On 'American Idol' Season 9 All Eyes Are on the Boys- Especially Casey James and Andrew Garcia

Season 9 of FOX's American Idol is already shaping up to be one of the best seasons yet. But amidst early buzz from judge Simon Cowell that a girl would likely take the Idol title this season, it still looks as though all eyes are on the boys. While the pool of talent this season is large, a few of the boys really stand out.

Hunky Casey James, the long haired Texan who turns Idol judge Kara DioGuardi into a blushing school girl (or a "cougar" as Cowell quipped last week) is, according to DioGuardi, "not only eye candy, but ear candy". Corny as it sounds, her statement is true. James has nailed most of his performances, especially last week when he made all the young girls (and cougars!) swoon with his rendition of the Bryan Adams love song, Heaven.

While James almost seems to be too good to be true- good looks, great voice and he can play the guitar, the 27 year old isn't completely squeaky clean. According to RadarOnline, James served some jail time back in 2002 after being charged with drunk and reckless driving offenses, as well as driving with an invalid license. While many fans will likely overlook charges from 8 years ago- especially since the boy served his time and made restitution- some may feel that the Idol winner should not have a criminal background. In any event James can sing and since this is a singing competition, that's what voters should be looking at.

Then there's Andrew Garcia. With his coke bottle glasses and neck tattoo, he doesn't have the chiseled looks of Casey James, but the 24 year old stay at home dad is indeed multi- talented. After wowing the judges with his acoustic version of Paula Abdul's Straight Up, many thought Garcia would be the next Adam Lambert, changing up songs and making them his own (last season, Lambert's slowed-down version of Tears for Fears Mad World was genius).

Last week the judges thought Garcia made a misstep with his rendition of the Fall Out Boys song Sugar, We're Going Down (although I loved his version) but still, Garcia takes risks and usually succeeds. Well before his Idol audition even aired, there was Internet buzz about Garcia. And according to OLBG Betting News, the odds are in Garcia's favor to take the Idol title this year.

Don't dismiss the girls altogether, though. Female contestant Crystal Bowersox is also one to watch out for. And as any Idol fan knows, you can never be sure how America will vote, so this early in the season it's still anyone's game.

You can catch American Idol Tuesday night at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX.

Sources:
American Idol, FOX TV
www.americanidol.com
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/18/entertainment/main6221634.shtml
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/02/exclusive-american-idol-hopeful-casey-james-jailbird-past
http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/news/18226390/American+Idol+2010+Odds+Have+Andrew+Garcia,+Casey+James+and+Crystal+Bowersox+As+Favourites.html