Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Oh, the drama.

Oh, the suspense.

Two Idols go home this week.

But that might not be the biggest drama.

The biggest drama might be watching American Idol squeeze nine singers into an hour-and-a-half show.

Remember, Idol’s track record isn’t pretty.

It was last year’s round of eight show when Idol ran late and DVR viewers missed Adam Lambert’s brilliant rendition of Mad World.

Tuesday was supposed to be a round of eight episode.

Until the judges saved Michael Lynche, leaving the show with nine singers. And without a two-hour time slot to accommodate all those performances.

Could that mean shorter critiques this week?

We’ll keep our figures crossed. And, speaking of Adam, let’s hope he can shake some of these Idols out of whatever funk they’ve been in this year.

Over the weekend, I dared question whether Adam was a wise selection for an Idol mentor. Apparently, lots of Adam fans think he’s the perfect choice. You can read my blog and their comments here.

Now it’s time to get down this week’s Idol rankings. Last week’s ranking appears in parenthesis. And, remember, I’m ranking on talent, not where I think the Idols will finish.

1. Crystal Bowersox (1): A piano and high heels one week. A didgeridoo the next. Who said Crystal can’t change things up? If she has a problem in this competition, it will be that she started off on such a high level, she’ll never be able to show as much progress as some of the less polished contestants.

2. Casey James (3): Last week should have shown Casey he can ditch the smile, turn in a sincere performance and still get solid reviews from the judges. His version of “Jealous Guy” was one of the season’s top performances to date. Combine that with his effort two weeks ago, and he’s looking like a real Idol contender. His success is easier to swallow since Kara’s keeping her cougar comments in check.

3. Michael Lynche (2): OK, I’m pretty much over my dismay that the judges used their only save on Michael last week. Because, first off, he’s been the most consistent performer (except Crystal) since the live shows began. And because, with this bland cast, Idol needs his big personality. Rumor is that this will be Elvis Week on Idol. If so, I can wait to see Michael rip into a Presley tune with some R&B flavor.

4. Lee DeWyze (3): I’m glad to know having the bagpiper march on stage in the middle of last week’s performance was Lee’s idea. I mean, it was a bad idea, but at least it was his own. Suggestion for Lee: Keep Usher on speed dial. Whatever he told you worked two weeks ago. All your other performances in the finals have been just so-so. And bag the bagpipes.

5. Siobhan Magnus (5): Lots of people had lots to say about David Archuleta’s return to Idol last week. One of my favorite comments: “And David don’t need no stinkin’ screamin’, either!” Yep, take away Siobhan’s screams and — with a “House of the Rising Sun” exception — most of her performances have been mediocre.

6. Katie Stevens (7): The surprisingly poised teen from Pomperaugh High pulled out an old Idol classic (“Let It Be”) last week and turned in her best vocal since the live shows started. She’ll need to be every bit as good to get through this week’s double elimination because I somehow doubt that Big Michael Lynche is going to falter two straight weeks.

7. Aaron Kelly (6): If Tim Urban has really captured the cute-guy voting contingent, Aaron can only rely on his country twang and better shake his fondness for ballads, because they’ve ranged from bland to boring so far. He’s promised to spice things up this week. If the theme is Elvis, I’m hoping the teen from Stonestown doesn’t try to convince us he’s a hound dog.

8. Tim Urban (9): Told you it was only a matter of time until a week rolled around in which Tim didn’t stink up the Idol stage. Last week was it and, by the time the judges finished patting Mr. Second Chance on the back, he didn’t even land in the bottom three. I think we’re about to find out how far a cute smile and OK vocals can take someone on Idol. Top five, anyone?

9. Andrew Garcia (8): If there was any justice in the world of Idol, Andrew would have been the low vote-getter last week, the judges would still have their save and we’d be rid of Mr. Mediocrity. And to think, he was my top-ranked male entering the semifinals. A front-runner no more after landing in the bottom three for the first time.