Goodbye Casey

It didn't seem like his time yet, but Casey Abrams was voted off in last night's elimination episode of American Idol. After using their only save of the season to keep Casey around, the judges seemed to take the news hard. I never really thought that Casey would make the top three (although I wondered after Lauren's dismal performance on Wednesday night) but I am sad to see him go so soon, especially when less worthy candidates are still standing.

Not surprisingly, no one who voted in this week's American Idol elimination contest picked Casey for the exit. James and Haley each received one vote, Lauren received four, and my pick, Jacob received four as well. (Two players voided their ballots by circling more than one name. Be sure to pick only the one person you think will be eliminated that week.)

So this week's winner of an American Idol related CD was picked by drawing. AND THE WINNER IS:

Gabrielle Carsello

Top 6 Compete - First Contest Week

Well, who is going home this week? You have until Thursday at 6:00 PM to cast your vote for a weekly prize in our American Idol elimination contest. Remember, those with the most right picks at the end are eligible for an ipod shuffle!

My power list, with some shifts this week:

1. James Durbin: My notes say "phenomenal" and "perfect". I love this guy, and I didn't think much of him during Hollywood week. As I aways say to whoever will listen, I love American Idol because it is as much about character as talent. You never know who will seize their opportunity, fight off the insecurities that everyone has, grow each week, and emerge as a star. James is it.

2. Scotty McCreery: That said, I think Scotty is more likely to win American Idol with James as a close second. Everyone loves him, even someone like me who hates country music. Unless you're from the Boomer generation, you can't know what an iconic song Scotty picked, reminding us of James Taylor's wonderful performance. But Scotty put his own spin on it, showcasing his vocal range and narrow versatility at the same time. I loved this performance.

3. Casey Abrams: Gave a solid, imaginative performance with not too many scary faces. He could possible replace Lauren in the top three.

4. Jacob Lusk gave what I think is his best performance to date. He was upbeat and jazzy, and not over the top. I'm not sure it will be enough to save him though.

5. Haley Reinhart: There is something drastically wrong with her phrasing. Her performances tend to be strange. I often like her, but I don't think she did justice to this song. She lacked the rhythm and flow needed to perform a Carole King song well.

6. Lauren Alaina: I've been trying to like her, but I just don't. She is proving to be a weak performer, the opposite of James. She butchered this song with her frenetic movements and choppy singing.

American Idol Contest Starts Friday

Here is a quick power list, because I want to tell you about our exciting American Idol elimination contest.

1. James Durbin. I can't resist him. Unbelievable guts, singing, and stagecraft. WINNER!

2. Scotty McCreery tried to branch out a little. He moved more and had a relaxed and confident attitude. Even though he is always kind of the same, somehow he isn't boring. Can't lose.

3. Haley Reinhart. I wasn't thrilled, but it was a perfect performance.

4. Lauren Alaina. Ditto on the thrills, but a solid. likable performance.

5. Casey Abrams: a little awkward, but I appreciated him trying to rock, and he somewhat succeeded.

6. Stefano Langone: I'd be bored if he didn't look so AMAZING. But he tried to change it up this week so kudos for that.

7. Jacob Lusk is going home.

After Thursday's vote there will be six contestants left standing, and that is when our contest kicks in. Starting on Friday, give us your pick for who is going home next. If you guess right you'll enter a drawing for a weekly prize. Players with the most right guesses at the end can win one of 2 IPOD SHUFFLES. So play to WIN. (And I love seeing who you think will be voted off)

American Idol: Eight to Seven

Now that lackluster Pia is gone it's going to be harder to do the power rankings because there were so many good performances. The AI judges make it worse because they love everyone (except Haley).

Starting with the best, here are my picks for power:

1. James Durbin killed. Talent, energy, skill, the boy has it all. Interesting that so many of the boys defied the choices of permanent mentor Jimmy Iovine and unannounced permanent mentor will.i.am. James made the right choice.

2. Scotty McCreery still has to be way up there. His performance was beautiful if not that memorable. Last night he showed off his range, singing the high notes with assurance. He has a professionalism that goes way beyond his years.

3. Paul McDonald: I don't think he'll stay high on the list, but Paul went up quite a few notches last night. Very entertaining performance.

4. Lauren Alaina stepped into the Pia slot by showing a bit of diva drama, but her take was young and fresh. She also added just the right touch of country.

5. Haley Reinhart: What was with the judges hating on Haley? What they see must be very different from what I see. I thought that this was her second best performance after Benny and the Jets. The girl has talent, and the longer she stays the more it comes out.

6. Stefano Langone looked amazing and was OK in his modern take on R&B. Probably good enough to keep him in.

7. Casey Abrams: I really appreciate that he sang jazz and that he wants to bring it to a larger audience. But that wasn't the way to win American Idol, and it wasn't all that great. In this case Jimmy may have been right.

8. Jacob Lusk: The new Pia. Great voice, awful interpretation. Melisma and vibrato galore added to sob-face. So inappropriate for this song.

The Top Nine Rock On

Most everyone did well this week, but for now, I think it's clear who are the top three:

1. James Durbin delivered a ballad on rock and roll week, and it was a risk that paid off. His performance of While my Guitar Gently Weeps proved that he has the best delivery and stagecraft of any contestant that I can remember including Adam Lambert. I like James better than Adam because he is less polished and seems more genuine.

2. Lauren Alaina was less annoying this week, but no matter how much she irritates me, her talent is undeniable. And I think men like her, which is a promising thing for a girl performer.

3. Scotty McCreery didn't do a slavish Elvis impersonation, but made the song his own, as they used to say every week on American Idol. But why did the stylists let him wear double denim?

4. Paul McDonald: Just going by tonight's performance, Paul went way up in the power ranking. He seemed so much at home with a little band, and he also showed great stagecraft.

5. Jacob Lusk sang beautifully this week, avoiding going over the top. But what was with those hip movements? And before his song when he said that America had better look in the mirror, was that a threat? And what did he mean about changing the world in his closing comments backstage? He's scaring me.

6. Casey Abrams: I want to like him more than I do. He did a great job on a beloved CCR song, but he still makes creepy faces.

7. Pia Toscano has a great voice, but she just can't bring it. She gets loud and shouty much too soon every time, she can't move, and tonight, her outfit made her look like a troll.

8. Stefano Langone has been taking lessons from Pia. He brought up the intensity much too soon (noted by Randy). Like Pia, great voice but flawed delivery.

9. Haley Reinhart: Janis? Really? Are you crazy? Maybe a lot of AI fans don't remember Janis Joplin, but all must admit that Haley's phrasing was ridiculous and her performance was sloppy. And delivered with a big smile throughout. Are you listening to the words? Just listen to the real thing:

Eleven to Nine

Big week. Two people go home tomorrow with no possibility of a save. So they all sang their hearts out, especially Casey Abrams whose dramatic elimination and save last week will go down in American Idol history. Oh dear. How do the power rankings look now?

1. James Durbin: He still goes high on the list. Great job on a great song (Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting), perfect choice, incredible use of stage. He is the best of all the contestants at moving and, obviously, using the stage.

2. Lauren Alaina redeemed herself for sure. She took a sappy song (Candle in the Wind) and sang it as well as it can be sung. I don't like her style (either in dress or song) and her personality irritates me. But her talent is undeniable and I think she has popular appeal. If she can hold herself together (a big if) she could win. And then I'll be mad like when Taylor Hicks won.

3. Casey Abrams: He's Baaaack!!! Romantic, restrained, beautiful job on a beautiful song. He pushed it just enough.

4. Haley Reinhart: Fabulous! Hands down the most entertaining performance of the night (along with James). If she gets voted off I might have to stop watching.

5. Scotty McCreery: Yes he's one note, but there's just something about him. And he does change it up enough to remain interesting. I wouldn't be shocked (or sorry) to see him in the top three.

6. Pia Toscano was better than last week. She showed some restraint but still screeched on the high, loud notes. And what was with the melisma? So 2008. But I guess some people like Celine Dion, and although she isn't one, I guess some people might think so and vote for her. But I don't see her winning.

7. Jacob Lusk did a good job of reigning in his lusky stank for the most part. But when he gets that sobbing look on his face he looks crazy. Talented but, like Pia, not top three material.

8. Stefano Langone did much better than last week was was as adorable as ever. The editors did him dirty however by showing his rehearsal struggle to evaluate the words he was singing. I think he is a talented instinctive singer with a beautiful voice, but the intellect might be lacking. But great song choice and great job.

9. Paul McDonald: I don't know dawg, but I just wasn't feeling it. For me it was a little boring. I agree with Jennifer that he was holding back, but I'm not sure he has it in him. I was disappointed by the way he sang my all time favorite song, Rocket Man.

10. & 11. Thia Megia & Naima Adedapo: Bye ladies. Naima I'll miss you a lot; Thia not at all. Thia, come back in ten years.

6.

Toward the Top Ten

This is an important elimination, because the remaining contestants are assured a place in the American Idol summer tour. Besides exposure, the tour means a fat payday for the final ten. Given the stakes, the performers gave their all this week, so ranking them is especially difficult. I feel like previous ranking have been stood on their head. I try to be somewhat objective in the power rankings, but today's power list may reflect my preferences more than usual. Here they are best to worst:

1. James Durbin: Perfect, both voice and movement. I love his voice; it has such a pure ringing tone.

2. Paul McDonald: I haven't been liking him lately, but I loved his performance today. Like James, perfect. The guitar also served him well in curtailing his lurching dance. He is such an entertaining performer, I can't imagine America wanting to send him home now.

3. Naima Adedapo: After this week's performance, I feel justified in giving her a high ranking. She was awesome. The African drumming and dance was beyond wonderful. And she sang very well.

4. Casey Abrams: I still like him, but there is getting to be a sameness to his performances. If he doesn't change some, he'll soon be overtaken as front runner. That said, I loved his vocals on this song, but I found his movements a little creepy.

5. Stefano Langone: He has a classic vocal quality that I really like and which went well with this song. The judges were right though about his not acting the song's feelings. Jennifer nailed it when she said that his delivery was intense in an effort to do well rather than to fit the emotions of the song. But he's too good and too cute to go home.

6. Thia Megia: She did very well on an up tempo song. She has an outstanding talent, but not enough distinction in her delivery. She won't last to the end.

7. Jacob Lusk reigned in the screaming intensity to give a very good performance, but his face and motions were distracting. I liked him, but I don't think he deserved the raves he got from the judges.

8. Scotty McCreery turned Motown into Nashville, but it worked well. I like him too, but I think the voting audience might get tired of his sameness after a while.

9. Pia Toscano: Princess please, not another dreary ballad. And stop going for those high notes, because it makes your voice sounds like chalk scraped over a blackboard.

10. Lauren Alaina: Very boring and awkward. She might be in danger of the bottom three.

11. Haley Reinhart: But Lauren won't be going home because Haley will. I actually liked her performance; I always like a growly voice. But those shorts she wore made her look kind of desperate. If women are the main voters, they won't respond well to her costume.