With 500 in the crowd to cheer them on, here were the judges’ opening comments Tuesday night:

RJ: “Everyone in the 13 could win.”
KD: “I’m gonna have to be harder on them.”
PA: “Advice to them, do not be afraid to use the stage.”
SC: “Can’t forget the words, gotta prove you aren’t swallowed up by this stage.”

And, as Paula looked like she ran into a flock of geese with feathers all over her right shoulder, we move onward…

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So, we enter the last night of competition for a couple of the Final 13 cause after Wednesday night’s show, two of them are going home.
Ryan Seacrest also announced that there will be a surprise change of the rules that focuses on the judges.
WHAT?!
Enough with surprises. Giving us 13 sted of 12 finalists was enough. Not another one. Just stick to the rules. The show’s gonna get way too confusing if they keep messing with it.
But, on with the evening’s competition as they cranked up Michael Jackson songs one more time. Will we see a moonwalk tonight? Only if the stars are aligned right…

Here are mini-looks at the final 13 with name, our odds to win going into the evening and their song Tuesday night.

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Lil Rounds (2-1) – “The Way You Make Me Feel”

Not her best effort by a longshot, but she is still the best in this competition. Kinda agree with Simon, it was a lazy song choice, although maybe not as “lazy” as he thought.
P.S. She can still work a stage, even one as large as this one.

Comments:

RJ: “This is the way we kick off Season 8. You just put a whole new spin on it. What Lil just did, everyone’s got to be, ‘Uh oh.’I hope we get to hear you on the radio. Sick.”
PA: “You are a force to be reckoned with.”
SC: “I thought it was a bit of a lazy song choice. I thought the second half was better. I hate what you’re wearing.”

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Scott MacIntyre (5-2) – “Keep the Faith”

Again, I gotta agree with Simon, what was it? An obscure MJ song at best. MacIntyre performed it well, but….
He is still getting a lot of love for his tenacity rather than his ability. He deserves to be here certainly, but to win it all?….NOT…

Comments:

KD: Kara liked the song choice, and felt Scott was staying true to himself.
PA: Paula called it magical, lovely.
SC: “I hated the song. Nobody knows it. It’s fine being artistic, just not on this show. It didn’t do you any favors at all.”
RJ: “I liked the song. It just felt all very safe from you. I want more sparks from you.”

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Danny Gokey (5-2) – “Pretty Young Thing”

Very solid effort and yes the dance moves were more than funky, in some ways they looked like moves you might have seen on a certain Seinfeld episode…

Comments:

PA: “I think you’re on your way to the finals.”
SC: “You are one heck of a singer, however the dancing was hideous. Doesn’t matter, I really like you tonight. Terrific.”
RJ: “When you’ve got it, you’ve just got it.”
KD: “You have joy when you step on that stage.”

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Michael Sarver (10-1) – “You’re Not Alone”

Good effort, his voice just doesn’t appeal to me and the working at an oil refinery knowledge is getting to be a little much. He barely made it this far and it is time to go home, really…

Comments:

SC: “You’re not the best singer, you made up for it with passion, heart. You gave it 110 percent.”
RJ: “You’re definitely one of the best tonight.”
KD: “Tonight showed me you really can sing. You can hit those notes. You bring your game.”
PA: “You sounded really lovely tonight.”

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Jasmine Murray (8-1) – “I’ll Be There”

Tough song to sing and make it sound, shall we say “unlike” the original. She did OK, is it good enough to stay out of that bottom duo on Wednesday night? Hummmmmmm?

Comments:

RJ: “You did a pretty good job on that.”
KD: “You did it, and you sold it. Great stage presence.”
PA: “You have tremendous composure and poise. Some moments you were under at times.”
SC: “A little bit robotic at times. A little bit like a little girl acting like a grown-up.”

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Kris Allen (5-1) – “Remember the Time.”

Kris would probably be pretty good playing somewhere down on 4th Street on a Friday night, especially in the green ‘n white plaid shirt strumming the guitar. Good voice, not a winner, though…

Comments:

KD: “The girls love Kris. When you play your guitar it helps you.”
PA: “You’re engaging. And kinda adorable, sexy. Great job.”
SC: “It was interesting, vocals are OK. Guitar made the performance rather clumsy.”
RJ: “Very Jason Mrazy. Job well done, baby.”

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Allison Iraheta (5-1) – “Give it to Me”

Love this girl’s voice. Great stage presence. Hard to believe that she is only 16, singing and performing like this. She will make it in the music world (assuming she isn’t mismanaged) whether she wins or loses A-I.

Comments:

PA: “OMG she’s 16! Keep doing what your doing. Stay authentic.”
SC: “We know who you are. You’ve got to lighten up a bit. Very good.”
RJ: “If you got it you got it. You can sing anything. You’re one to watch in this whole thing.”
KD: “Keep being a rocker girl. Great job.”

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Anoop Desai (5-1) – “Beat It”

Good kid, great personality, decent voice, but…flat performance. He barely made it this far and it is definitely far enough.

Comments:

PA: “I think the song is untouchable. Anything else sounds karaoke.”
SC: “It was all very lightweight, no aggression. Trying to be like Michael Jackson, but failing. It was horrible.”
RJ: “It didn’t work for me.”
KD: “We didn’t hear you sing any variation. Your strength is your connection.”

NOTE: Simon regretted making it a Top 13 with Anoop on “the back of that performance.”

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Jorge Nunez (5-1) – “Never Can Say Goodbye”

Another classic MJ song that should be left alone. Why, Jorge, why?

Comments:

RJ: “It’s a little old fashioned. A little pitchy. Nice upper range.”
KD: Kara didn’t feel the emotional connection.
PA: Paula didn’t like the song choice.
SC: “It was corny, it was out of your depth. I couldn’t wait for it to end. Arrangement absolutely awful.”

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Megan Joy Corkrey (8-1) – “Rockin’ Robin”

Song was way odd. I think she’ll make it through just on her being “different” from the norm.

Comments:

KD: “You have a way of putting your signature on everything you touch. We need to see your range.”
PA: “You picked the right song, but I felt disconnected until the end.”
SC: “What a stupid song choice. The vocals not good. The dancing was ridiculous.”
RJ: “The song choice was off.”

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Adam Lambert (5-2) – “Black and White”

Does he overdo it? Maybe. Otherwise, he is awesome.

Comments;

PA: “Comfortable, seasoned, you’re innate ability. You are the whole package.”
SC: “That was in a totally different league to everything we’ve seen. You’ve got to be over the top with Michael.”
RJ: “You could make a record right now. I love what you do.”
KD: “You hit notes. I hope Michael Jackson is watching this tonight.”

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Matt Giraud (6-1) – “Human Nature”

Did very well, but the show was rushed by now so with only seven minutes left the comments were fast and furious.

Comments:

RJ: “Some pitch problems, but you are talented.”
KD: “You are a talented guy. I hope we see you many, many weeks.”
SC: “Meat-and-potatoes solid performance.”

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Alexis Grace (6-1) – “Dirty Diana”

Little girl, big voice. Her stock went up, way up with this performance. She not only worked the stage, she worked the song. If she picks the right songs from here on out she’ll be in the running.

Comments:

KD: “You’re a naughty girl, and I liked it. You are back.”
PA: “Fantastic. But watch your over-singing.”
SC: “Very over the top.”
RJ: “I liked it. Wasn’t great, but it was good.”