Idol Chatter & Voice Views

So, has the idiot who decided to pit American Idol head to head with The Voice been fired yet?

I, mean, I don’t know about you, but I think the new Idol on ABC is off to a great start, introducing us to a wide range of talented singers, some of whom have fascinating backstories.

But Google the show’s name over the past week, and the result you’re most likely to come back with is the fact that The Voice beat American Idol in the ratings war last Monday night.

American Idol deserves better than that and was back at it Sunday night, delivering another night of standout performances.

The primary difference: The week one emphasis seemed to be on very young and talented singers. Sunday, many of those we met had much more experience.

Here’s a recap.

THE ORIGINALS

I love that American Idol is allowing singer-songwriters to showcase originals during the auditions; that used not to happen.

Sunday night, we got to hear two: the superb “L.A. is Lonely” from former The Voice contestants Ricky Manning and one that might be called “My Troubled Mind” from Effie Passero. Ricky delivered an emotional performance; Effie delivered one heck of a powerful vocal. Both sailed through to Hollywood.

It’s just a shame Ricky, 22, had to go on a rival show to perform his great single on national TV. But you know The Voice. They don’t do that (support past contestants). Unless it’s a show favorite. Or a past winner. But, hey, Katy Perry tweeted out Ricky’s original, calling it “beautiful.” That’s pretty special. Follow the links to learn more about Ricky and hear another great original from Effie, 26.

THE EXPERIENCED

Amelia Hammer Harris, 26, told the judges she’s been trying to make it on her own in L.A. for eight years. She’s the daughter of the late hit-writer Jack Hammer (“Great Balls of Fire”). Les Greene, 27, was identified as being from Baltimore, but it’s in Key West, Fla., that he’s performing now as lead singer of Patrick and the Swayzees.

Amelia performed the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” Les sang “A Change is Gonna Come.” Both are hoping their career trajectory changes thanks to the golden tickets to Hollywood they received after those performances.

THE EXCEPTION

In the intro, I mentioned more experienced contestants. Crystal Alicea would be the exception. Oh, she’s posted some covers to YouTube. But she only sings karaoke. And she estimates her largest crowd to date has been about 20 people.

But the lovely young lady from Winter Haven, Fla., resident cut loose with an impressive performance of “Lay Me Down” and had Katy Perry calling her “a little star” by the time she finished. I’m hoping we hear much more from Crystal.

GOTTA ROOT FOR HER

How can one not root for Maddie Zahn, 19, of Boise, Idaho? A medical condition that caused a big weight gain made her too self-conscious to sing in public. But she’s regained her confidence by teaching music to special education students, including her best friend Marcus, who accompanied her to her Idol audition.

Maddie showed off a impressive rang covering Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” and breezed on to the Hollywood round. Then she and Marcus performed Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” together in a touching show-closing segment.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

But my absolute favorite vocal of the night came from Caleb Lee Hutchinson, a guy who auditioned for Season 9 of The Voice at age 16 and failed to turn a chair in a televised performance.

He’s 18 now and delivered an absolutely wonderful cover of The Steel Drivers “If It Hadn’t Been for Love.” Katy complimented him on “a lovely voice.” Oh, and Caleb also delivered one of my favorite lines of the night. He doesn’t come from a musical family, he said, but he comes from a family “with a lot of great listeners of music.”

HOLLYWOOD BOUND

Also making the show Sunday: Jonny Brenns (who has already released music), Johnny White, Kristyn Harris, Shannon O’Hara and twins Julian and Milo Sposato.