American Idol Shines Spotlight on Bad Leaders, Quitters and Big Mike's Baby

The first five minutes of American Idol this Wednesday would have sucked in anyone. Ryan Seacrest talked a mile a minute as interesting shots of teamwork and drama flashed across the screen as fast as the eye could move. Now, in Hollywood full swing, the masses of contestants must be narrowed and the challenge of teamwork prevailed on the 9th.

Contestants were assigned the task of selecting their own team to perform with, then agree upon a song to sing. Some contestants made natural selections in grouping, like the group that all came from the same city. Others had a terrible time looking for a group to join or adversely, being asked to leave a group. It felt like 4 years of high school packed into 1 hour and there was something totally magnetic in that. The aspect of teamwork certainly allowed a more in-depth glimpse of the contestants.

The majority of contestants were making great efforts to focus on the task and be congenial, but a few firecrackers definitely sparked. The leader of the group who called themselves "Dreamers" had a self proclaimed leader that no one got behind. And as the show progressed, the Dreamers were more of a nightmare, providing conflict for the nation. Another team was jolted right before their stage-time when one of their members quit entirely stating for the camera that she didn't want to "embarrass herself."

Though names are still amok at this point as everyone tries to get a grip on who is who, some just stand out. Much of Wednesdays show featured "Big Mike" whose baby girl was delivered just minutes before his performance. The whole show, he was warmly distracted with his wife in labor on his cell phone. In the end, he got to show a picture of his beautiful new baby to the world, he sang like a bird and ultimately made the cut.

Voices (not judges) definitely stood out on Idol Wednesday. It was completely refreshing to see so much talent knowing there are good weeks to come full of stiff competition. It definitely was a night worth watching - knowing that one of these fantastic singers life will be forever changed, it's just a matter of time.