TVSquad

American Idol's season six winner Jordin Sparks and first runner-up Blake Lewis are hitting the studios to record their individual debut albums. With possible release dates as early as Thanksgiving, America will learn soon enough if the latest batch of Idols are "turkeys" or not.

Jordin said, "I'm trying to mix everything together. I'm loving all the songs I'm recording, so hopefully that will come off the album when you listen to it and you'll be able to feel the emotion."

Their American Idol experience may have ended early, but being booted from season six before the Top 12 apparently did not truly signify the end of the road for semifinalists Sabrina Sloan or Sundance Head. In fact, according to an Entertainment Weekly exclusive, both of them have signed a contract with Universal Motown to record a CD of duets together.

(S06E19) The show begins tonight with the group song, "Stuck in the Middle," reminding me of that infamous ear-torture scene in Reservoir Dogs. Because of that connection, the song seems inappropriate to me at first. Then again, with SANJAYA and HALEY inexplicably advancing to the finals, Idol is going to keep providing its own form of weekly "ear-torture," making the song oddly fitting.

The contestants received almost 37 million votes this week, but unfortunately SABRINA did not receive enough of them. And I'm shocked that Haley advances. I really didn't think she was popular enough to survive after three truly weak performances. Not surprisingly, JARED, ANTONELLA, and SUNDANCE also receive their walking papers tonight. I'm not sad to see any of them go. But I do think that things might get a bit duller without Sundance and Antonella in the competition. They certainly kept us buzzing, didn't they?

Whether we like it or not, the Top 12 finalists are: LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle, Brandon Rogers, Gina Glocksen, Chris Richardson, Stephanie Edwards, Haley Scarnato, and Sanjaya Malakar.

(S06E18) Paula is momentarily missing when tonight's show begins, but is back just in time to get things started. After last night's snoozefest, I'm hoping the girls will wake up this competition. And luckily, I'm not disappointed.

It's "just a different show" with the ladies, as Randy points out early. The girls pick better songs that showcase their voices. And their voices are just better than the boys anyway. The women seem to understand that NOW is the time to show us what they've got. Gina finally finds her comfort zone. Melinda gives another flawless performance. And LaKisha, Stephanie, Jordin, and Sabrina prove they are solid, Top 12-worthy contestants.

My guess is that Antonella's luck has finally run out. And Haley is just out of time. But the remaining six ladies are going to give us a heck of a battle. And one of them is going to be the next American Idol.

(S06E15) Ryan tells us that the guys had an "incredible show" Tuesday night. Hold on a minute, Ryan, back up. Sure the boys were better than the week before, but I certainly wouldn't call their show "incredible." To quote Randy Jackson, "It was just ahright."

Besides, after tonight's Top 10 Ladies show, I'm more convinced than ever that this year's American Idol will be one of our fine ladies. I also think that it's going to be a tight race to the top between our lovely divas -- Lakisha, Melinda, Jordin, Stephanie, and Sabrina.

But tomorrow two unlucky ladies will be going home. Who will it be?

(S06E12) Okay, we're all in agreement -- Tuesday night's "Top 12 Boys" show was boring and uneventful. I thought so. Those of you who commented thought so. And even Paula thought so.

Paula says, "It was a rough first night...you learn after your first performance where you have to go, where you have to pull back, and where you push for it." And amazingly, perhaps for the first time EVER (okay, maybe there has been one other documented time), Simon agrees with Paula, calling her advice "wise words."