LOS ANGELES - Danny Gokey was proclaimed the "Hero" of "American Idol."
Three of the show's four judges heaped praise on the 28-year-old church music director from Milwaukee on Tuesday, following his rendition of the Mariah Carey tune "Hero" at the end of the Fox singing competition's first performance show of season eight, which airs in Canada on CTV.
Gokey was the last to perform in a group of 12 singers out of the top 36 semifinalists.
The judges directed their harshest criticism at Stephen Fowler, Casey Carlson and Stevie Wright.
Simon Cowell said Wright had "zero" chance of advancing to the next round.
"You are the hero, man," Kara DioGuardi told Gokey.
"You give us all hope. You were great."
The top three vote-getters will be revealed during Wednesday's live episode.
