Idol Chatter & Voice Views

A year ago, American Idol voters impressed me with their ability to sort out the deserving from the undeserving when it came time to select finalists.

For the most part, they did it again Thursday night.

In fact, the night’s biggest disappointment had nothing to do with voters.

It had to do with producers’ decision not to have wild card choices this year.

A silly, silly decision. Instead, we get some sort of sing-off next week for a spot on the summer tour. Oh, boy. Can’t wait.

Meanwhile, our male finalists include Lazaro Arbos, Curtis Finch, Devin Velez, Burnell Taylor and Paul Jolley.

The ladies who will be singing for our votes next week include Janelle Arthur, Candice Glover, Angela Miller, Kree Harrison and Amber Holcomb.

Thursday’s recap …

The voters: I have just one complaint with the picks: Janelle Arthur. Quite frankly, she did not live up to her billing in Vegas. Aubrey Cleland deserved her spot in the finals. Or maybe Breanna Steer. But I have a feeling all the airtime Janelle got early in the season helped. We barely saw Aubrey or Breanna until the show hit Vegas. Grade for voters: A–

Producers: So last year we had three wild cards. The year before, we had three. This year: Zero. Ridiculous. Especially since the talent is so uneven this year. Let’s put it this way, if Paul Jolley is finals worthy, there are at least three females heading home tonight who are every bit as finals worthy. Having wild cards would have been a way to recognize that fact. Grade: F

Early favorites: If I had to name a top four at this point, that group would include Candice Glover, Kree Harrison, Angela Miller and Lazaro Arbos. Candice turned in the best victory performance Thursday night. Kree was the best of anyone — male or female — in the first two Vegas rounds. Keep checking back. I’ll be ranking the Top 10 between now and Wednesday.

Thanks for saving him: I was really worried his tendency to sing classics recorded long before he was born might doom Devin Velez, especially since he didn’t get much screen time early in the season. But voters recognized his Vegas performances for what they were — among the best served up by the guys.

Thanks for saving her: Last year, Amber Holcomb made it all the way to Vegas and barely got any airtime. This time around, she’s finals bound. I haven’t been quite as thrilled with her performances as the judges. But I love her spirit and her attitude. Could she be Season 12’s Haley Reinhart? Time will tell.