Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Andrew Garcia dazzled us with an acoustic version of “Straight Up” during Hollywood Week, earning the reputation as a front-runner among this year’s male contestants.

Katie Stevens sang so well that week, Kara DioGuardi proclaimed that the teen from Pomperaug High School might be an eventual winner of American Idol in season nine.

Neither lived up to such high billing, and I think it became clear weeks ago that neither was a serious contender for the Idol crown.

So if they weren’t the perfect picks for Wednesday double elimination, their ouster hardly ranked as a shocker.

Here’s the results show recap.

Oh, and wasn’t it great to see Brooke White and Adam Lambert back on the Idol stage. Worlds apart in style, but two wonderful reminders of the type of talent Idol is capable of discovering.

Deserved his fate: After “Straight Up,” it was one mediocre performance after another for Andrew. The shocker is that he survived this long in the competition. His version of “Hound Dog” was easily Tuesday’s weakest performance.

Very, very lucky: Aaron Kelly, the teen from Sonestown, Pa. With Andrew gone, he takes over the banner of Mr. Mediocrity. His performances are never bad. But they’re seldom memorable either. Not sure where his support is coming from. Of course, the way results were doled out last night, he could have been in the bottom three, and viewers wouldn’t know it.

Stock rising: That would be Tim Urban. From zero to hero in two weeks is what Simon said. That about sums it up. His nicely understated performance of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” proved the guy has a decent voice to go along with that charming smile. He also might be the season nine contestant most likely to become a sensation among viewers at home. Now the question is less when he will be eliminated and more when he’ll be dropped as the poster boy for Vote for the Worst. He’s hardly sounded like the worst the last two weeks.

Stock sinking: That would be Siobhan Magnus, who reached for the stars and an Adam Lambert style performance this week, singing my favorite Elvis song, “Suspicious Minds.” The way she started the first verse, looking lovely and hitting every note, I was anticipating something special. Then the vocal histrionics and the afflicted facial expressions kicked in, followed by a over-the-top R&B vibe at the end. Simon called it erratic and hit the proverbial nail on the head. The last two weeks, the high praise the judges had for everything the Magnificent Screamer did has suddenly disappeared.

On the bubble: With Tim’s stock rising, I have to think Aaron Kelly would be next on the Idol chopping block. Plus, Tim’s been a Christian singer, so an inspirational song theme should be right in his wheelhouse. Given the speed with which females are leaving the competition, Siobhan could be on shaky ground too, if she turns in another shaky performance.

Check back tomorrow for a photo gallery from tonight’s show.

Check back tomorrow for exit interviews with Katie and Andrew.

And check back tomorrow for more details on next week’s Idol Gives Back special.