I've always thought the group days were ridiculous. You are looking for the next American Idol not idols. You ask them to be outstanding as individuals from rehearsals through to the end of the competition but force them to work in a group?

Most of these people have never worked in a musical group and have no interest in doing so. Them being able to, or not being able to, doesn't show anything about their ability to perform as a solo act which is what they are all competing for.

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I've always thought the group days were ridiculous. You are looking for the next American Idol not idols.

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Totally agree with you pyonir. It is done for convenience and the drama more than anything else. Take the Mary Powers group saga for example. (Her surname is Powers and they were showing her as wanting all the power in the group.) I really do think they have a good idea who they are going to put through before the groups even stand up and sing. It's all about who will sell and who won't in my opinion.

As usual, they are hiding a few of the contestants from us. There were some that made it through to the next round that we didn't even hear in the last two shows. Already, I can pretty much pick who is going through to the top 24 just by reading between the lines. I think they really do want a girl to win this year as the girls seem to be a lot stronger than their male counterparts.

Gats, I agree with you that Janell Wheeler is very good. She has a standout quality with both her performance and her voice. I think she will be in the top 5 unless something unforseen happens. I see your guy Tyler (with the two broken wrists) made it through.

I liked the girl called Lily who sang the Ella Fitzgerald song. She has a very unusual voice. As for the guys, none have really grabbed me yet. Casey and Andrew Garcia are ok.. I'm not signing up for their fan clubs just yet though!

What happened to Michael Castro (Jason from season 7's brother) last night? His group was shown but we didn't even see him do his solo. It was cut and then he was G O N E . Also on the cut list.. Ski-bo-skii.. I am gonna miss that name..

I think the stated pretext for the group round is that even a solo singer doesn't really go it alone -- they have to be able to work with producers, backup singers, and whatnot.

It seems a rather thin pretext though.

What does everyone think of the top 24? I think the girls are much stronger than the boys this year.

So far I like Andrew, Casey and Tylar out of the guys and Janell, Crystal, Lilly & Siobahn from the girls.

As usual there are a few mystery contestants who made it but we haven't seen too much of such as Paige Miles, Lee Dewyze and Michelle Delamour. Even John Park (who they focused on earlier in the auditions) and Joe Munoz have rarely been seen. Or maybe it's just me and my bad memory? (Thanks to MJ's blog for all the names as I wouldn't have remembered them at all.)

What was that first show all about anyway? They only named 7 out of the 24 finalists and it took so long to do it. What a boring show that was, Ryan Seacrest needs to tone down the drama as it is very annoying and overdone now. Then tonight's show they managed to give us the other 17 in a one hour show. Well, they actually only gave us 16 as one of the original final 24 (Chris Golightly) was disqualified and his place was taken by Tim Urban who wasn't mentioned in the 24 on the show.

I look forward to next week we finally get to see some singing. I hope it will be good.

I actually don't really care for any of the girls, with the exception of Janell. I guess that's just me though, I'm sure they're fine singers (and I know they are, I've been watching), my musical tastes just don't like girl singers, unless they're very rock-y girls, like Alison from last year. Crystal annoys me, a lot. Maybe what I find most annoying about her is the constant going-on about she's a single mom and doing this for her kid and blah blah... I hate that part of AI, focusing on all the girls who have kids (guys too, but to a lesser extent, because they're usually not portrayed as 'single parents'). It makes it seem like apparently I should start being irresponsible and have a kid I can't afford nor am ready to care for, because that might get me farther in life. Ugh.

Most annoying thing though - Ellen D.'s it's-been-a-tough-year-we-hate-to-do-this...but-you're-going-through fake out for EVERY SINGLE person she delivered the news too. It's not dramatic (except probably for the person she's talking to), but when we at home have heard it 13 times already, it's annoying.

As for the guys, I like Casey, and that guy whose name I don't know... someone compared him to Jim Morrison.

TO be the opposite of you GG I liked Crystal .. well her style of music anyway. Wouldn't surprise me to end up not liking her but for now she's okay.

"Doing this for my family" seems to be a common theme .. it reminds me of Miss Universe pagents where every year it's "for the kids" or "for the environment" and so on

I like the Garcia bloke too and the young black girl into country music, and Tyler (is it?) the 70s inspired one. (sorry, not up with all the names yet!).

It's hard to say yet, but so far I like Andrew, Casey and Aaron for the guys and Lilly and Crystal for the girls. I haven't heard all of them sing yet though... Looks like it will be a strong season.

I agree. The Top 24 seems way strong this year --- with, as expected, the most vote-worthy talent on the girls' side this time, or so it seems to me. Let's all hope that Simon (and Randy's, too) prediction, at the gate, that it will be a "girl winner" doesn't backfire on 'em. The more they PUSH that agenda to make it so as things progress? The more the call-ins will pick guys, just out of spite . Which makes for a crazy sort of *contest*, sometimes. My two favorite ladies, so far, are Janell and Lily. Janell seems to have the whole *package* thing going on (which might work against her, I realize) ~ and Lily? I'd buy one of her CDs right now! If she can connect with the viewers and handle all the different genres they'll throw at her, weird theme by weird theme? I think she ought to do real well. I love her jazzy way of delivering a tune ! The guys. Well, Andrew Garcia is pretty awesome, yes? I like lots of things about him, in addition to his vocals and his daring way of presenting them. He doesn't seem cocky, and he doesn't look like a Jonas brother type, either (thank God). I get really really irked at that (Susan Boyle aside, at the moment) good singers don't get record contracts unless they look 'a certain way'. What's up with that? Garcia looks like a regular guy (with nerdy glasses on, no less ). God bless 'im, I say. But to the other guys, this time (and unlike Garcia), who look all typically "Tiger Beat"-ish, but sing really well? It put me off more than a little to see him rip his shirt off (and getting Kara all hormonal) in auditions like he did ... but that bare-chested long-haired guy can really belt. Given the right song, at least. His name, for now, evades me --- and I hope like hell he stays dressed as the season goes --- but he has a terrific voice. Problem with guys like him, though? His looks (etcetera) will [official prediction, here ] get him into the Top 10 and, if he utilizes it right, his vocal skill could get him to the finals. BUT, if he forgets the "singing" part and gets all honed in on the *looks*/celebrity aspect? Top Ten is about as good as he can expect because, by then, it's only the serious viewers paying attention and voting seriously. Ripped abs and cool hair next to a real musician? As per last year, the alleged "real musician" always walks away with the prize. Or so I like to think, anyway. Then there's Mr. Tyler. He with the nicely healed wrists, by now. I'm sticking with him like glue, I tell ya ! Not because he has the greatest voice up there (he doesn't). And he's not the greatest looking one up there, either. Heck, more than half those girls in the running probably would never have considered dating a guy like him (before any of this Idol stuff happened, anyway). But he's genuine. And I suspect he's in the contest here only because he just loves music. And his enthusiasm about doing that is infectious. OK. So he probably won't win. That never stopped me from rooting for one [or six] underdogs in the past, however .

Go Lily! Go Tyler! I think that's where I stand right now in the matter. Those two stand a really (really) strong chance of being the sorts who will grow, and learn, and prosper as things go. Jeesh! So many of 'em, this year, seem so darned 'perfect' at the gate! I'm one of those AI viewers who like to see diamonds-in-the-rough become truly coveted gemstones over the next few months. *See, notably, Mr. David Cook, if clarification as to what I mean is necessary !*

Definitely agree that guys can get be more flexible with the 'look' than girls can be. Even though they say things about looking right to the male contestants too (like Clay Aiken years ago, told him he looked too plain or whatever), but in general an average looking guy will still have a lot of fans (especially that goofy, kinda loveable average-looking guy, à la Seth Rogen). The nerdy glasses look is a big thing in the music world (alt rock moreso than pop, but still). There's plenty of 16 year old girls who like and will vote for nerdy looking guys, but an unattractive girl, not so much. Especially as a solo artist, seems the girls have to have a certain look.

Hmmm. I was reminded last night that the opening show(s) always get like they did on Tuesday evening, don't they? Could the ladies have picked any worse songs to do, I wonder? You watch, the guys will do just as bad tonight, too . Such *safeness*, all over the place! And (while I get that they don't want to quite 'blow it' first step onto the official stage, picking such tunes and attempting to channel the original, big-voiced singers of them) is ultimately the best way to put one's WORST foot forward! The biggest disappointment, to me, was Janell. Sigh. She is so-o-o-o much better than her Tuesday night showing. If only she had stripped down that Heart song, given it her vibe. But, alas .... she tried to sound like Ann and Nancy Wilson at once --- and even they can't (or couldn't) do that! It took two of 'em to manage it. Lacey Brown (who I'm pretty much unfamiliar with) deserves a good smack for what she did to "Landslide", too ( ~ OK, no smacking is quite called for in such matters, is it?). What a lovely song, though! But not so much as it happened on February 23, 2010. The judges were all gushy about Paige Miles, though? Say what? Granted, that girl has one *huge* and powerful voice. But said voices sound many times better, in my opinion, when they hit the notes they're supposed to hit, yes? Hank Aaron could wallop a baseball, too ... but it worked best when he hit it in the right direction, not misfiring it into the stands, knocking several eager fans unconscious as it landed! Lilly Scott was/is awesome, however. LOVED her unusual choice (and delivery) OF "Fixin' A Hole". And you need to shush, Mr. Simon . While you think she sounded a bit like any of a few thousand buskers standing outside the subway? Keep in mind we voters, who never get to see even one subway station, nor the troubadors who perform/hang around outside of them? To we mere viewers, in the Midwest for example? Lilly is quite fresh and mostly exciting! Same goes for Crystal Bowersox (who, all of a sudden, totally grabbed this guy's attention). Maybe too much like countless street musicians in major metroplitan areas, said ol' Simon, the "peevish one". Again, I don't get to see even a BAD street musician unless I cross two state lines! So she wasn't 'ordinary' to the likes of me! Two that snuck in and did what I thought was way better-than-average - and two that I hadn't paid a lot of attention to, prior? Katelyn Epperlin ("Oh, Darlin") and Siobhan Magnus (sang a *guy* song, no less -- that one by Chris Isaak). Those four ladies I'm remembering this AM. I'd bet those four will be easily safe come Thursday night, too, as a result. The other eight? Meh. The only reason I vividly recollect Janell Wheeler is because I was rooting for her like a crazed semi-stalker , and it didn't work out so well.

I was pretty well shocked by one major thing, though: Ellen Degeneres satisfied me, for one, as a judge ! I was all ready to go after her like one goes after a bandit in a convenience store. But she did pretty well, I think --- that 'Simon feeling up her leg' schtick aside, that is. And who 'glammed' Kara up during the off-season ? Yikes, she looked like she was doing a promotional tour for a forthcoming Playboy pictorial, or some such thing! Some things never change, though. Good to know that she told that one girl that "she did well enough that she'll be back next year!" Kara likes long-range agendas, evidently. If that woman will still be trying to win Season 9 at the onset of Season 10? Not such a great plan, eh ?

Anybody else watch? Any thoughts on what *Guys Night* will bring?

Susan Boyle won Britain's Got Talent, not the X Factor...

I actually liked Janell, but I think I actually just have a secret love for Heart songs, lol. I liked when Allison sang Heart last year, and I liked when that Irish woman sang Heart the year before...

Anyway, I quite liked Siobhan too. That's a song that kind of annoys me, but she didn't annoy me with it. I thought everyone else was fine, but not spectacular. Though I don't think anyone was bad, so thoroughly disagree with Simon when he said someone (forget who) was "bordering on terrible... a complete disaster".

Ellen was *okay* as a judge, but she did say more than once something along the lines of "I don't know about that technical stuff [that Kara or Randy had just commented on] but it sounded good to me". To me, that's not very helpful and doesn't add anything to the show.

I had to miss last night's show and have spent a frustrating day trying to watch it online. (Why oh why would Fox have full episodes of practically every other show except Idol? Yes, Fox, I would fully understand that I can't vote. Just show me the dang show.) What I can watch at Fox is glitchy, stuttering video (with no controls to load the whole thing and then watch) of the performances only, but no judges' commentary. If I stalk YouTube for hours, I can find 10 minute snippets -- if I get lucky enough to hit on one in the excruciatingly tiny window of time between the video being posted and the video being removed.

Using a frustrating combination of these methods, I was able to watch most of last night's episode...in about 4 and a half hours.

Like Gats, I was pulling for Janelle Weaver going in, as she really impressed me during Hollywood Week. Last night...well, she wasn't bad but she wasn't great.

I LOVED Lilly's Scott's performance. It was my favorite of the night. Very original and I love her voice. I'm loving Crystal Bowersox's Janis Joplin vibe and I love the kind of music those "coffehouse singers" play (although the judges didn't seem to agree). I was pleasantly surprised by Michelle Delamor. I didn't particularly like the song, but I thought she sounded like she was already a star performing her own material. I was surprised none of the judges, save Ellen, liked it as much as I did.

My least favorite performance was Lacey Brown, who totally butchered my favorite Fleetwood Mac song. And I was surprised that some of you mentioned liking Siobhan Magnus' "Wicked Game" -- I hated it! It's a very passionate song, and I thought she sang it with no passion at all.

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Though I don't think anyone was bad, so thoroughly disagree with Simon when he said someone (forget who) was "bordering on terrible... a complete disaster".

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I believe that was about Haeley Vaughn. I thought she had a nice, fresh take on a Beatles classic, but I find her giant mouth too distracting.

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I actually liked Janell, but I think I actually just have a secret love for Heart songs, lol. I liked when Allison sang Heart last year, and I liked when that Irish woman sang Heart the year before...

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And don't forget, Carrie Underwood did a great version of "Alone".

Pending disaster, I'll get to see tonight's episode with the guys -- so I should be in a much better mood when I pop in tomorrow to see what you guys and gals have to say!

My likes from tonight (no dislikes, really, but many of the guys were kinda meh):

- Tyler Grady: I love the '70s vibe, the classic rock thing, that's totally my 'thing', but I do kind of agree with the judges tonight, it's kind of starting to seem like it's a character he's playing. Still like him though, that cocky frontman thing gets me everytime.. looking forward to see what else he'll do!

- Lee Deweyz : I never saw (or maybe just never noticed) this guy before tonight, but I liked it! As much I do love the Adam Lambert style (you know, guyliner, flamboyant-ness), I also love this guy's style.. laidback, jeans and t-shirt with a guitar. I really enjoyed his performance, despite what Simon says.

- Casey : Just really like him He's not entirely my type of eye candy (certainly not bad looking though), just really enjoyed his performance

- Andrew Garcia : Agree with the judges, kind of a weird performance/arrangement, but I didn't find it weird in a bad way. Quite like him

And Michael was good as well.

There may be one I really liked that I'm forgetting... can't think of it right now

Note: I typed this a few minutes ago, then my computer went insane (but I saved it before said insanity) and now repost it after an unexpected reboot. It's actually in much agreement with guitargoddess's thoughts !

! I'm all confused. First, because the two "best" surprises tonight, in my [meager] book, were a 16-year old doing a pretty impressive spin on Rascall Flatts and a guy I never paid attention to, at all, before ! The teen (Aaron), I thought up until now, was a fluke-y choice to have hit the Top 24. There only because of a heart-breaking "back story", etc. But, while he didn't break any records for polish tonight, he certainly proved his "real" potential (in my opinion, anyway). The other one was right up my alley --- and one I thought was a complete *lost-in-the-crowd* sort of contestant before. Good enough at his skills, but maybe there just to fill out a roster of twelve guys. Lee Dewyze, though, is clearly the kind of voice that might solidly contend. And seriously so. He's that 'diamond-in-the-rough' ilk that I mentioned earlier, I think ! Maybe best of the night, too!? But that's where my confusion lands - what exactly are they ultimately expecting/asking of these kids? I, personally, thought Andrew Garcia was awesome! Evidently, he's going to suffer from the judges for not doing "Straight Up" every night from now until Labor Day, however? It's the plaguing built-in problem with impressing at the gate so wildly --- one can never keep up that same momentum. But what were they hoping from him, I wonder? Vocally, that delivery of his tune was nearly flawless! Or so I thought. But it wasn't a wildly interesting retake of a Paula Abdul song. So ... heck with him all of a sudden, huh? That seems very (very) unfair. Then the other thing? Are the judges deliberately trying to make a joke out of Casey James, or what ? Was anybody listening (and not salivating)? He nailed that Bryan Adams song (even though I cringed when they announced he'd be another AI wannabe taking it on ---been there, done that at least a trillion times over the years, haven't we ?). But he sat there, guitar in tow, and offered a pretty darned great version of that song for us. But all they did was make him sound like a Chippendale on a stool! That isn't right. And I know he kinda "asked for it", earlier in the season. But it looks like he's trying really hard, now, to transcend all that earlier silliness. Will Kara let him, though? I'm already starting to wonder. "Hot-Looking Dude" can really sing! I sense he'll be tempted with which thing (the voice or the properly flattering pants) will matter the most as he travels through Season 9 without assistance. The circus atmo from the judges surely didn't help tonight. He SANG (not flirted) amongst the Top Four best, if you ask me, tonight. Take a cold shower, Kara !

Notice how I've sidestepped my heretofore favorite (and remaining as such ... I'm stubborn that way ) Tyler? I thought he tanked tonight and, in his case, I agreed with the judges (even though their earlier messages to these singers certainly get crossed-up, more than seems sensible sometimes --- didn't they fall all over themselves loving his 70's vibe shortly ago?). Tonight they hated it. And it really wasn't a very good vocal he showed us this time. But, as said before, I'm sticking with him like glue. But Simon and crew were right. He really needs to get it current, his whole persona as things go just can't have a Jim Morrison theme if he expects to get anywhere. I'LL love it that way, if he chooses to go that route. But the voters likely won't .

And I'll stop rambling on that note. I didn't really *compose* this post very well -- just thinking out loud ...

He needs to find a way to be current but still retro, I think... The world certainly doesn't need another Jonas brother or even another Jack Johnson type, frankly, but he also won't get very far acting like a singer in a cover band. I certainly hope he finds a way to be contemporary but keep the '70s vibe. Perhaps that trip to the mall, along with maybe taking a more recent song and rearranging it to have a retro feel? I dunno.

I didn't get a chance to watch the women until today, so quickly... Goodbye Haeley and Lacey! Pleasant surprise -- Siobhan (I love the singers who can channel such emotion and live in the moment).

Brief thoughts on the guys (overall I was a bit disappointed):

Todrick -- good voice, but waaay over the top, dude!

Aaron -- not a fan of country music, but I thought he did really well. He was on my radar early because he really FEELS what he sings, he's authentic.

Jermaine -- ugh! Tried too hard, too showy, too shouty.

Tim -- oh man. Such a bad song choice for someone with a deep voice. He can't sing falsetto.

Joe -- excellent voice, but not such a great song choice. I like him though.

Tyler -- looked very uncomfortable and awkward out there, and the singing was just ok. Hope he can bring more to the table next week.

Lee -- he's very peculiar for me. I think he's very pitchy, so much so that it's distracting for me. I get the authenticity of his vibe, but it's something that can get wear out its welcome.

John -- oh dear. Firstly, someone give the guy some thinning shears... He looked very nervous and he definitely lacked emotion. Strange song choice.

Michael -- definitely in his comfort zone. It was safe and a bit karaoke.

Alex -- great voice and good song choice, but he looked like a deer in the headlights. His lack of experience and confidence really show. Hopefully he can overcome that.

Casey -- great song choice. I really like this guy, but... if I have any criticism it would be to cut the vibrato. I also thought he should have sang in a lower key, but he was still great. The judges antics were very unprofessional and distracting, and unfair for him to have to perform through that.

Andrew -- this guy will go a long way. Excellent vocals. Perhaps and odd song choice or arrangement, but he always sings consistently well.

I'd say Jermaine and Tim are on the line. That's my 2 cents!

Despite my best efforts, I missed Aaron Kelly, Jermaine Sellers, and Todrick Hall, so I can't really comment on them.

It was a very blah evening for me. No one even came close to blowing me away, not even a little wind in my hair! My fave going into tonight was Andrew Garcia, and I'm still pulling for him. There wasn't anything wrong with his performance tonight, it just didn't do anything for me. I thought the best of a very mediocre evening was Lee DeWyze. I liked Casey James' performance, too -- but the sexifying of him is really getting on my nerves. A single comment is one thing (he is kinda pretty and he has very sexy Leif Garrett hair) -- but can you imagine the outrage if a male judge went on and on and on about the sex appeal of a female contestant? It's very unfair to Casey, in my opinion.

The biggest train wreck of the evening was Alex Lambert -- his discomfort and nervousness was excruciating to watch. And John Park bored me silly.

I hate to bring such ambivalence to the table, but at this exact point in the competition last year I was watching Adam Lambert sing "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" -- and (I can't get no) enthusiasm for this bunch.

I will now enter the diary room and cast my vote to evict.

I vote to evict Lacey, Siobhan, Alex, and John.

Oops, sorry...wrong show!

I agree almost entirely with GG, so I'll not post a long ramble.

I think Haeley and Lacey will go, and Tim and John.

Post deleted by Gatsby722

To explain: I mentioned that I'd try to get those links up before they went inactive. I'm not sure if they even lasted that long, that mentioned thirteen minutes ! I'll try to get more still-up-and-running links (of my personal Top 8 performances) if I can locate any ~ AND if I can remember which order I thought them to be. But I think I'd better make no promises ...

Sorry Everyone but "OH YUM!"

Oh boy, boys night was almost a total snoozefest. I kept thinking "Please, someone be good" all the way through the show and it took until the end for anyone to even come close to that. I suppose it could come down to first night jitters and as Gats said, these opening shows are usually pretty bad. The band is drowning out some of them too, don't you think?

Last year there wasn't a top 24 either, it was the top 36 where only 3 from each group got through. Now we are back to the old way, I'm not sure I can handle watching some of these for weeks on end.

Based on the show the girls I liked were:

Crystal (somehow I don't think Idol is the right platform for her either as I'm not sure she fits the "mold" or even wants to)

Lilly (even though her performance wasn't that strong, there's something unique about her voice that I like)

I was disappointed in Janell too, I wonder what has happened since Hollywood? I hope she will get it back together next week.. fingers crossed.

The boys:

Andrew & Lee tie for 1st place..

Casey 2nd He can sing and I wish they would just leave the good looking comments out of it now, it's a bit unfair to the other contestants. Can you imagine if those comments were said about a female contestant there would be big trouble and controversy for sure.

That's it.. no one else has stepped up enough for me. It seems like the judges haven't picked too well this year. They are moaning and groaning at the contestants and they forget that they are the people who picked them in the first place!

Ellen is nice but she's not doing much for me as a judge. I don't see the point of four judges anyway, it's just more blabbing on from them and less singing from the contestants.

Who will leave? Maybe Tim, Jermaine or Todrick, Lacey and Haeley.