So after last week's big surprise twist that got cut off everyone's DVRs, the show is back for another three hours this week with the Top 13. Which is exciting, only because I personally like Anoop. But disconcerting because I've spent altogether too much time wondering just how long the producers/judges have been manipulating us, and when exactly they concocted this whole Top 13 scheme. My guess is probably about the time they decided not to do Idol Gives Back and realized they needed an extra week of content. Which annoys me. But anyway, that's water under the bridge, because tonight we get the Top 13 for the first time and we can get down to the actual business of voting for the next American Idol.

Tags: american idol, season 8, top 12, top 13