I'm guessing I have been saying the same thing at the start of the last few seasons of American Idol... but again, I am not sure if I am going to do these updates all the time/every week... or what form they'll take. I feared with the "re-mix" this year, that my interest in it would fade, but do like Steven and Jennifer and have to say they have a pretty good group this year. OK, to kick things off here are my Top 3 from the first week of competition... songs from your idol:

#1 - Pia ("All By Myself"): Alas, here idol is Celine Dion, not Eric Carmen who originally sang that song, but Idol contestants are cute like that sometimes (guffawed at Ashthon was so funny singing that "Jennifer Hudson song "And I Am Telling You"... which was song on Broadway before JHud was ever born, but I digress..). With a lot of quirky/odd voices in the mix this year that you can forgive some quality issues, Pia is all power and control.
#2 - Casey ("With A Little Help From My Friends"): Was surprised that they pulled out the back-up choir already! But how can you not smile when Casey is performing, plus he's pretty darn funny too. Will be curious if his act gets old as he it is kind of reminiscent of <gasp> Taylor Hicks.... but heck, he did win!
#3 - James ("Maybe I'm Amazed"): Why do I want to keep calling this song "Baby I'm Amazed". I have to admit while I am supposed to love James for his Tourette's and his life struggles, he has kind of annoyed me with being too Adam Lambert with the vocals and even the look (tho it's certainly more hetero in that latter) and with the "tail" and the rock "horns" and even some of his facial expressions were too put even last night... but he does have an incredible voice and was glad he toned it down a bit.
#4 - Thia ("Smile"): Again, see Pia for the whole "Michael Jackson" song thing. While she has been pretty amazing vocally of late, I think he problem has been coming off too cold personality-wise, tho last night it swung in the too pouty/lacking self-confidence, which is never a good thing to show. I agree I liked the first half of the song better than the jazzy second, but overall it was still pretty stellar.
#5 - Scotty ("The River"): Scotty is another one I don't know what to think about. Seems like a nice enough guy with that distinctive low baritone voice, but aren't they like a dime a dozen (or if not, a quarter for a half dozen?) in Nashville? Regardless, I think folks will love him and that he'll stick around for a while... though it'll be interesting to see how some of theme nights go in coming weeks.
#6 - Naima ("Umbrella"): Really enjoy her, and while this was far from perfect I at least liked what she was trying to achieve here... tho I worry that she seems to be way too fragile mentally.
In the past I had a pass/fail line... so this is probably where I would make the cut.
#7 - Jacob ("I Believe I Can Fly"): I think Jacob is pretty darn talented, but thought this was kind of a mess and a song that's just been way over-done and prone to be over-sung, which he did as it got pretty screechy... which is a line I think he's always going to find challenging to rub up against.
#8 - Haley ("Blue"): It always cracks me up when in the bumper pieces they talk about how the song is going to be mixed up with their own flavor and then it comes out to be pretty close to the original... granted a very good version of the original, which I think is tough to pull off.
#9 - Stefano ("Lately"): Stefano is pretty darn cute, but just didn't like the pacing of the song, which did turn into this odd kind of dance remix that didn't allow Stefano to really show too much off.
#10 - Paul ("Come Pick Me Up"): One of the big disappointments of the evening as I am intrigued by Paul's breathy vocals... but while he hoped, I have to be one of those in America who just didn't get it. I think he made a mistake by not going with a recognizable song (thanks JLo for confirming that herself) that folks could latch onto in some way. I fear for his survival tonight.
#11 - Lauren ("Any Man of Mine"): The other huge disappointment of the night. I like Lauren, even think she is one of the favorites to win the whole thing... but something was hugely missing from this, which is kind of odd since she did do a pop-country song the other week to great effect.
#12 - Ashthon ("When You Tell Me You Love Me"): Vocally Ashton probably doesn't deserve to be this low, but I just don't like her... or should I say the attitude she projects... and I am still mildly resentful in that I think there were a couple of other contestants I had preferred over her wildcard spot. That said, there were some flat parts to her performance and again, it's a song that's been a bit too overdone... a bit too diva for what she needs right now.
#13 - Karen ("I Could Fall In Love"): Karen was the only contestant I didn't have in my Top 10 predictions (had Naima instead) and while I thought she's been good throughout the competition, last night was pretty much a disaster as something really was not clicking... either with the arrangement or how she was hearing things (or just plain nerves). I'd be a bit surprise if she stays.
Elimination prediction: My guess is that America is not enamoured with Ashthon either, so I think it might come down to her and Karen with Paul thrown in the mix if there's a bottom 3... but don't see how Karen survives unless there is some kind of sympathy vote... though with Simon gone and a more kinder, gentler judging panel, I think some of that backlash won't happen as much.








