad. He's like a lesser evil shoo-in for the Top 12 now.

Alex Lambert did not sing well, but (in my opinion) pulled it off for me with his personality. I'm rooting for him.

By the time Casey James took the stage, Simon just looked too bored for words and who cared about the singing anymore -- let's just have some playtime with Kara and his cougar-fixation for Casey. And it worked too since Casey looks like he's the most popular guy of the night.

Simon Cowell did not like Andrew Garcia tonight which is sad since after a dreary one hour and fifty minutes, you kinda wanted it to end on a high note.

I would like to congratulate the American Idol staff on brilliant casting this year. The girl you want to win, will win for sure.

Oh and finally: Ellen did really well tonight! She gave a great soundbite to Alex Lambert about being an unripe banana and rocking the mullet. Loved that.

My favorites tonight: Aaron Kelly, Lee Dewyze, Alex Lambert, Casey James and Andrew Garcia. Who's yours?

My picks to leave: It's too close to call! LOL - So many choices. I will have to go with Joe Munoz and John Park.

Here are recaps from around the Web:

American Idol Season 9 Top 24 – The Men (Howard Stump) - Simon starts the night by threatening the men, saying he saw nerves, and if they forget the lyrics, their careers are over. Nice, try to make the boys buckle so they don’t outshine the girls…

The 'American Idol' Top 24, Part 2: The Boys Of Bummer (Lyndsey Parker) - Did the boys step it up when it was their time to step up to the mic on Wednesday--and thus effectively steal the overhyped girls' thunder? In a word...NO.

American Idol top 12 guys – my rankings, predictions, polls (Rodney Ho) - No wonder the judges are pimping the girls. The guys, overall, were dismal. This may be the weakest male pool since season three.

‘American Idol’: The top 12 gentlemen perform (Joes Place Blog) - Gotta love Simon trying to soothe the nerves of the male contestants. “If you lose it tonight and forget the words, your career is over,” he said. If anyone threw up, they didn’t show it.

Ann Powers: The Boys take their chances (LA Times) - "Dude, believe in yourself." That was Randy Jackson, addressing one of the 12 trembling mangenues who took the stage during Wednesday's overall fiasco of an "American Idol" episode.

Top 24 Guys Recap - "Ooh, I Wish It Was Riper Cause I'd Like to Eat That Banana Right Now" (Vote for the Worst) - I know what Idol is doing. They’re trying to throw off VFTW by making all 24 contestants so bad that we can’t pick just one.

‘American Idol’ Has An Awkward Night (Maura Johnston) - No one had a good night on the “Idol” stage — including the judges, who ranged from cowed (Ellen) to bored (Simon) to bewildered (Randy, although to be fair that’s often the case) to completely manic and trying to get all of the attention on herself (guess who).

American Idol 9 – Top 12 Boys – Recap (MJ Santilli) - Simon says he saw an awful lot of nerves in dress rehearsal. If you mess up, he warns the guys ominously, you’re going home. Eep.