The contestants were more off in their first songs last night than judge Paula Abdul Tuesday night on “American Idol.” Pretty much every one of them bombed the first song, with perhaps the exception of David Cook (who was so-so). Likewise, every contestant improved during the second song with the exception of one.
Jason Castro, a long overdue cut, was forgettable and useless in what may be his final performance on the show. Brooke White nearly blew it, but had such a strong second performance that likely most forgot her awful rendition of “I’m a Believer.” I hate that overrated piece of crap song.

Speaking of overrated, David Archuleta sounded the same as every week, proving there’s nothing unique about his voice. Archuleta may be in trouble, but I think Castro overshaddowed the well-liked contestant. Syesha Mercado, in my opinion, has been long underrated. But I could also play the unique card on her. She’s got a great voice, but it doesn’t leave anyone thinking, “She sings like no one else.”

Cook does this. And so does Brooke — most of the time. Even Castro is somewhat unique. So, it’s a real toss up. Either Castro or Mercado goes, and I’m putting my money on Castro. I don’t think there’s any doubt Cook stands out above the other four, but it has to be taken week to week. And you never know how easily a contestant can have an exceptional week or Cook could have the one time he’s exceptionally weak.

Truly, it’s still anyone’s competition, but Cook is by far the most talented of the remaining five. Your thoughts?

It’s been a busy news week, so I missed “American Idol” both nights. Between listening to a developer drone on about a hotel and watching a building smoke more than William B. Davis’ character on “The X-Files”(Cigarette Smoking Man), I didn’t catch a minute of the show. I can’t judge whether last night’s decision to cut Carly Smithson was the right one, but I’m glad to see her go.

About all I know about this week is what The Associated Press reported today. I think there’s some things in this article that we all might like to comment on:

Carly Smithson lost another chance to be a superstar.

Despite rave reviews by “American Idol” judges, Carly Smithson was voted off on Wednesday.

Smithson, the 24-year-old Irish bartender from San Diego, was the latest cast-off on “American Idol” as the field was narrowed to five finalists during Wednesday’s results show.

Smithson had won rave reviews from judges — but apparently not votes from viewers — after performing “Superstar” from “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Tuesday’s Andrew Lloyd Webber-themed performance show.

Judge Randy Jackson told host Ryan Seacrest: “It must be a bit of a popularity week in the vote.”

Controversy had swirled around Smithson at the start of the seventh “Idol” season because of her previous experience in the music industry. In 2001, MCA Records released Smithson’s debut “Ultimate High,” which flopped on the charts.

Syesha Mercado, who sang “One Rock ‘n’ Roll Too Many” from “Starlight Express,” joined Smith in the bottom two on Wednesday’s results show.

Brooke White was visibly shocked she wasn’t one of the show’s lowest vote-getters.

White caused a stir Tuesday when she stopped singing a few seconds into “You Must Love Me” from “Evita” and asked “Idol” music director Ricky Minor to start over, a first for the Fox singing competition. Jackson and Simon Cowell praised White’s decision to reboot, but Paula Abdul was upset about the do-over.

“You must never start and stop,” Abdul told White.

During the results show, Seacrest announced the top 10 finalists will visit 49 cities during the next “Idol” summer tour.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush also appeared in a taped message to announce the “Idol Gives Back” charity event had raised more than $65 million for underprivileged children.

My sincere apology for the lack of a post prior to elimination Wednesday night on “American Idol.” Oh, let’s get past the politics. Ding-dong the witch is gone, the wicked witch, the witch is gone, ding-dong the wicked witch was booted from Idol. Kristy Lee Cook, the biggest witch to even make “Idol’s” Top 7 was finally shown the door.
Ahh, relief. And it all came with the suspense of knowing it was down to the snooty little Cook or one of my favorite contestants, Brooke White. Note to Brooke: You have to bring it every week.

I have no idea what was ever up with Kristy Lee’s strange — shall I call it creepy — obsession with judge Simon Cowell, but it never helped her case. She was a horrible singer with an annoying personality, and a slut-like demeanor that made most mothers and fathers cringe. She played off that slutiness to survive quite some time after her inevitable elimination.

Her talent as a singer alone should have meant her exit at least five weeks ago (my word, anyone remember her country version of “Eight Days a Week” with that fiddle?). Kristy Lee, quite honestly, was lucky to make the Top 24, yet she lasted until now. Certainly, this shows the power of looks. Outside of her piss poor performances, she always topped it off with a smug personality and a lot of awkward flirting with Cowell that even made the bulldogged Brit judge squirm.

Oh yeah, and she did it again — this whole flirting show — when she performed her last song by starting out sitting on the judges’ table directly in front of Cowell while touching him inappropriately. I’m just glad she pried herself away from the table. Then again, I can’t think of a more fitting way to watch one of “Idol’s” most awkward performers leave the show.

Last night, America did not have its bottom three correct. Replace Mercado and White with Castro and Smithson and we’re all set. It’s clear Mercado is entirely underrated. She’s been in the bottom three way too many times, especially considering she’s a Top 4 contestant in my book. On the other hand, I think America is really warming up to Smithson, leaving White and Mercado up for some stiff competition. Yet, it’s strange how Americans think. More camera shots of Smithson’s tattooed husband, and viewers might change their mind about her. You get what I’m saying? Perhaps sometimes voters are more driven by the less significant parts of the package than the singing itself.
As the season nears its end, watch for these things while America casts its votes. Things will get tough for each contestant…and feelings — of pity, disdain, or sadness — can drive voters to forget the talent and look more at the person and what they may or may not represent.
Still, I stand tall and proud today after watching America get a grip on things and eliminate the one contestant that has managed to annoy me the entire season.

People (or should I say “person”), I don’t consider myself a psychic, but I do accept cash or donations for pretending to be one.

Many probably considered the elimination of Michael Johns last Thursday shocking. Not me. I alluded to it after last week’s performances (see last post). Albeit premature when considering Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson are still on the show, Johns was ready to go. He had little stock after mostly misses all season.
The bottom three was a little off. Substitute Cook for Mercado and we’re all set. Cook should have been the one to go, followed by Smithson. That snooty little Cook is somehow staying afloat, but her luck will run out sooner than later. While Johns elimination may come as a shock considering his early role as a favorite to win the competition, he couldn’t stand the heat — consistently.

It was clear Johns didn’t have the charisma for live performances. There’s a chance he could make a decent record, but other contestants were rising to the feel of the audience. Some people have it, some don’t.

Sometimes the crowd gets the adrenaline pumping, and certain performers are even better than singing alone in the studio or performing in front of a small crowd. David Cook is a good example of this. D.C. totally feeds off the crowd, and has solidified himself as the top contestant. The only eliminations I would find shocking at this point are D.C. and Brooke White. I could even see little David (Archuletta) going. Little David is probably safe for some time, but it’s not out of the question.

One thing is clear — every contestant, at this point, needs to stay on top of their game.

Maybe I’m just lazy, and don’t feel like writing, but “American Idol” has gotten a bit boring. Well, it doesn’t help when your favorite contestant — David Cook, in my case — flops. And, well, there wasn’t much else noteworthy after Tuesday’s performances.

The judges’ evaluation of Jason Castro was off the mark. His performance was nothing short of overrated. What else is new? Boy-crazy girls will keep him on the show for a bit until we see the last three. Let me jump to that point. The final three: David Cook, David Archuletta and Brooke White.

Brooke White is both consistent and likeable. She stays put elimination night. Your bottom three? Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook and Michael Johns. Johns fans, he’s done nothing to prove himself all season. Johns hit his high in the Hollywood elimination rounds and has done nothing since.

In the meantime, you can watch “Idol Gives Back.” Or pass and say that you did.

Hello, David Cook. Wait, I’ve already said that. My favorite “Idol” completed the best performance in the show’s history Tuesday night. It was, to say it concisely, awesome.

I’m about as speechless as I was last night following Cook’s performance. I actually felt bad for the judges who were on the spot to comment. The only other thing I can say is: HE BETTER WIN.

Moving on (due to my lack of words), let’s look at who may be eliminated tonight. My top choices: Ramielle Malubay, Jason Castro and Kristy Lee Cook. Best guess: Malubay. I’ve long believed Malubay should go. I’ve been voting for her axing for at least four weeks now. Can you say overrated? Plus, KLC did so well Tuesday (in a stroke of genius), I can’t see her going. Meanwhile, Castro seems to have that teen-girl-crush persona going for him. So, I think he lasts past both Ramielle and KLC. Carly Smithson seems to be hit or miss, but she’s next on my list.

I know I’ve been harsh on Smithson from the get-go, but I give her props for last night. I love “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” It’s not an easy song to do (Bonnie Tyler did it right the first time), and Smithson showed a lot more range than I thought she had. Contrary to the opinions of judges Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, I thought it was a smart choice and may have showed America there is something to Smithson after all. If she has a few more strong performances, she’s bound to last beyond the likes of Chikezee or other contestants not named Brooke White, David Cook or David Archuletta.
Who do you say is the next goner?

So long, David Hernandez.

I had enough of you anyhow. Despite an awful performance by Kristy Lee Cook on Tuesday’s “American Idol,” the voters decided she deserved a second chance. I agree. We heard everything Hernandez could give. Cook, I might say, actually has some mad vocal talent. The musically arrangement was worse than her singing Tuesday, but the two combined for perhaps the worst “Idol” performance in the show’s history, or at least the worst Top 12 one.

The bottom three shows America is a lot better at voting this year than last. Perhaps www.votefortheworst.com is not as strong this year. Either way, this is fast becoming an excellent “Idol” season. Mercado or Kristy Lee Cook are likely to be the next eliminated, but don’t think a surprise is out of the question.

Ahh yes, I can now watch “American Idol” without dedicating my entire life to it. Just one night of must-see (the results show is blah anyhow) and it lasts only two hours. Put this on my list of reasons I love the Idol Top 12, aside from reason No. 1) Danny Noriega isn’t in it; and reason No. 2) There’s no longer a boy-girl division.

Before I forget… Brooke White, you’re the real deal and I hope you last to the end. You’re always a vocal treat.
Last night some contestants turned off the autopilot and showed us what they can do (i.e. Carly Smithson). I agree with Paula that there wasn’t anything wrong with Michael Johns’ performance. Yes, there was no “wow” factor, but Johns did a fine job of showing he can do a slow song without a bang and still come off as a polished, professional singer. Don’t get me wrong, Johns shouldn’t be considered the favorite.

Most people probably have David Archuleta at the top of their lists. It’s no secret that last night was an abomination. So, my favorite can legitimately stand at the top this week. Listen people, I don’t think much can be said or done to change my mind on David Cook.

I read a rival blogger’s comments today comparing Cook to Scott Stapp (Creed). Seriously, man, Cook has 10 times more talent than Stapp. Even if it was a slam on Cook, I suppose there’s some level of talent there, considering Stapp served up multiple top-selling albums as the frontman for Creed.

Look, David Cook is the real deal. The guy can sing, he can make it interesting, and he’s a real person. He’s not some rock diva, fan hungry ego maniac. He’s a guy who likes to sing, and who, quite frankly, is very good at it. Last week’s “Hello” is his highlight performance this year, but he’s yet to completely miss a song in the competition. I’ll admit last night’s “Eleanor Rigby” had some rough spots, but he really hit things in stride at the end. Side Note: Man, that’s such an awesome song. Probably my favorite Beatles tune.

Cook’s rendition of “Rigby” was good. It was fresh and original. Not great, but good. If he can do that with “Rigby” there’s a whole lot more “Cook”-ing with my favorite contestant. The thing about Cook is that I can hear him singing original songs that become hits.

Don’t go comparing him to Chris Daughtry either. Daughtry is an overrated wanna-be rocker with SMS (Short Man’s Syndrome). Cook’s voice is actually original. He doesn’t have to try to be a rocker — he naturally is one. I also don’t see him releasing cliche soccermom-loving songs like Daughtry.

I’ve named my favorite, now it’s time for you to name yours.

Tonight will define how annoying the coming weeks of “American Idol” might be. With both the guys and girls, there’s a clear bottom two. If those people are not eliminated, any one — or the group of them — will fast become this year’s Sanjaya. We’ll wait and wonder when they’ll go. And then we’ll wait. And wait some more.

I’ll give you my rankings, but I’ll make it even easier for a quick read. Here’s who should go (regardless of my own love and bias for certain contestants): Kady Malloy, Ramiele Malubay, Danny Noriega, Luke Menard.

So, you must be wondering the latest on which basket I’m putting my eggs in (that’s a strange way of saying my favorite to win the competition). Well, here’s who I’d like to see in the Top 4: David Archuleta, David Cook, Brooke White and Michael Johns.

Final two? David Cook vs. Brooke White. I would tell you my favorite to win it, but I’d rather not Cook my eggs too early in the morning (again, makes no sense).

Here’s your Top 8 Guys:

1. David Cook

2. David Archuleta

3. Michael Johns

4.Chikezie Eze
5. Jason Castro
6. David Hernandez
7. Luke Menard
8. Danny Noriega

Top 8 Girls:

1. Brooke White
2. Amanda Overmyer
3. Asia’h Epperson
4. Kristy Lee Cook
5. Syesha Mercado
6. Carly Smithson
7. Ramielle Malubay
8. Kady Malloy