American Idol - Top 36, Week 1

WOO-HOO! We're back!

New format this year - The top twelve are being put together over the next 4 weeks. Instead of the bottom two going home each week, this year the top three people are the ones that get through. The top girl, the top guy and the next highest vote getter. This way, there will be some gender equity, but the best people will get through. Or at least the people with the most votes will get through. The 36 will perform in groups of 12 over the next three weeks, then they will have a wild card show for the last three spots in the fourth week. It's going to be interesting. Having the chance to be seen week after week in these early rounds can be helpful later in the competition.

Nice that they had access to the stylists this early. This is the best I've seen contestants look on a first show. I'm more than a little disturbed to see more than three of the people I like in this group along with crazy Tatiana. Since I'm quite sure the folks over at Vote for the Worst are going to vote for her, that means someone I like will probably get passed over.

The Singing:

Jackie Tohn - "A Little More Conversation"
I really like her. I think she's fun. Not so in love with the performance. I loved the way it started, but I got a little uncomfortable by the end. I completely agreed with Simon.

Ricky Braddy - "A Song for You"


Don't remember him from the auditions. He's at a disadvantage going in tonight, at least in my mind, since I don't remember hearing him sing before tonight. And I would have remembered - he's a great singer. That was an OUTSTANDING performance. (Kara - back up from the microphone!) Again, Simon gives some good advice. Not as kind, but probably true. He's a good singer, but he needs to step up the personality.

Alexis Grace - "Never Loved a Man"


I can't believe that voice is coming out of that tiny little person. She was amazing. I've been a fan of hers through the auditions so far. What a voice.

Star Spotting!!! Ted Danson and Neil Patrick Harris in the front row! I love Doogie! Wow, rough live show tonight. Bad mikes, missed a tape roll. Holy cow.

Brent Keith - "Hicktown"
Does that sound like a country music name, or what? I'm not a fan of this guy. He's pretty forgettable. Good voice, but I think he's done after tonight. He might make it back to the Wild Card show. Simon just said he was forgettable too. Simon and I rule.

Stevie Wright - "You Belong With Me"
A Taylor Swift song. I already hate this. You shouldn't sing songs written by people who can't sing. She's done too. Poor thing. I had to fast forward that. Couldn't watch it. The low notes were awful for her and she never recovered. Simon is going to rake her across the coals. He did. She deserved it.

Anoop Desai - "Angel of Mine"
I like this kid a lot. And I really dig this song. He's sounding pretty good - is it me, or are the background singers a little pitchy on this one? There were a couple moments where someone sounded off key. Okay. Randy says Anoop was sharp. I believe that. I'm glad they showed him a lot during the auditions. I'd like for him to make it through.

Casey Carlson - "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic"
Oh, no. Not a Police song. No, no, no!!! Aaaahhhhh!!! *I just screamed in pain* Oh, yikes. This is awful, awful singing. She's destroying this song. You don't wink at the camera. You DON'T WINK. Simon tried to find something positive, that was nice. Though, he's right - the winking was the least of her problems. Her mom needs to sit down and be quiet.

Sidenote - I'm a little relieved. The first three singers were pretty memorable, though not perfect. I'm glad there are some people that are going to definitely be voted out.

Michael Sarver - "I Don't Wanna Be"
I'm sad. I liked him. But, it's not working for me. His personality doesn't match this song. And he didn't hit the high note. I'm not sure he's going through. He was already sounding tired by the end of that. The audience seemed to like it, but I think he'll hear it back on TV and won't like it. The judges said some really nice things about him as a person. That was refreshing.

Ann Marie Boskovich - "You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)"
I like her a lot. I hope she sings the crap out of this song. She's doing well. Has a good voice. She's a little dead in the eyes though. Not the best stage presence. But as I just said to my dad, most demo singers are killer vocalists, but not as good on stage. That's too bad.

Stephen Fowler - "Rock With You"
Ooo..Michael Jackson. This better be amazing.
Meh. It's not great. He started out doing Michael's moves from the video. That's uncomfortable. He cracked a couple times. Not good. The song choices are really rough tonight. I feel terrible for the last few contestants.

Tatiana Del Toro - "Saving All My Love for You"
Here comes the train wreck. Wow. I can't stand her. Unfortunately, she has a pretty good voice. Sanjaya's personality, but a much better voice. I'm trying to decide if I liked the changes she made. It made it more interesting to listen to. But she's just far too dramatic and wacky. And she's completely changed her personality. She's creeping me out too. Wow.

Danny Gokey - "Hero"


He's my favorite. He's in the coveted spot. I couldn't be more thrilled. I just hope he sings well.
He's singing well. What a stud. KEY CHANGE! Nice! I dig the ending. Very, very good. Paula is doing the above the head clap. She must have liked it. :) And, "sold-out arena" is three words, Paula. Not two words with a hyphen. Simon tried to bring that one down to earth, but he's wrong. It was great. Like Kara said - to sing that song and kill it is quite an accomplishment.

I'll be voting for Danny (1-866 IDOLS 12), Ricky Braddy (1-866 IDOLS 02) and Alexis Grace (1-866 IDOLS 03). I thought Anoop was good too. Vote for the Worst is voting for Tatiana. Rickey.org is pushing for Anoop. Pick up the phone and vote for the good people. It's critical at this point. It doesn't usually matter this early in the show, but since they've changed the format, you need to vote.