American Idol

Last night, the guys performed for the first time live for the American Idol audience while the girls sat nearby watching. Tonight, the tables are turned.

And, even though there were a few memorable performances from last night, I really expect this crop of female finalists to shine. As with every season, I think the girls are going to be able to outsing the guys. There’s that advantage to being able to pull out the highest of high notes.

So, are you ready?

7 p.m.

According to Ryan Seacrest, there’s a bit of flu and illness going around among the Top 24. It certainly could keep some of the girls from giving their all, but this also gives them a chance early on to show how they can push through even the tough times.

After the break, the 1960s are returning.

7:09 p.m.

Kristy Lee Cook is up first. After amazing the judges with her renditions of Amazing Grace, she comes to the competition with a fair amount of experience under her belt. If she makes some money on the Idol gig, she plans to buy back the horse she sold to pay for her chance to audition. So, does her version of Rescue Me have her on the right path?

I have to say her version of Amazing Grace is much more interesting than tonight’s performance. She certainly has a great, smooth voice, but I’m not sure Kristy Lee Cook, as a singer, can stand out among some of the tough competition she’s facing this season.

“Being sick, being the first one, that’s a double whammy,” Paula said. “But having said that, don’t ever let that get in the way of your shine. …”

“This is an important part of the show,” Simon said. “This section, we get to see what you’re made of. … The song didn’t really suit you. … I thought your performance was robotic.”

Joanne Borgella is up next. I have to admit, her combination of a great story — she’s a plus-size model — and her rich, inviting voice are really appealing to me. I can’t say she’s my definite No. 1 favorite, but she’s at the top of the list at this point. Let’s see if she can keep herself there.

Tonight, I Say A Little Prayer for You is the song she chooses. There’s no doubt she can do better with a different song, but you still can tell Joanne has a voice that’s unlike some of her competitors. I’m not sure where she stands right now …

“You know, that was pretty good,” Randy said. “The first part of it was a little weird for me. …”

“We’ve definitely seen you in the previous auditions where you have this unbelievable, strong sense of yourself,” Paula said.

“I didn’t like it at all,” Simon said. “… What you just did there was a very cabaret version of a cabaret song. … It was very, very substandard.”

7:25 p.m.

On the eve of her birthday, Alaina Whitaker is hoping to use her Carrie Underwood-esque looks to get her to the next level. The 16-year-old Oklahoma native (she really does have a lot in common with the Season 4 winner) has some of the same charm as the likable female finalists that have come before her.

There’s no doubt Alaina has been the highlight of the night — even though she’s only the third to perform. But I think her performance tonight proves she has a chance of going far in this competition. Definitely, she’s a great singer, and her rendition of More Today Than Yesterday was a great way to celebrate her birthday.

“It’s such a feel-good song,” Paula said. “… You proved that you come out here, you nailed it. You had the best ending that I’ve heard on that song.”

“I think you’re very good,” Simon said. “I do.”

7:36 p.m.

Amanda Overmyer auditions for her chance to be a Season 7 finalist.

She’s the female resident rocker this season. And Amanda Overmyer has a voice unlike any rocker chick that came before her — at least on Idol. Tonight she’s trying her hand at Baby, Please Don’t Go.

I won’t deny Amanda has her craft down, but she’s not what I’m looking for in my next Idol winner. She’s the kind of girl I’d love to see fronting a band at the bar down the street while I throw back a few beers. That’s definitely what she can provide to the music world.

“Amanda, I just love everything you do,” Paula said. “You’re authentic. … This is who you are.”

“I really like you,” Simon said. “I like you because I genuinely think you’re authentic. … I hope you stay around for awhile.”

7:45 p.m.

She’s one of the few female contestants we know little about. Amy Davis is a tradeshow model who hopes to make herself more known this year.

Tonight, she makes an attempt by singing Where the Boys Are. Already, in her first performance, Amy has created a look for herself that makes her stand apart from her earliest airtime (though it was little) on Idol. As far as the performance itself, Amy definitely could do better. It was just a little bland — needed some salt and pepper — for me.

“I didn’t think it was great, and here’s why,” Randy said. “… When you scoop up to the note, you have to hit that note dead on.”

“I’m going to say something very positive, the camera loves you,” Paula said. “… I don’t know if it was the most engaging song for you to sing.”

“There’s nothing much to add,” Simon said. “… As Paula said, you looked great. But you didn’t sound great.”

Brooke White sings her way into the next round during her Season 7 audition.

Brooke White, the resident nanny, is another one of my favorite girls this season. She has a great look and a pure voice. Her heart certainly is out in the open this season, which could help her find a spot in the hearts of America, too.

Tonight, Brooke takes on Happy Together. The performance as a whole is pretty good. It’s definitely enough to keep her safe this week and likely for several weeks to come. I’m just hopeful she can do a better job choosing songs in the future. Her incredible talent cannot be showcased on a tune like Happy Together.

“It doesn’t matter what the song is, you’re supposed to sing the living daylights out of it,” Randy said.

“What this competition is about is originality,” Paula said. “That’s what I love about you. You have your own thing.”

“I think you chose the right song,” Simon said. “But there are times tonight I feel like I’m in a washing up liquid commercial …” OK, Simon. You’ve been in America long enough to not say things like “washing up liquid.”

8:01 p.m.

Alexandrea Lushington’s turn has come. She’s another shining star in this group of good singers, but will she make herself stand out above the rest?

Her rendition of Spinning Wheel was above average. I’m not sure what was going on with the highest notes — they seemed a little squeaky — but I think she’ll be safe. Alexandrea certainly has a lot of personality, and her voice is still pretty fantastic.

“I saw more confidence in your performance than in any other performance tonight so far,” Paula said.

“I didn’t get it,” Simon said. “I didn’t think the vocals were great.”

8:12 p.m.

Another little-seen finalist this season has been Kady Malloy. Simon called her the best of the season earlier this year, so we’ll see if that works out in her favorite. OK, this girl does Britney Spears impressions. I love it.

Groovy Kind of Love was a phenomenal song choice for Kady who, clearly, is the best performer of the night. Having not seen too much of her before now, I certainly think she’s proven she has a strong voice — and sense of identity — at this point in the competition. My guess is Kady has gained herself a large group of fans based on tonight alone.

“You know what, I love that backstage stuff,” Randy said. “This song was OK for me.”

“What we all knew when we first auditioned you, and what we fell in love with was your personality,” Paula said. “… I want to see the life of you more.”

“Actually, amazingly, for once, I agree with Paula,” Simon said. “That was like Night of the Living Dead. When you do the Britney, you’re brilliant. Then, when you do you, the lights go out.”

Even though her dad died two days before her audition, Asia’h Epperson kept his dream alive. So far, things are working out well.

Asia’h Epperson blew me away earlier this season with her rendition of How Do I Live. It was incredible, especially since it came two days after her dad died. All of this, plus her voice, also made her one of my early favorites this year.

Tonight, Asia’h chose Piece of My Heart to try and win America’s votes. And she chose to wear some gigantic earrings that were slightly distracting. But, as far as the vocals, well, they were pretty good. I know she can do better — we’ve seen it. Still, I think Asia’h could be the one to get my votes tonight.

“You did your thing with it,” Randy said.

“You had some really good moments in that song,” Paula said.

“For me, it was my favorite of the night,” Simon said. “You let you. You’re fun. You’re likable.”

8:27 p.m.

Ramiele Malubay has one of the most powerful voices this season. And she’s been one of the most exposed stars as far as airtime is concerned. Her look and story certainly has been followed since her original audition.

You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me was an interesting song choice for Ramiele. But I have to say it was pretty smart, too. It was unexpected, and she nailed it. I expect the judges will say she made it her own, which is crucial. Let’s see …

“You took your time, you started it slow, it built up,” Randy said. “… Very classy. Almost like a pro, man. That was hot.”

“You’re a force to be reckoned with,” Paula said. “… You had a really great performance.”

“I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t like you when I first saw you,” Simon said. “… Tonight, you outsung every single person.”

8:37 p.m.

Next up is Syesha Mercado. And, while I know I’ve thrown around the term “favorite” a little bit, I have to say Syesha certainly made her way to the very top of my list of female finalists as soon as I saw her first audition. Let’s see if she can keep herself there.

Tobacco Road was not the song I thought Syesha would choose, but it seems to work for her. This performance is further proof Syesha has the voice, the look and the charisma to go far in this competition. And, based on this, I’m going to say she just took the “best of the night” honors … so far.

“All in all, I really liked it,” Randy said.

“Consistent,” Paula said. “Joyful. Fun. Big.”

“It wasn’t your best, best performance,” Simon said. “… You are probably one of the most talented girls in this competition.”

8:46 p.m.

She’s already one of the most controversial contestants this season. But Carly Smithson also has a powerful voice to back up her professionalism. The simple fact she didn’t have a work visa to compete in Season 5 certainly should help her gain some sympathy votes (not that she doesn’t have the talent) this year.

Shadow of Your Smile was a great song choice. And Carly certainly can sing — remember she did have a recording contract as a teenager. There’s no doubt she’ll make it quite far this season.

“The best vocal of the last two days,” Randy said. “The best vocal of the Top 24.”

“I know how hard this week was for you,” Paula said. “You don’t even have to power your voice.”

“I’m on my own here,” Simon said. “I didn’t get it. There’s so much hype about you. … I thought the song was way too old-fashioned for you. … Everything about it, for me, was a letdown.”

WHO GETS MY VOTE: There’s no doubt Syesha Mercado was my favorite of the night. I also thought Asia’h Epperson put a lot of soul and energy into her performance, and that’s worth a phone call or two for sure.

WHO SHOULD GO: This is tough, because there certainly are a lot of good singers on the female side. I think Amy Davis certainly was forgettable, which spells trouble. As far as a second person to get the boot, I think, unfortunately, Joanne Borgella could be in trouble (I’ll be throwing a couple of votes her way, just in case).

American Idol, Amanda Overmyer, Alaina Whitaker, Alexandrea Lushington, Asia’h Epperson, Ramiele Malubay, Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, Syesha Mercado, Kady Malloy

Is this year’s talent the best yet? We’re about to find out as the Top 12 guys compete live for the first time this season on American Idol.

7:01 p.m.
The Top 12 girls are waiting in the wings, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are ready to give their critics. It’s only a matter of time before Paula yells “touchdown” or Simon says someone sounds like a karaoke singer. It’s almost all too predictable. But I love it.

“I’m looking for personality, originality and, obviously, you’ve gotta sing well,” Simon says. Obviously.

Tonight, the contestants will sing songs from the 1960s. These themes certainly are what can make — or break — any contestant.

7:09 p.m.

David Hernandez is the first up this week. The 24-year-old is from Glendale, Ariz., home of last year’s Idol winner, Jordin Sparks. Could lightning strike twice in the same city? We’ll see.

He certainly has a voice unlike anyone who’s been in the competition before. This early in the competition, though, it’s tough to see David as a leader of the pack. He is the first we’re seeing live, after all. The plus side is that David seems to have control over his voice; whether he’s singing high or low, he has it in control.

“You’ve got brilliant vocals to rely on,” Paula says. “… Really cool. Really cool. Good job.”

Chikezie Eze during his Season 7 audition. The jeans and T-shirt look certainly was a lot better than a tangerine-colored suit.

Chikezie, formerly known as Chikezie Eze, is next up. The 22-year-old college student from California made it to Hollywood Week last year, but he didn’t give up. And it worked out for Season 7.

When it comes to cheesy suits, Chikezie already is on top of his game. Didn’t the stylists explain looks are important in this competition? Tangerine suits aren’t the way to go, either. But on to the vocals. I have to say Chikezie has a good voice, but his song tonight doesn’t make him stand out way above the competition … at least not in my books.

“It was pretty good, man,” Randy says. “… You can definitely sing.”

“I absolutely hated the whole performance, and I’ll tell you why,” Simon said. “The suit is hideous. …” (See, I’m already aligned with Simon.)

7:25 p.m.

David Cook is up. One of this year’s rockers, David is a Missouri resident and bartender hoping to make a difference in the competition. Already, he’s a favorite among many fans — and the judges.

Tonight, David performs Happy Together by the Turtles. This well-known tune certainly was not what I would have expected from the resident rocker. But what would Chris Daughtry sound like singing this song? Maybe not so unlike David. I’m not sure what to think at this point, honestly. I guess it was OK.

“I thought it was good,” Simon said. “I thought you shouted the song a little …”

So far, there haven’t been too many truly negative comments. Maybe the judges are giving contestants a little time to settle into a live audience.

7:34 p.m.

Jason Yeager during his original audition.

Jason Yeager, another contestant we haven’t gotten to learn much about, is up next. The 28-year-old is a singing server, and he took his son to the audition to experience the dream.

Jason’s song choice tonight is Moon River, a classic that’s tough to perform as a little-known musician, especially on a show such as Idol. There’s no doubt he has a voice, but the next Idol? I’m not sure it’s there. At least not at this point. He did have a strong closing, though.

Let’s see what the judges have to say.

“… It’s a tough song to sing, probably tougher than you probably thought,” Randy said. “… You had a couple of problems with that song pitch-wise.”

7:46 p.m.

Robbie Carrico, the guy who once dated Britney Spears, has gone from boy bander to rocker. Tonight, Robbie even mentioned touring with Britney, something that makes him stand out (good or bad) from many others in the competition. He certainly has some professional credit — and he’s not alone — coming into the competition.

His rendition of One is different than any other version I have heard of the song, and it doesn’t really make the bandana-wearing Carrico seem all that rocker-esque. Right now, I can’t really take this guy seriously.

“I think you picked the perfect song for you,” Paula said. “… The vocals, they weren’t over the took, they were right in the pocket where they should be.”

Simon, in his own way, said the performance was the best thus far. He also doubted the rocker vibe Carrico puts off. And I agree.

David Archuleta, a singer who allegedly had a recording contract before making the Idol finals, has certainly been a favorite. The teenager chose Shop Around for his first live song on the show, and it certainly was a good choice. Of course, his young, innocent sound would work on just about any hit from the 1960s. Could David be the next Idol winner? Well, he certainly has the teenage girl and grandma votes cornered.

“You were just born with this gift,” Randy said. “… This dude is just ready to go.”

“When you got it, you got it,” Simon said. “… That was, by a comfortable mile, the best performance of the night so far.”

Without doubt, the judges are right. David is a little giggly and, dare I say, a little unbelievable as the “shy” kid. I’m not sure he’s completely full of himself, but I could see it coming soon. The “Oh, gosh” factor only goes so far with me. Sorry.

8 p.m.

Danny Noriega also was a Hollywood Week finalist during Season 6, but he was cut on the first day. So, could Season 7 be the one for this teen? Starting with Jailhouse Rock during 1960s week may not have been the best choice. The tempo of the song was a little too speedy for my taste, which makes me a little sad. I have to admit Danny is one of my favorites — because he’s young, has potential and isn’t completely full of himself. At least he doesn’t appear to be at this point.

“You know how to have a good time,” Randy said. “… It was an interesting song choice for me for you.”

“Danny, I thought the performance was verging on grotesque,” Simon said. “… The whole performance was hideous.”

I’m not sure I completely agree with Simon, but I do see his point of view. Tonight certainly didn’t showcase Danny’s best vocals; it did, however, get the judges in their first real fight of the night. Oh, it’s going to be good.

8:12 p.m.

Luke Menard at his initial Season 7 audition.

Luke Menard is one of the oldest contestants this season. The 29-year-old auditioned in Season 6 (this seems to be the story of the season) when he went to Memphis and didn’t do so well. This year, in Omaha, he got the golden ticket.

“This opportunity, it’s the chance of a lifetime,” Luke said. “… I came here to become the next American Idol.”

Tonight, his attempt to gain America’s votes came through a performance of Everybody’s Talkin’. It’s, perhaps, a lesser-known song, which could help out. Luke has a soft, simple voice. And good, strong looks to back up his character. But the performance tonight was not a good start for this Idol hopeful.

“In a nutshell, whether you were pitchy or not, it was forgettable,” Simon said. “… Nobody’s going to remember you.”

Next up, Colton Berry. Another competitor who hasn’t seen much air time thus far, Colton may be seen as the guy who stole the spots of a few other favorite contestants this season. So, will the 18-year-old stand out at this point?

Singing Elvis’ Suspicious Minds wearing crazy, bright blue pants (seriously, wardrobe matters, people) is not a great place to start in this competition. And the strange facial expressions? I have to say, at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Colton is one of the first to go. But that’s just me.

“It was nice to see a different side of you,” Paula said.

“It was OK; it wasn’t quite as bad as the other Elvis song,” Simon said. “… You have no relevance in today’s charts, in the music industry.”

“That was very karaoke,” Simon added. Ahh, I thought we were going to miss out on that tonight.

8:28 p.m.

Garrett Haley, another teenager in the competition, auditioned for Idol when he and his family was in San Diego on vacation. It seems to be working out for the 17-year-old from Ohio.

Even though he hasn’t been given too much camera time this season, I think Garrett has one of the better voices tonight. He chose a song that allowed him to sing — not just perform — and that’s especially important this early in the show. The Carpenters song Breaking Up Is Hard to Do certainly helped his case, too. Was he the best? Not necessarily. Should he be safe for another week? Absolutely.

“I love the song, but the thing that struck me with this performance here was you didn’t do anything with it,” Randy said. “… You’ve got to bring something new and interesting to it.”

“It was boring, your voice sounded a bit whiny, you looked a bit terrified …” Simon said.

Seriously, I didn’t think it was that bad.

8:39 p.m.

Jason Castro at his Dallas audition.

Jason Castro is taking advantage of this year’s addition of using instruments on stage. The 20-year-old says he only sang a handful of times in public before, well, tonight. So, what will this memorable performance entail?

Jason chose What a Day for a Daydream, and his voice certainly is matched well with the lyrics. Plus, playing a guitar, that definitely sets him apart from his competition. Even though I didn’t know much about this guy before, tonight he really put himself in a place to be one of my favorites this season.

“For me, you did blow me away,” Paula said. “… You picked a song that was absolutely perfect for you.”

“Jason, I thought that was in the top 2 performances of the night,” Simon said. “You, like David, have just got it.”

8:48 p.m.

The last performer of the night is Michael Johns, 29. The Australian still has his native accent, and he certainly seemed to be one of the strongest guys in the competition coming into tonight.

Light My Fire by The Doors is his song of choice. There’s no doubt Michael has the experience; he looks and acts like a seasoned performer on the stage. This easily looks like it could have been his sixth or seventh week in the competition. Personally, I didn’t love it. But it was a great performance.

“You just throw all caution to the wind,” Randy said. “You’re always you. … You were the bomb tonight, baby. That was hot.”

“I would say, Michael, you are the most consistent contestant we’ve had,” Simon said.

WHO GETS MY VOTE: Tonight, I have to give it up for Jason Castro. It’s tough to pick just one, but that’s who can count on getting phone votes from me. Playing the guitar and making the song his own, as Paula would say, made him tonight’s definite standout. (I also may make a few calls for Danny Noriega, who made a bad song choice tonight. He definitely needs to be remembered for his earlier work.)

WHO SHOULD GO: Without question, I think Chikezie Eze and Colton Berry are at major risk for being the two guys eliminated this week. I also think Luke Menard could be in some trouble because of the criticism given to him by the judges.

American Idol, Michael Johns, Danny Noriega, Colton Berry, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Robbie Carrico, David Cook, Luke Menard, Garrett Haley, Chikezie Eze, Jason Yeager, David Hernandez

Danny Noriega

Now you won’t have to wait until the end of the season to get recorded songs from your favorite American Idol finalists.

Starting this week, Idol is teaming up with iTunes to offer downloads of all performances for 99 cents each. That means the best — and even the worst — performances from this moment on will be available for you to own and play again and again. In other words, should a stellar rendition of Heart’s Alone (remember Carrie Underwood’s show-stopping performance in Season 4?) be presented early in the season, you won’t have to wait for the “greatest hits” compilation at season’s end.

Having so many Idol performances available from the beginning also means you can create you own little Danny Noriega or Joanne Borgella CD, even if those finalists don’t make it to the end of the competition. That’s pretty exciting, right?

Once the show is narrowed down to the Top 12, you also will be able to purchase video performances for $1.99 on iTunes. In addition, you also will be able to pre-order tracks from a specific finalist for automatic download. This means the iTunes Top 100 really could be overrun by Idol finalists. Not that it’s a bad thing.

American Idol, iTunes

David Archuleta auditions for his shot to be a finalist on American Idol.

If you have been to MySpace lately, you may have noticed there are dozens of David Archuleta fan sites — and the Top 24 American Idol finalist hasn’t even performed live for America’s votes. That comes Tuesday.

But much like Carly Smithson, Archuleta’s past is being called into question by fans of the show. Until a few weeks ago, Archuleta’s official Web site was populated with information about the singer’s record deal. Now that he’s on Idol, the site mysteriously disappeared. That doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of fans for the singer.

One of many MySpace fan sites already has more than 3,800 friends. Included in the top friends are many former Idol contestants — Justin Guarini, Clay Aiken and Christina Christian to name just a few.

So, the debate continues. Is it really fair for these contestants to have found such success and still be on the reality show? Personally, I now don’t think it matters. Because, if you think about it, did you know David Archuleta before just a few weeks ago? I didn’t think so.

David Archuleta, American Idol

She’s one of the early favorites on this season of American Idol. Carly Smithson has a great story — the Irish singer was a would-be finalist on Season 5, but problems with her work visa kept her from continuing on that season.

Smithson, who now is a Top 24 finalist on Season 7, has shed many tears already on the emotional journey to this point in the competition. But what some people may not know (or maybe you do, because it’s been fairly well publicized) is that Carly Smithson formerly was Carly Hennessy. And she recorded a CD for MCA in 2001. Here’s further proof, as if it were necessary. Plus, you can watch the video for her song, I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind, posted above.

This kind of exposure begs the question, is it fair for such a contestant to be part of the Idol competition? Does it really matter? Or are we all just interested in seeing some fantastic singers and musicians?

Personally, I don’t know what to think. Part of me is like, who cares? Smithson has talent, and that’s a lot better than being forced to see a second-rate performer Simon Cowell no doubt will compare to a karaoke singer or cabaret performer week after week.

The other part of me feels this competition wouldn’t have given such exposed performers such a chance during previous seasons. I mean, did anyone else have a full-on professional music video for their expected first single? I don’t think it’s happened before this season. That’s where I want to say, “Not fair!” Then, again, I would much rather hear the good singers battle it out — even if that puts Whitney Houston on stage against Miley Cyrus. (No offense to Whitney or Miley, of course.)

American Idol, Carly Smithson, Carly Hennessy

Robbie Carrico

Robbie Carrico, a Top 24 finalist on American Idol, has a past that includes a little time spent dating Britney Spears. That’s right, the Britney Spears.

Carrico has been said to have been a member of a boy band in his former days. The 26-year-old from Melbourne, Fla., was a member of Boys United With Girls. Back in 1999, the group toured in Europe with Spears. It was during that time Carrico and Spears were said to have spent a couple of months dating.

Maybe now that Justin Timberlake and Kevin Federline and back out of the picture, Carrico and Spears will reunite. Of course, that may not be a good career move for either of them at this point.

American Idol, Robbie Carrico, Britney Spears

Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell greet the top 50 finalists this season to determine who will make the Top 24.

Hollywood Week was rough for some of the 164 finalists during Season 7 of American Idol. And only 50 contestants remain. Tonight they go one by one up the elevator to see who makes the Top 24. It’s time to see.

7:02 p.m.

The judges finally have made their decisions. And the elevator rides begin …

First up is Ronald Hodge. He gets disappointing news, and he must make the ride down the elevator with a “no.”

Nina Shaw also didn’t make the cut. Nor did a few other girls.

But it’s Carly Smithson’s turn. She got turned away in Season 5 after not having proper work permits. The Irish favorite certainly has had a strong week, plus she’s already had a somewhat established career. (I promise to write more on that later.)

Even though Carly was emotional — tears and emotions were running quickly — but she officially became the first Top 24 finalist in Season 7. And certainly she’ll be a favorite.

7:13 p.m.

David Cook becomes the first guy to make the Top 24. He’s definitely the resident male rocker of this year’s competition. As far as the resident rocker chick? Of course Amanda Overmyer made it. How could she not with so much exposure this season?

After a few more disappointed singers take the ride down the elevator with tears in their eyes, it’s David Archuleta’s turn. The 16-year-old also gets a spot in the Top 24. Grandmas and teenager girls everywhere are celebrating. David’s youth and boyish looks certainly will make him a favorite among these two important groups of voters.

7:22 p.m.

Kristy Lee Cook, another singer who has recorded an album in the past, has been saved this season by her renditions of Amazing Grace. Even after a difficult week in Hollywood, she makes the cut. So, what will her past experience mean for her future in the competition?

More important, will her new friend Brooke White make the cut. She also had a bit of a difficult time making it through Hollywood Week, but her “I’ve-never-seen-a-Rated-R-movie” story certainly makes her an interesting one to watch. Plus, she has a beautiful voice.

After getting tears in her eyes before she even makes it off the elevator on the way to see the judges, it appears the pressure could be too much. Brooke sees this as her last chance to become a real recording artist. The good news, for her and her fans, is she’ll make it.

Danny Noriega had fantastic success during Hollywood Week, helping him make the Top 24 this season on American Idol.

Next up is Danny Noriega, who quickly got a “yes” from the judges. Jason Castro, Luke Menard and Alexandrea Lushington also quickly made the cut.

Ramiele Malubay, another one of this year’s more interesting contestants, also got good news. “Sweet little thing, isn’t she?” Simon said as she left the room.

7:34 p.m.

After a few disappointments, Michael Johns takes his turn in the elevator. Much like Danny, Michael’s true talent really shined throughout Hollywood Week, turning the judges heads. And it paid off with a unanimous “yes.”

Syesha Mercado was up next. One of my definite favorites — and I do mean one of my few favorites — she struggled with losing her voice during Hollywood Week. I’m thrilled she’ll be around to compete in the Top 24.

Even though it wasn’t a unanimous vote, Robbie Carrico joins the Top 24. This former boy band member certainly has changed his look and style, and it’s already clear he’s going for the Bo Bice style that worked so well for the Season 4 runner-up.

7:43 p.m.

Garrett Haley, Kady Malloy, Chikezie Eze, Amy Davis, Alaina Whitaker and Jason Yeager were quick to get a “yes,” taking away valuable spots. Next up was Asia’h Epperson, who lost her father just a couple of days before she went to audition for the show.

The emotional journey paid off for Asia’h, as she, too, will be a competing to try and get America’s votes.

Even without Simon’s vote, David Hernandez got the support of Randy and Paula to send him into the next round.

Next up is another of the season’s early favorites, Josiah Leming. His story — living in his car — got him great camera time. But the road ended for the teenager just before making the Top 24. This denial certainly will have fans across the country disappointed. Even before the live show, Josiah was gaining fans throughout the country. Maybe next time …

Even though I haven’t been the biggest fan of Josiah throughout the season, I can’t help but feel a little bad for the kid. Seeing that much disappointment on his face, tears streaming down his cheek, it’s what makes this show so appealing. This means everything to him.

7:54 p.m.

With just two guys and two girls left to hear the news, there’s only room for one of each.  Colton Berry and Kyle Ensley take a seat side by side, waiting to hear the news. … And Colton makes the cut. But Simon still gives Kyle a pat on the back, saying he believes the singer’s performances during Hollywood Week should have given him a chance in the Top 24.

So, what about the girls?

The final two, making the walk together, are Joanne Borgella, the resident plus-size model, and Cardin McKinney, a professional musician who moved to Nashville to try and push her career to the next level.

After a long day, the two women are equally emotionally drained. The good news goes to Joanne, who I must say is one of my other early favorites. I just love the plus-size model story. Plus, she has an incredible voice.

So, before we go — cue Ferras‘ Hollywood’s Not America — there are several more scenes of rejection from the final cuts before the live shows begin. It looks like the rumored Top 24 that leaked last month was filled with truth.

As we move forward, who are your favorites?

American Idol

It’s finally Hollywood Week, which has me more anxious for this season than ever before. American Idol’s best 164 contestants of Season 7 are coming together to try and make the final cut. This is where it all begins. So, let’s get to it.

7:02 p.m.

This time around, nobody is getting cut in the first two days. But by the end of Hollywood Week, it will be down to the Top 24. First up is Brooke White, who got her golden ticket in Philadelphia. She’s playing her song on the piano, the first sign this season will be much more interesting — and musical.

Brooke’s version of Beautiful is the kind of thing that makes the judges proud. She gets an automatic pass to the Hollywood Week finals, meaning she’s a step ahead of the competition. And deservedly so.

Leo Marlowe faired well during his Omaha audition, but his first time on stage during Hollywood Week was, well, weak.

Leo Marlowe, among others, doesn’t have as much luck. Their first-day auditions don’t go as well. But they’ll be back for a second chance before Simon, Paula and Randy give them the complete thumbs down. This really should ensure we’ll be seeing the best of the best when the live shows roll around.

7:14 p.m.

This year’s addition of instruments seems to be hurting many of the contestants. Eventually, though, I think the idea of being able to play an instrument will separate the true musicians from the rest of the pack.

David Hernandez at his San Diego audition.

David Hernandez decided to leave the instruments behind him. Just taking the microphone, this San Diego finalist steps out and impresses the judges. His smooth sound is refreshing and, even though it’s the first time we’re finally seeing him, it’s rumored to not be the last.

7:23 p.m.

Amanda Overmyer was in a car accident just a week before her trip to Hollywood Week. A nurse and would-be resident rocker chick of Season 7 made it to Hollywood to sing The Doors. Amanda certainly is an interesting contestant, and her voice definitely sets her apart. I think she could be the contestant of the season that really splits fans’ opinions. Some will love her. Others will want her gone right away. Thoughts?

As with seasons past, Hollywood Week is filled with contestants who can’t remember the lyrics no matter what. I’m not sure how you get to this point and don’t burn the lyrics into your brain. Sure, the contestants are nervous. But this is the chance of a lifetime. And not remembering the lyrics? It’s almost as annoying to me as it is to Simon. But not quite.

It’s not just forgetting lyrics, though. Ghaleb Emachah just doesn’t have it. I’m not really sure how he made it through this far, and I don’t think he has a chance of saving himself during his second-chance audition.

7:36 p.m.

Josiah Leming made it to Hollywood — fake British accent and all — with one of the best stories of the season. The teenager has been living in his car, and behind a keyboard, he says he feels most comfortable. There’s something about him that’s interesting, and even Simon agrees. “I think out of all of the auditions, this is the one I’m going to remember,” he said.

Ramiele Malubay found early success during Hollywood Week.

Danny Noriega, Ramiele Malubay and Carly Smithson are a few other early favorites to impress the judges during their first-day Hollywood auditions. But will relaxing for a couple of days in the hotel lead to some L.A. shenanigans that have caused problems like those faced by finalists during previous seasons? There are plenty of distractions that seem to get in the way for these singers, many experiencing their first trip to the land of celebrities.

7:45 p.m.

During the second day of the big week, contestants have plenty of reasons to be nervous. It’s make or break time. David Cook, a rocker who decides to take his guitar on stage, presents a memorable performance of Everything I Do by Bryan Adams. In another season certainly to be dominated by females, David could be a strong contender on the male side.

Simon doesn’t give him a “yes,” but Paula and Randy give him the thumbs up.

Robbie Carrico, Jessica Brown, Syesha Mercado and Colton Berry, among several other contestants, chose to sing Bryan Adams for their big auditions. It worked for some, not for others. All of the Bryan Adams leads me to wonder why so many contestants go for the same song. Where’s the originality? I think it has to be tough to sing the same songs as many others, because the judges are bound to bring comparisons into their decisions.

7:57 p.m.

After 164 people sang, 48 singers were given automatic passes to Thursday of Hollywood Week. The rest were forced for the second-chance auditions. In groups of 10, they only will have a few seconds to impress the judges. No instruments. No background music.

Suzanne Toon and Perrie Cataldo are among the singers in the first group of 10. Only two singers make it to through, and it’s not Suzanne or Perrie. I have to admit Suzanne may have been overlooked. Her audition certainly seemed to be better than many we’ve seen at this point in past seasons.

The innocent dance captain known for teaching abstinence, Amy Flynn, brought a voice coach to Hollywood. That voice coach was a Season 4 competitor. It seems like a big investment for Amy (or her parents), and it didn’t work out. I have to say I agree with the judges on this one.

After four groups take their turns at the microphone, the second-chance auditions only benefit four contestants. It seems this season of Idol really could be bringing only the best to the Top 24. I, for one, am hopeful we’ll all be having a hard time choosing an obvious two or three standouts once the live shows begin. That will make the season much more interesting — and popular.

8:09 p.m.

Entire groups are getting cut at this point in the competition. Tears are being shed. Hearts are being broken. So, would Kristy Lee Cook be able to remind judges just how well she could sing? A repeat of her original audition song, Amazing Grace, was what she put on the line.

Another one of my early favorites, Jeffrey Lampkin, also is on the chopping block. He certainly has one of the biggest personalities thus far in Season 7. His song, however, is not as strong.

Then there’s Angela Martin, who lost her father between getting the golden ticket and making the trip to Hollywood. The tragedy almost kept her from making the trip. So, will any of these standouts make it through?

For Kristy and Jeffrey, it’s “yes.” For Angela, the road ends. “I’m not going to stop, and I’m going to keep trying,” she said, keeping her spirits as high as possible.

“I got to Hollywood. Now I have to move on to something else,” Angela continued. “… I’m a strong person. And I just thank God for that.”

8:21 p.m.

It’s Thursday in Hollywood Week. And the several dozen survivors are hoping to make the final cut. Making the Top 24 is their hope, but they all still have to perform one more time — with background singers — to impress Randy, Paula and Simon.

David Archuleta, 16, is another early favorite. Simon already has called him “incredible.” But will choosing a Bryan Adams song be the way to keep the judges giving him a thumbs up? Opposed to some of the other Bryan Adams songs, David’s rendition of Heaven is further proof he’s bound to be a favorite this season. This kid has some great talent. (I must say, if nothing else, he’s going to be seen on Broadway in a few years … at the very least.)

“That was the bomb,” Randy proclaimed. “That was the best I’ve heard since we’ve been here, for days.”

Kyle Ensley finally impressed the judges. But Jeffrey Lampkin’s time back on stage, singing A Whole New World, didn’t do so well. I have to say, personally, the song choice couldn’t have been worse. It’s too bad, too, because his personality certainly could have brought a lot of fun to the competition.

A few singers are battling with voice issues, including Syesha Mercado. One of the best singers in the competition — definitely one of my favorites — she overcame much of her sickness to push out a great rendition of Chain of Fools. I can’t wait to see more of her this season …

Michael Johns

Michael Johns, another finalist from the San Diego auditions, is up next. The Australia native chose to sing Bohemian Rhapsody for his Thursday audition. It would seem to be a terrible choice of song, but Michael really showcased his skills with the song. One of the older contestants this season, the 29-year-old has the voice of an experienced artist. He’s not necessarily the one with the biggest range, but he certainly will garner his fair share of fans thanks to his time on Idol.

8:37 p.m.

We’re back, and Carly Smithson is, too. First a golden ticket winner in Season 5, she returned in Season 7 after not having legal paperwork to compete that season. It’s obvious she’s a favorite of producers and judges alike this season — there’s no single contestant who has been given as much airtime. (Plus, she’s already been a somewhat established recording artist, but more on that later …)

Obviously, Carly’s performance of Alone gets positive feedback from the judges. Personally, it’s not nearly as strong as the memorable Carrie Underwood performance during Season 4. And, just so you know, it’s not that I don’t like Carly — I just hate that she seems to be getting some type of sympathy coverage and is being a little overexposed.

Asia’h Epperson is another story. She is one of my very favorites (OK, so I have a lot of those) this season, and she deserves to keep going far in this competition.

Brooke Helvie’s fate was in Paula’s hands. She had Simon’s support. And Randy said “no.” For the first time in quite a while, Paula delivered the disappointing news — it was the end of the road for Brooke.

This year’s resident homeless contestant, Josiah Leming, was cracking under the pressure. He practiced very little after choosing a song, but he let the backing band leave for his rendition of Stand By Me. With his British accent and a sound similar to Daniel Bedingfield — or at least an attempted sound — it just didn’t work. Still, the judges put a lot into his previous auditions and keep him around for a chance at the Top 24.

8:54 p.m.

There are just a few moments left in the first Hollywood Week episode of the season. Most of the 164 golden ticket winners have been sent packing, and Ferras‘ Hollywood’s Not America plays in the background as big moments of the week are relived.

There are 50 contestants left standing. From that batch, Randy, Paula and Simon must narrow the field down to the Top 24 — 12 guys and 12 girls. It seems there’s plenty of arguing before tomorrow night — that ride in the elevator and walk across the room to see if they’ve made the cut.

I’ll admit I’d be a lot more excited about it all, if I didn’t know about the leaked list I’ve mentioned so many times before. It certainly appears to be on track with what has happened this far. I’m just looking forward to narrowing down my favorites of the season and seeing what these contestants really can bring once the show gets going with live episodes.

But what about you? Do you have an early favorite? Who is going to inspire you to pick up the phone and vote?

American Idol, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Hollywood Week, Ryan Seacrest

Hollywood week finally is upon us (applause, applause, applause), and I cannot stop focusing on the alleged top 24 contestants — at least from the rumored list that was leaked last month. If you’re like me and you already have forgotten some of the most memorable auditions of the season, let me remind you.

These are audition videos from the alleged top 24, or at least those that could be found on YouTube. Oddly enough, half of the suspected male finalists are not to be found on video: Colton Berry, David Hernandez, Garrett Haley, Jason Castro, Jason Yeager and Luke Menard.

Now, on to the videos:
Chikezie Eze

Danny Noriega (a short home video of Chain of Fools)

David Archuleta

David Cook

Michael Lee Johns

Robbie Carrico

THE GIRLS
Asiah Epperson

Alaina Whitaker

Alexandrea Lushington

Amanda Overmyer

Amy Davis

Brooke White

Carly Hennessy Smithson

Joanne Borgella

Kady Malloy

Kristy Lee Cook

Ramiele Malubay

Syesha Mercado

American Idol

Ferras’ Hollywood’s Not America will be the “goodbye” song for contestants next week on American Idol.

Last season’s contestants took their final bow on the American Idol stage as Chris Daughtry’s Home played in the background. The year before it was Daniel Powter’s Bad Day. This year, at least for the Feb. 12 and 13 episodes, singers will be leaving the stage to up-and-coming Ferras and his song Hollywood’s Not America.

The song is from Ferras’ upcoming CD, Aliens and Rainbows, scheduled for release April 1 — digital release of the album is scheduled for March 11. Already, Hollywood’s Not America is available for download as a single on iTunes.

“Because this was my first record, I decided to draw on the artists who’ve inspired me — Elton John, Bowie, Queen, the Beatles — because of the huge impact they’ve had on my own music,” Ferras says on his MySpace page. “But I also wanted to make a record that’s personal and tells a story, and every song is either something I’ve experienced, something I hope to experience or something I can really connect with. These aren’t just random pop songs — they come from a real place; they explore feelings.”

After you check out Hollywood’s Not America, make sure to listen to the live recording of Take My Lips. Ferras certainly has an interesting sound, and he certainly is an artist to watch.

American Idol, Ferras, Chris Daughtry

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest wears a big yellow hat during the Atlanta auditions.

We’ve seen auditions in seven cities. American Idol Season 7 is off to a strong start, but what happens to all those Hollywood Week contestants that don’t get TV time during the auditions weeks? Well, tonight we get to see a few more of the bright spots.

Because I’m completely over the terrible singers, I’m continuing to focus on only the best auditions. Sorry for those of you hoping to read some nasty things about the best of the worst. I just can’t do it right now …

Amy Davis sang a version of Blue Bayou. Her audition wasn’t a knockout, but the judges think she has enough potential to maybe be molded into the next big thing. Personally, I think if you don’t have it at the start, you shouldn’t be given that chance. There certainly are plenty of already-good-enough singers in the competition. But maybe Amy will prove me wrong.

Cardin Lee McKinney has a strong voice, but she pushes it a little too hard. Her performance of One Night Only from Dreamgirls is good enough for the judges — at least Paula and Randy. I think she has potential, but I’m not sure she could make it too far. This is another example of a contestant who just isn’t strong enough from the start to really deserve that second chance. (I know, I know. It’s time to get a little more critical, though.)

JoAnne Borgella is a plus-size model. She’s performed the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden. Her Idol audition certainly is one of the best of the season. In fact, she’s an incredible contestant — and I think she has a voice that could stand out in the competition. Simon, however, does not. Fortunately, Paula and Randy are carrying her through to Hollywood. And remember those rumors I’ve referred to several times?

Chikezie Eze auditioned last year, and he’s back again for Season 7. I’m not sure how Randy passed on this guy last year, but I’m glad he didn’t let him go this season. Chikezie has an interesting name, to say the least, and he certainly has potential to prove Randy wrong. If nothing else, his name will set him apart.

Danny Noriega quite possibly is the smallest contestant in the competition. And his voice is one of the biggest. “You’ve got a very good voice,” Simon told him. Even with a little too much confidence, Danny is on his way to Hollywood. Could he be this year’s Sanjaya? I’m not sure, but I do think he could bring something interesting to the show.

So, who’s it going to be? Hollywood Week is just around the corner, and a season of excitement — and still more disappointments, I’m sure — is about to really get rolling. Keep it here for the latest from the stars of tomorrow and the stars from seasons past.

American Idol, Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul

The end is nearing. It’s almost time for the good part of American Idol to begin. But first, another stop on the audition trail — this time in Miami.

7 p.m.
There are more than 10,000 hopefuls lined up waiting to get their shot in front of the judges. It’s possible the Season 7 winner could be waiting in the sea of people. Will it be Shannon McGough? Her parents own a meat market, and she’s won several regional Idol competitions.

In front of the judges, she sings a Janis Joplin number. And by sing, I mean scream. And whine. And make really bizarre sounds. How in the world did she ever win anything other than maybe a meat-cutting competition? We’re off to a terrible start.

Robbie Carrico

Robbie Carrico is a former boy bander. Of course, he looks more Nickelback than N’Sync these days. His voice? It’s pretty good, actually. It looks like there could be another resident rocker — maybe this season’s Bo Bice.

With the support of Randy, Paula and Simon, it’s off to Hollywood for Robbie. And, if you want a spoiler, check this out.

7:13 p.m.
As far as the guys are concerned, after Robbie, it’s a string of nothing but “no, no, no.”

Will Ghaleb Emachah turn things around? I don’t think this Venezuelan has what it takes to be the American Idol. In fact, I don’t think he could even be positively entertaining if I were drunk — the state of mind Simon said it would take to enjoy Ghaleb.

Somehow, though, Randy is giving him a “yes.” It’s “no” from Simon … and Paula … of course she sends him through to Hollywood. It’s just the accent that’s holding him back, they say. Um, I guess I’ll have to agree to disagree.

Corliss Smith

Next up is the boy-crazy duo of Corliss Smith and Brittany Wescott.

Corliss chooses a jazz number, which she sings to Randy. It’s really entertaining, actually. She’s got a big, strong voice. She has something a little different to offer than the pop or country standards we’ve been hearing

Brittany has a decent voice, too. She sings to Simon, but I don’t think it’s as good as what Corliss brings to the table. Still, these two have some charm and talent that’s above what many other contestants bring into the room.

Simon gives them both a thumbs up. It’s two “yes” votes from Paula, and an additional pair of “yes” votes from Randy. So, you’ll be seeing these ladies in Hollywood.

7:26 p.m.
Suzanne Toon, a 21-year-old single mother, hopes to bring singing back into her life. After a three-year break, she stands in front of Randy, Paula and Simon putting her heart into what she hopes will turn things around for her daughter. She certainly has a strong voice, but I don’t think she stands out enough in this crowd.

Ramiele Malubay

Ramiele Malubay, on the other hand, does have what it takes. Her rendition of Natural Woman is not only one-of-a-kind, but it is shocking that such a big voice is coming from a small girl. Simon says, “no,” but Randy and Paula send her through. I hate to say it (OK, not really), but I think Simon may be wrong.

Syesha Mercado

7:37 p.m.
It’s day 2 in Miami, and there are plenty of people ready to get things going. First up is Syesha Mercado. Her father struggled with drug abuse, a story not so unfamiliar to many other contestants from this show.

Her song choice is another Aretha Franklin tune. And much like Ramiele, Syesha has a set of pipes that are worth hearing. In fact, she’s a bit more promising.

“I think she’s one of the best we’ve seen in Florida,” Randy said. And I agree. Fortunately, so did Simon and Paula … so … we’ll be seeing her again.

Natashia Blach also will be getting more TV time. It’s on to Hollywood for Natashia, too. And deservedly so.

Ilsy Lorena Pinot

Ilsy Lorena Pinot gets similar treatment after singing a Rhianna hit. It was an interesting song choice, which was probably what helped her out. It looks like this year, once again, will feature a great batch of female singers. As far as the males, Omaha produced the best thus far — at least from what we’ve seen up to this point.

7:45 p.m.
Follow up all those phenomenal female singers with several male singers who would get kicked out of a drunken night of open-mic karaoke. It’s not good. At all. Seriously, dawg.

“I’m tempted to say come back in a dress,” Simon said to one contestant. (I guess you can forget about what I was saying earlier today.)

After all that, top 20 finalist from American Juniors Julie Dubela enters the room hoping for another chance on reality TV with Ryan Seacrest. Her version of Me and Bobby McGee just doesn’t cut it. It’s a little too cheesy and over the top. And her outfit? Do I really need to start talking about clothes, already?

It’s “no” to Julie. But Simon does suggest she has a possible chance for a strong acting career. And the flashback footage to American Juniors actually is quite good. What happened to her 12-year-old voice? She certainly has, er, had vocal talent at some point.

7:56 p.m.
With only one contestant left, it’s clearly obvious Miami will end on a low note. Comedian Brandon Black hoped his singing would impress the judges more than his jokes. Of course, his singing was a complete joke, too. His white suit and the entire gig is just ridiculous. But he got some TV time, which clearly was what he wanted. So, good for you, Brandon. Mission accomplished. I guess.

Even though Brandon didn’t make it, there were 17 golden tickets to Hollywood handed out at the Florida auditions.

BEST OF THE NIGHT: There were several good contestants tonight, especially considering the string of female powerhouses — Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado and Ilsy Lorena Pinot — and judging by speculation of the Top 24, we’ll be seeing at least a couple of these ladies through several more weeks. And that’s a good thing. So, who’s my favorite from tonight? That has to be Syesha, a Nadia Turner (and I’m not just talking the hair) type contestant. She certainly should do well.

American Idol, Syesha Mercado, Ramiele Malubay, Ilsy Lorena Pinot, Robbie Carrico, Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell

Season 2 finalist Clay Aiken, seen here in a photo from his role in Broadway’s Spamalot, has been the center of sexuality conversations for years. Just this week, ABC News reported a story that suggests Aiken may be asexual.

There has been much speculation about the sexuality of a handful of male contestants in previous seasons of American Idol. But nobody has been allowed (or so some now out contestants say) to compete as openly gay — until now, perhaps.

Last night, Iowa native Leo Marlowe made it through to Hollywood after saying, “My mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen, too bad it wasn’t one of her daughters.” Simon praised him, even for being open about who he was without being obnoxious.

Cowell has been criticized in past seasons for his comments against more feminine male contestants. In Season 5, he suggested contestant Charles Berry shave his beard and wear a dress, “Because he would make a great female impersonator.” Not exactly a glowing review.

So, in a season where producers are promising to focus more on the contestant’s background, could Idol be bracing itself for the possibility of a gay winner?

It would make sense, especially considering the history of the show. The original Pop Idol winner, Will Young, is openly gay. He was the first reality Idol of any kind in the world, and he has found fair success in the industry. Young currently is working on his fourth album.

Then there’s the big gay history of American Idol. Season 1 featured Jim Verarros, an openly gay singer-turned-actor, who said in many interviews he was not allowed to discuss his sexuality during the show. But he also said he doesn’t think the show is anti-gay.

“I really don’t think that they’re trying to single out gay and transgendered people,” he told gay Web site AfterElton.com in 2006.

In October 2006, Season 1 finalist RJ Helton made headlines by publicly coming out on a SIRIUS Satellite Radio talk show. There had been speculation about Helton’s sexuality, but he also was known for his religion. Helton previously had released an inspirational CD, Real Life, in 2004.

“I can have a faith but can’t be who I want to be. So a lot of it was just personal things I needed to overcome and just be proud of who I was,” Helton said on the radio show. “… Just because I am gay does not mean I can’t love God.”

Anwar Robinson, a Season 4 finalist, was outed — sort of — when bloggers found a “man seeking man” posting on BlackPlanet.com in March 2005. Again, many people say Robinson never was closeted. His sexuality didn’t come up when I talked to him last year.

Then, the most famous of all speculation cases is Clay Aiken. The Season 2 runner-up’s sexuality is a favorite discuss for fans of the show. Just this week, ABC News released a story suggesting Aiken may be asexual. In a world where there are much larger issues to focus on than sexuality, it seems odd ABC — a network most would say is a reputable news source — would spend time talking to experts about his sexuality. Then, again, we’re also living in a world where Britney Spears making making daily headlines for going to Starbucks is the norm.

So, will Leo Marlowe or any other contestant this season be allowed to stand on the Idol stage, say, “I’m gay,” and still get America’s support? Will they be able to recognize their same-sex significant other in the audience? I’m just not sure. I guess we’ll have to wait for the possibility of an openly gay singer to break through the Top 24.

American Idol, Clay Aiken, Jim Verarros, Anwar Robinson, RJ Helton, Leo Marlowe

This Welcome to Omaha message was carved in five acres of corn field by Swanson Russell Associates.

If you saw tonight’s episode of American Idol, you no doubt noticed the show was welcomed to Omaha with a special message — “Welcome to Omaha” carved into a five-acre corn field.

The crop circle, which also features the American Idol logo, was the brainchild of Swanson Russell Associates, a marketing firm with offices in Omaha and Lincoln. And, even though it only appeared for a handful of seconds a few times throughout the episode and previews, the work that went into the project was much more intense.

“It says a lot about who we are and the clients we serve,” the firm said in a release. Swanson Russell serves as the marketing firm for many agricultural clients, including Claas Lexion combines.

The initial idea was to get photos of Idol host Ryan Seacrest on a Claas Lexion combine, and that idea sparked another. Thus, the American Idol crop circle was born.

Many employees of the firm were left out of the circle, so to speak, while a few key members worked secretly to try and pull off the surprise. They wanted to keep things a secret, so they quietly went to work, and they only had a couple of weeks to get everything together. But they worked hard with the “We can make it happen” mantra always in mind.

The crop circle was created by the Utah-based The MAiZE company, which claims to be the world’s largest maze company. It was designed first on a computer, and coordinates were mapped out through GPS. When they arrived at the field, they used spray paint to mark coordinates, and then used a bobcat to carve out the logo portion of the design. “Welcome to Omaha,” which curved around the top of the logo, was cut out by hand with a machete.

Soon after the five-acre project was created and filmed for the show, it was destroyed. Because it was in a flight pattern, and many neighbors already were suspicious of what was happening in the nearby field, the surprise was at risk of being uncovered before it was to be revealed a couple of weeks ago during early show previews.

And, now, you can see how it all unfolded in a special video from Swanson Russell Associates:

To see more photos and videos from the crop circle project, visit the special American Idol page of the Swanson Russell Web site.

American Idol, Ryan Seacrest

Corn. Cows. And a few good singers? We can hope.

Tonight Ryan Seacrest and his buddies hit the heartland in search of a Nebraskan or two to make American Idol Season 7 worth watching.

7 p.m.
There are 10,000 hopefuls waiting in line, and the corn-fed Nebraska jokes are certain to be a big part of tonight’s episode. Paula Abdul, however, seems to be missing. Her delayed flight means Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson will have to run the show without her … at least for now.

Chris Bernheisel was promised a chance to report live for the Omaha Fox affiliate. But that was a promise made by Simon, so will it really happen? I hope not.

Chris Bernheisel has waited a lifetime for a moment like this. Oh, and he should have waited a few more lifetimes. The first singer in the audition room is a big fan of Kelly Clarkson — he even brought a photo album of pictures with the original American Idol winner. The Fremont, Neb., native has a personality, so they say, but the voice. Please. Make. It. Stop.

7:12 p.m.
Paula still hasn’t arrived, but some other freaks are waiting their turn. And then there’s Jason Rich, a 21-year-old from tiny Stout, Iowa.

His version of Keith Whitley’s biggest hit would be phenomenal — but he can’t remember the lyrics. Nerves are getting the best of this guy, who certainly seems like he would be the ideal candidate for the show. Still, he can’t get past a couple of lines of the song. And I think we all know what that means — hitting the door without the golden ticket. Or not.

Somehow Simon and Randy were willing to give him another show. According to reports earlier this week, he won’t make it farther.

Jason Rich

Finally, Paula has arrived.

7:18 p.m.

Rachael Wicker

Rachael Wicker is a six-time arm-wrestling champion. For her Idol audition, it’s another country song. We are in Omaha, after all. Let’s bring on the stereotypes, why don’t we? Even without Simon’s vote, Rachael makes it to Hollywood Week.

First, though, she arm wrestles Paula. And Paula comments on her soft skin. This is such a bizarre show at times.

7:25 p.m.
From an arm wrestler to a former professional wrestler. OK, the bizarre antics continue. Sarah Whitaker of Council Bluffs, Iowa, may have been a professional wrestler. But a professional singer she never will be. Maybe this is the reason Idol never has been in Omaha before.

After Ryan and Paula trade places — ugh, already — Samantha Sidley takes her turn. She sings Norah Jones’ Don’t Know Why. And, even though she’s a little shy, it’s a pretty good rendition. Of course, the judges and Ryan continue on with their antics while Samantha is left waiting.

But the wait was worth it. Because Samantha is going to Hollywood.

Three more singers walked into the door, and three more people were sent through to Hollywood — Elizabeth Erkert, Denise Jackson and Michael Sanfilippo. Of course, as Elizabeth walks away, she tells the cameras she can’t wait to prove to Simon she can be America’s Next Top Model. Reality TV clearly has taken over the minds of America — even in the cornfields of Nebraska.

Angelica Puente

7:36 p.m.
Angelica Puente moved in with her grandma in Wisconsin after disagreements with her father. The 17-year-old wants to reconnect with her father, who supported her trip to the auditions financially, even though they aren’t talking. Her rendition of Celine Dion’s Power of Love was enough to win over the judges.

After the audition, Ryan calls Angelica’s dad to let him know … She’s going to Hollywood! It’s a sweet story, but Angelica isn’t good enough to top the list of females in the competition. Her nerves never would allow it. Plus, she’s trying way too hard to be Celine Dion.

David Cook

7:46 p.m.
David Cook, a 24-year-old from Tulsa, Okla., was inspired by Chris Daughtry. He feels his voice is strong enough to carry him into the next round. Could he be this year’s resident rocker? Again, I reference a report from earlier this week that suggests maybe David will be gracing out TV screens for a few more months … sorry if I ruined a potential surprise. (Who knew there were spoilers in reality TV?)

7:54 p.m.
Until now, we haven’t seen too many terrible auditions. I guess tonight they decided to pack them into the end of the episode. And, for a second, I thought we maybe would escape the worst Omaha had to offer. But I was wrong.

Leo Marlowe

The final singer of the Omaha auditions was Leo Marlowe from small town Charlotte, Iowa. The openly gay (we can only assume) contestant said, “My mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen, too bad it wasn’t one of her daughters.”

Leo sang A Song for You to earn his golden ticket to Hollywood. Could it be the time for Idol to finally embrace an openly gay contestant? Previous contestants have come out after their time on the show — R.J. Helton and Jim Verarros, just to name two — and suggest Idol producers would not let them focus on their sexuality.

“You’re very open, you’re not defensive,” Simon told Leo after his audition.

In all, 19 Omaha contestants were given the chance to hop on a plane to California for Hollywood Week. Tomorrow night, the auditions hit Miami to search for even more Idol hopefuls.

TONIGHT’S ONE TO