The opening for the Top 4 performance episode of American Idol 8 opened very dramatically, and justifiably so. This crop of Top 4 is one of the most promising - and vocally talented - in the show’s history. Any of them would make great Idols…and that makes for great reality TV.

Ryan Seacrest talked about an “accident” which occurred earlier on the Idol stage - one of the towers started to fall. Because of the ensuing melee, the contestants didn’t get an opportunity to do a proper run-through of the evening’s positioning.

According to later reports on the incidents, stage manager Debbie Williams fell from a set of stairs. She injured her leg and possibly one of her hands, though reports say she has broken no bones. In a statement, FOX had this to say: “During rehearsal today a crew member had a mishap on the set and was immediately taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.”

The week’s mentor was famed rocker Slash, who’s membership among Guns N’ Roses is the stuff of legend. Slash has enjoyed quite a nice solo career in his own right, and it’s well deserved. “I actually never thought I would be a mentor on American Idol,” he admitted in his clip, and I must confess to the same thought. He met with the Idols at a club to dispense his advice.

It was also duet night for American Idol - a strange new concept they’ve never offered up during regular voting until this night. But it was Adam Lambert, solo, who performed first for the night. This poor positioning isn’t likely to hurt Lambert at all - the impression he makes on stage is just too strong. His look for the evening was equally strong, and Adam truly captured the spirit of rock with his vocal powers.

“This is the Adam that I love!” Randy Jackson declared, saying the performance wasn’t Broadway at all. “You and Slash should make a record,” he suggested. “You’re a rock God!” Kara DioGuardi cried, and her look for the evening was very 80s. Paula Abdul offered lots of words, but the one that was important was “great!” Simon Cowell had one criticism: “I thought the performance was a little understated,” he deadpanned. “It was, actually, one of my favorite performances you’ve ever done.”

Allison Iraheta was next on the stage, and her look was equally rocking for the evening. She sported a new hairdo and turned on the charm, and it all just worked. Iraheta chose the monstrously hard “Cry Baby,” but if anyone can do it Allison can. She addressed the mic with smoky vocals and just the right ‘tude, and when she took it big Iraheta glittered like a star on the Idol stage.

“I did not love the song choice,” Randy Jackson critiqued. “I didn’t love this,” he admitted, to a rousing chorus of boos. Kara DioGuardi also didn’t like the song choice, but sees Allison’s “personality” when she’s on stage. “You did a great job,” Paula Abdul offered. Simon Cowell “thought it was a terrific vocal” but didn’t see a lot of originality. I just love Allsion. I think she might be done tomorrow night - I’ve never, in all my history of watching the show, picked a winner.

Kris Allen and Danny Gokey stood on the Idol stage together to sing “Renegade,” a performance that started out pretty slowly by my tastes. I also didn’t care a bit for the song choice - at least, not at first. Both men got the chance to do what they do best, however, and I found that together this pair can actually rock. Danny Gokey was absolutely in his element and seemed extremely energetic, which seemed to get Kris Allen more pumped up. It was actually a fairly enthralling performance, which was unexpected. Could this be a rare good call by the Idol producers?

“I think you guys complement each other greatly,” Randy Jackson observed, saying he found himself loving the harmonies in the performance. “You definitely had some moments,” Kara DioGuardi said, calling them “together, united and strong.” “It was powerful, and it was compelling,” Paula Abdul complimented. “Danny, you were better than Kris. How’s that?” Simon Cowell shot out. Not to split hairs or break up the cheery partnership, but Cowell was absolutely right.

Kris Allen would have his chance to outshine Danny, however. He picked the Beatles for rock n roll evening - can I get a hell yeah? - and ditched his first choice (“Revolution”) to perform “Come Together.” Slash advised Allen to be a bit more “animated” on stage, which was a very solid suggestion. Kris Allen’s vocals for the song can’t be faulted, but I’m not sure he sold it. Allen didn’t seem all that sure about himself throughout the number. I also didn’t particularly care for his take on the song. I wouldn’t necessarily say rock is a genre that suits him, but he certainly put up a good effort on the theme.

Randy Jackson pointed out that Allen isn’t really a rock guy, admitting “I wasn’t blown away.” He did, however, enjoy the guitar playing. “You’re definitely the softer side of rock,” Kara DioGuardi told him. “But for me, this was really not a great performance.” Paula Abdul got giggles for citing Allen’s “artistic delivery.” Simon Cowell “actually didn’t like it that much,” likening the performance to “eating ice for lunch.” What’s that mean? “Leave you with nothing to remember afterwards.” He called it “a bit of a jam,” and praised himself for being right that no one could outdo Adam Lambert.

But ah, one competitor yet remained. His name is Danny Gokey, and he appeared on the stage singing “Dream On.” Slash called Gokey “naturally gifted,” which is a fair assessment of his skills. Danny proved this talent on the Idol stage, bringing another very vocally sound performance. Paula Abdul rocked out during most of it, showing that she, at least, appreciated Gokey’s very affectated rocker vocals. Not everybody can be Adam Lambert.

“This is not your genre either,” Randy Jackson observed, calling the performance “a’right.” He did praise Danny for a “valiant effort.” “I think you took it a little too far,” Kara DioGuardi told him. “I am a huge fan of yours,” Paula Abdul said. “The last note…it was like watching a horror movie,”  Simon Cowell criticized. He called the performance “over the top,” but thinks Gokey will be safe nonetheless. “I didn’t think it was as bad as you guys said it was, but I respect your opinion,” Danny smiled as Seacrest gave out the numbers.

Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta teamed up for their duet next, and this was the most anticipated performance of the night (for me, at least). Their song was “Slow Ride,” a great choice for this very rock n roll pair. It had to be this pair - either one of them with anyone else, and they’d have drowned out their partner. But together, the two were so perfect it’s no wonder this rare Idol treat was saved for last. What an amazing Top 2 this would make.

“You guys are two seasoned rock stars,” Randy Jackson praised, shouting, “that was a bomb, baby.” “This is when a duet is right, when you’re pushing each other to be better,” Kara DioGuardi told them. Paula Abdul found that “the two of you are a perfect blend, a perfect marriage.” And Simon Cowell made a decree, announcing: “In the battle of the duets, you win the show tonight.”

(You can find all the American Idol 8 posts here.)