American Idol -- Probable Top Two

This season of American Idol might possible be the best yet, but deciding who the top two isn't an easy choice. Obviously there is a favorite on everyone's minds, but who will it exactly be? With a lineup of stars that seem to all have great voices, there can only be two people in the top two. One name that is on everyone's minds is David Archuleta, but we will get to him a little later on. As of right now, we are down to the top 8, which means it's crunch time. Who will be the next to go?

Surely there have been many memorable performances this season, but even Simon said it, this show is also a popularity contest, so just because someone seems to be a huge favorite doesn't mean they are going to naturally go for the gold. A huge example of this is Chris Daughtry. This guy was a shoe-in to win American Idol, but Ryan delivered him the words, "You are going home". As shocking as that was, Chris is doing very well currently as he opens for Bon Jovi on their Lost Highway tour. I would have to say that my favorite to win this season is one that everyone is going along with, but let's break down each member one by one.

Kristy Lee Cook - One who is absolutely gorgeous, might just be a fan favorite to many of the younger generation people, and the guys flattered by the way she looks, but she isn't exactly the greatest singer on the show. She has had a couple memorable performances that allow her to be a true contestant, but with the way things look down the road -- she should be going either this week or the next. I have nothing against her, she is beautiful and can sing, just not on a level equal to those of the others competing against her.

Brooke White - "Let it be", which was probably her best performance of the whole contest has kept her in this competition up to the top 8, but I don't think she has the power to go that much further. It's definitely possible that she can make the top 6, but I doubt she will go further than that. I think she has a great voice, and she is absolutely beautiful, but this is a major singing competition that has singers on a totally different level than her. I wish her the best, "Let it be" was a very heartfelt performance, as Randy stated. If she sings songs similar to that, she might just have shot, it is, however a longshot.

Jason Castro - In a judge's stand-point, Castro has had his up's and down's, and he actually surprised me by making it this far. I think he is a definite fan favorite and that is why he is still in this competition. I don't think his voice is the greatest and he just doesn't appeal too much to me, but it is my opinion, others have their own of course. When Castro sang Dolly Parton's "Travelin' 'Thru", Simon made a hilarious comment, "This is the point where I lose my season pass to Dollywood, because I didn't like that at all". I definitely agreed with Simon on that one, he was a little shaky in the beginning and that has been the case with a few of his performances. At 35-1 on Vegas odds, I would be surprised if he made it further than the top 5, but like I said, he is a fan favorite and a lot of people like him.

Syesha Mercado - She certainly took on a tough song during Dolly Parton week and it wasn't naturally a bad performance, but it did strike a similar resemblance to Whitney Houston's version. I think she has a lot of talent and definitely is amongst the top woman on the show, there is just so much competition to deal with that she would need the favorites to fail miserably over the next few weeks. There really hasn't been an off week for Syesha, and that can definitely work out in her favor. Simon really likes her and that's definitely a positive for her. "Tobacco Road" was another notable performance that had Simon gawking at her by saying "... Probably one of the most talented girls in the competition". Just close you eyes and picture how Simon would say it.

These next four are very hard to rank because they all really can win the whole contest. This is simply my opinion and seeing that I have seen every episode over and over again, I can surely tell you all that this should be the way it goes down the line.

Michael Johns - Surely he is a lot higher than this on many people's pools, but seeing that he only really started to become a potential threat in the competition a couple of weeks ago, he needs to put together a couple of brilliant performances the next couple of weeks coming up. His last two performances were excellent, I thought "We Will Rock You & We Are the Champions" was his best performance of the competition, but there are some that would argue that last week's performance was his best, Johns sang "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right". Randy, Paula and Simon all gave him super-star remarks. Like I stated before, these next four contestants are going to be very tough, it really comes down to the voters and how well the contestants perform in the coming weeks.

Carly Smithson - The best woman vocalist in the whole competition in my honest opinion, she can belt out blazing high notes just like Kelly Clarkson, and I believe Simon compared her to Kelly Clarkson on one of the shows. "Come Together", which was probably Carly's best overall performance really set the stage for her, but there were songs even before this one that showed me she was a star. She isn't exactly Simons favorite, but she is a major fan favorite, and the other judges, especially Paula love her. During Dolly Parton week, she sang "Here You Come Again", and she sang it very well, I thought it was another one of her better performances. Carly can definitely go to the top 3.

David Cook - It really comes down to the two David's of the competition, Cook is a rocker who has star potential already, he also has Paula's undivided attention at all times. If Cook doesn't win American Idol, he will go far and tour big-time. If you take a look at past performances or go to Americanidol.com, you will see that he hasn't has that many negative comments, judges have stated that he can win the whole competition, he is already a major rock-star, and that he ready to sell records. What's more to say? "Eleanor Rigby", "Day Tripper", "Billie Jean" and "Little Sparrow" were all excellent performances, he was on key and a star on each and every one of these performances. A definite shoe-in for the top 2, no questions asked.

David Archuleta - A favorite amongst the entire nation and in Vegas, Archuleta is already a star and has been for the entire show. At the tender age of 17, he is only going to get better. Archuleta's voice is very strong, and he can sing any note beautifully. A striking performance of the song "Imagine" got all of the judges and the entire nation off of the edge of their seats, it simply was the greatest performance in the history of American Idol. Right after he sang this song, I bought the song off ITunes, I can't get enough of this guy, he is great. Another performance that really caught my eyes and ears was "Another Day in Paradise", it wasn't his greatest performance according to the judges, but I really enjoyed it. Last week, during Dolly Parton week, Archuleta sang "Smoky Mountain", it was the best performance of the night and Simon commented "Absolutely on the money". I don't see anyone even coming close to beating Archuleta, he is the next American Idol.

I really hope you all enjoy my recap of the American Idol Top 8, my two choices obviously are the two David's, David Cook and David Archuleta. I don't see anyone competing in the same ballpark as these two, but then again who knows, it is up to America. Let me just say to everyone, make the right choice please, these people can sing!