American Idol is certainly responsible for many firsts in television. This show ranks in the top five of the most watched show each week, most times appearing in the #1 slot. It is popular with the young and old, with men and women, and most of all, has produced some of the biggest stars in the music business today.
Last night, in an unprecedented move, American Idol revealed seven out of the 24 contestants moving on to the all-important part of the show, to the show where the viewers get to vote for their favorite.
Rumors swirled on the internet as to why the latest switch in programming. Some said it was because American Idol lost some of its regular viewers to the Olympics. Others said it was because ABC moved LOST to Tuesday nights at 9.
One rumor making the rounds concerning the change in the way American Idol reveals its contestants, stated that one of the contestants whom we saw go through to the top 24, Michael Lynche, may be disqualified because his family allegedly leaked that he did make it through, before the official announcement last night.
This would be tough for American Idol to explain if that is the case because he was the first one put through last night. However, American Idol has always had its share of controversy, according to the show's diehard fans. This is the first year I remember American Idol not giving the audience enough of a chance to see the contestants actually perform. The first hour of the show last night included watching the contestants sitting in three rooms, wondering if they were the group that would be going home. They mixed this in with a few seconds of performances, with no reactions from judges. The judges left the contestants to their own thoughts as to how well they did.
By the time they got to actually choosing the first seven out of 24, Michael Lynche was the first to go through. Michael hails from Astoria, NY. He is 26 years old and started singing as a back-up singer for his older brother. He is also a dad as his wife gave birth moments before his audition in the group-round of Hollywood week.
Michael reminds me of Ruben Studdard, the winner of American Idol in the second season. If he wins the title this year, I hope he fares better in the music world than Ruben did. Sometimes I think Ruben would have had more success if he won in one of the later seasons of American Idol, because there is a broader range of music that is popular now than when Ruben became America's favorite singer.
The AI judges also selected Katelyn Epperly, 19 years old, from West Des Moines, IA, as one of the 24 contestants to make it through. She began singing when she was 2 years old. In her original audition, not all of the judges agreed that she should go through to Hollywood. I am not sure she should be one of the top 24. For me, she did something funny with her voice that sounded almost like yodeling. The girls I picked for my favorites this year were far better than Katelyn, in my opinion.
Another guy who made it through was Lee Dewyze. He is 23 years old, and comes from Mount Prospect, IL, was pleasantly surprised to make it to the top 24, and I am glad he did. He has a unique sound to his voice, a mix between rock and country.
Aaron Kelly, 16 years old, who had a troubling childhood, also made it through. He is from Sonestown, PA, and started singing at the age of nine. He appears quiet and shy but when he sings, you would never know it. He sounds mature for his age when he sings, and what I liked the most about him, was that he was polite and soft-spoken. I know they say it is supposed to be all about the singing, but even that has changed this season, evidently, according to some remarks from the judges.
Casey James, the 27 year old, who let his hair down and removed his shirt during his audition, is one of the 24 finalists as well. Kara accused Casey of having no personality at first. He reminds me of the rocker, Bo Bice, the contestant who came in second to Carrie Underwood in Season 4. He is from Fort Worth, TX, and sang before he could talk, he says.
Todrick Hall, the 24 year old from Arlington, TX, who started singing at the age of 11, began his professional singing career with a performance at Six Flags over Texas. The judges gave him the verdict almost immediately, unlike some of the others who had to wait a few minutes before the judges let them know their fate.
My favorite out of the 24 is Didi Benami. Did is 23 years old, comes from Hollywood, CA, and began singing when she was in 5th grade. During her audition, she said she was doing it as a tribute to her best friend, who passed away. She became emotional when the judges gave her a 'yes' to go on to the next round. Her voice was sweet and unique, as I believe Didi is herself.
On tonight's one-hour episode, American Idol reveals the remaining 17 contestants. My favorite part of the show will start next week, when the real competition between the contestants begins. There is a good mix of singers so far and it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming weeks.
Already stirring rumors and causing people to talk about the show, American Idol is on its way to another successful season. Who will make it through to the top 24? Who will go home, crushed by disappointment? We will have to wait and see.
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