DeWyze takes a risk, but welcomes criticism

Lee DeWyze didn't blow the American Idol judges away on Wednesday, but he may just have sung his way into the next round.

The Mount Prospect native preformed "Fireflies" by Owl City and is one of the top eight men left on the show. Two men and two women will be voted off the show tonight, which airs at 7 p.m.

"You have a great chance of making the top 12," said judge Simon Cowell. "But I do think you are better than the version of that song you just did."

DeWyze welcomed the criticism.

"I've gotten some good comments, but I just want to focus on what I need to work on," DeWyze told host Ryan Seacrest after his performance. "That's why I picked that song instead of a rock song. I wanted to do something different. We'll see."

Ellen DeGeneres said it's not only DeWyze's musical talent that people are talking about.

"You had a couple of pitch problems but that doesn't matter right now," she said. "A lot of people like you. A lot of people are telling me they have crushes on you. You're adorable. I thought it was great."

Randy Jackson picked up on the pitch problems as well

"But you made it work, you worked it out," Jackson said.

Kara DioGuardi said DeWyze looked more confident then ever on Wednesday.

"I think you actually made the song a better song, it was a solid job but not your best moment," she said.

In past weeks, the men have lagged behind the women contestants, but on Wednesday, they collectivity stepped it up a notch.

Michael Lynche's performance of "This Woman's Work" brought DioGuardi to tears.

"Oh my god, that was so beautiful," DeGeneres said. "It feels like this show just began. You are the one to beat now."