American Idol Cuts To 36
Feb. 11 2009, Published 2:06 p.m. ET
American Idol gave 72 contestants their night-in-the-spotlight on Tuesday, allowing them to perform with a band, instrument, backup singers -- whatever worked.
The highlights: Adam Lambert dazzled with his take on Cher's "Believe," Joanna Pacitti, Stephen Fowler, and Casey Carlson made a different kind of impression by screwing up their lyrics.
Even so, they made the cut. So did blind Scott MacIntyre and oil rig hunk Michael Sarver.
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Tatiana Del Toro got everyone's attention by going emotionally overboard when she wasn't performing. Convinced she was going to be cut, she went wild when judge Paula Abdul told her in the closing moments that she would get to sing another day.
Those who didn't make it included Michael Castro, the younger brother of last season's fourth-place finisher, Jason Castro.
Tonight, the contestants perform at the Judges' Mansion where half will get the boot.