Here's to more speed-dating versions of 'American Idol'

It's freak-out time on the "American Idol" stage, and not just for the contestants who can now smell the top 12. Idol has to cram all eight singers into one hour. It's actually refreshing to not have to endure each singer blab about "things America might not know about us" or "my favorite dwarf from 'Snow White'" or some other such nonsense. All we got were quick performances. If only the judges not named Simon Cowell would stop talking (especially Kara DioGuardi), then the show would be almost perfect.

The show's director still had time for some fun tricks, though. I think he had a discount on colored spot lights, as just about every singer's hair was cast in a purple haze. Either he was paying homage to Jimi Hendrix's new album or booted contestant John Park's a cappella group. Or maybe they just like Lacey Brown's hair color and wanted everyone to have it.

And did you notice the camera work during Didi Benami's take on Rhiannon? They did a split camera, and it looked like her disembodied head was singing into her own guitar. Very weird. It reminded me of those ancient school photos where they superimposed two different shots of you looking two different ways. Yes, I have one somewhere. No, you can't see it.

Song choice was also a little freaky. Especially from three of the better singers: Siobhan Magnus, Katelyn Epperly, and Lilly Scott (their combined last names would make for a great-sounding law firm). Siobhan went with "House of the Rising Sun," which has been performed about a hundred zillion billion times on the show. I liked it though, and she is starting to grow on me. Katelyn, however, didn't do herself any favors by raiding her dad's 8-track collection and finding "Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King. And Lilly really should have saved "I Fall to Pieces" for country night.

Now I'm kind of freaking out that it's possible one of Magnus, Epperly and Scott (Are you suffering from an injury? Call us now!) might be voted off.