Top ten guys go on Idol

The ten guys come walking out on 70s night, with David Archuletta getting a huge squeal at the end. Randy wants them to do better than last week, Paula thinks they'll be less nervous, Simon wants to be better.

Michael Johns claims he's a bit of a jock, says he played tennis tournaments and did really well; nice modesty there, mate. In orange t-shirt, jeans; weird song choice, voice is thin doing Go Your Own Way. Odd; good confidence I guess, but I don't really feel like he's even in tune, a bit like he's mailing it in. Good performance though. Randy says not your best, never really let go; Paula says good job, you're already there; Simon says it was okay, your weakest of the whole thing, you're coasting; Paula claims from a woman's point of view it was good. He says his dream has been to sing a Fleetwood Mac song; hey, this show is all about indulging yourself, right?

Jason Castro next, soft white/gray shirt. Says he hates doing interviews, they show all the outtakes, it's funny; I just like to sing, everything related to music, not so jazzed about the non-music parts of Idol. Plays his guitar, he's not bad; it's slightly compelling, has a good voice; not crazy about the song choice, I Just Want to Be Your Everything. I enjoy it though, because I like him, and it's all about the singing, he's not playing to the camera or anything. Randy says with the guitar you're good, but the vocals were just average; Paula says nah, clever choice but I wanna see you without the guitar, more vulnerable as an artist; Simon says the song was horrible and schmaltzy, vocals were weak, it didn't all fit as well as last week, looked uncomfortable, choice was average.

Luke Menard, who says he's part of an acapella group; they're really good together, actually, based on the clip. I have no feel for him, curious to see what he's like; very dramatic start, gray shirt, jeans; singing Killer Queen, which I've never heard before. It's--weird; he totally seems comfortable and at home with it, it just doesn't connect with me, the song's not very melodic. Good energy and all, but if you don't like the song, that's all secondary. Randy says that was a difficult song, this is more you than last week, theatrical and all, not bad even with pitch problems; Paula says it was great for you, vocally very strong; Simon says it was a mistake, you don't have the charisma and personality to pull it off, almost whiny. Paula is really lobbying to keep 'Dawson's Creek', as Ryan puts it, around.

Robbie Carrico up next, Ryan asks him about how are you gonna be authentic, he says there are many types of rock, I am who I am. Whoah, he drags race; he really is just a good ole boy. Up in white open collared shirt, black pants; his voice is off-key, but his performance from the get-go is energetic, he's really going after it; doing Hot Blooded. Actually the energy level doesn't really last, feels a bit like he's going through the motions, the audience isn't really connecting. Not great. Randy is laughing, says not sure if the rock thing is really you, not enough grit to your voice, never wowed, just okay; Paula says you're the only one who knows who you are, you played it a bit safe, you lost some of your personality; Randy jumps back in, rock is an attitude, you shouldn't have to prove it; Paula says up the ante; Simon says don't get so defensive, it's only an opinion, actually thought the vocal was okay tonight.

The controversial Danny Noriega is next, he's one of the only guys with a chance to break through to greater public consciousness (probably not in a good way in his case, either). He says he used to be in a punk rock band, totally looks like a chick in the photos. My god; he's like become a caricature, out in an argyle, singing some torch song; does have a decent voice, but it's just hard to take it seriously. Don't You Remember You Told Me You Love Me Baby, I almost feel like he's got something wrong with his voice, the way he swallows words. The whole thing is just ridiculous, the audience seems to like it but again, I don't like the song, don't like him, not winning me over. Randy says there were some problems with the vocal, too slow, too calculating, just let it go; Paula says he has amazing vocal skill, don't overthink it, just perform; Simon says this was better, not fantastic, but overconcentrating; I do like that you stand out, and look terrific on camera. Definitely seems less like a jerk and more like a kid compared to last week; still really likes himself, especially his hair, though.

David Hernandez next, says he was a gymnast as a kid. Out in black hoodie and jeans; is totally into the performance from the get-go, he's fun to watch; voice isn't bad, either. A bit too non-rough to pull Papa Was a Rolling Song off, but he's really giving it his all. Man, this would be a great song for someone with some real charisma to do. His ending is really good, though. By default, my fave so far of a weak night. Randy says that was great, Paula says a very pure, good voice--actually, I like his smile the best; personality came out, perfect; Simon says that was the best vocal of the night so far, he's totally thrilled by that; likes how you take criticism as a challenge, don't sulk and aren't childish, am now a fan.

Back with Jason Yaeger, who I seriously barely remember. Oh yeah, the father with the blond streak in his hair; says he plays a bunch of instruments. Takes us through his history with the instruments, self-taught pretty much. In boring dark shirt, seems very cheesy right from the get-go, the way he looks and also moves. Trying to pull people along, but I don't know; vocally it's not bad, but the performance aspect is just killer. Long Train Running (Without Love); not a great choice, song's just okay. Randy says that song is mediocore, not a singer's kind of song, pitchy, karaoke; Paula says fun to see this side of you, but the song doesn't show off your vocal range, pick something better; Simon last week was boring this week was awkward and ordinary, horrific ending, like you were drunk at a party or something, very disappointed. Tells Ryan he was surprised, thought it was a good choice, the Doobie Brothers have a lot of soul, this is what I'm all about. Ha, this is his choice for soul?! Ryan just keeps asking him what he thinks, what can he do; Simon says this is never-ending like the Oscars, let's move on.

Back with Chikezie, in this weird blue poloish shirt. Says he's Nigerian, the pronunciation is pretty different than what people call him, says he just lets it go, easier this way. Whoah, good start for the only black guy left; very gospel tinge, he can sing; big smile, good energy, doing I Believe. Good performance, good vocals, I'm enjoying this the best of the night; he's just taking over, even letting loose with the dancing a bit. Randy loves it, this is the guy we fell in love with, that was blazing; Paula liked it; Simon says you look better, good choice of song, a million times better than last week. He tells Simon his problem last week was letting Simon get to him, spars with him a bit, but in a fun way, not like last week. A lot of laughs, he says he got lucky with the them, points out that one of the backup singers is Donny Hathaway's daughters.

David Cook who says he loves words, they run clips of him using interesting words; likes to do crosswords. Like him even more; whoah, in black t-shirt, rocking out with his electric guitar--great performance, totally believable and strong and fun to listen to. The show's saving its best for last tonight; All Right Now, gets the audience involved, good confidence, plus he can play the guitar. The crowd's totally into it; he's not shouting it, either. Randy loves his performance, says that was smart song choice, believable; Paula says you're the real deal, you've got it, loved it; Simon says solid, but the crosswords thing makes you boring, you don't have a lot of charisma, David shoots back fortunately I don't have to win you over, Simon says I know the rules of this by now, this is my opinion, the public chooses. He tells Ryan he realizes now he had to do more than just sing well. Simon says he's a bit irritated by David's comments, David backtracks a bit. Jeez, why do people still pick fights with Simon--for the most part, he's trying to help you.

Wow, David Archuletta gets a ton of screaming when Ryan simply says he's next. Says he got to meet the American Idol finalists season One, in the hotel lobby--he sang for them, there's grainy video! Wow, that's so cool, they really liked him. I like him a lot; doing John Lennon's Imagine. Good song for him, simple, pure; very sincere. His version is a bit more showy than Lennon's, starts a bit rough too, but he really gets into the swing of it, girls are screaming. I wonder though if he's a bit too young to sing this, it's not flowing so much as he's really singing it. He's turning it into something different, more a call to action... not sure it works that well, but his tone is really good, and the ending is nice; I like it, because I like him. Randy says that was one of the best vocals ever on this song, you were born to do this, calls it brilliant--but what about the first verse, he says he liked the third one better; Paula says you're ridiculous, I wanted to squish you and dangle you from my rear view mirror, she says it was very moving, is like in tears, says he's destined for super-stardom; Simon says very risky, but it worked, you're the one to beat, 19 other people aren't happy about that. David then gets the audience to clap for everyone else, it's a nice moment--his chick fans are all pushing up against the stage and are screaming for him, it's cute. He says it means a lot to him to hear what the judges says, he's blushing as girls scream things out to him.

Yeah, I think we've found this year's breakout star. He's going to be hard to beat, as long as he stays true and just sings.

Not that it really matters, but I think Jason Yaeger and Robbie Carrico
are going to get cut (not Noriega, even though I liked him less than Robbie).

Chikezie
David Archuletta
David Cook
David Hernandez
Jason Castro
Michael Johns
Luke Menard
Robbie Carrico
Danny Noriega
Jason Yaeger