Tonight the contestants will perform with a band, their own instruments if they choose–it’s the big last chance. This is American Idol.

They’re trying to confuse me by showing the end of the day first. The contestants are waiting to be divided into four rooms. There are seventy-two left. Now they’re rewinding. All 72 will take the stage one last time.

Adam Lambert drew #1, and we’ve loved him early, yes? He’s gonna do Cher’s “Believe”? Um, okay. Horrible song choice. He’s very good, has the voice, but the song choice is just dreadful.

Dueling pianist Matt Giraud plays keyboard while singing “Georgia.” He’s rather soulful, and I’m thinking he’s through to the next round. Judges appear to love him.

By the way, the kids are still waiting later in the day. Danny and Jamar are waiting. Earlier… Jamar is doing well, dressed as Carlton Banks. Great job. Now Danny. He’s singing “I Hope You Dance.” I’ve gotta say, I like this song much better sung by a male–this male. Not to say I don’t like Leann Womack, but yeah. I adore him. He’s definitely my favorite so far.

Anoop Desai does well on “My Prerogative.” I’m not lying, he went all Bobby Brown up there.

Scott Macintyre, one of my very favorite from the beginning, gets to sit behind the keyboard on the stage. He’s singing Daughtry’s “Home.” He seems a tad nervous, but he’s still outstanding. Close behind Danny for me. I want him in the finals.

Kendall Beard is a blonde Texan that they found in Puerto Rico. She does “Before He Cheats.” It’s pretty good, but that’s dangerous, because she’s not as good as Carrie. Stevie Wright is singing “Bubbly,” one of my current favorite plays. Lil Rounds does that song that everyone but me did the year I auditioned, and she’s good. Kristin MacNamara — hahahaha. Ryan asks why she didn’t let Nancy (drag queen hair) get to her last week. “My mom told me that loose lips sink ships.” Um, that’s kind of more about keeping secrets than… not freaking out on American Idol, Cream Puff. She does “Because of You,” and she’s kinda out of voice and a little too yelly.

Mishavonna Henson got cut on day two of Hollywood week last year. She’s good. Love the dress.

The first room has Matt Giraud, Scott Macintyre, Adam Lambert, Mishavonna. I’m thinking they’re sticking around.

The second room has Tatiana Del Toro, one of the most annoying people on the planet. She is just terrible in her balloon dress, and the judges are amused. Alexis Grace is ok, not great, on “Before He Cheats.” Jasmine does “Tattoo,” a Jordin Sparks song. Also in there is Nathaniel Marshall, and I’m just gonna say what we’re all thinking: If he were any gayer, he’d be hosting the show. Am I right? I’m right. Joanna Pacitti succumbs to her nerves and forgets all the words. Poor girl. Casey Carlson, also doing “Tattoo,” also forgets the words. Von Smith is in there, too. It looks like they’ll all be going home.

Oh, frick. You’re kidding me, right? They have too many girls in that room, and the judges go have Tatiana fetched out of there. If you’re gonna take a chance on a girl in that room, shouldn’t it be Jasmine? Ack, Tatiana’s dress is killing me. It’s a couch with a throw pillow on top.

Hey, kids. Don’t forget–Terminator and Dollhouse Friday. Don’t let Fox screw Joss again. Be there with the watching and the ratings. Do it.

Norman Gentle (Nick Mitchell) sings “Georgia,” and wow, he’s such an odd bird. He’s such a joke, but he can actually sing. Even the backup singers are laughing. He kills me, because he could really do well here if he would just give up the joke.

Room 3 — Laneshe Young, Kaylan Loyd. Room 4 — Nick Mitchell. Ann Marie Boscovich is in with Nick Mitchell. Ju’not Joyner is also in there, and this is the first I remember of him. He’s pretty good but a little screechy. Room 4 — Tatiana joins. Everyone has fear in their eyes when Tatiana walks in.

Kaylan Loyd chewed gum during her audition. Laneshe was adorable with her thuggish ways song in Louisville, and she did well in the last audition.

Elsewhere, Kai Kalama didn’t do so well in his audition. Michael Sarver (roughneck from Jasper, TX) did very well and should go on. Ugh, he’s in the room with all the people who forgot their lyrics.

Simon leaves the other judges to give the news to the kids.

Room 2 — Jasmine et al, all the lyrics forgetters. They’re in.

Room 3 — India Morrison is in there, and her audition wasn’t good. Oh. Michael Castro is in there. Kaylan Loyd and Leneshe Young, too. They’re out.

Room 1 — Adam Lambert, Kristin Macnamara, Danny, Jamar, Scott Macintyre.

Last room thinks they’re going home, but didn’t they keep three rooms last year? Tatiana is flipping out. That one bald dude with the facial hair says, “It is a no, right?” Pauler says that no, it’s a yes. Nick Mitchell is in there, too. Oh, yarf, y’all. We have to continue to endure Tatiana. Ok, so the whole thing with them pulling Tatiana out of room 2 was a big nothing, because both her room and the room she left got through to the next round.

But really, I’m caring hard about Room 1 right now.

Tomorrow night, they reveal the final 36. That’s right, I forgot they’re doing 36 this year.

–>More American Idol.