Dish Of Salt: Wednesday TV Dish (‘Idol’s’ Top 12 Perform)

Last night, the top 12 took to “the big stage” for the first time on “American Idol,” and I was inside the house for all the action. I break down the night, plus give you the scoop on everything that happened inside the taping that you didn’t see on TV.

First, I have to mention Simon Cowell’s gargantuan trailer. They showed a quick clip of it on an episode of “Idol” a few weeks back, but let me tell you, TV does not do this thing justice. It’s almost comical how huge this thing is. The second I walked onto the CBS lot, there it was in front of me – a two story gold and glass double decker monstrosity of a trailer that kind of looks like a tour bus. It was guarded by security and Simon’s driver (who was polishing up Simon’s black Bentley when I walked by). It must be nice to have all of Simon’s money, but does he really need that for the hour he might spend it?

All right, with that out of the way, on to the show. Our producer Celeste and I had great seats last night and sitting right in front of us was “Sugar Ray” lead singer Mark McGrath and actress Camryn Manheim. We all had a nice little two second clapping shot of us towards the top of the show – My first of two cameos on “Idol” last night. (I’ll tell you the other one later). I also spotted Jessica Szohr from “Gossip Girl” and Dianna Agron from “Glee” in the front row. They seemed rather chummy. They must be friends.

The theme for the night was the music of the Rolling Stones. Michael “Big Mike” Lynche was up first and tackled “Miss You.” Inside the house he sounded great and the audience was totally into it. The judges were digging on him, with the exception of Simon who called his dancing “corny.” It’s been said many times by me and others that the performances sound very different inside the “Idol” taping then they do on TV. So, this morning I watched all the performances back to see the difference. Michael’s was about the same.

The first commercial break hits and all of the judges were quickly out of their seats and off to the backstage area. I noticed that Ellen DeGeneres’ wife, Portia DeRossi, was in the house. She quickly jumped out of her seat to join Ellen and they sweetly held hands walking out. Portia had virtually no makeup on and was wearing jeans and a white blouse. She is stunning without any makeup. It was a little bizarre though watching her get up at every single commercial break and grab Ellen’s hand and walk out with her. Not one time during a commercial did she stay in her seat. By the end, it had us wondering if she is a bit co-dependent or if she really just didn’t want to chat with the people sitting around her.

Didi Benami was next up with “Playing With Fire.” I actually think she sounded better on TV than in the studio. However, the judges were into it. Randy Jackson told her, “That was one of your best performances.”

As the judges were critiquing Didi, the stagehands were bringing out equipment for Casey James to perform next. Casey sang a song titled “It’s All Over Now,” which immediately made me think, “Uh Oh. This guy’s going home.” Haven’t these contestants learned to never pick songs with titles about leaving or going home? That curse has sealed the fate of many a former contestant. In the studio you heard way more guitar and less vocal. On TV you heard more vocal, less guitar. I really thought Simon would tell Casey he sounded like just some guy playing at a local dive bar but instead he told him he just didn’t use the stage enough when he sang.

After meeting Lacey Brown at the top 12 party last week, I’m a fan. I love her cute, bubbly personality. I thought she sounded pretty good on “Ruby Tuesday.” The judges did not. After I watched it back, I could see a little bit more why. It was a little bit all over the place, especially the last note.

My favorite moment of the night came during the critique of Andrew Garcia after he sang “Gimme Shelter.” Kara did her whole new thing where she tells the singer they didn’t connect with the song because they didn’t get the whole concept of the song. “It’s a song about war written at the Vietnam,” she told Andrew. “And it’s like I wanted to feel that from you, what you were talking about.” Leave it to Simon to knock Kara right off her high horse. “What was he supposed to do?” Simon asked Kara. “You want him to come on the stage with a tank or something?” Kara seemed just a bit miffed at Simon as they walked out together when they went to commercial break.

Does Katie Stevens not look like a younger version of Katherine McPhee? I think they even busted out the recycled clip on hair extensions they used for her.

I’m not a Tim Urban fan at all, but Celeste and I were totally feeling his reggae version of “Under My Thumb.” The judges hated it. I guarantee Tim will sail through to next week just like Jason Castro did when he put a reggae spin on his songs. The little girls who vote dig that stuff! More importantly, did anyone catch my one-second cameo interviewing Tim at the top 12 party in his taped piece before he sang? (Yep, that was #2!)

I heard at the top 12 party that Siobhan Magnus was planning a very crazy version of “Paint It Black” for Rolling Stones night and boy oh boy, were they ever right? I think Simon had it right when he said people were going to either love or hate it. It absolutely sounded better inside the studio, so I have to wonder if people at home were not feeling it (especially that crazy high note she hit) but the audience inside loved every second of it. Simon seemed to be checking out the crowd as she sang to see if we actually bought it. We did.

I think Simon said it best about Lee Dewyze. He needs to develop a personality.

At this point Celeste and I discuss the fact that no one had really tanked it so far. Surely Paige Miles would, right? Nope. Aaron Kelly? Nope. Surely, Crystal Bowersox would pull off a great performance – and she did (although she wasn’t quite as highly-praised as in past weeks). So, now we are left wondering who will be going home tonight. This might be the hardest week I have ever had to call. I’m going to go with Andrew Garcia, simply because he’s a California guy, the judges have been killing him week after week and I think the audience might be done with him.

After the “Idol” taping, I headed over to hang out with the cast of Simon Fuller’s (the show’s creator) new Internet project, “If I Can Dream.” Who ended up all wet in the pool?

All the scoop on that tomorrow.