American Idol

Well, than you better not root for Michael Johns because he is from Australia. He still has the awesome accent (my very fave accent BTW - swoon) He fronted a band down under. I think they even had a recording contract. I will have to look it up. He was one of the first ones being discussed as "professional ringer". I couldn't care less! He is gorgeous and has a wonderful voice!! Of course he totally takes away the "American" in American Idol and the innocence of the first few seasons when they really did have kids who were just nobodies make it. But hey, he is ear AND eye candy - so this girl ain't gonna complain I loved his BoRap - but I do wish he had done the high note like Con did. I think that is more impressive. It's hard to compare the two because Con did it with full band, lights, mic stand action, the cool clothes etc. It would be interesting to see how Michael Johns would hold up to Con in the same setting. Con's BoRap certainly was one of the all time show stoppers of AI. I will give him that. Certainly better than Fanty's Shummertime that the judges all say was the best moment.

I like Carly. She is not my fave girl, but I do like her a lot.

Sky and I may be in the minority about Josiah. I'm reading a lot of negative comments about him on other boards. Mostly they think he is a whiny baby diva etc. I didn't get that from him at all. Not Diva certainly. I guess my motherly instincts kicked in big time with him. I hate that an 18 year old kid is living in his car. Worries me. I can't say that he didn't deserve to be top 24. I think he was better than the little we heard of Colton, and several of the guys who made top 24 we haven't even seen let alone heard. So I don't know at this point if any of them are more talented than Josiah. I guess we will find that out next week when we finally hear them sing!

Personally I think it is crappy when some of the people in the top 24 get HUGE exposure for weeks prior to the "American Votes" shows, while others remain completely invisible. Some of the top 24 already have fan bases. I assume that is the reason TPTB to it. I am sure we have seen "TCO" many times already. I don't think that Carly is TCO though. I think that cute 16 year old David is a strong possibility for TCO. Which I don't have a problem with because he has an incredible voice and is cute as button! Also seems to be a total sweetheart. I think I will be rooting for him a lot. He is pretty much what I like about the "idea" of AI. A nice sweet kid with an amazing voice who gets his big break on the show - just like season 1 and 2.

FC....It must be the motherly thing with Josiah. I find myself wondering what happened, why is this kid living in his car? Where are his parents or parent? I hate the fact there are homeless children out there for whatever reason. I was 'pulling' for Josiah because I didn't want him living in his car, he probably has no means to further his singing career and how does he make any money, does he have a job? FC, I guess we just can't let it get to us so much. When he started crying, my eyes were getting teary. Now isn't that silly, I don't even know anything about him.

Not silly!I had tears pouring down my face and needed tissues. I am still worried about him. I wish someone would do a follow up on him so we know if he is OK and has a place to live. At least if he was on the show he would have a nice apartment to live in and meals and a "family of sorts" environment. Honestly, I am not one who needs to know somebody to feel their pain. I see a kid hurting and I hurt right along with them. I was in tears for a lot of those kids last night as they walked away from that chair with their hearts broken. But most of them came out to family and loving arms and shoulders. Josiah didn't It's a tough business to break into. So few get to realize their dreams. It just really helps to have family there for support.

Her is Josiah's MySpace with songs to listen to. It has had 500,000 hits!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=96470600

I understand Josiah's mom is very sick with cancer. He's very talented but I didn't think he was quite ready. I did feel bad for him since it seemed like he really believed he was going to make it through.


There's another sort of ringer among the guys. Jason Castro was on the MTV reality show about Cheyenne who is a 16 year old singer songwriter. He was her boyfriend although I don't know if they're still seeing each other. He did look really familar to me when I saw him on AI.

Ha! I used to watch Cheyenne! Hey, I am a sucker for shows about kids that sing It just so happens I watched Cheyenne in that show "America's Most Talented Kids" and she is the one I rooted for and she won! Very talented and gorgeous kid!

So, we have Cheyenne's ex and Britney's ex!

Turns out all the sites that had lots of info on Michael John's career have mysteriously disappeared

On Josiah...in Hollywood there are a bunch of kids like him...way too young, artistically inclined, living in cars and deserted houses. Most of them turn to sex for money and drugs.

I really hope he turns out differently. (I do not think getting further in AI would have put him less at risk).

I am still catching up online with the other major ones.

I like Michael Johns. Obviously a pro, but that is fine with me!

I will go check out Carly.

I kinda like the biker nurse (Light my Fire). But I will either wind up loving or hating her. Need more exposure.

I like the biker/nurse too, but I'm anxious to hear more from her.

Biker nurse is very cool! But I think Simon could be right in that everything may sound the same. The deep graveling voice and belting. Not sure how she will go over with the bulk of Idol fans. I hope she makes top ten and has a chance to tour because adding rock to the tour is fun for the audience. I get a kick out of her. She is pretty too!

http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2008/02/jordin-opens-fo.html#more

Jordan opening for Keys?? WOW that is huge!!

Read all about Carly - Irish girl - professional experience!

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/13980/irish-idol-smithsons-secret-past

I knew all this about Carly. She's a ringer. That's why I think she's TCO. I'm torn, because she's a terrific singer and I really am planning to enjoy her performances very much, but I don't think she has any business whatsoever being there at all.

OK, I seriously think this is the best group of 12 guys they have had so far!

I won't lie, I LOVED Michael. He is gorgeous and I enjoyed him. I also really love David A. - great voice, cute and sweet kid. I liked Robbie, Jason Castro (sp?) and David Cook too! I got a kick out of Danny. I don't think he deserved the comments from Simon. I think Simon finds him a bit of a Diva. Danny does make me wonder - but I think he has just an adorable face! Almost too pretty for a boy. I thought David Hernandez (first singer) was really good too.

Sadly, I think Luke is in trouble. I know he can sing better than that and he sure is good eye candy. I also think that Jason that sang Moon River is in big trouble. I didn't really care for the "Chick" guy. Can't remember how to spell his name. He truly was way too old fashion for this show. Garet? What the heck was that? He looked like he would rock and that was just so boring and juvenile. I hope he comes back though so we can see what else he can do. I think Simon's comments about his looks were totally uncalled for I can really enjoy Simon, but sometimes he really crosses the line.

I hope the girls are as good as the boys because I really think this season is going to be a great one! I am excited!

There were two Simon criticisms that I thought were absolutely off the scale of realistic tonight - one was much too harsh and one was much too pimpalicious.

David Archwhatshisname and Danny Noriega were both, to my mind, pretty good and fun and young and not-quite-ready yet. Simon acted like David lay a golden egg and Danny pooped on the floor. I did not think either are fair. However, David A is clearly straight and Danny N. may be setting off Simon's horrifically homophobic gaydar, so that might explain it.

Why the hell do I already know who is going deep into the top 10 when they've only sung once? Michael Johns is staying forever, David A. is staying forever, Danny Noriega is probably going to give Simon a heart attack by staying forever, and I think if Jason Castro (who I thought was GREAT tonight!) just became the Bo-Bice/Elliot-Yamin-Comes-Outta-Nowhere-in-the-semis candidate tonight.

Well, you said what I didn't quite want to say when I said "I wonder". I think Danny is a bit flamboyant and may just be gay and I also think that is the problem for Simon. He clearly doesn't want gays to win. He HATED that the first Pop Idol winner was gay. Hated it and was pretty obvious about it.

I agree that those 4 are going a long way. Not sure about Danny, but maybe. Yes, Jason is indeed the "surprise hit" of the night. I actually think David deserved the praise. I have thought his voice was amazing from when I first found the vids on the Internet of him from age 12 on. If he is TCO I am fine with that. I'm not sure if TCO is Michael or David, but at this point either would be fine with me because I totally enjoyed everything about them both. Michael is gorgeous from head to toe!! LOVE the Aussie accent and loved watching him perform. He would be my pick to win if I were able to choose the winner!

Well, DialIdol has David, Michael, Jason C. and Danny as the top 4 and safe! We sure hit the nail on the head with those 4 Cool! I really like them all. I hope Danny hangs around for a long time. I think he will provide a lot of fun!

There was a story about Carly in The New York Post today where she denies that anyone ever spent $2million on her promotion. She said the whole thing was a very bad experience for her and chalked up the failure of her CD to the songs being way too sexually explicit for the tween audience she was trying to attract. She also claims she was 15 although original reports had her as 18 in 1999.

I know I'm in a distinct minority, but I kind of liked Luke Menard's performance. He wasn't the best by a long shot - that would be David Archuleta for me - but he definitely made my top 5.

Biggest surprise to me was Jason Castro. I really wasn't expecting much, but I thought he was really good. I also liked Michael Johns and Robbie Carrico.

My picks to leave are Jason Yeager and Chikezie. They were both way too old-fashioned and the vocals weren't there.

Since when is "Jailhouse Rock" a 60's song?

Was Jason Castro the first guy of the night or the one with dreads or none of the above? I am all on board with you about Micheal Johns and David Archuleta. I think David A. has a god given talent from what I have seen so far and is more ready than some of the guys in their late twenties are.
That boy can sing...

And I swore I would not watch this bloody show anymore...

This is going to be a tough season....there is some talent here.

It sounds as though we all are in agreement. I went into this first show just planning on loving David Cook. I've listened to some of his songs and he's good. Now, it's David Cook, Michael Johns (fantastic), Jason Castro, Robbie Carrico and I did like Luke Menard. Chikezie was too old fashioned, song choice was awful for him. Colton Berry sounds good.

I am interested enough in good performances to track down recommended ones. (Absolutely NOT interested in back stories). (Also, not interested enough to watch live). Any recommendations on that basis? I will google and Youtube search but there seem to be several Davids so I need a little more to go on.

Frazz, honestly all but a few were well worth watching! I'll bring over a list of names for you. I can't remember for sure how to spell some of the last names.

Luca, Jason Castro was the beautiful young man with the dreads and guitar. According to DialIdol David A. and Michael Johns are top two, with Jason C. and Danny right behind. I am SO glad you are watching Luca! We can enjoy this together! I couldn't agree more - David A. has a gorgeous voice!! Only 17 - think of how amazing he will be in his 20s!

Badger, I think Luke made a horrible song choice last night simply because it didn't show off his vocals at all and was a forgettable moment in a show with some real showstoppers. He is awfully pretty and I think that got him enough votes to last another week. He will need to bring it next week. It was a nice performance if you were at his concert and it was one of his slower numbers amid the whole show. But for first impression night on AI, not good enough to get lots of people voting for you. I am rooting for him to have another go.

I never even thought about Jailhouse Rock not being 60's. I'll have to go see when the movie came out But if I had to guess I would have guessed 50s also.

Yes Sky, I thought Micheal Johns was fantastic too! I would so buy a CD of his.

Yes, Jason Castro was ok, did'nt love him, but he is very cute indeed!

Who was the first guy that performed? I thought he was quite good also.
The long haired guy with the rag on his head was'nt bad either, but my boy favs are Micheal and David A. for sure.

The one with the rag on his head was Robbie Carrico.

Frazz, if you go to rickey.org and scroll down, you'll see pictures of the guys along with an audio of their performances. The girls are up at the top.

We have not had a teen heartthrob the little girlies can go crazy over yet. Looks like this year might change that.

I haven't been watching, so I'm thankful to Rickey for putting up the pictures and names. Very helpful.

The first guy was David Hernadaz. I liked his voice very much! Not sure if there is a lot of star appeal there - yet - but he was certainly a good singer and should stay.

If you can believe DialIdol then Luke and Jason Yeager (Moon River guy) are safe, though I know in the early rounds it is always too close to tell.

Frazz - definitely look up and listen to:

Michael Johns (Aussie guy. Hot and great singer)

David Archuleta (16, adorable and the best voice IMHO)

Jason Castro (cutie, blue eyes, dreads, good singer, plays guitar)

Robbie Carrico (long blond hair, rocker, used to date Britney Spears and was in a boy band)

David Cook - also a rocker

Danny Noriega - 17, the flamboyant, Divaish, entertainer. I think he is super cute, good voice and should provide LOTS of grief for Simon. He will be fun!

David Hernadez - very good voice!

I know that is more than half of them, but this is a really, really good bunch of guys!

Frazz - For genuinely good, mature performers, I recommend Michael Johns and Jason Castro. If you have a sweet spot for teenagers who will be good some day, David A has a lot of potential. If you want to see somebody get a little ticked off (with some reason) and hiss at Simon after being evah so fahbulous, dahling, Danny's your guy.

David Cook and Robbie Corrico are OK if you miss Daughtry and Bo Bice. I'd skip the rest.