The biggest television juggernaut is back. Well, it's been back for weeks, but it only really counts when we get to the Top 12 13. It's been an unusual year so far with lots of changes. We started with 36 instead of 24. We had the judges fill out the final spots of the Top 13 on a wild card show. And this year, the judges will get to save one performer who they feel has been unfairly voted off (see: Hudson, Jennifer and Daughtry, Chris).
In the first week, we said goodbye to Puerto Rico's Jorge Nuñez and diva-in-training Jasmine Murray. Neither will be especially missed, but I was sorry to see Jorge go because he's a better singer than some of those remaining. He had no real chance of winning, though, so it doesn't matter.
So who's the odds-on favorite right now?
Danny Gokey
His wife died shortly before he decided to try out for Idol meaning that not even the blind guy has a better backstory going for him. On top of that, he's been likeable so far and, since it is a singing competition, the guy is really good. His performance of PYT (it was Michael Jackson week) was solid and Paula has already predicted he'll make the finals. If you can get 5-1 odds or better on this guy, get out the checkbook!
Adam Lambert
I hate this guy. Detest him. I prefer David Archuletta to this wannabe-punk-rocker-but-should-be-in-musical-theatre chump. I hate just about everything about him. From his shrieking "singing" to his Broadway style stage management. I can't wait for him to go. Have I mentioned I hate him? He seems to have a strong following already, but he's too polarizing to win. He'll last awhile, maybe even to the finals, but he'll rarely pick up the votes from those voted off. Oh, and he butchered Black and White... I had no idea it was possible to make that song worse.
Lil Rounds
She seems to be the best hope for the women, but I'm not sold. I'm not saying she's not good... because she is. She's definitely got a Mary J. Blige vibe going on, but she's just not dynamic enough. Maybe she will be, but she's not yet. She sang The Way You Make Me Feel and made it boring. I think Top 4 is her limit.
Alexis Grace
She's the real sleeper out of the women. She's already been much more interesting than Lil and I've liked her performances more. This week, she chose Dirty Diana. Not my favorite, but she mostly pulled it off. She's also a candidate for the Top 4.
Anoop Desai
I like the guy... but he's going to kill himself by picking bad songs. Beat It?!? Really!?!? Might as well have just taken Thriller and ruined that. It's not that he sang it poorly... it's that there's no way to win with a song like that. Despite the charade at the end of last night's show, I don't believe Anoop was among the lowest vote-getters and DialIdol.com seems to agree.
Matt Giraud
He, unfortunately, had to follow that jackass, Adam Lambert. And his amazing performance was overshadowed by Lambert's prancing and screaming. Giraud had, in my opinion, the best performance of the night. He's really good. He almost ruined his chance by trying to sing Coldplay in the preliminary round. This time, he crushed Human Nature at the piano. It was great. He won't come close to winning, though, and that's a shame.
Scott McIntyre
He's blind. It doesn't matter how well or poorly he sings, he'll definitely last longer than someone who's better. He's VERY likeable. Even *I'm* rooting for him. But he's a little out of his depth compared to the people above him (except Adam Lambert, who blows). Maybe he'll surprise me, but I think he's pretty limited. His performance of Keep the Faith was okay.
Allison Iraheta
DialIdol.com suggest she didn't do so well with the voters, but I thought she did a very nice job with Give In to Me. She's the most authentic rocker chic of the bunch and she's got great pipes. Oh, and the judges will mention she's 16 a half a million times until she's voted off. Her personality is extremely lacking and that will be her downfall.
Michael Sarver, Megan Joy Corkrey, Kris Allen
Who, who and who? Michael crooned You Are Not Alone. It was boring. He's lame. Megan sang, wait for it, Rockin' Robin. I'm serious. It was terrible. And Kris pulled out his acoustic guitar for Remember the Time. Huh? The guitar was a mistake. It made no sense. All three will be gone in due time, but at least one is likely to last longer than someone better. Maybe that's when the judges will decide to pull out their save card.