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American Idol's final three, Alexis, Danny and Michael

By April MacIntyre Feb 19, 2009, 13:33 GMT

Television\'s No. 1 show, American Idol, returns for its seventh season when it premiered in January. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the hit series empowers viewers to discover America\'s next solo singing superstar by voting for their favorites to win the coveted American Idol title. Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom and a chance to be the next American Idol. The ...more

American Idol's voting wrap-up show yielded only one surprise for M&C; who would be the third finalist to move ahead to the top twelve?

We already knew Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey were shoe-ins. 

If you watched the broadcast you will agree.  The others all fell short of the mark by selecting the wrong songs, delivering substandard performances, or doing very odd things while singing (Casey Carlson, I am talking to you).

The addition of Kara to the judges' table was a clever move to a show that seemingly stalled out the last few years; the dynamic of just having "the dog" Randy, meandering Paula and cold shower Simon becoming wearing and predictable.  Kara offers more insightful advice and injects an energy they needed.

Voters called and texted, and American Idol welcomed Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarva as the first three members of the Top 12.

The three top vote recipients were able to redo their tunes from the previous night one more time, but it was the highly emotional and overly dramatic Tatiana Del Toro who upstaged (yet again) a laser-focused (and quite unemotional)  Danny Gokey while he sang his "Hero" song, she wept and was consoled distractingly as he had his closing moment.

Those who love the crazy get to watch Miss Tatiana and the rest of the rejected "other nine" as they will have one more chance to redeem themselves come the wildcard round.

The wildcard bets are already mounting for Anoop Desai, the soul singer.

Next week Randy, Kara, Paula and Simon usher in the next round of 12 contestants who’ll be singing for their shot at three top 12 spots next week. 

The second set of 12 semifinalists (Kris Allen, Matt Breitzke, Megan Joy Corkrey, Matt Giraud, Mishavonna Henson, Allison Iraheta, Kai Kalama, Adam Lambert, Jesse Langseth, Nick Mitchell, Jasmine Murray and Jeanine Vailes) will perform live Wednesday, Feb. 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) in the hopes of winning America’s vote.

Then the following night three semifinalists advance to the Top 12 on the live results show Thursday, Feb. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. 

The handsome emo looking raven-haired Adam Lambert is already getting attention from Idol blogs and chatter.

Did the right three make it for you?