As Randy Jackson would say, "Check this out." "American Idol" opened Tuesday night with Ellen DeGeneres sitting in Simon Cowell's lap whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Were they trying to put the kibosh on the rumors that they don't get along? It wasn't clear, but it was a fun way to add fuel to the fire. Then the talent portion of the night was launched with Katie Stevens performing a song by the first "American Idol" -- Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." Randy Jackson wasn't blown away. He said, "I think Kelly Clarkson is one of the best contestants we have ever had. This paled in comparison. It was like karaoke." Ellen was kinder, saying, "You took our note and sang a young song. I think it was a great song choice. You have a great voice. I didn't feel the words. I didn't feel you breaking away." Kara DioGuardi commented, "You have a great radio voice. I can hear you. What is going on this year is we have people who really know themselves and people who don't. You don't really know who you are as an artist. You will get it, but the singing needed to be perfect tonight to stand out." Simon concurred with Kara, adding, "I think this is confusing to you. To be fair, you took the advice. I think your issue is you haven't worked out what kind of artist you want to be. The problem is the second half of the song didn't go as it should have. You sucked the energy out of it. I have to give you 10 out of 10 for trying." In a tribute to her father, who taught her how to sing, Siobhan Magnus performed "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals. Randy complimented, "You know I am a fan. You come out every week and surprise us. I love what you do, because you take every risk. We give you advice. I don't think you listen to us. Keep doing it because it is hot." Ellen told her, "You are why I love music -- because it is supposed to move you. I was captivated. I love what you did with the song. You made it current." Kara pointed out, "I loved the a cappella vibe at the front. That was a brilliant choice. The thing about you is you are so unique and different. Week to week, I am surprised by you. You are doing great." Simon wasn't as big a fan. "If this was the first time I had seen you, I would have doubts," he said. "You didn't do anything different with the song. I was under-impressed. You did better last week. You didn't have a moment like last week." Brandi Carlile's "The Story" was Lacey Brown's song choice. Randy declared, "What is cool about this is it is a little sleepy. It is your best performance to me in a long time. I forgot you had that break in your voice. It was very cool." Ellen concurred, adding, "That sounded like something that was written for you. You had a distinctive voice." Kara said, "Performances like this are why you got here. This is the kind of record you need to be doing. It was a brilliant choice and you are back on your path." Simon didn't love the song, but felt Lacey sang it really well. He told her, "Where you are very good is you know where the cameras are and where to look. Still for me, I haven't heard the right song connection yet." Katelyn Epperly channeled her inner Carole King with "I Feel the Earth Move." Randy said, "I like that you did the Carole King hair and played the Wurlitzer. I didn't feel the right vibe. You sang it fine; a little boring." Ellen pointed out, "As Simon said, we are getting down to the Top 12. I don't know if that song was the one to wow people with. I don't know that it will make people pick up and dial. It just wasn't enough." Kara said, "I didn't feel you were competing. I felt you were going through the motions. Carole King is someone who is in the zone. I felt you had it more last week." Simon started with the positive, saying, "I like your hair. On the down side, it was like request night on a Friday night at a restaurant. On what is arguably the most important night of your career, you picked a simple song and didn't do anything special with it. This may have been a mistake for you." Didi Benami selected Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon." Randy felt she was definitely a lot better than last week. He said, "I am not sure there was a wow moment in it. I don't know if that is the best you can do, but it was better." Ellen praised her: "What I love is that you were torn apart last week and you get back here and you are smiling and singing. I like what you did with it." Kara complimented her, saying, "One of my favorite moments of the show so far this season. When I saw you were picking that song, I thought you were out of your mind. Song choice is important, but sometimes you can surprise us by what you bring to a song. I have to congratulate you." Simon agreed with Kara, saying, "I thought that was head and shoulders above anything else we have heard tonight. For the first time since the live shows, you proved that you are an artist. The 'wow moment' was the whole performance." Paige Miles went with "Smile," the classic song composed by Charlie Chaplin. Randy gave her a thumbs down, saying, "That is one of my favorite songs. It just didn't work. The song was way too big for you. The melody is important. Then it turned into a bossa nova. It just went completely flat and didn't work at all." Ellen pointed out, "That song is supposed to be inspiring and uplifting. It was sad. We keep saying over and over that this is the time to shine. I don't think that was the right song to choose." Kara agreed that it was the wrong song choice, while Simon added, "It was a horrible choice. The arrangement was bad. It is such a shame because you had so much potential because you have such a great voice, but you have no idea what kind of artist you should be. I think this could be the end of the road." Crystal Bowersox went bluesy with Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason." Randy raved, "This is what the show is about for me. Love that; love you; love the honesty. I am a fan. That was hot." Ellen admitted, "I need new adjectives for you. I am tired of saying you are amazing. Best performance of the night." Kara said, "This is what we talk about when we say people know who they are. You know and you know what to do. That was a great song choice. It was more contemporary. Now, I am starting to see what the record is you would be making." Simon commented, "You are one million billion percent going to be in the Top 12 next week. Definitely, the most improved. What you have now is confidence. Right now, you are the one everyone has to beat. It is yours to lose." Lilly Scott closed the night with her version of Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces." Randy told her, "I love the mandolin; I love the song; I love the original singer of that song. Well done." Ellen added, "Love your voice and your originality." Kara commented, "I don't know how you did it, but you made Patsy Cline feel current." Simon wrapped up the night's critiques saying, "What it didn't have, unfortunately, was the wow factor. It was quirky and cute and it plays into what you are all about. But that could have been a risky thing to do." Tune in to "American Idol" tomorrow night at 9 p.m. on FOX when the eight men from the Top 16 perform.

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First Lady Michelle Obama has given away the glamorous gown she wore last year to a number of balls commemorating President Barack Obama's inauguration. Mrs. Obama donated her one-shouldered, white dress by Jason Wu to the Smithsonian Institute. The gown will be displayed at the National Museum of American History as part of an exhibit showcasing gowns worn by first ladies from Mamie Eisenhower to Mrs. Obama. "I am very honored and very humbled, but I have to say that I’m also a little embarrassed by all the fuss being made over my dress," the First Lady said while presenting her gown to the museum on Tuesday. "Like many of you, I’m not used to people wanting to put things I’ve worn on display." "But, at the same time, I truly recognize the significance of this day," she continued. "This gown –- and all of the items that we’ll see in this wonderful exhibit –- help us connect with a moment in history in a very real way." "When I look at my gown –- which I, in fact, have not seen since the day that I took it off –- memories of that moment truly come rushing back," she added. "I'll never forget the moment that I slipped on this beautiful gown. I remember how just luscious I felt as the President and I were announced onto the stage for the first of many dances. And I'll cherish that moment for the rest of my life."

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