American Idol finally, really, got started last night with the Top 12 Men performing before a live audience and on live television.  As usual, the performances didn’t always go the way all of us expected.  Some of those we thought might do well ended up underwhelming us and the judges and some we weren’t really sure about really raised the bar.

I was the most impressed with three performances.

• Jason Castro - I was easily the most impressed with Jason.  He’s obviously very musically talented since he plays several instruments and he claims that prior to auditioning he had only sung in public a few times (five, I think).  He turned an old song into something that sounded fresh and current and he did it with just the right mix of music and voice.  Very good.
  
  

  Jason Castro - What A Day For A Daydream

  
  

• David Archuleta - David has an amazing voice although he’s a bit young for me to really say I’m a fan.  I think I could really like his stuff in another five years or so, but I don’t see me buying anything he’d put out right now.
  

  David Archuleta - You Better Shop Around

• Michael Johns - The judges are really hot on Michael as are a number of other people.  I think he’s very good although I wasn’t as impressed with him last night as the judges were.  I definitely think he’s got that special something, though.  If he keeps choosing songs wisely he should do very well.
  

  Michael Johns - Light My Fire

I thought all three of them performed well and all three of them will be safe this week.  The thing I noticed about all three was the same thing the judges preach all the time; song choice, song choice, song choice.  They all chose songs that they were comfortable with, that were good, and that they could sing well.  Another thing I noticed was how humble and polite all three were.  Attitude plays an important part in this part of the voting so I think they did very well in presenting themselves.

I was the least impressed with three other performances.

• Danny Noriega - Pretty much everything about this guy and his performance disgusts me.  I think he performed on the wrong night.  I just wanted to slap him and tell him to man up.  And then he had the gall to sing an Elvis Presley song.  The way he kept pouting his lips was absurd.  Am I the only one that thinks he looks he could be Jessica Alba’s sister?
  

  Danny Noriega - Jailhouse Rock

• Luke Menard - I’m sorry, Luke.  I think you’re a nice guy and I really wanted to like you.  Unfortunately, Simon was absolutely correct in saying that your performance was forgettable.  In fact, you should thank Simon for saying that because that discussion is the only reason anyone will remember you.  Luke’s song choice was atrocious.  Even though it allowed him to sing well, it was so boring I practically fell asleep.
  

  Luke Menard - Everybody’s Talking

• Garrett Haley - What the crap?  I really don’t understand what’s going on here.  The hair, the song, the voice.  None of it works for me.  How did this guy make it this far?  I actually did fall asleep for a few seconds during this performance.  Just horrible.
  

  Garrett Haley - Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

I think the three mentioned above are in the most danger of leaving tonight.  Although, I must point out that David Hernandez, Chikezie, and Jason Yeager are pretty much straddling the fence.  All three are talented singers but gave sub-par and/or boring performances.  I was especially disappointed with Chikezie because I think he has a tremendous voice, but his song stunk, his outfit stunk, and then he gave lip to the judges.  Not the way to win my vote.

Of course, the opposite could be true for any of them as well.  It could be that because they fell in the middle they didn’t get the votes from people who thought they were the best and they didn’t get the votes from people who were trying to save them because Simon put the fear in them that they would be leaving.  If I had to bet, though, I’d bet that all three of these guys are safe, especially David and Robbie.

The American Idol Top 12 Men

• David Archuleta, 17, Murray, Utah
• Colton Berry, 18, Staunton, Va.
• Robbie Carrico, 26, Melbourne, Fla.
• Jason Castro, 20, Rockwall, Texas
• David Cook, 25, Tulsa, Okla.
• Chikezie Eze, 22, Inglewood, Calif.
• Garrett Haley, 17, Elida, Ohio
• David Hernandez, 24, Glendale, Ariz.
• Luke Menard, 29, Crawfordsville, Ind.
• Danny Noriega, 18, Azusa, Calif.
• Jason Yeager, 28, Branson, Mo.
• Michael Johns, 29, Los Angeles by way of Australia

For a quick recap of each contestant from a slightly different perspective, swing by American Idol: Top 12 Guys - ThinkBox Style and see what Jeff has to say about last night’s episode.

Television
American Idol, Fox

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