Last week was a big week for American Idol airing three nights in a row. The Top 20 contestants performed, the ladies on Tuesday night, the guys on Wednesday night and the results show on Thursday night.  

This has been one of the lowest rated seasons to date for Idol on FOX, so host Ryan Seacrest was pleased to announce that there were almost 39 million votes cast this week, 10 million more than last year. Also, the judges did not find out the results themselves until Seacrest announced the Top 10 and they came out on stage.  

The Top 10 finalists announced on Thursday were, from the guys, Paul Jolley, Burnell Taylor, Curtis Finch, Jr., Devin Velez, and Lazaro Arbos. The ladies who made it were Janelle Arthur, Candice Glover, Angela Miller, Amber Holcomb, and Kree Harrison. Many were surprised by Aubrey Cleland being sent home, not making the Top 10.  

The women dominated the performances last week with Kree Harrison singing "Stronger" by Faith Hill, Angela Miller doing "Never Gone" by American Idol alum Colton Dixon and Candice Glover performing "Ordinary People" by John Legend. These three ladies are standing out as the favorites to win this year.  

The Top 10 will perform "Songs of the American Idols" in a two-hour show on Wednesday night. The following night, on Thursday, Phillip Phillips and Bon Jovi will make guest appearances before the Top 9 are announced and everyone finds out who gets sent home. 

American Idol 2013 will continue in the format of a two-hour performance show on Wednesday nights, followed by a one hour elimination results show on Thursday nights permitting there are not breaking events that change the tv schedule. 

The American Idol Season 12 finale is scheduled for Thursday, May 16 from 8 to 10 p.m.