Let the Voting Begin

Well, the time has come for the voting portion of American Idol to begin and this season, the producers have shaken things up a bit, giving us 36 finalists to whittle down to 12.  Breaking them into three groups of 12, one group performs per week, and the top girl, guy, and next highest vote recipients advance to the final 12.  The wildcard round is also back, allowing the judges to select 12 from the 27 scorned contestants to give them a second chance to perform for our votes, where and additional 3 will be selected.  This means that unlike previous years, there will not be an equal number of guys/girls heading into the final 12.  More importantly, since only three of each group in the early rounds advance (as opposed to the bottom two being eliminated) it means the contestants have to dramatically adjust their game plan from years past.  In the past, the goal of the early rounds was to simply not be the worst.  With the change in format this year, however, the early round contenders must actually be the best in order to move on.  Playing it safe early on was the way to go last year.  This year, that tactic will spell disaster.  And it's a good thing that contestants were trying to be the best (and not the worst) last night, because based on last nights performances the contest to see who was the worst would have been a much harder race to call.  

Starting off the night was Jackie Tohn, singing Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" and clad in ridiculous black lycra pants with an oversized red belt thing.  The performance was spastic and bizarre.  A "fun" performance at a stage of the competition where fun just isn't enough.  She most likely won't make it through tonight, but I think her spunky personality will cause the judges to bring her back in the wildcard round.  

Next up was Ricky Braddy.  Yes, I said Ricky Braddy.  What, you've never heard of him?  That's okay, neither have the 20 some odd million other people watching last night.  It's as if he appeared out of nowhere.  Did this guy even audition?  Well, knowing that he was an "unknown" candidate and that it has spelled ruin for others like him in previous seasons, he did what he had to do and picked a song that everyone would remember...wait, no, he picked a song almost as unknown as he was, "A Song for You" by Leon Russell.  He actually did quite a good job.  Unfortunately, his lack of past airtime and his early appearance in the nights roundup is going to do him no favors.  He's another one that I don't think will make it through tonight (although I think he should), but has some hope to be a wildcard pick.

Alexis Grace was up next singing Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved A Man".  Previously, the judges told her she needed to "dirty herself up".  So here she was, with a little pink added to her hair ready to bring on the superficial "edge" she had been lacking.  I thought it was good. It was sultry and soulful, like a song heard in a smoky bar.  My brother, in fact, said the performance made him want to smoke.  The judges thought it was great, comparing her to Kelly Clarkson.  She has little competition from the rest of the female performers last night, so her chances of making it through are pretty good.  

Up next, Brent Keith with Jason Aldean's "Hicktown".  Uggghhh!  Not even the hicks will like this performance.  The song had about three notes, and while some of the judges praised him for going with his country roots, I could only praise him for finding a way to actually make me like country music less.  This guy is as good as gone.  Back to the home improvement warehouse for him.  Hopefully he can find an audience there in the chains/metal fasteners department.

Then came Stevie Wright.  While several of the performances before her were bad, she had the honor of bringing the night's first train wreck with "You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift.  The key was way too low for her, she sounded as if she had just completed a marathon, and looked like she might actually throw up onstage.  I'm not sure whether it was nerves or lack of talent that did her in, but her ship has sailed.  Bon voyage, mon ami.

Anoop, wanting to keep it fun and upbeat according to his recorded monologue package, does the complete opposite with "Angel of Mine" by Monica.  If this is fun and upbeat, I bet this guy is a blast at parties.  The problem is, I actually think he would be a blast at parties.  He seems much more lively and likable than this song let on.  Vocally it was pretty good, it just was like drinking a cup of sleepy-time tea.  I want Anoop to make it.  I don't think he will tonight, but I have hopes for a wildcard comeback.

Casey Carlson takes the stage singing "Every Little Things She Does Is Magic" by the police.  It was as if someone had put a little spell on her the way she hopped, posed, and winked throughout the song.  And the vocals were downright terrible.  This was quite possibly the worst performance in a night full of bad performances.  It was awkward to watch, and worse to listen to.  For a brief moment, I wished I was Helen Keller.  The judges crucified her.  Her train just collided with Stevie's and among the carnage was the 20 million Americans who just watched.

Then we have America's favorite Roughneck, Michael Sarver performing the idol stand-by "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw.  I like the guy, but he needs to either lose a little weight, or not move around so much.  The dancing was a tad bizarre.  The performance was almost ok, but America likes this guy so much that almost ok could be enough to send him through.  If not, he's a shoe-in for the wildcard round.  Simon actually encouraged people to vote for him! Roughnecks across the nation rejoice.

Bringing the second Aretha number of the night is Anne Marie Boskovich.  She sang "Natural Woman".  It wasn't natural.  I'm not even sure Ms. Frankin's inaugural Christmas bow hat could have saved this performance.  It wasn't as bad as Casey's, but nowhere near good enough to get her through.  According to the judges, the song was too big for her.  Based on that performance, I'm inclined to think "I'm A Little Teapot" might also be too big a song.  Bye bye Boskovich.

Stephen Fowler tackles Michael Jackson's "Rock with You".  It was a strange performance that left me feeling like I was being serenaded by Tim Meadows' The Ladies Man.  It stank so bad, in fact, that if Michael Jackson were listening, what's left of his nose might have fallen off.  Stephen has been the king of second chances.  There won't be a third.

Then comes the main event.  It's what we've been waiting for all night.  Tatiana Del Toro.  She sings Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You" and my worst fears become a reality.  It's actually quite good.  Maybe the best female vocal of the night, even.  Stranger than her good performance, however, is the fact that she seems almost human and not like a cartoon character.  The judges don't know what to think and neither do I.  But, between the good performance and the backing of the "Vote for the Worst" crew, I think she stands a good chance of advancing to the top 12.

Rounding out the night is Danny Gokey.  This guy has a heart wrenching story, is loved by America, has a great and totally unique sound, and performed Maria Carey's "Hero" near flawlessly.  The judges were crazy about him, I was crazy about him, the camera man cut to a shot of his supporter/fellow Idol wanna' be Jamar crying, the planets aligned with the sun, manna came down from the sky, Israel made peace with Palestine, and the Dow Jones soared to 11,000.  Forget Idol, I'm voting for Gokey for President in 2012.  

Who should advance based on last nights performances: Ricky Braddy, Danny Gokey, Tatiana del Toro.

Who I want to advance based on who I want to advance: Danny Gokey, Anoop, Alexis Grace

Who I think will advance based on America's vote: Danny Gokey, Tatiana del Toro, Michael Sarver