Utahn on "American Idol" — Final 13

WELL, SIMON COWELL really, really didn’t like Megan Joy Corkrey’s performance on “American Idol” on Tuesday night. But judges Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul argued with him – to some degree.

After a taped piece that introduced viewers to her family, mentioned her divorce and featured her young son, Ryder, Corkrey – a 23-year-old from Sandy – performed a distinctive rendition of “Rockin’ Robin” on Michael Jackson night – a choice that didn’t exactly wow three of the four judges.

“It didn’t allow you to really be Megan,” Randy Jackson said.

“Was it the most overwhelming vocal performance? No,” DioGuardi said. “But you injected your personality in it… You have a way of putting your signature on everything you touch. It’s just so Megan, from your style to the way you sing.”

(And she didn’t even mention Corkrey’s “Caw! Caw!” at the end of the song.)

“What I love about you is the quirky and unique tone to your voice,” Abdul said. “And you picked the right song. But, somehow, to me, I felt disconnected and I didn’t hear that sound that we love . . . until the end.”

Abdul, at least, seemed confident that Corkrey will survive this week’s voting. “I know we’re going to see more of you,” she said. Cowell, however, seemed less certain.

“We like you. We’ve established that. But what a stupid song choice,” Cowell said. “The vocals weren’t very good. The dancing was verging on ridiculous. The whole performance was clumsy and awkward.

“If it was the first time anybody had seen this person, without all the hype and everything else, and this was the great hope for ‘American Idol,’ they’d think we’d all gone completely nuts.”

“But they’d remember her,” DioGuardi said.

“But in a bad way,” Cowell shot back.

“She’s unforgettable,” Abdul said.

We’ll find out Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox/Ch. 13 when the results of this week’s voting are announced.

Because the judges picked a Final 13 instead of a Final 12 — and because there are only 11 weeks of episodes to reduce the hopefuls from 13 to one — two will be voted out this week. The two who received the fewest votes on Tuesday night won’t be back next week.