Now it's down to a ditty dozen on "American Idol"

It's Archie's to lose now.

David Archuleta, the 17-year-old from Utah with the golden voice moved easily into " American Idol's" Top 12, where the rubber meets the road in TV's most watched program. And for Archie, now the pressure's on.

Four singers left last night and none of the exits was a surprise. They were Asia'h Epperson, 19, of Joplin, Mo.; Kady Malloy, 18, of Houston; Luke Menard, 29, Crawfordsville, Ind.; and Danny Noriega, 18, Azusa, Calif.

All are good singers, Epperson in particular, who would have probably made it to the final 12 in the sixth season, but this is the seventh, which consists of probably the best group of finalists since season 4 (when Carrie Underwood took it all home.)

Maybe better, but you're welcome to disagree.

Archuleta was picked to take a seat almost immediately by Ryan Seacrest (who said a total of 36 million votes were cast.) The hype surrounding this kid this season is almost off-putting, although - given his evident talent - justified. Archuleta, former winner of a junior "Star Search" competition, was joined in the final twelve by Carly Smithson, formerly known as Carly Hennessy, an Irish singer who once had a record contract with a major label (the album went nowhere.) But talented? Oh, yes.

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