Things in these hyper-accelerated, Coronavirus-era live rounds of American Idol are about to get brutal, as only 10 of the remaining Top 20 contestants will be moving on through following last week’s nationwide vote — that is, unless judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan decide to use their one save of the season to rescue one of these folks from the jaws of obscurity.

The theme this week: Homeward Bound. Kind of a moot point, given that all 20 hopefuls are shacked up somewhere other than Idol’s normal Los Angeles soundstage. To get things kicked off, Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips performs his signature hit, “Home,” then unceremoniously walks out of the view from the camera without even a “good luck, young Jedis.” Alrighty then.

Tonight host Ryan Seacrest will rattle off the names of the 10 contestants with the most votes — stretched out over two hours, naturally — then said singers will perform a song. As for the others, it’s time to switch off FaceTime and disappear into the ether. Let’s get on with it!

Louis Knight, “In My Place” (Coldplay)

Blond, sensitive heartthrob Louis is the first to make the Top 10. We find out that while he’s been home, he’s been delivering pizzas to the doctors and nurses in the Philadelphia area who are toiling away on the frontline. 
Seated at his piano on the porch, Louis croons “In My Place” because he recently stumbled upon an old family home video where the Coldplay chestnut was playing in the background. Luke isn’t “completely blown away” by the performance, but he encourages Louis to “keep doing songs like that, that speak to you.”

Julia Gargano, “New York State of Mind” (Billy Joel)

Julia is a Staten Island girl, and exclaims “holy cannoli” upon finding out she’s made it to the Top 10. Her song choice tonight, Billy Joel fan favorite “New York State Of Mind,” was a smart move. Luke declares, “That might be my most favorite performance of the year so far.” Lionel adds that Julia made the song her own, while Katy says, “You showed off how absolutely talented you are as a singer.”

Jovin Webb, “Voodoo” (Allen Stone)

The Allen Stone catalog has been a go-to choice for Idol contestants since the series moved over to ABC in 2018, and this season is no exception. Jovin, upon finding out he’s the third contestant to make the Top 10, launches into a soulful rendition of Stone’s blues jam “Voodoo.” Luke praises, “This performance, you did not hit one bad note!”

Grace Leer, “Over the Rainbow” (Judy Garland)

It’s a bit surprising to see Grace Leer squeak by after her lackluster performance last week, but she’s the lone country girl left in the competition, so here we are. Grace throws it way back by performing The Wizard Of Oz staple “Over the Rainbow,” which she first sang at a 3rd grade talent competition. Thankfully, she’s got her mojo back, and this is just fine and dandy. Per Luke, “You just showed America that you have a big, big, big voice.”

Jonny West, “Faithfully” (Journey)

Oh, dear. I’m truly chuffed that Jonny made it through and will readily admit that I’ve been pulling for both him and Just Sam. But must we be treated to a montage of Jonny at home with girlfriend Margie Mays that features the latter angling for camera time at every corner? Caramba.

At any rate, Jonny never disappoints. He works his piano magic on Journey ballad “Faithfully.” As Lionel puts it, “You took that song and Jonny-ized it.” Katy pays Jonny the ultimate compliment in modern day American Idol-dom by stating, “You’ve got me on the Alejandro level now.”

Sophia James, “In My Room” (The Beach Boys)

I’m a fan of this dreamy Beach Boys classic but kind of wish Sophia would kick it up a notch with The Bangles’ “In Your Room,” instead. Alas, she turns out a shopping mall food court-worthy rendition of the surf-rock ballad that dazzles the judges. What more can an Idol hopeful want?

“It was so upper-echelon,” Katy raves. Luke adds, “I found myself immersed in an emotion.” 

Arthur Gunn, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (John Denver)

Arthur has taken the Bob Marley comparisons from earlier in the season and completely run with them. He transforms John Denver’s 1970s hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads” into a funky reggae jam, and Lionel, Katy and Luke are loving it. This has been obvious for many weeks now: It wouldn’t be outlandish if we wind up with an Arthur/Louis/Just Sam Top 3. Speaking of which…

Just Sam, “Grandma’s Hands” (Bill Withers)

Despite almost all of the other contestants returning to their respective family homes once the public health crisis set in, Just Sam opted to tough it out in a Los Angeles apartment rather than head back to Harlem. She’s having a hard time being separated from her grandmother but makes a point to FaceTime her to let her know she’s in the Top 10. “Well, everybody knew that you were going to make it,” says sassy Gran.

Just Sam tributes the woman who raised her by performing Bill Withers’ “Grandma’s Hands.” Katy says the performance took her to church. She’s not alone.

Dillon James, “Yesterday” (The Beatles)

At home in Bakersfield, California, Dillon says he plays and writes songs every day while keeping indoors with his family. Upon learning he made the Top 10, Dillon puts his spin on “Yesterday.” It’s pleasant and just what you’d expect from this season’s resident rock-and-roller, but Katy and Luke think there’s room for improvement. Particularly, Luke says, “I do think maybe next time you perform that song somewhere, just slow it down and relax it.”

Francisco Martin, “Falling Like The Stars” (James Arthur)

Francisco’s early-season anxiety has returned, as he’s home with his family and his mother, a nurse, is working long hours on the frontline. He funnels this into an emotional performance of James Arthur number “Falling Like the Stars” that should keep Idol viewers who are Francisco fans voting away for another week.

Judges’ Save

With the above singers voted into the Top 10, Lionel, Katy and Luke throw their lifeline to Makayla Phillips, who subsequently performs Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and now pushes the standing group of contestants to 11. That means it’s time to say adios to Kimmy Gabriela, Franklin Boone, Olivia Ximeines, Ariana Jester, Faith Becnel, DeWayne Crocker, Nick Merico, Cyniah Elise and Lauren Spencer-Smith.

Next week, 11 become seven and the remaining kiddos tackle Disney songs.