Idol Thoughts: Before the First Elimination

• Feb 21, 2008 01:39 PM ET
• by Matt Roush

What a weird first week for American Idol, and what a disaster to pick a theme (songs of the 1960s) for the contestants' first nights in the spotlight. Why not let them stay in their individual comfort zones at least for the introductory week, the better for us to get to know them by letting them do their thing (whatever it may be) without a period straitjacket? Of course, the fact that more than a few were battling the flu didn't help matters. ( You can find Nina's complete Idol recap here.)

As with Tuesday's boys' night, Wednesday's inaugural ladies' night was a decidedly mixed bag, with too many personalities held in check by overcalculated (and often miscalculated) performances. It's not that these people - girls or guys - can't sing. It's just that in their first week out, they needed to prove they could bring down the house, not just make it through a song. Too few lived up to that challenge. Too few proved that they've "got it." If there's a trend so far, Randy Jackson spotted it in repeatedly praising the young-uns. Maybe they feel they have less to lose, but the kids are really bringing it. After the first few uninspired songs Wednesday night, it was a treat to see Alaina, on the eve of her 17th birthday, rip into her song.

But most of Wednesday's strongest and most memorable performances came in the second hour: Syesha's sizzling "Tobacco Road," Asia'h's spirited "Piece of My Heart," the gorgeous Ramiele's "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." Even with bronchitis, Carly is without doubt a ringer - her checkered past in the recording industry has already stirred fan debate - and while her sultry "Shadow of Your Smile" split the judges, she's clearly a keeper for the moment. (I thought the judges collectively were way too hard on Kady, who absolutely should have had more fun with her torpid arrangement of "Groovy Kind of Love," but she can definitely sing, and shouldn't be punished just because she didn't crack them up this time.) Anyway, I'm reasonably sure the final six singers, including Alexandrea (whose "Spinning Wheel" was surprisingly good fun), are safe.

So who should be out? Amy for sure, mangling "Where the Boys Are" almost as badly as Chikezie destroyed his song the night before. Kristy Lee's wooden "Rescue Me" earned an early exit. But Kady's pummeling by the judges could seal her fate as well.

Final note on the women: While I'm kind of digging rocker chick Amanda, someone please stop her if she ever attempts to scat again (it sounded like drunken mumbling at amateur mike night). And I'm not yet convinced she has much range beyond that strangled growl, entertaining though it currently is.

On to the men. Who should be cut? Where do we start? If we're judging on blandness, Luke and Jason Yeager are probably most in peril. If it's sheer first-night incompetence that sends them home, say goodbye to Chikezie and big-haired Garrett (who'll likely get early sympathy votes). If annoying attitude is the barometer: bye-bye, Danny Noriega.

Here's hoping for a more promising second round of singing next week, and no constricting theme. I trust my bleeding ears will have healed by then.

For the latest Idol -related news and interviews, check out TVGuide.com's Great American Idol blog.