First Elimination - Lacey Brown

Let's say goodbye to:

LACEY BROWN
Total Pool Picks 7 (0 First Place)

Early Idol eliminations are seldom surprising and this was no exception. With the exception of Paige (and maybe Katie), I can't think of any contestant who had less of a chance of doing well . Next week, unless she hits a home run (and i can't see how she would) you'd have to think Paige has a great chance to go home.

I thought this week was pretty good. The theme was not bad, but it's a better theme with less contestants and some sort of good mentor to steer them in the right direction. There is WAY too much guitar playing this year. By the time Crystal performed, I just did not want to hear any more guitar strumming. I thought Siobhan was the best this week, although I could have lived without the screeching at the end. (Very Adam Lambert like, the whole performance.) I also thought Didi was very good (I think she can do well) as well as Michael, Lee (who needs to show more personality) and Crystal (not suprising, although it almost came across as she did only so-so do to the unrealistic expectations put on by the judges. She is not an overwhelming frontrunner - it's just not true.) Too much country music for my tastes, last I looked the Rolling Stones were not a country act but almost half the peformances leaned in that way.

Yes, the judges save is back. No, I have no idea why. Simon should tell the truth, when someone like Lacey is going to sing just end it before she even goes. It's pointless at this point, no one is saving someone during Top 12 week.

BTW, anyone else wonder what happened to Kara? She went from confused last year to this character, this condescending woman who tries to make grand observations about what the contestants did wrong. (When she scolds them for not communicating the song is about WAR, etc. it's too funny. Does she want people to come out in army fatigues and crying?)

Next week's theme is so-so. It's just too broad, and when given a broad theme contestants inevitably make bizarre choices. The theme is "Songs from Teen Idols" and it covers both past and present, so either Miley Cyrus or Donny Osmond is in play, which covers a lot of ground. (If Andrew strums along to a Britney Spears song I'm going to shut the show off for the week.)

See you next week!