Ep 20. Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform

The Top 8 Male Semifinalists perform in the latest episode of American Idol season 9. Each contestant brings their A-game to the stage as they perform in front of the judges and a live audience. The theme for the night is "Songs from the Movies," which means the contestants will be singing iconic songs from some of the most beloved films in cinema history.

The episode opens with a montage of the contestants preparing for their performances. The boys are excited and a little nervous, but they all seem confident in their song choices. Host Ryan Seacrest explains the rules for tonight's show – each contestant will perform one song, and the judges will offer their critiques afterward.

First up is Tim Urban, who chooses to sing "Can't Help Falling in Love" from the movie "Blue Hawaii." He puts his own spin on the classic tune, strumming his guitar and showcasing his smooth vocals. The audience cheers him on, and the judges seem impressed with his performance.

Next is Andrew Garcia, who turns a cheesy song from "The Lion King" into a soulful ballad. He starts off slow and builds up to a powerful chorus, earning him a standing ovation from the crowd. The judges praise him for his creativity and artistry, and Simon Cowell calls his performance "the best of the night so far."

Casey James takes the stage next, performing the Guns N' Roses classic "Sweet Child O' Mine" from the movie "Step Brothers." He shows off his guitar skills with a soaring solo, and the crowd grooves along to the riff. The judges give him mixed reviews, with Randy Jackson calling it "a little karaoke" while Kara DioGuardi disagrees and says he rocked it.

Lee Dewyze chooses "The Boxer" from the movie "The Departed" for his performance, and he delivers a heartfelt rendition of the Simon & Garfunkel classic. His gruff vocals and acoustic guitar accompaniment give the song a raw edge that resonates with the audience. The judges praise him for his authenticity, and Simon says he's the "dark horse" of the competition.

Michael Lynche brings a touch of R&B to the show with his performance of "Will You Be There" from the movie "Free Willy." He starts off with a spoken word intro before launching into the infectious chorus, complete with gospel choir backup singers. The judges appreciate his energy and showmanship, and Randy says he's got the whole package.

Alex Lambert chooses a lesser-known song for his performance, "Everybody Knows" from the movie "Concrete Cowboy." He strums his guitar and croons the soulful tune, showing off his vulnerability and emotive qualities. The judges offer him constructive criticism, suggesting he take more risks with his song choices.

Todrick Hall takes the stage with his funky rendition of "Somebody to Love" from the movie "Happy Feet." He adds in some beatboxing and hip-hop elements to the Queen classic, creating a fresh and modern sound. The judges praise his stage presence and creativity, but Simon warns him not to get too gimmicky in future performances.

Finally, Aaron Kelly closes out the night with his rendition of "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" from the movie "Armageddon." His smooth vocals and pitch-perfect delivery impress the judges, who give him high marks for his emotional connection to the song. Kara even says it was her favorite performance of the night.

As the show wraps up, Ryan Seacrest reminds viewers to vote for their favorite contestants to advance to the next round. The Top 8 Male Semifinalists have given their all, and it's up to America to decide who will make it to the next round of the competition.