'IDOL' WATCH: The Top 24 Part 2

After learning the first seven of the Top 24 last night, tonight's episode left audiences in anticipation, waiting to see if their favorite singers would be selected through to the next round. Some of the choices seemed obvious (i.e. Andrew Garcia), while others left audiences wondering if they would receive good news or leave the judging room in tears.

Seventeen contestants were given the go-ahead:

Janell Wheeler - Wheeler is a good performer, but she lacks some of the charisma the other contestants possess. After a good initial audition and an impressive first performance in Hollywood, Wheeler slipped up in both her group audition and her final performance for the judges. Singing Taylor Swift's Love Story, she stumbled a bit through the lyrics and lacked energy. Wheeler will need to step it up if she wants to continue in the completion.

Tyler Grady - Being the only real rocker of the group, Grady stands out. His look sets him apart from the other contestants and really gel with what he does as a performer. He isn't the best singer of the group, but he knows how to entertain an audience, giving him a leg up on some of the competition. Ryan commented, "The drummer goes front man," and Grady has the ability to become a true front man.

Lacey Brown - This is the second time Brown has made it to the top 50, receiving bad news in season eight. This year, however, she earned her spot in the Top 24. When asked whether she thought the judges were right in letting her go last year, Brown responded "I thought I needed to take this year and get better," and this humbleness showed that she understands what the competition is about. Brown has clearly improved from her initial audition, singing a very personal version of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World her last time out. Her performance was so good, in fact, that it was used as an underscore when "Idol" showed a montage of the next three contestants gaining spots in the Top 24.

Ashley Rodriguez, Alex Lambert, and Joe Munoz - These are three contestants with something to prove. None were heavily featured in Hollywood (I can't even recall ever hearing Munoz sing), but each has talent that, if used correctly, could allow them to gain many fans. Rodriguez is the best of the three and will provide some stiff competition to the other singers. Expect her to go far.

Crystal Bowersox - Not what one would typically think of as an "American Idol," Bowersox is one of the better singers in the bunch. Her style is very different, which may work against her for a mass audience vote, but she also knows the type of singer that she is and plays to her strengths. If she can appeal to an audience, she will do well.

Lilly Scott - Scott is another contestant that would not be thought of as an "American Idol." She is a jazzy singer and will provide a different feel in her performance than most of the other contestants. Her final song for the judges was Rich Girl by Hall and Oates, not one of her best performances and seemed to be the wrong choice for her. But with the right song, Scott will gain fans and votes throughout "Idol."

Katie Stevens - A 17 year-old with a voice beyond her years, Stevens is fun to watch and has the right personality from an "American Idol." (She reminds of Kelly Clarkson.) Simon clearly seems to support her, a good sign, since Simon is the judge with the most experience and knowledge of the business. Coming off as very genuine, Stevens is good, but has the potential to get lost in a sea of talented females. She will need to do something to make herself standout if she wants to win.

Paige Miles - Miles is another contestant that we haven't seen much of throughout the competition. Simon appears to be a huge fan of her singing, saying "You're better than you even know. You're a really, really good singer." It's unclear as to what her style is, so Miles will have to prove herself when she gets to her first performance in front of America.

Haeley Vaughn - Vaughn has always seemed to me a shoe-in for the Top 24. She is fun and talented, and has impressed the judges in her performances. Her final song was I'm Yours by Jason Mraz, and she really let loose. Simon called her "super, super talented" and the rest of the judges seem to like her. Yet, Vaughn seems to lack some of the wow-factor needed for an "Idol" winner, though she has the potential to step it up.

Andrew Garcia - That left Garcia as one of the last two men eligible for the final slot. This kind of killed the drama, as Garcia is the most talented of all the contestants. His ability to arrange songs in a way that stay true to the original but deliver something new make him the most talented musician of the group. Garcia is going to go far in the competition.

Also through to the Top 24 - John Park, Siobhan Magnus, Michelle Delamor, and Jermaine Sellers - Four contestants who seem to have been lost in the shuffle during Hollywood week, only Magnus and Sellers were really shown singing at all. Park is going to surprise a lot of people when given the chance, and will be a pleasant surprise for audiences. Delamor is a good singer, but we haven't seen enough of her to know whether or not she will raise any eyebrows.

All of these contestants were shown receiving the exciting news from the judges and will be performing in front of America beginning live next week.

But, wait. There is something wrong here. Seventeen spots were still available after last night's episode, but only sixteen were shown moving on. According to several reports, including updates from Ryan Seacrest's Twitter, Chris GoLightly was deemed ineligible for the competition at the last minute for withholding information about an expiring contract from the people at "Idol," in what is apparently a breach of contract. GoLightly was a good singer but wasn't seen enough on "Idol" for a good opinion to be formed. He was replaced by Tim Urban, a disappointing choice, as Urban really has no standout qualities and only seems to be a mediocre singer.

The person who will be most missed in the Top 24 is Angela Martin, who failed on her third attempt to make it past Hollywood. Martin was one of the best singers of the group and gave spot on performances every time out. She will be missed in season nine.

The full list of the Top 24 includes: Janell Wheeler, Tyler Grady, Lacey Brown, Ashley Rodriguez, Alex Lambert, Jose Munoz, Crystal Bowersox, Katie Stevens, Lilly Scott, Paige Miles, Siobhan Magnus, Michelle Delamor, Jermaine Sellers, John Park, Haeley Vaughn, Andrew Garcia, and Tim Urban, as well as last night's contestants, Michael Lynche, Didi Benami, Katelyn Epperly, Casey James, Aaron Kelly, Lee Dewyze and Todrick Hall.

The group has a good mix of singers in terms of style, range, and emotion. Many of the contestants could make a surprise splash once the voting process begins, while others will fade in disappointment.

My current pick for the winner of "American Idol" is, of course, Andrew Garcia, although "Idol" seems to be making a major push for a female winner, in which case I would choose Didi Benami (a choice which I find much less concrete.)

Next Tuesday, February 22nd, each of the twelve women will perform for America, followed by the twelve men on Wednesday, February 23rd. The first round of voting will take place following the performances, with results being announced on a special results show Thursday, February 24th.

"American Idol" is a reality competition to find new solo musical talent, created by Simon Fuller. It debuted June 11, 2002 on the Fox network and has since become one of the most popular shows on American television. It is currently the #1 TV show in the Nielsen Ratings and is one of only three that have been #1 for five consecutive seasons. The cast of "Idol" includes judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardio, and Ellen Degeneres, and host Ryan Seacrest.

The program aims to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nation-wide auditions, and subsequent viewer voting. Through telephone voting, America has chosen past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, and Kris Allen.

Several "Idol" contestants have been seen on the Broadway stage, including Barrino (The Color Purple), Hicks (Grease), Clay Aiken (Spamalot), Diana DeGarmo(Hairspray), Josh Strickland (Tarzan), Tamyra Gray (Rent, Bombay Dreams), and Constantine Maroulis (The Wedding Singer, Rock of Ages).

"American Idol" airs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights on Fox at 8PM EST.

 

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