The Top 20 (I watched them all tonight)

Since I was at the theater enjoying The Diary of Anne Frank last night, I had to watch back to back episodes of Idol tonight. Since I have so much to report on, I am not going to waste any time on chit chat. I will say that after watching the shows back to back, the girls are a stronger group in general than the boys and I am really getting excited about this competition. There are a couple of potential stars in this group and I can't wait to watch them grow. Let's break it down:

Michael Lynche
Big Mike was first up and confessed that along with football he was in musical theater in school. He listened hard to the judges last week about song selection and decided to challenge himself with James Brown's "This is a Man's World". From the first note, I was hooked. Mike is a natural performer, but this song gave him that chance to show off how strong of a contender he is vocally. He turned out a star quality performance that was in a completely different league than his previous performance. Randy said the season was getting started and gave him a standing "O". Ellen said that it was the song to beat. Kara said he went from a singer to a star. Simon compared him to a pussy cat last week to a lion this week.

John Park
John is part of a vocal group in Chicago and seemed to have a difficult time with the criticism last week. He selected "Gravity" by John Mayer. He is a really likable guy with a great voice, but he was so focused on the notes and trying to change his onstage persona, that he lost that natural honesty that John Mayer brings to his music. While he was so much better than last week, there was nothing original about this performance. Randy thought it wasn't special. Ellen thought it could have had more soul. Kara said it was way better than last week, but he lacked a connection to the song and the audience. Simon thought the performance was "so what" and not believable.

Casey Jones
Casey openly admitted that there are better singers than him in this competition, but he is doing what he can to stay in it. I guess that is buy having a secret ritual in a box? Casey decided to go with "I don't wanna be" and to jam out on his electric guitar. Casey is a good looking guy who has great potential, but this particular song went from a strong start to a vocally shaky middle and then a pointless guitar jam. This is a singing competition, so from that standpoint I am comparing him to Bo Bice on that stage and how he blew everyone away back in Season 4 with this song. It was not even close for me. Randy loved it. Ellen thought it was a little safe. Kara thought he took two steps backward, that he forgot about the singing. Simon thought it was too much like trying to be a rock star.
Alex Lambert
He may have the same last name as last season's Adam, but this kid has so much to conquer in nerves and self confidence before he steps onstage that you can't even compare the two. He chose "Everybody Knows" by John Legend and decided to play his guitar. Last week I REALLY wanted this kid to go home, but this performance intrigued me. He was SO much better than last week, and the interesting qualities in his voice were finally showcased. I found myself hoping I get to hear something else. Randy loved the growth. Ellen talked about the banana ripening (in a good way). Kara thought it was a great improvement. Simon told him he needs to get the killer instinct if he wants to stay.
Toddrick Hall
Toddrick is one that I really liked in his audition film, but has yet to reconnect with me since. He decided on Tina Turner's "What's love got to do with it" and I am bored to tears. No one would ever buy this I-tune and play it in their car, let's be real. I felt sorry for him, because it is obvious he is going at this like a puzzle to crack instead of just enjoying being a singer. Randy told him his voice was hot, but it was not a great arrangement. Ellen said it was not the right song. Kara told him to stick to what he does best. Simon thought he sounded like a theme park singer.
Jermaine Sellers
After some weird Onesie footage, Jermaine came out with the strangest version of "What's going on" that I have ever heard. It was really hokey, and again, like he was trying to figure out the Idol formula instead of just being a singer who knows what he is good at. Randy said it was better than last week. Ellen loved his style, but wasn't thrilled with the song either. Kara told him to pull back. Not every song needs every vocal trick. Simon thought it was too cabaret and old fashioned. I think Jermaine is far too concerned with trying to figure out what will please the judges that he has lost himself in the process.
Andrew Garcia
Andrew has yet to captivate the judges like he did during Hollywood week with his rendition of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up". He performed "You give me something" and while he was able to showcase his unique voice at some points, he also had some pitch issues were surprising. There was also some joy lacking from the performance. Randy said that he was way pitchy. Ellen liked it. Kara thought he was too safe and that they needed to be surprised. Simon was just plain frustrated that he can't pick the right song.
Aaron Kelly
Aaron is the cutest young man. He brings 100% gratitude and joy with him to each interview and to the stage. He is just young and needs to mature. He chose "My Girl", and the vocal itself was strong, but the falsetto set my teeth on edge and the dancing was a little awkward. Overall, he is very likable and has so much potential that I can't really imagine him going home yet. Randy thought the first half was brilliant but the second half was rough. Ellen loved his confidence but thought the song was a little forgettable. Kara thought he was consistent and she liked it. Simon didn't like the song and thought he went a little bit backwards.
Tim Urban
Tim was my second pick to go home last week, (by the way-did not see the boys and girls the same way America did last week)and this week he partially changed my mind. He sang "Come get high", which was a great song with his voice, and had a much more sincere performance than he was able to deliver last week. He looked and sounded much better overall. Randy didn't get it. Ellen thought he lacked stage presence. Kara liked the song choice but didn't think he made it his own. Simon thought there was marked improvement and he was extremely impressed with Tim's work ethic. Did anyone else start to get tired of Kara and Simon and all the fake flirting? Could we skip that and make the show an hour and a half?
Lee Dewyze
Lee is one of these guys that I have a huge soft spot for. I have a special person in my life who just needed a few people outside of his family to believe in him before he could see the wonderful person that he is. When I heard Lee talk about his past bad choices and how he had a teacher who believed in him, it really touched me. He chose a song that I personally can't stand, "Lips of an Angel" (sorry I hate lame lyrics like this), but he was so raw and passionate that I forgive the few bum notes and nervous tugging at the jeans and completely surrendered to his performance.This is a voice I already can envision on the radio. Randy thought the song wasn't perfect but it was good. Ellen thought he had passion. Kara thought it was a big improvement from the week before. Simon told him to raise his shoulders because he is the one to beat. I think if Lee can get the nerves under control, his voice will not go flat. Once he does that, he will get even better.
Crystal Bowersox
We aren't privy to the details of Crystal's hospitalization, but it seemed extremely serious given the judges amazement that she was back. The only scoop I could find was that the illness was related to her diabetes and that the show was aware of her health issues. She sang "Long as I can see the Light" and it was just absolutely perfect. This girl has so much talent and knows exactly what she is doing when she is onstage. Randy loved that she was original. Ellen said she had raw natural talent. Kara thought it was authentic and that she hit a new level. Simon said that he for the first time sees a true artist on that stage.
Haeley Vaughn
God love this girl, she is a sweet thing. She is just too young for this kind of competition. She sang "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus, and while it is better than last week's Beatles massacre, this performance felt like a high school talent show. Her lisp was extremely pronounced while she was singing this week as well.Randy thought it was excruciating. Ellen told her not to stop smiling but that she was not connected to that song. Kara told her that she needed a year of training and growing. Simon thought it was a complete and utter mess.
Lacey Brown
Lacey and Haeley were the girls who I thought should have gone home last week, so I in a hurry to get through this performance before Lacey embarrassed herself again. She chose (surprise!) "Kiss me", because she wanted to do that song (she really did) even before Kara suggested it. While her voice is unique and this song is on key 80% of the time instead of the 10% it was last week, I find myself watching Big Mike in the audience dancing around and avoiding looking at Lacey's awkward movement on stage. What does that tell you? Randy thought she had a couple of good moments. Ellen thought she was adorable. Kara liked her tone but told her that she needed to step it up. Simon thought it was only marginally better and he didn't see any artistry. I stand by my prediction of last week. Lacey and Haeley still need to go.
Katie Stevens
Katie decided to heed the judges advice about staying youthful and selected "Put your record on". She did dress a little younger, so she was paying attention and taking notes. Katie has a ton of self confidence and she truly has a fantastic voice. My problem with this performance was that it felt very fake. I think that Katie could fall into the David Archuleta problem in Season 7.It is like these young kids have been singing all of mom and dad's favorites for dinner parties and talent shows for so long that they don't have any idea of what kind of music they even like. Randy thought it had bright moments. Ellen loved her voice, but thought it was still too old. Kara thought the end was better than the beginning. Simon told her she needed to figure out what kind of artist she wanted to be quickly. Katie is a natural born singer, but the fact that she couldn't find one singer under twenty that she could connect with was a huge warning sign if she is going to go the distance.
Didi Benami
I really like Didi, and apparently I heard a different performance than the judges did tonight. Didi sang "Lean on Me" and I actually really enjoyed her voice and I felt her in the song. Realistically, I would not probably download it on I-tunes, but in the moment I enjoyed her and believed her. Randy, Ellen, Kara and Simon all thought it would work in a Karaoke bar, that it was unoriginal and Simon even said she wasted her opportunity. This is one of those moments when I wonder after the judges go back and watch the film if they will hear what I did and take back some of their harsh criticism.
Michelle Delamor
Michelle sang Creed's "With Arms Wide Open". I really don't like this song. I thought Michelle started off strong but halfway through the song went all over the place. For me, the last couple of moments couldn't end fast enough. Randy thought it fell flat, but the rest of the judges thought she was fabulous. This time I don't get it.
Lilly Scott
This girl was my favorite from last week. She infused her indie vibe into "A change is gonna come" and once again it was my favorite of the night. She has such a unique quality to her voice, and her performance style is really honest. This time the judges agreed with me, except Simon still felt Crystal's performance was the best of the night. (Can you tell it is after 10 p.m. and I am starting to get tired? Prepare for the blog to start moving at an even quicker pace).
Katelyn Epperly
Katelyn's film was intriguing to me, because each time she is interviewed I find out something that negates what I originally thought about her. She accompanied herself on piano, this week, and sang Coldplay's "The Scientist". The tempo was in super slow motion. Her voice actually had some great moments once she got past the first line. When she started I thought for one split second that she was going to pull a Brooke and ask to start over, but once she started singing she had a strong vocal. Randy thought the last couple of notes weren't great. Ellen thought it was too slow. Kara told Katelyn that she kind of loved her, but that she needed to figure out who she was. Simon thought it was a smart song choice but to be careful not to get corny.
Paige Miles
Paige is extremely likable in her film and onstage. She powers through Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away" and the vocal is pretty dead on to the original. She has a great voice and great energy, but even with all that going for her, this was kind of forgettable for me. Randy liked it. Ellen loved it. Kara wrote it, and was perplexed by the smiling while singing such an angry song. Simon thought it was not the right song and is with me on the whole forgettable thing.
Siobhan Magnus
This girl's film cracks me up. She is one odd little Missy. She describes giving herself a Mohawk and I am totally fascinated at what might be going on that head of hers. She sings Aretha Franklin's "Think" and out of her little mouth came this big old voice hitting notes like Adam Lambert, but without the tongue or screaming. (No slam to Adam, I just found the tongue off putting). Randy told her she slayed it. Ellen said it was so good. Kara was blown away by the note, which Siobhan explained that she taught herself in the shower. Simon thought it had equal parts of fantastic and terrible, but that she was interesting.

Who goes?
Jermaine Sellers and John Park out of the boys and for the girls I think it will be Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown. But what do I know? Tell me what you think and tune in tomorrow....