American Idol: Say Hello to the Bad Guys

It's probably not a great sign that I eventually became so disinterested in the first semifinal performances of "American Idol" Season 7, that I started blogging while yet another skinny, mostly nondescript white dude wailed away on screen.

Ryan Seacrest started off the hour by reiterating this year's theme — this season's contestants are the most talented EVAH. I'd actually bought some of this hype and even proclaimed recently that the guys in the competition were definitely outperforming the ladies.

While that still isn't as disastrous a prediction as me saying the Giants wouldn't make the playoffs, it's not looking to good after the boys tackled songs from the 60's on Tuesday.

That was one of the problems right there. In past semifinal rounds, contestants were allowed to choose their own songs, and didn't have to deal with being hastily thrust out of their comfort zones until they hit the big stage for the top 12.

As a result, what we got were mostly tentative and middling performances from guys we don't know that well, and who mostly don't appear to know what their musical identity is.

If there's one positive that came from last night it was that I got to find out who the white dude with the dreadlocks was. His name is Jason Castro (pictured) and he, along with his guitar, probably delivered the most likeable performance of the night with "What a Day for a Daydream." I also find the fact that he seems like a complete stoner and was completely shocked and speechless at his positive reviews very endearing.

The other guy I was surprised to like a lot was Robbie Carrico. Sure, it's mildly irritating that Ryan Seacrest appears to have made it his personal mission to convince us Robbie is a rocker. And Robbie seems to be going along with it, insisting his voice isn't pop (being labeled pop is apparently akin to a death sentence in the music world.) But his performance of "One" was relaxed and different enough from the original to succeed.

I also would've like Michael Johns' rendition of "Light My Fire" better if I hadn't just seen it exactly a week ago during Hollywood Week. It's a credit as to how much the producers want this guy to stay in the competition that nobody brought it up.

There were a couple of performances where I differed wildly with the judges' opinions. I get that David Archuleta is an extremely likable guy (hell, I like the guy a lot), and he was completely at ease and in-tune during "Shop Around", but I just don't see why the judges are falling all over themselves to give him the crown already. To me, David stood out last night more because of the rampant mediocrity around him, instead of amazing talent.

Then there's the case of Chikizie Eze. Was his performance old-fashioned? Sure. Was his bright red suit slightly hideous? I'll give you that. Is it annoying to ask and answer your own questions? Yes! Anyway, I think the judges came down WAY too hard on him. His performance wasn't perfect, but it was smooth and assured and God forbid anyone try to stand out stylistically. I'm worried that his back-talking to Simon may turn viewers off on him.

Two previously popular Davids — Hernandez and Cook — struggled last night, but they should both be fine. Hernandez opened the show and was so nervous that most of the charm, charisma and confidence from Hollywood Week vanished. Cook, meanwhile, updated "Happy Together" well enough for most people to ignore he shouted most of the song.

So since everyone above is a safe bet to make it through to next week, which two dudes are going home?

Although Danny Noriega and Garrett Haley were spectacularly bad, I think they'll stay around because they were memorable. Noriega tried, and failed, to capture Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" but was mostly behind the music and, though he sounded ok, the performance was mostly a disaster. On the other hand, Haley (the self-proclaimed Leif Garrett lookalike) sounded overmatched and soft on "Breaking up is hard to do", but Simon may have inadvertently saved him from another week by claiming that the singer looked "haunted" and like he'd been locked away for a month.

That leaves three guys — Colton Berry, Jason Yeager and Luke Menard. I'm betting that Colton makes it, although his "Suspicious Minds" was hella weak. At least I remember what the dude looks like — Ellen DeGeneres.

So I suppose I'm predicting Jason Yeager — after a not-bad, but sleep-inducing "Moon River" — to go home because the only thing I remember about the guy is the streak of blonde in his spiked hair. As for Menard, I remember that he sang "Everybody's Talkin'" from "Midnight Cowboy", then I remember thinking about George singing that song on "Seinfeld" after he bough Jon Voight's car, then, once I woke up, I remember Simon calling him forgettable— which is something forgettable people do. I'd love to tell you how Luke responded, but I can't remember.

So what'd you think of this episode? Did you like that the guys had to suffer through a theme so early? Who were your favorite and least favorite? Were Simon and Paula fighting bitchier with each other than usual or was it just me? Finally, which two guys are going home?