American Idol

We’re down to the Top 20 — 10 guys and 10 girls — and American Idol is starting to get really interesting. Or, at the very least, entertaining. Tonight, it’s the Top 10 guys singing classics from the 1970s.

7:02 p.m.

Michael Johns performs during the first week of live competition.

Michael Johns is first to take the stage. His musical ammunition tonight is Go Your Own Way. The Aussie certainly maintains his professional approach. While I think he’s a good entertainer, it’s become clear to me Michael isn’t the best male singer in this competition — though I suspect he’s one of the three Simon Cowell says are quite talented this season.

“I was waiting for you to let go,” Randy Jackson said.

“Michael, it was OK,” Simon said. “It was, by far, your weakest performance so far … It was a very weak choice of song for you.”

7:10 p.m.

Jason Castro has stood out from the crowd thus far in the competition by playing his guitar. This week, though, it wasn’t as strong of a performance as what he brought to the table last week.

Jason Castro, after a stunning first week performance, is back on the stage. The performer says he has struggled with the interview portion of being an Idol contestant. But he’s back on stage with his guitar, which certainly could be a secret weapon this season. This week, he chose I Just Want to be Your Everything. Tonight’s showing is not nearly as good as last week, but Jason clearly is focused on showing he is a real musician. That’s what this show needs, though the guitar also may be the thing Jason is hiding behind. Eventually, it will be interesting to see if he can perform without the guitar?

“With the guitar, it’s all cool,” Randy said. “… The vocals weren’t that great.”

“I thought the song was horrible,” Simon said. “… It didn’t go together this week. … This week, it was all out of sorts.”

Luke Menard performs during the first week of live competition.

Luke Menard reveals he’s part of a touring a cappella group, which he credits to being a strong force in preparing him for the Idol stage. Tonight, he is backed with a band for his rendition of Killer Queen. It’s better than last week, but still Luke isn’t stepping up as much as he could … should he be able to stay in the competition.

“I think this was really a great week for you, Luke,” Paula said.

“I think it was a mistake,” Simon said. “You are always going to be judged with the original. … The singer of that song had originality and charisma. You didn’t.”

Ryan just referenced Luke as “Dawson’s Creek,” which is kind of funny. Truth be told, Luke does look like James Van Der Beek, the star of the WB hit series.

7:24 p.m.

Now it’s Robbie Carrico’s turn. It turns out this ex of Britney Spears likes drag racing. And tonight the guy who’s a little bit Bo Bice and a little bit Bucky Covington (picture it), he’s singing to prove he really is a serious rocker. Hot Blooded is the song he chooses to prove his point to Simon. I have to say, it didn’t do much for his case. Sorry, Robbie fans, I’m just not impressed.

“I thought you did a pretty good job with it,” Randy said. “I was just waiting to be wowed.”

“Robbie, I think it some ways you played it a little bit safe this week,” Paula said.

“You don’t have to get so defensive about it,” Simon said. “Actually, I thought the vocal was OK tonight.”

7:34 p.m.

Danny Noriega

He had a rough first week, but Danny Noriega is back with hopes to redeem himself. If truth be told, I hope he can redeem himself (even in that terrible 1970s sweater). The song choice this week, Superstar, certainly was a lot better than trying to recreate Elvis. I think it may be enough to put Danny back in the competition, though he’s coming from a really rough week. Still, I know Danny could do much better.

“Danny, you’ve got amazing vocal skill,” Paula said. “You really do. … Just perform. You’ve got the ability; you’ve got the talent.”

“It wasn’t a fantastic vocal,” Simon said. “… You were overconcentrating on it. … You look terrific on camera, by the way.”

7:43 p.m.

David Hernandez

David Hernandez is up. The former gymnast has turned his focus to singing. A surprising song choice, David chose Papa Was a Rolling Stone for 70s week. I’m not sure this is the kind of music that really can make him stand out, though he certainly has a strong voice. I think David is better suited performing more modern music — or even original things meant only for him. He certainly ended on a strong note, though.

“Now this is the David Hernandez that we fell in love with,” Randy said. “… That’s how to put it down.”

“Your voice is so pure, it pierces right through the heart,” Paula said. “… There were some notes there that were amazing.”

“This may surprise you, but, in my opinion, that was the best vocal of the night so far,” Simon said. “… I like the fact that when you are given some criticism … you treat it as a challenge.”

It’s clear we’re at that point in the season where commercials fill the space between the lack of enough content to fill a 90-minute episode. I guess I shouldn’t complain about commercials after each performance, based on the alternative — terrible group songs. (Have I mentioned this too much?)

7:53 p.m.

Jason Yeager

Jason Yeager is a self-taught instrumental musician. He taught himself a few instruments, though he hasn’t really showcased too much of that talent this far in the competition. “I really want to find a killer song that I will be able to play guitar on,” he says.

This week, Jason chose Long Train Runnin’. So far, he hasn’t really stood out in the crowd. Tonight is no exception, either. It seems a few seasons from now (should Idol continue …) Jason Yeager likely won’t be a name we all remember. The one thing that is certain, though, is Jason certainly is in danger of being sent home this Thursday. But maybe I’m wrong.

“It was a very pitchy and just kind of karaoke for me,” Randy said.

“I’m having a tough time figuring out how to … it’s a song that doesn’t have many notes in it to show your vocal range,” Paula said.

“It was like you were drunk at a party,” Simon said. “You’re just a quite good singer who can’t perform very well.”

8:04 p.m.

After wearing this tangerine-colored suit last week, Chikezie toned down his fashion for this week’s show.

Chikezie Eze should have been sent home last week, if you ask me. But he’s here for one more week, at least. So, let’s buckle up and make the most of it.

I Believe is the song Chikezie hopes will keep him singing this season, and he even added a little tough by throwing his own name into the lyrics. While the performance certainly was not as great as last week, I still can’t get past that. And I’m just not sure Chikezie is all that talented. Maybe I’m missing something.

“Chikezie is back,” Randy said. “… That was hot, baby.”

“Very clever to pick a song and a story and point to this one (Simon) and say, ‘You better remember my name,’” Paula said.

“You look better. You sounded better,” Simon said. “… It was a million times better than last week.”

David Cook

Now it’s David Cook’s turn, who’s apparently a “geek” for words. He does crossword puzzles and, tonight, he breaks out the guitar.

Playing the rock guy behind a guitar certainly is helpful to David’s success. All Right Now is a much better song choice for someone in this genre. I think David could really start picking up momentum as the Chris Daughtry of the season. For me, I’m starting to get what the fuss is all about with David.

“To me, you’re our real rocker from the boys this year,” Randy said. “… I really kind of believed you right there.”

“David, you are the real deal,” Paula said. “You got it. You got it, you got it.”

“It was solid,” Simon said. “… I don’t think that film helped you. It was boring, and that’s partly your problem. Because you don’t have a lot of charisma.”

8:20 p.m.

David Archuleta is, without question, the leader in this season’s competition. This kid can wail.

He arguably was the best performer last week — among all Top 24 contestants, even. So, can David Archuleta maintain his rumored lead in the competition? We’ll see. First, David mentions his chance encounter with the Season 1 contestants. See the video of David’s impromptu performance.

Tonight, David chose Imagine by John Lennon. Not only is it a popular song, but it’s one that’s tough to recreate. David, however, nailed it. This kid really has it going on.

“Dawg, that’s one of the best vocals I’ve ever heard on the show,” Randy said. “… That was brilliant.”

“David, you are ridiculous,” Paula said before making some crazy comments about wanting to “squeeze his head off” and “dangle it from her rearview mirror.” What? Oh, Paula.

“Very, very risky to do a John Lennon song … but it worked,” Simon said. “Right now, you’re the one to beat.”

WHO GETS MY VOTE: David Archuleta. And he should get your vote, too. This kid is one of the best singers ever to grace the Idol stage. As much as I think his entire “Oh, golly, gosh, gee” attitude is a big act, it doesn’t matter. The kid has a voice. And singing John Lennon? Incredible. I’m also going to toss a few votes to Danny Noriega, who showed the biggest improvement from last week.

WHO SHOULD GO HOME: There’s no doubt Jason Yeager is in trouble. He seems like a nice guy, but he’s so forgettable. Chikezie may have saved himself for another week, though I want to send him home based on last week’s effort.

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