American Idol Week 1: The Top 24

Wow, what a disappointing start to the new season...nobody has knocked my bowersox off...nobody is worth detailed analysis at this point, but here are some quick impressions...

Paige Miles - "All Right Now"

She's got a big voice but she's pretty ordinary in the other departments. Simon said she has the best voice of the girls. It's hard to go first so I give her some points for surviving.

Ashley Rodriguez - "Happy"

She's a pretty girl and seemed talented from clips of Hollywood Week, but this wasn't a great song choice. Her early place in the lineup combined with the lackluster performance could doom her.

Janell Wheeler - "What About Love"

What about love? What about choosing a song you can handle? This was way too much for Janell. She'd need to coast on her coverage from earlier rounds to survive.

Lilly Scott - "Fixing a Hole"

I find her voice kind of irritating, but I give her points for being original and different. The white blond hair isn't flattering.

Katelyn Epperly - "Oh Darling"

She did better than I expected - kinda bluesy tone to her voice. I agree with Kara that her makeup and styling were overdone.

Haeley Vaughn - "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

I wanna put my hands over my ears. This girl has a terribly annoying, nasally, screechy voice.

Lacey Brown - "Landslide"

I think Lacey is likable, but the judges hammered her. It was an awkward arrangement and she didn't bring anything new to this old chestnut. Stevie Nicks can rest easy.

Michelle Delamor - "Falling"

She's gutsy to take on an Alicia Keys song, and I thought her performance was polished, if not particularly memorable.

Didi Benami - "The Way I Am"

She reminds me of Brooke White, but less annoying.

Siobhan Magnus - "Wicked Game"

Cool song choice. She's quirky but has a frumpy air about her. Could be a dark horse, though.

Crystal Bowersox - "Hand in Pocket"

Looks like Crystal got her teeth whitened. She's a cool chick, and I like that she played guitar and harmonica. Simon has a point though - she's not unlike a lot of subway buskers.

Katie Stevens - "Feelin' Good"

I hate it when young girls sing sexy, adult songs. I hated this performance but I know she will survive another week, backed by all the Diana Degarmo voters.

Toderick Hall - "Since You've Been Gone"

This was a mess, and not a hot mess. Toderick's fame from earlier rounds will carry him through, but Kelly Clarkson can now sing another song about being wronged by a man because Toderick murdered her tune.

Aaron Kelly - "Here Comes Goodbye"

I love me some Rascal Flatts, but what hurts the most is when teens try to sing big people songs. Like Katie, Aaron sang a song that was too adult for him, but he showed strong vocal ability.

Jermaine Sellers - "Get Here"

Get here if you can...Jermaine, how did you get here singing like that? Affected and annoying. His attitude is writing checks his voice can't cash.

Tim Urban - "Apologize"

Meet this year's pen salesman - Jon Peter Lewis reincarnated. Yes, Tim was dreadful. Yes, he attempted a song he doesn't have the range to sing. Yes, Simon tried to axe him by declaring it was a mistake that he got through to this round. Does it matter? Not at all, because tweens will find him dreamy. He could be the lost Jonas brother.

Joe Munoz - "You and I Both"

It seems like Joe might have a good voice, but this performance was very muddled, and I didn't recognize the song. I think his failure to pick a good song coupled with our lack of knowledge of him from previous rounds and his non-dreamy, just average looks will doom him.

Tyler Grady - "American Woman"

Another flop, and I was disappointed because I really like this kid. This was poor karaoke.

Lee Dewyze - "Chasing Cars"

I thought this was kinda cool, but also kinda overdone. He's got a boy next door quality. Simon clearly wants him to stick around, and the show needs a rocker.

John Park - "God Bless the Child"

Another bad song choice. This was nearly incomprehensible. John is cute, but he seemed very nervous.

Michael Lynche - "This Love"

This was OK and he improved as the performance went along. This guy is just plain likable and will be around for a while even if his voice isn't as big as his biceps.

Alex Lambert - "Wonderful World"

I can't decide if tweens will find him dreamy. The mullet is really putting me off. I think they might want to rescue him this week after that "deer in the headlights" performance.

Casey Jones - "Heaven"

Ahh, Casey, I will join Kara in a puddle of drool over you. You just might be the hottest idol since Constantine Maroulis. And if the looks weren't enough, the guy can sing and actually seemed to connect with the material and pick an appropriate song for his voice. Since Paula is not here to say it, let me say it: "Touchdown!"

Andrew Garcia - "Sugar, We're Going Down"

Andrew, you won't be number one with a bullet with performances like this. Not a great song choice, but it's clear he's talented. The judges made sure he'd stick around by reminding us of his "Straight Up" performance.

My predictions for who's going home: Jermaine, Joe, Ashley, Haeley

Actual results: Joe, Tyler, Ashley, Janell

I'm batting .500. I am surprised Tyler was sent home. I thought he deserved another chance and had enough footage from Hollywood Week to get him the votes. But maybe the Jim Morrison/Mick Jagger look wasn't appealing to voters. They should have showed his bathrobe footage yesterday - might have won him some quirkiness votes. I'm stunned we have to endure Haeley for another week! Time to find my ear plugs.

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American Idol: Thoughts on the Top 24

Thoughts on the Top 24

Aaron Kelly - My friend C. Crumpet Swank has coined Aaron: "The depressed Kevin Covais." Now I can't watch him without laughing. Aaron is cute, only 16, with teen idol potential, yet he does seem a bit meloncholy. We'll see if he can bring more perkiness.

Alex Lambert - I haven't been impressed with what I've seen from Alex - just average at best. Plus last year's finalist was Adam Lambert. The names are too similar.

Andrew Garcia - I don't know why they put Andrew in the "Final 2" with Thaddeus, trying to create drama over who would make it. It was no contest. This guy has been a gamer from the get-go and really impressed me and the judges with his funky Hollywood week rendition of "Straight Up." One of the few who truly makes the songs his own, with a good backstory about wanting to make a better life for his wife and kid.

Ashley Rodriguez - Ashley has a strong voice and can belt. She's pretty, seems likable.

Casey James - Casey is definitely a frontrunner. He's got cool long hair and he's dreamy - he reminds me of Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise. Also, he's got a different style - playing blues guitar. Top 12 fer sure.

Crystal Bowersox - Crystal has an awesome name. She's certainly a little rough around the edges and I'm sure Simon would say she doesn't fit the Idol image, but, man, what a voice. She's got a bit of a Janis Joplin thing going on. Plus she's a young mom. If she gets her teeth whitened, she should make the Top 12. She could knock your bowersox off!

Didi Benami - Didi is very likable and reminds me of Brooke White. She seems like a good spirit and has been trying to make it for sometime, while working as a waitress. I like her voice and her style and expect her to make the Top 12.

Haeley Vaughn - I can't imagine why this girl made it over Shelby Dressel and Angela Martin. Her voice has a helium tinge to it. Simon mentioned she could be annoying and I definitely agree.

Janell Wheeler - Janell is pretty, nice voice, but I haven't seen anything special so far.

Jermaine Sellers - Jermaine got in trouble for complaining that the band failed him in his final audition performance. His attitude will probably get in the way. I foresee sassing back at the judges, which is never attractive.

Joe Munoz - I have no impression of Joe. Admittedly, I missed some of the audition shows, but they didn't really showcase him during Hollywood Week.

John Park - I have no impression of John Park either.

Katelyn Epperly - Katelyn is young and cute - she's definitely the type that Simon loves to pick. It remains to be seen if she can run with the big dogs.

Katie Stevens - Katie is only 17, and I'm not sure she's ready for the big stage. She seems very sweet and has a good backstory about caring for her grandmother who has Alzheimer's.

Lacey Brown - Lacey made the top 50 last year before getting cut, so now she gets a chance to perform for America. I don't have much a sense of her talent, but she's got a different, edgy look.

Lee Dewyze - Lee seems like a bar band singer and tough guy. He could fill a rocker slot.

Lilly Scott - Lilly is another frontrunner. With her gray-blond hair, she's got a unique look and her vocal stylings are unusual too. Very cool chick.

Michael Lynche - I don't think this guy would be in the Top 24 if his wife hadn't gone into labor and had their child during Hollywood Week. Big Mike is likable, a bodybuilder, and can sing, but if I was his wife, I'd be really pissed off he missed that moment. He's only 26, so he had two more years to come back and try again.

Michelle Delamor - Nice name, pretty girl, but other than that, I have no opinion.

Paige Miles - I don't remember much about Paige either.

Siobhan Magnus - I'm curious to see how Siobhan does. She's been a bit uneven in her performances, but she brings a fresh approach to her songs. She probably needs a bit of a makeover.

Tim Urban - Tim got the spot relinquished by Chris Golightly, who was kicked out of the Top 24 for formerly having a record contract with a boy band that he hid from the judges. Tim has teen idol appeal and could be a dark horse.

Todrick Hall - This kid has some show biz experience, having performing alongside Fantasia in "The Color Purple." He can do backflips, is good-looking (nice eyes) and can sing. He states that he's more a dancer than a singer, but so far, so good.

Tyler Grady - Tyler is one of my favorites. I love his 70s style. He said he admires Robert Plant and Jim Morrison, but I think of Mick Jagger when I watch him. He's got a sexy swagger about him.

Controversial Cuts

Angela Martin - I actually shed a few tears along with Angela, when she received the news she'd been cut. I don't know what the Idol judges were thinking! Nobody has more sympathy-generating drama in his/her storyline than Angela (father murdered during her first audition, sent to jail for traffic ticket during his second audition, mother missing during third audition, handicapped daughter who has seizures), plus the girl is cute, likable and can really sing. Looks like Kara and Ellen realize they made a mistake, because they put Angela on Ellen's show and offered to produce a single for her. Angela talked about her experience in People.

Thaddeus "I'm not Bubbly" Johnson - This large queeny teen had a lot of likability, style, and a good voice. He also had an endearing storyline with his extremely supportive cheerleader mother. However, he's only 16, and I guess the judges felt he needed more time to mature.

Shelby Dressel - Shelby had the potential to be a big fan favorite, with her story of overcoming facial paralysis. It would have been nice to see someone like her on TV, plus she could sing. I'm not sure her voice or stage presence were strong enough to carry her all the way, but I would have liked to see her try. Shelby gets an "Ellen" appearance too.

Top 12 Predictions

Boys: Andrew, Tyler, Michael, Casey, Todrick, Aaron

Girls: Didi, Crystal, Ashley, Lilly, Katelyn, Siobhan

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American Idol 2010 - Hollywood Week

This is my favorite stage of the Idol competition and I always wish they would rename it "Hollywood Weeks" and give us two weeks of the high drama, as opposed to 3 or 4 weeks of auditions which I mostly don't bother to watch anymore. But, I will take what I can get.

Last night was the first Hollywood Week episode and Ellen's first appearance as a judge. She had a few funny moments but overall I feel the pace will be slow again this year with four judges.

Here's the highlights and lowlights...

* Andrew Garcia - Andrew is likable and he did a really funky, slow version of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up." Kara called it "genius" (reminding me of how often that word is overused) and said it hearkened back to Adam Lambert's creativity. I really enjoyed the performance and expect him to go far. He's my favorite so far.

Vanessa Wolfe - The nervous country girl proved too nervous and got cut.

Amadeo DiRocco - I was rooting for this Tony Soprano lookalike, but he didn't have the chops to advance.

* Janell Wheeler - Janell broke out her guitar for a funky version of "American Boy". She's pretty and has a really good voice.

Haeley Vaughn - She was nervous about playing her guitar and was a bit awkward with it, but her voice and winning personality carried her through.

Mary Powers - This 28-year-old rocker and mom did a strong rendition of "Sober." She's a bit rough around the edges, but she definitely can belt.

Jay Stone - The Florida beatboxer failed to impress so we won't see a sequel to Blake Lewis this year.

* Lilly Scott - She's quirky, kind of an Amy Winehouse type but less tragic. Judges slobbered all over her.

"Big" Michael Lynche - His wife went into labor while he was at the auditions, but he stayed to see if he could fulfill his dream. So far so good. Very likable guy, but if I was his wife I wouldn't be that supportive.

Tim Urban - He looks like a Jonas brother and his voice is just okay, but the teen idol looks could carry him far.

Justin Williams - He's a cancer survivor and he tried to sing and play the keyboard but the judges found it too loungey.

Maddy Curtis - Aww, I was sorry to see Maddy go home. She's the girl from the big family with three brothers who have Downs Syndrome. But I'd have to agree, she was nervous and not quite ready. She's only 16, so maybe she'll be back.

* Casey Jones - He's cute, has a ponytail, kinda reminded me of Brad Pitt in "Thelma and Louise." His blues guitar sets him apart.

* Didi Benami - She's a waitress who kissed up to Kara by singing one of her songs - "Terrified." Good job and she's pretty.

* Crystal Bowersox - She's a young mom, also kinda rough, but a powerhouse voice that recalled Janis Joplin. I love her name, too.

Asterisks represent who I think is likely to make the Top 25.

Now, onto Group Night!!

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