Idol Chatter...Top 13

Stevie Wonder vs. Whitney Houston...Whitney takes it! The girls totally rocked it tonight. Here'd my take on the top 13 performances.

Joshua Ledet-I Wish These Days-his body moves are a little "rainbow-licious" for my taste. I give him a mixed bag of reviews, a little too choppy, good energy and nice vocals.

Elise Testone-I'm Your Baby Tonight-wow! short skirt! It felt flat and empty, she was just up there singing the song and too loudly.

Jermaine Johnson-I See You in the Park (?)-pitchy at first, then relaxed into it. He's got a smooth voice, I'm just not that excited about him.

Erika Van Pelt-I Believe in You and Me-a bit cheesy with the 80's guitar, but I love her voice! love her hair! loved the arrangement, not the guitar.

Colton Dixon-Lately-I've never heard this Stevie song, loved Colton's version! I would download it if only I believed in iTunes. Awesome ending! Top 2 boy performer tonight.

Shannon Macgrane-I Have Nothing-she kind of fell apart tonight. Her singing in the intro video was better, she's over-thinking it. Just relax and breathe!

Deandre Brackensick-Master Blaster-I don't get him, the hair, the voice or why they saved him. I want him out..off the island.

Skylar Laine-Where Do Broken Hearts Go-country-fried-whitney. Other than her pants being way too tight, I really liked what she did with the song. Potential!

HeeJun Han-All in Love is Fair-tonight he was the Korean Michael Buble. Dramatic, some pitch problems and a great ending. He's got per-so-nality!

Hollie Cavanaugh-All the Man That I Need-holy crap! that was amazing! She's top 2 girls and a front-runner in my book.

Jeremy Rosada-Ribbons in the Sky-I love this kid, but he fell flat tonight. Not his best, he pulled it together at the end...sort of.

Jessica Sanchez-I Will Always Love You-The showdown is on! That actually made me cry, an absolute first in AI viewing history. It's hers to lose at this point...wowee!! Top 2 girls.

Phillip Phillips-Superstition-Love it, need it-would buy it-would join iTunes for it. He's legit! I can see him being the new Daughtry. Top 2 boys absoluter.

Outta here--Elise and Deandre.
Staying around--Phillip and Jessica.

Idol Chatter...top 13

Rather than doing a complete blow by blow...I'm just going to give my personal top 13. Those I would like to see make it through. Not to be confused with who I think will make it through. We'll see tomorrow night who actually makes it in.

Boys:

1. Colton-though I thought his performance was weak and hated the Adam Lambert dancing on the piano vibe. I still want him to make it through.

2. Jeremy-love his little baby face! and his style and personality. He's adorable!

3. Aaron-once he relaxed into his performance I really like him. Enough with reaching out to the girls...just sing, because you can!

4. Creighton-like his voice and the original touches on the song, he needs to work out the nerves.

5. Phillip-loved the song choice, he's original for sure but I'm not sure he'll have mass appeal, but he's got buckets of talent.

6. Joshua-forget the white chocolate dude...you're milky and dark and have a fantastic voice!

Girls:

1. Erika-she can sing! or rather, she can sang! as Randy would say.

2. Brielle-I'm hesitant on this one, love her voice, hate her stage presence...sing your age.

3. Skyler-what the heck was she wearing? a little spazy with her performance, but she's got pipes.

4. Hollie-her accent makes her sound like she's "eating" the words a bit but I like it when she opens up and hits those big notes.

5. Jessica-sore throat? pity vote? nope! She totally belted it out and was amazing! Watch her finger twitching...

6. Elise-same song choice as Jen...interesting. She put Jen to shame. I loved the first part when she was at the piano...that's the sweet spot for her.

Wild Card:

Reed-his creepy lounge-singer version of Moves Like Jagger was totally cheezeball Vegas. I like him, but that was terrible. I'll give him a re-do. Once.

Idol Chatter...Top 24

The long-awaited top 24 has finally arrived. The announcements were ever-so-dramatic as the contestants walked the plank on the crazy plasma-filled lake. J-Lo looked like Sparkle Mermaid Barbie. Pull the string at her back and she'll say "goosies!" in a super-annoying high-pitched voice. Randy was the Preppy Ken Barbie who comes with a different set of eye-wear for each day of the week and some swanky sweater vests that will give Rick Santorum a run for his money. Steven is Sparkle Pants Barbie with his tight and shiny pants that not only make him want to sing and dance, but he'll drop them faster than Courtney from the Bachelor just for a chance to go skinny-dipping.

Now...here's my take on this year's contestants:

The Boys:

1. Crighton Fraker-70's rocker, there's something about him...I'm betting top 12.

2. Joshua Ledet-this year's screamer, but he is the son of a preacher...man.

3. Reed Grimm-our chatty guy-smiley. Top 12 for sure.

4. HeeJun Han-he's the Bruce Lee of personality, not exactly vocals. Top 12.

5. Phil Phillips-he's got that "it" factor and will have mass appeal in the top 12.

6. Colton Dixon-at last he's got his chance for stardom! Everyone loves a come-back story. 12.

7. Adam Brock-his lucky hanky got him through, well and maybe his tears.

8. Jeremy Rosado-the young baby-face latino. The little girls will love him.

9. Chase Likens-the "country crooner". Don't remember him at all.

10.Aaron Marcellus-kind of forgettable...

11. Deandre Brackensick-which is more beautiful: his hair or his voice?

12. Eben Frankenwitcz-well, the producers love him, but will America.

13. Mystery Man...TBA. in a dramatic fashion. My bet: David Leathers Jr.-my little MJ. Top 12.

The Girls:

1. Jen Hirsch-the little Jazz Diva. Top 12 for sure.

2. Haley Johnsen-who? Where did she come from...blonde power voice.

3. Elise Testone-never seen her before too...where were they hiding the girls?

4. Erica Van Pelt-DJ Chick. She needs a stylist, but top 12 definitely.

5. Chelsea Sorrell-country girl #1

6. Baylie Brown-country girl #2

7. Jessica Sanchez-a little Thia Megia going on. Top 12!

8. Brielle Van Hugell-Jersey girl with the Stage Mom.

9. Shannon Macgrane-well, she's 16! and top 12! material!!

10. Skylar Laine-country girl #3 (little Reba).

11. Hallie Day-another who? Where did she come from?

12. Hollie Cavanaugh-blonde and young, nothing memorable.

Can't really say who else will be in the top 12 for the girls...a couple of the country cuties and the who are they? girls.

Live shows start tomorrow! Should be an exciting week....for me!

Idol Chatter...Vegas

The DVR...love it! Hate it when it doesn't work. I missed the first hour due to "priority" conflicts in my menu. At least I got home in time to see the second hour. Here are the stand-outs...

Joshua Ledet--didn't really like him until tonight.
Shannon Macgrane-a consistent performer and list-topper.
Lauren Gray-there's no crying in music! Loved the coach.
Wendy Taylor-never seen her before, but nice voice.
HeeJun Han-Korean Wonder-kid.
Neco Starr-where did he come from? Born to be a Starr??
Jen Hirsch-again...she's a little spazzy with her hands.
Crighton Fraker-what kind of a name is that? I'll tell you....a rock-star's name, that's what.

Others that made it through from the first un-recorded hour:
David Leathers Jr.
Colton Dixon
Reid Grimm

Shocking and disappointing that Johnny Keyser didn't make it through. I thought he really hade something.

Next week....top 40!

Check out my new American Idol notebook...yes, I'm fully aware that I'm a "nerd". Hand-made...super cool...are you jealous?

Idol Chatter...Hollywood

Hollywood Week, part 3. Group performances. This had to be the worst round of group performances I have ever seen. There were not any real stand-outs, that they featured. Now I've watched this long enough to know that you don't see all the "good" groups. After a very disappointing group round, here were my only stand-outs: Carrie Koyzer, Aaron Marcellus, Jen Hirsch, Ariel Sprague, David Leathers, Jr., Johnny Keyser and Phillip Phillips. The only repeats from last week were the last three on the list.

Double bonus...we also got to hear the solos (sans comments from the judges), well, mostly.Here are my official "ones to watch"...
1. Colton Dixon--I believe I picked him as a front-runner last year. Maybe time has improved his performance ability, although it has not improved his hairstyle.
2. Phillip Phillps--he keeps popping up on my lists, so there must be something to this kid. I like the raspy, folksy rock tone to his voice.
3. Jen Hirsch--like her, not love yet. Just call me Ben from the Bach...can't commit yet.
4. Crighton Fraker--don't like the look, but the voice is as the Kardashian's would say...amazeballs.
5. Shannon Macgrane--she's the 16 year old that enjoyed a very awkard moment between her Dad and Steven Tyler...her voice is impressive.
6. Reid Grimm--drama-mama-and man can he talk. He played the drums at the last minute but it was probably 3 hours before...you know, through the magic of television and all. COOL.
7. Adam Brock--he's got his lucky hanky, a wife and baby and has dubbed himself "white chocolate". We all know white chocolate melts and isn't really chocolate at all. We'll see if he can stand up to the pressure.

Tomorrow night....Vegas baby?

A Little Light Reading

Here's what I've been reading lately…

The Book Thief—More than anything I've read lately, this book really stuck
with me and made me think. This book is written from the perspective
of "death" and is set in Nazi Germany. The Book Thief has to be one of
the best books I've read in years. It lead me to a few others…

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas—Also set in Nazi Germany, this one is written from the perspective of a nine year old boy, Bruno. He is trying to absorb the changes around him as his family moves into the commander's house at "Out With" or as we know it, Auschwitz. It comes to a startling and abrupt end. The movie is also fantastic.

The Hiding Place—The last time I read this book was the Summer of 1997 and I read it all in one day and sat on the couch and cried while I finished it. Terribly moving it's the story of a Dutch family who helps move Jews to safety and hides some of them in their home. Corrie has such strength and tenacity, she inspires me to be more involved in standing up for others when I see injustice. It's a book everyone should read at least once.

Others:
Saving CeeCee Honeycut—great coming of age book
about a young lady with a mentally ill mother, named
Camille.
The Help—if you haven't seen the movie…do it! If you haven't
read the book…read it! Fantastic! I've read it twice and seen
the movie 3 or 4 times. Love it!
The Postmistress—New England small town during WWII.
A nice Summer book, easy and relaxing, not earth-shattering.
Matched—Young adult dystopian novel. Not quite as good
as the Hunger Games, but pretty close. I'm currently reading
the sequel: Crossed. Team Xander? Team Ky? We'll see…

The Return of the Idol

So what I most live for...at least on TV, has returned. American Idol!! Yeah baby! From tonight's Hollywood Week #1 episode, here are my top picks and "ones-to-watch".

Top picks:

1. Johnny Keyser-the humble waiter in the Italian restaurant from St. Louis. His voice is quite spectacular and he's got the "look" of an idol.

2. Phil Phillips, Jr.-with such a creative name, he had to make up for it in the talent department and he sure did. Loved his "Thriller" rendition in his audition.

3. David Leathers, Jr.-he's like a little 13-year old Michael Jackson without the afro. He's got MJ's voice and he's smooth with the ladies.

4. Jessica Phillips-her boyfriend had a stroke and she's caring for him, so you've got the "story" but she's really got an amazing voice also! *tied with* Erika Van Pelt-great voice, bad dresser...hey, misses DJ put a record on...I want to dance with my baby....Madonna running through my head. No, really, she is a DJ.

5. Symone Black-if she survives her fall off the stage, I think she'll go further than the distance she fell.

Miscellaneous "Ones-to-Watch":

*HyJung-Korean kid.

*Jen Hirsch

*Lauren Gray-sings with her eyes closed

*Reed Grimm-he's got a "golden ticket"

*Shannon Macgrane-awkward father-daughter-Steven Tyler moment girl

Tune in tomorrow night for part 2 of week #1 in Hollywood...