It didn’t take long for the cream to rise to the top Tuesday night when American Idol began the competition faze of its program. With the number of competitors narrowed to 24 after the Hollywood round, the dozen male competitors strutted with their stuff Tuesday with the women set to follow Wednesday. It was obvious which of the dozen male contestants have the right stuff to make an impact and which ones don’t.
The cream de la cream in my opinion was 17 year old Murray, Utah native David Archuleta . This kid looks like a kid but brings a singing voice that would make even Idol alum Clay Aiken green with envy. After dazzling the judges and viewers with his rendition of Shop Around, an amazed Simon Cowell said, “When you got it, you got it. That was by a mile the best performance of the night.”
Jason Castro , a 20 year old 60’s throw back with his long dreads also impressed the judges with his interpretation of the Spoonfuls Daydream. Castro opted to strum his own guitar while singing, a decision that proved to be fruitful as he drew raves from judges Paula Abdul and Cowell. “The song was perfect for you,” said Abdul. Cowell said, “I thought the performance was in the top-two of the night. You have Charisma.”
Michael Johns , the 29 year old Aussie currently living in Buckhead, Georgia provided a strong performance singing the Doors’ Light My Fire. Randy Jackson said he likes the way Johns throw’s all caution to the wind while Abdul thought the song was an excellent way to end the night. Cowell liked Johns’ consistency and charisma.
Robbie Carrico , 26, of Melbourne, Fla., drew praise for his performance of Three Dog Night’s One. Jackson said the song was “a nice version,” while Abdul said it was the “perfect song, you’re authentic.” Cowell commented, “It’s the only performance tonight that had the semblance of making sense.” Carrico performed ahead of Archuletta.
David Cook , 25, of Blue Springs, Mo did a pretty good job with the Turtles’ Happy Together. Randy said it was crazy, Paula liked the originality and Simon even thought it was good but thought he shouted it a bit.
The other performances bordered on being just ok to forgettable. Dave Hernandez of Glendale, Arizona opened the program with Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour and got some attention from Jackson but did not impress Cowell.
Chikezie sings I Love You More Today than Yesterday and did not impress. “I hated the whole performance; hated the (orange) suit, it was corny,” said Cowell.
Jason Yeager , 28, of Grand Prairie, Texas performed Moon River. Simon said the performance was “Cruise Ship.” Paula thought he did a good job as Cowell was rolling his eyes.
Danny Noriega , 18, of Azuza, Calif., did a good job of butchering Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock. Jackson thought the performance was “kinda hot”; Abdul said it was “colorful” while Cowell called the performance “grotesque.”
Colton Berry also went to Elvis for material singing Suspicious Minds. Berry didn’t butcher Elvis to the extent Noriega did but wasn’t good enough to get praise from Cowell. “I got nothing out of the performance,” he said. “I am not hearing a recording artist.”
If you want to know who will probably be going home after Thursday’s elimination show you will probably have to look no farther than 29 year old Luke Menard of Crawfordsville, Ind., and 17 year old Garrett Haley of Elida, Ohio.
Singing Echo’s of my Mind, Menard failed to deliver. Jackson called the performance “pitchy”; Abdul criticized the song choice while Cowell called the performance forgettable. “No one’s going to remember you,” said Cowell.
Haley bored Abdul and Jackson with Neil Sedaka’s Breaking up is Hard to Do. Abdul and Jackson both said the performance was boring.
Wednesday night the women get their chance in the spot light. Sometime on Thursday morning, online sportsbook, Bookmaker.com is expected to provide betting odds on which four contestants will most likely be eliminated.
