The Top 12 (American Idol)

Yes folks, American Idol is back and next week the competition heats up when the Top 12 perform and the guys and girls compete against each other for the first time this season. I have a few things to say about what has happened so far.

What's different this season besides the contestants?
1. Ryan Seacrest doesn't end each show with "Seacrest out!" which was actually kind of cool but also kind of played. I can see why he doesn't say it but I do miss it.
2. Randy Jackson doesn't talk about the "Dawg Pound" nor does he say "We got a hot one tonight!" anymore. That would be good if he hadn't replaced it with "YO factor" which seems to be some version of Cowell's "Wow Factor" that is also 10x as annoying to hear him talk about.
3. Paula Abdul is giving good feedback as of late which is an improvement. Tonight she was great...more on that below.

Have there been any surprises?
1. Sundance Head was kicked off which was a big surprise and what made Paula really cool. She was shocked and Simon said people must have had the volume on their TV’s turned off when they didn’t vote for him and instead put Sanjaya through. He is probably the worst contestant ever. Other than maybe “Chicken Little” Kevin from last season but he is staying alive. Perhaps he is outsourcing to a call center and has 200 people calling in for him all at once? Regardless, he can’t make it much farther.

2. Another disappointment and somewhat surprising conclusion tonight was the voting off of Sabrina Sloan. She did a good job but the competition with the girls is very tough.

3. The girls are hands-down better than the boys. There are 3 or 4 really strong guys (Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh and Brandon Lewis and Brandon Rogers respectively) but so far none of them can beat the top girls (Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones).

4. Idol Gives Back: AI is becoming socially responsible this season with their charity programming benefiting young people in Africa and the Mississippi Basin/Louisiana areas of America. The two-night event airs April 24 and 25th and will feature BONO (!), Pink, Gwen Stefani, Josh Grobin and others.

5. Antonella Barba’s photo scandal. I don’t want to make fun of her here but just say that you really need to be careful of who gets a hold of your naked pictures and it is probably best not to take them in the first place. Shame on the jerks who put them out there. She was voted off tonight but deserved to be. She wasn’t that great at all.

Who are the Top 12?

Blake Lewis: Very talented beat-boxer and singer. This is my favorite guy.

Gina Glokson: Cool rocker-chick. Not the best but fun to watch and deserving of her spot.

Brandon Rogers: The guy back-up singer ready for the front lines. He’s good and should be around for the later weeks.

Chris Richardson: The “JT” of the group. He is talented and should at least make it to the Top 6.

Haley Scarnato: She sings well but seems more stage-show than solo artist to me.

Jordin Sparks: Pales compared to the Top 2 girls (in my opinion) but is good.

Chris Sligh: The funny guy has a great voice and will get through a few more weeks.

Lakisha Jones: My 2nd favorite girl and Melinda’s greatest competition. None of the boys have anything on her so far.

Melinda Doolittle: My favorite girl. She was on fire this week and I hope she goes to the Top 2 if not the Top!

Phil Stacey: He does have a decent voice but I think he should be out in the next 3 weeks. He is my least favorite other than Sanjaya. Simon mentioned he looked odd and he does. It takes away from his voice.

Stephanie Edwards: She is good but the girls are so tough.

Sanjay Malakar: I liked him at first but now he needs to go! He cannot compete against anyone else and the worst girl is far superior to him much less the worst guy. He is out of his league now.