My Name is Kris and I Blah-g

The judges were as brutal as they could possibly get tonight. It’s interesting watching the first shows because of how honestly bad everyone is. Yes, there are some that are stronger than others but for the most part since it’s everyone’s first time in front of millions of people, they’re all on the same level playing field. Nerves were definitely a factor in addition to song choice and inappropriate behavior from the judges which really did cast a shadow on some of the performers – in particular Casey who I thought despite the idiotic antics of Kara, Simon and Randy held it together (but, barely). Tonight’s show, in my opinion was better than last nights. I don’t think the girls are – at this moment in time – any better than the guys. I was as underwhelmed as I could get last night and tonight, was more or less the same although I enjoyed it better. Maybe I just like guy singers better? Not sure. Here’s the recap…Aaron Kelly sings “Here Comes Goodbye” by Rascal Flatts - I am not sure it is wise to do a ballad the first time out on stage in front of 30+ million people. Unless you can really knock it out of the park, I wouldn’t do it. Ellen eluded to it sounding completely different vs watching it at home and I couldn’t agree more. Half the time I wonder what the heck the judges are hearing when they compliment a person and all I can think about is how much the performance sucked. Aaron’s performance didn’t suck. But it wasn’t great either. Just based on body language it did look like he was pretty nervous and I can sympathize. I couldn’t do what those guys are doing. However, if you want to be a star, you should be able to handle the pressure. Sure a few of them are a little green but well, they were picked over how many people? It was OK. The performance won’t win him any prizes – yet – but it will be enough to keep him around a little longer because there was definitely worse suckage coming from other people tonight.Alex Lambert sings “Wonderful World” – Since I don’t recall much of any of his auditions it was great to hear Alex sing. What an interesting voice. BUT… yuck on the stage presence! I wasn’t that impressed… but it’s early…he could redeem himself. I didn’t get the song. I don’t recognize it at all and so it was pretty dull for me. Andrew Garcia sings “Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy – Like Simon, this was the performance of the night that I was looking forward to the most. I am showing my age because I don’t know Fall Out Boy’s music. So I didn’t think the rendition of the song was as bad as what the judges made it out to be. I didn’t think the song itself was spectacular but I thought how he performed it was good. He’ll be fine and I believe he’ll make the top 10 but, he’ll have to do something that is more widely known otherwise he could risk getting lost in the mediocrity of it all.Casey James sings “Heaven” by Bryan Adams – I thought this was the best performance of the night and it could have very nearly been a disaster not of his doing if it weren’t for the 3 stooges sitting at the judges table. Kara inappropriately had Casey strip at his audition (although, I will say that it was pretty desperate for him to do so…I’ll forgive him because he’s cute) and she fawned over him almost like a dog in heat during Hollywood week and then tonight she was making goo-goo eyes at him while he sang. It was shameless. And it was all he could do to not burst out laughing. I think if it hadn’t been so ridiculous it could have been really insulting. He had every right to stop the song and tell them to knock it off. It totally put it at a disadvantage for him. BUT… he pulled it out. He managed to recover before it became a total mess and he sounded really great. It was the perfect song for him to sing and he looked great too.. the whole package.. Jermaine Sellers sings “Get Here” by Oleta Adams – Blech. This was just really bad. The song choice was sucky to begin with…of all Top 40 songs on the planet earth to sing and he chose this one? ARUGH! And then he made it suck worse than the original. It was screechy and painful to listen to. What is he doing in the top 24? Joe Munoz sings “You and I Both” by Jason Mraz – NOT the Jason Mraz song I thought he’d sing… although, I only know ONE song from Jason Mraz..seriously, didn’t know the guy had more than one song… but whatever. This was the first time I heard Joe. He has a voice… but it wasn’t good during this song. And I don’t think he’s done enough to save himself this week let alone make the top 6 guys. I really think he’s done for this week or next. John Park sings “God Bless The Child” – John has a rich baritone-ish voice which is not how I imagined him sounding. And he wasted it on this song…this crappy song. Mikaela Gordan sang this song several seasons ago…she was terrible and now look at her….in 3 years he’ll have his eyebrows raised and get a boobjob if he’s not careful. Pick a better song!!!! Lee Dewyze sings “Chasing Cars” by SnowPatrol – Randy was totally wrong in his assessment. This was totally the RIGHT song for Lee to sing and he did well for most of it. I think the hook part of the song was a little off but over all, this performance and the sound of his voice makes him stand out. I am not sure he could win this as only time will tell if he can get stronger. But he’s good. Top 10 for sure. Michael Lynche sings “This Love” by Maroon 5 - This was really not a bad performance. I agree with the judges in that he’ll make it through because he is likable and not your typical looking singer. I am a little put off by his build though…he looks rather strange standing up there holding a guitar and do his little jig. It’s just awkward. But if you close your eyes, you’ll hear that his voice is strong and there is definitely possibilities there. Tim Urban sings Apologize by One Republic – A big deal was made over how Tim was brought in last minute to fill the slot that was once held by the disqualified and shamefully ignorant Chris Golightly. I am glad he was brought back. BUT…the song was too big for him. It wasn’t a good performance at all and he could have very well blew his chance. If not this week, he will probably not make it in the next 2 unless he can get the girls to vote for him. He is cute…but so far, he’s not strong enough vocally to carry a solo act.Todrick Hall sings “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson – Those judges are so fickle. They moan and complain about making a song your own and when someone actually tries to do it, they give him grief. Granted, it was a crappy re-mix of a rock song but still… at least give him credit for trying to mix it up. Yeah, this wasn’t too good. This was a huge hit for the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson and he butchered it. That may not go over too well with Idol purists and he could be in trouble.Tyler Grady sings “American Woman” – The winner for the creepy Idol award goes to Tyler. He really weirds me out. I can’t look at him and when I am not looking at him, I am having to listen to him and when I do that my ears…OH may ears… I think they bleed! His schtick is getting OLD. FAST. I am not sure he’s capable of singing anything other than 70s rock and to some people that is a real turn off. He doesn’t have a really strong voice to begin with and he’s relying too heavily on his swagger (which is gross, btw) to get him through. Yeah.. I didn’t like this at all.Going home this week??? Well.. let’s see… I’ll just cut to the chase because it doesn’t matter who goes home this week because whoever doesn’t go this week, will go next week and the week after. What matters is the Top 10 and my predictions are….Boys: Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Michael Lynche,  Lee Dewyze and John Park (it’s actually a toss up between John, Todrick and icky Tyler for the last spot)Girls: Crystal Bowersox, Katelyn Epperly, Katie Stevens, Michelle Delamor, Page Miles and a toss up between Siobhan Magnus, Lacey Brown and Didi Benami.Who will persevere? I think we can count on Andrew, Casey, Lee, Cyrstal, and Katie to round out the top 5. Of course things can change as the weeks go on but as what I’ve seen right now, these are the top 5 to beat.

Now that the auditions are over, I guess is time to start talking Idol. I don’t know about the rest of you but for the past couple of seasons I have been underwhelmed. There really hasn’t been that one person (to me) that has stuck out – at least not like Carrie Underwood did way back when and David Archuleta two years ago. Last year my favorite was Danny Gokey and we all know that he went home placing 3rd – not too shabby and his new song is currently one of my favorites. Well done, Danny.This year brings another “the most talented group of kids we’ve ever seen” or so the judges tell us. Um, really? I’m not so sure. I agree for the most part with who they put in despite the limited view we had of most of them. It is true that they seem to give more airtime to certain performers. It’s pretty annoying. There are at least 2 that are in the Top 24 that I have absolutely NO recollection having heard sing. However, I’ll run down them individually. Please keep in mind that these opinions are based on the limited viewing of these guys – some I don’t recall AT ALL so I can’t really forge too much of an opinion. But for now, here they are… Aaron Kelly – Reportedly this kid won at Walt Disney World’s American Idol Experience. I got to see this (not his particular performance but I attended this attraction) and it was really fun. It does a good job of making you feel like you are part of a live AI crowd. So good for him for trying it out and succeeding. I wasn’t sure if someone would actually win there and actually make it to the front of the line to not only audition for the judges and get very far. He did. So cool. However, I’m not that impressed. Yeah. He’s young. Inexperienced (I think..who really knows these days) and he could probably be the next big Disney “thing” but any more than that? Not feeling it. Alex Lambert – I don’t remember him. Well, I sorta do. But what I remember is that things were all messed up for him on Group Day and he got yelled at by that obnoxious chick. I *think* he’s gotten more air time than that but I honestly don’t remember him. He doesn’t stick out. Andrew Garcia – This guy is cool. He has genuine talent with singing and making songs his own. I love his rendition of Paula Abdul’s Straight Up. It was way beyond words better than hers ever could be. It was really good and he will be in the top 10. Ashley Rodriguez – Everyone I have read is singing her praises. Really? Not memorable. Is she good? Did we hear her sing? I dunno. Casey James – He’s CUTE. Seriously. He would have the Ace vote this year just because he makes looking at the TV something very easy to do. The difference between him and Ace though is that he can SING!! And he can play guitar. So, that is enough right there. His voice and style of singing is not what I expected. I honestly expected country music out of him. He probably could sing it. But he’s blues all the way. Top 10 material if anything to get him on the tour so all the girls out there can totally freak out when they see him. Crystal Bowersox – This girl is very talented. It’s raw and uncensored. So are her teeth. Just kidding….she’s going to move forward enough that “her people” will fix that one flaw…She is quite good. Top 10. Didi Benami – She will probably make Top 10 but honestly, the only thing I can remember about her is her crying. Haeley Vaughn – Haeley is cute. I like her. I love the idea of a female black country singer. We need more of those. I am not sure how well she’ll stand up to the pressure of certain genres though. Her speech impediment kinda brings her down. Usually you don’t hear an impediment like that when someone sings. Even the tourettes guy could get through a song and you’d never know. She really needs to work on her annunciation. She won’t win but she could possible make Top 10 because she’s likeable. Janell Wheeler – I honestly don’t know why she’s in the top 24. Cute maybe? We heard many other better singers in my opinion. What we heard from her from Hollywood Week fell flat in my opinion. She wasn’t that good. Jermaine Sellers - I don’t remember him. So I don’t know!

John Park – I only remember his initial audition and it was good. And he sounded different than I pictured him sounding but it was a good different. I would like to see him make Top 10 if only because it would give diversity to the group. Katelyn Epperly – Not to rain on her lil’ sob story parade but who cares? I dunno. That’s really mean. I am sure that it’s not her fault that AI thought that focusing in on her little story about her parents getting divorced would make the rest of us believe that she has a voice that kills. I don’t see it. Her voice is mediocre at best and not anything new. Her review so far? Meh. Katie Stevens – No doubt about it. She can sing. Her voice is very mature. I wish I could sing like her. It’s really good. She’ll make Top 10 even if all the Alzheimers Homes in America vote for her and then forget about it. I know…I stink… Lacey Brown - Good ol’ Lacey.. She so deserves to be in the Top 24 if only because she was totally screwed over last year when AI chose that warbling what’s her name over her. Lacey shows poise and maturity and above all else a great voice. I hope she sticks around a while. Lee Dewyze - I have no idea why he’s in the Top 24 other than to give it some versatility. He’s a’ight.. I suppose but unless he can show some David Cook cajones then I don’t see him getting far much less the Top 10. Lilly Scott – Our female Taylor Hicks, ladies and gentlemen…with out the weird tick, of course. She is ok. I dunno. She doesn’t scream star to me…another MEH. Michael Lynche – Good ol’ Michael…HUGE ol’ Michael. Who cares. He’s got himself a good voice. I read that he almost got himself disqualified because his dad blabbed about him being in the top 24 before it was officially known. That would have sucked. He deserves to be there and despite his papa’s big mouth, the public would have found out anyway…that’s just how it is now.. Michelle Delamor – Who? Yeah…nuff said. She’ll have lots to overcome to make top 10…such as making sure she sings her butt off and stays in front of the camera..nobody will know who she is, remember her or care. Paige Miles - See Michelle’s comment. I have absolutely NO idea about this person. I can’t even remember the sight of her. How fair is that? Siobhan Magnus – She annoys me… I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the nose ring. I don’t know. Maybe it’s how she spells her name (yeah, I know it’s Irish). Randy says a girl will win this year. I am not so sure about that, dawg. Tim Urban - Another, WHO? I feel sorry for some of these guys. I really don’t know how they could even dream of making the Top 10 unless they get equal air time. Todrick Hall - Here’s the difference between Todrick and Tim Urban..I know absolutely NOTHING about Tim Urban  but I know that Todrick is a dancer who thought he’d giving singing a try and was in The Color Purple with Fantasia. How do I know this? They show him on TV all the time!! Is he good enough to win? NO! But he’ll get his face out there for sure. He’ll maybe get a lead on Broadway and not a bit player role. Maybe we should just cut to the chase and go with the top 3 – Andrew, Katie and Crystal…yeah…I’m saying it right here. Now.Tyler Grady – Can we say ew? He weirds me out. Jim Morrison weirded me out too and that’s who they compare him to…him and Mick Jagger…another winner in the creepy rock singer category. He’ll probably make Top 10 just despite me and I’ll probably have to vote him as my bathroom break guy when they go on tour.