American Idol Top 20 Results Reveal Top 16; Danny Gokey Returns to Idol as Four More Sent Home

The American Idol Top 20 results show Thursday evening revealed a couple of expected dismissals while at the same time saw another couple who could have lingered for a few more weeks cut as well. Danny Gokey, who wasn't cut until the last two finalists were revealed in Season 8 returned for Thursday's results show and performed as well. Although not one of the four contestants that were sent home really smacked of the 'next' American Idol, it was far more of a surprise to see Jermaine Sellers and Michelle Delamor cut so early in the competition than it was to see John Park and Haeley Vaughn get the axe. But nothing is ever guaranteed on an American Idol results show (read: how the hell did Sanjaya Malakar or Megan Corkry even make the Top 10 in their respective seasons?), so the dread of watching a favorite performer get axed (like Chris Daughtry) always lurks.

Which is why so many tune in to watch the American Idol results shows...

Still, John Park and Haeley Vaughn were expected. They both somehow made it through the Top 24 cuts and into the Top 20. They at least got to sing one more time. But John Park continued to bore with his rendition of John Mayer's "Gravity" Tuesday, and Haeley Vaughn may have taken the American Idol judges' advice to sing a song more her age, but she simply chose the wrong one ("The Climb" by Miley Cyrus). She proved that the choice wasn't a good one by performing it worse on results night.

But when Jermaine Sellers was cut, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest asked if he thought that his mouth got him in trouble with the American Idol voters. Sellers said he didn't think so. The truth of the matter may have been a little of two things. Sellers' rendition of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" was slow to the point of somnolescence. It was well done vocally, just presented without passion. And when the judges called him on it, Jermaine Sellers got a bit argumentative, noted that god wanted him to be in the competition.

Apparently not -- or Jermaine is on the outs with his higher power. Still, there was an arrogance in his confrontation with the judges (Kara told him his singing was "forced" and Simon told him it was "cabaret" and that no one could take him seriously), his inviting Simon to his church to hear him sing (which begs the question of why he couldn't perform like he does at church on the American Idol stage).

The most surprising cut came when the Top 10 girls had been pared down to two (Haeley Vaughn already having been cut) -- Didi Benami and Michelle Delamor. And although Delamor's version of Creed's "With Arms Wide Open" nearly made the song unrecognizable, she had done a nice job with it. The judges gave her mixed reviews but those reviews were still better than what Didi Benami received. Judge Simon Cowell flat out told her that her "Lean On Me" was a "wasted opportunity." Randy said it didn't really work for him. Ellen didn't like it, either. Kara DioGuardi said that Didi seemed to have lost her "uniqueness."

But Didi Benami's reaction may have saved her. Instead of getting defensive, like the aforementioned Jermaine Sellers, Didi Benami attempted not to cry. And it was evident she was trying to hold it all in when she refused to comment on what the judges had said.

But whether it was pity, sympathy, or simply having more fans -- something kept Didi Benami in the competition and saw Michelle Delamor refused a position in the Top 16.

But as downright grueling as the elimination process is on results shows, no one could have foreseen the exciteable boy that Danny Gokey had become. Apparently country music has become his passion. He performed his hit single "My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me" from his new album, "My Best Days," which was released Tuesday. The album currently sits atop iTunes Country Albums chart.

Ryan Seacrest could barely get a word in as Danny Gokey gushed about the successful launch of his album. When Ryan asked why country music, Danny Gokey revealed that Randy Travis had approached him during country music week during Season 8 and suggested he sing country music. He announced that he would start touring, promoting the new album, Friday. He'll be opening up for one of country music's hottest acts, Sugarland.

So the American Idol Top 20 has become the Top 16. And although there are a few more who are sure to fall in the next couple weeks (Tim Urban, Lacey Brown, just to name a couple) before the Season 9 group reaches the coveted Top 10, there doesn't seem to be the excitement building that viewers have witnessed in past seasons. Maybe Danny Gokey can lend some of his exuberance to this year's competitors.

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Sources:

"American Idol," Fox Television
AmericanIdol.com
Apple.com
Techbanyan.com