"American Idol" reached the end of its so-called sudden-death competition in Las Vegas tonight and we're having doubts about this whole gender-parity approach. The guys, overall, just don't measure up to the girls this season. At least, not from what we've seen so far.

But we've got to play the hand we were dealt, so that means some males who don't deserve it are going to squeeze into our Top 20 anyway. It will be up to the nation's voters to toss their butts to the curb.

For now, though, we have to wade our way through a few gnarly moments and we can only conclude that there are some things that really SHOULD stay in Vegas.

That's not to say there weren't some entertaining performances. Among the best was Vincent Powell, a worship leader who brought the drama, power and old-school soul to Lenny Williams' "'Cause I Love You." Make no mistake, this dude has some incredible range.

The crowd, and all the judges went crazy, especially Nicki Minaj, who unleashed a rave in the way that only she can.

"That was a good old-fashioned. A sexy old-fashioned," she blurted. "I can envision a bunch of 50-year-olds and 40-year-olds throwing their panties at you."

Even the ever-animated Zoanette Johnson, watching from the audience, jumped on the Vincent train.

"Get it, Papa Smurf! Get it!" she yelled.

And then there was Burnell Taylor, who has lost 40 pounds since his original audition. Wow, that's impressive. And so was his version of John Legend's "This Time," which he smoothly delivered with effortless confidence while making hand motions like an orchestra conductor.

Keith Urban called his style "incredibly original" and Nicki said, "Right now, I would pay to see you sing." Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey loved it as well, with the latter deeming Burnell's performance as "fantastic."

The both advanced to the Top 20, along with Lazaro Arbos, Cortez Shaw and Nick Boddington.

Arbos can count his lucky stars. The Cuban-born singer with a speech impediment wasn't particularly impressive on Urban's country ballad, "Tonight I Wanna Cry," which was marred by some wobbly notes and the singer's obvious nervousness. But he clearly has formed a connection with the fans and built enough good will with the judges to stay alive.

Likewise, Shaw wasn't at his best on an intriguing arrangement of "Titanium" that was full of high notes and some pitch problems.

The last spot went to Nick Boddington, who got mixed reviews for his take on James Morrison's "Say Something Now."

Not making the cut were Mathenee Treco, Gurpreet Singh Sarin, Josh Holiday, David Oliver Willis, and Bryant Tadeo.

The guy who may have had the biggest beef was Willis, who strummed a guitar and brought some real creativity to Peggy Lee's "Fever." The crowd seemed to love it, but the judges quibbled over the vocal.

Anyway, ready or not, that leaves us with a Top 20 that looks like this:


1. Janelle Arthur

2. Aubrey Cleland

3. Amber Holcomb

4. Angie Miller

5. Candice Glover

6. Kree Harrison

7. Zoanette Johnson

8. Adriana Latonio

9. Breanna Steer

10. Tenna Torres


1. Lazaro Arbos

2. Charlie Askew

3. Nick Boddington

4. Curtis Finch, Jr.

5. Paul Jolley

6. Elijah Liu

7. Vincent Powell

8. Cortez Shaw

9. Burnell Taylor

10.Devin Velez