Pop Hunter is re-capping the grotesque display of culture that is American Idol all season. Here’s what you need to know from the Top 25 Elimination Rounds.

So, we’ve got another 5 hours of American Idol in the can, and the pack has been thinned extensively. We’ve gone from a bloated, puffy-eyed Top 25 to a slim ‘n’ trim 13 in just one week. It turns out the “But this is my dream” speech doesn’t keep you in the game forever.

On Tuesday, the top 13 male contestants threw it down on stage, with a diverse offering that spanned Cyndi Lauper, Paramore, and Adele. Apparently the male contestants figured a vocal gender-swap would guarantee them a pass into the next round. NOPE. It worked in one instance, with Joshua Ledet’s highlight performance of “You Pulled Me Through” by Jennifer Hudson.

I expected a lot from the top 12 girls, but on Wednesday the group surprised me with some pretty weak performances. Haley Johnson’s pitchy and nightmarish (forgive the pun) “Sweet Dreams” was a lowlight for me, and not even Baylie Brown’s babely-blonde good looks could save her botched version of Lonestar’s “Amazed.” Thankfully, Jessica Sanchez delivered a performance of “Love You I Do” (from Dream Girls) that renewed my faith. Jennifer Hudson songs are making for really great Idol performances this year.

There were plenty of respectable performances, but at the end of the day, we need to trim the fat from this Top 25 and get on with our lives. The casualties of the Top 25 Elimination round are…

Which means, the Top 13 American Idol Season 12 contestants are:

1. Phillip Phillips
2. Jessica Sanchez
3. Hollie Cavanagh
4. Joshua Ledet
5. Heejun Han
6. Shannon Magrane
7. Skylar Laine
8. Elise Testone
9. Colton Dixon
10. Jermaine Jones
11. Erika Van Pelt
12. Jeremy Rosado
13. Deandre Brackensick

Surprises: I’m really surprised to see the Gentle Giant get the nod (Top 10, no less) over Creighton Fraker and Aaron Marcellus, two voices that were incredible throughout the competition.

Disappointments: I’m really sad to see Jenn Hirsch go. She was one of my picks to win it early on.

Favourites: After this round of cuts, I’m now pulling for Josh Ledet, Jessica Sanchez, and Skylar Laine.

All in all, it’s a pretty dece Top 13. Ya dun good, ‘Merica. See you next week.