American Idol 2009 - Top 36 Show #1

I'm back live blogging this stuff. If the first performer is any indication, this will be "interesting"

Jackie Tohn - Not a great performance. Katy Perry's top, M.I.A's shoes and pants. She's over the top. An "entertainer." I guess. Not good. She'd better start practicing for the wild-card show.

Ricky Braddy - That dude wasn't bad. Started out slow but really got going. I didn't know about the song choice at first, it's usually more safe to go with a fast song, especially early in the show. He sang the song quite well.

*Simon has already brought out the "star potential" bit. Why can't it just be about a singing competition. If they worried more about great singing and less about looking good, jumping around, I really think the show would be happier with the results. Last year's talent was sub-par at best. 100,000 audition, you'd think they should be able to find 36 that had some serious chops.

- This girl looks pretty pale. She looked fine in some of the pictures and videos but she looks weird here. Not top 3. Not much else to say. Well, the judges didn't agree with me. Simon LOVED her. Comparisons to Kelly Clarkson. I suppose that means she'll have to move on.

Brent Keith - some country. Haven't had a guy ride the country train all the way yet on AI. It might be time. But it won't be Brent. Seems like a decent guy. Fighting for third right now. Not a good sign. He'll have to rock the wild-card show.

*Simon digs on Bucky Covington. He's starting this season out rough. Kara is taking it easy tonight. I think by next week, the two of them will be at each other's throats.

Stievie Wright - I'm really crapping on people here, but I like her with her hair up in the front instead of flat. Sometimes she looks older than 17, so they put her in a shirt/skirt, skinny jeans and bedazzled shoes. Now she looks like she belongs on the disney channel. Really not good singing. Last place so far. Her parents are huuuuuuge.

Anoop Dogg - Said he was going to bring energy to the show every week. Then sings "Angel of Mine." That song doesn't even bring energy to a high school dance, let alone the biggest show on television. Disappointing. It looks like I'll have to pick a different favorite. Uh oh. He just said he picked a song because it meant something to him. Kiss of Death.

Casey Carlson - Her facial expressions are over the top. Vocals are weak at best. She should have done some easy country song and dressed the part. Would have made it on easily. Surprise, her mom is a fan.

*What's with the microphone? It looks like they borrowed it from Carrie Underwood.

Michael Sarver - Middle of the road, I guess. Not great, not as terrible as a couple of the others. Maybe third so far? Not worse than Carlson or Wright. Somewhere between 3 and 5. Up tempo song, that helps.

*Ted Danson in the house!

Anne Marie Bostovich - Big song. Wasn't terrible. That probably means it was pretty good. Unfortunately, Randy Jackson doesn't think anyone should sing this song. They should take it off the list, I guess. Along with Mariah and Whitney and the Police and ... Good looking, didn't suck. Close to the top three.

Stephen Fowler - Old school Michael Jackson. I really liked the song. Randy didn't like it. Simon didn't like it. Add Michael to the list of songs you can't sing. I bet Paula likes it. Ooh, she doesn't. I didn't think it was that bad. I would have said top half. But with the judges crapping on it, he won't move ahead with it.

Tatiana Del Toro - Before she sings: If she makes it, I might not watch the next show she's in. Possibly the most annoying person ever on this show. She's singing a Whitney song. Hopefully it is terrible. After the song: Well, it wasn't terrible. Unfortunately. Really weird faces at the end. Wouldn't be surprised if she goes on. Early favorite for votefortheworst.com. Simon lays it down! Excellent.

Danny Gokey - Top 3. He touched the untouchable Mariah. Started out rough but Kara LOVES it. Paula likes it. Randy likes it. Simon thought it was "good." He hit it on the head. End was great. Beginning was rough, but it was rough for everyone tonight. And usually is this early in the competition.

Top 3, consensus between me and mrroby: Danny, top guy. Anne Marie, top girl. Ricky Braddy, freebee. Others in running for the third spot: Pale Girl, Anoop Dogg, and unfortunately, Tatiana.

More next time...