American Idol -- The Final 24

So last night was the big episode of Idol revealing who the top 24 finalists are who will be competing to make the final 12. Overall, it was a relatively interesting episode although it did seem to lack any real drama until the very end when it was down to the final 2 men and women. It seemed like if a contestant was getting a lot of build-up before walking into the room (and am I the only one who was reminded of Jennifer Beals's big final dance number from Flashdance?), he/she was probably going to get a "yes." I did get pretty tired of the "Sorry to tell you, you're going to be seeing a lot of us," schtick from the judges as well as Simon's "You are not . . . going home" bit. (I loved the look of confusion on a couple contestants' faces as they sorted through Simon's string of negatives to figure out the answer) Of the contestants cut, only Tami Gosnell's elimination was truly disappointing to me. I loved the idea of getting a little 60's-inspired rock in the performances, but alas . . . not meant to be. I also was rooting for Tommy to be the one left standing between him and Sundance. I was a Sundance fan after his initial audition, but I have definitely cooled on him after seeing bad performance after bad performance during Hollywood week. And I thought his, "You can be my bodyguard" comment to Tommy was just lame. He's lucky Tommy didn't slug him. So who are we left with? Let's look at them and see who stands the best chance of moving on to the "BIG SHOW" GIRLS: There are a bunch of virtually interchangable "pretty girls" here, and I can't imagine they all stand much of a chance. There are Alaina, Amy, Haley, Leslie, and Nicole (who looks a lot like Kristen Weig from SNL -- seriously! Go to americanidol.com and check out that picture and tell me YOU don't do a double take) Of those 5, Alaina and Haley probably stand the best chance. They look like they have the most personality. Leslie looks like she has crazy eyes. The other two -- meh. There are also the "soul divas" -- Sabrina, Stephanie, Melinda, Lakisha. My money is on Melinda and Lakisha since they seem to have gotten the most airtime so far (and we all know that's a huge factor as America votes -- how else do we explain Jim Verraros?). Plus, they have the chops and the talent to deliver big time during the final 12. Both have image problems (unconventional looks, single motherhood) but hopefully their talent will keep them around for a very long time. Then we have the teens -- Antonella and Jordin. Will Antonella suffer the backlash of being best friends with the bitchy Amanda who actually said "God rewards good people" after Baylie Brown (and her Jesus-fish ring) was eliminated? Who spent the night before the group performances flirting with the boys and then denying she had been flirting, was offended to have been accused? Who knows? Antonella seems talented, but I just can't help but think that a raging bitch lurks behind that smile and America won't dig that. As for Jordin, gosh, she's cute. Her talent seems tentative, though, and will America send their phones blazing for the daughter of a pro football player? Does Jordin NEED this? That leaves us with Gina Glocksen, this season's Ryan Starr. I like Gina's spunk. I am rooting for her to go really far if only because she doesn't fall into one of these above categories and just might show a little more originality than others. So my prediction for the final 6 girls: Gina, Lakisha, Melinda, Alaina, Haley, and Antonella. (Jordin is my "wild card" spoiler selection) Now . . . onto the GUYS First off, there are the boy band rejects, we-wish-we-were-Justin-Timberlake-even-though- we're-nowhere-near-as-hot guys who seem pretty interchangable at this point -- Jared, Chris Richardson, AJ, and Nicholas. (Yes, Nicholas stands out in that he's milked that "I walked away from it all last year" thing, but seriously can you tell the difference between him and AJ without the subtitle announcing his name underneath) I mean, they're all okay and all have that sort of soulful vibe going, but when has that worked for a potential Idol? Seriously? And while we're on the subject, why have there never been any seriously HOT male Idols? (Okay, there was Ace Young last year, but outside of Ace, the guys have been cute but not HOT) I mean, the odds are good ONE of these guys could make it, but they'll just become this year's RJ or AJ or Ejay or Ace -- gone pretty soon and quickly forgotten. Then there are the rebels, the ones trying to break the mold by creating a mold just like all the others who've broken the mold over the years. This year's models are Sundance and Chris Sligh. First of all, Sundance should have been the one axed last night. His Hollywood week footage shows that he just doesn't have it. That nasal voice he pulled out during the group performance -- ew! So I'm rooting for him to go and go quickly. Will I be surprised if he makes it to the final 12? No, but I will shriek with agony should it happen. Now, Chris, on the other hand, is probably one of my favorites so far and could even become my favorite Idol ever if he keeps that quirky, Jack Osborne vibe and that sly sense of humor. I think I might even love Chris. The only thing standing in his way is . . . Sanjaya. He may very well be the cutest Idol ever! Yes, Justin, he has you beat. Ace who? Constantine bores me as I think about the adorable-ness that is Sanjaya. Now, before you guys go and call "To Catch a Predator" on me, know that when I drool over Sanjaya, I do it in a completely harmless way. I love him in a big sister, cool older aunt sort of way. He has this cool, cute, Indian David Cassidy, Tony DiFranco vibe that just speaks to the 16-year-old in me. Plus, the boy can sing. On the flip side of Sanjaya, there is the "this is our last chance" gang -- Brandon, Rudy, and Phil. All of them are pushing the upper limits of the Idol age requirement (although none of them look like they're flirting with an AARP card the way Taylor Hicks was) Brandon has been a back-up singer and this is probably his shot to break free. Rudy has been fronting a band in LA that doesn't seem to have made it yet. This is his show. And then there's Papa Phil who has a sort of cleaned-up Daughtry vibe about him, a new baby, and the prettiest eyes since . . . Sanjaya. I'm rooting for all three of these guys if only out of a sense of kindred spirits. There's Paul, the barefoot Asian out to destroy the stereotype enforced by William Hung. I like him. The barefoot thing is cute; the underwear thing is a bit gross. Last but not least, there's Blake. I'm not sure how I feel about Blake. The beat box thing is impressive, but that pony has been ridden as hard as it can and needs to be put to pasture. Blake needs to prove he can sing, and I'm not sure he's shown that yet. He's pretty easy on the eyes, but the pipes have to be there if he's going to be a contender. So my prediction for the final 6 guys: Sanjaya (DUH!), Brandon, Rudy, Phil, Chris Sligh, and Blake. (Wild card spoiler: Paul)