The Top 12 Guys Perform on American Idol

The first actual voting show for Season 7 of American Idol was.... Mediocre at best. I was expecting much more from the newly plucked talent, and with exception of a few was left wondering why I even watched it in the first place. Here is a recap of last nights performances.

Dave Hernandez, 24, Glendale, AZ.

Dave was first to be sent out to the wolves where he nervously vocalized his own version of the 60's hit "Midnight Hour" to which Simon offered the golden compliment "It was better than I thought". Simon must have dropped his steel balls somewhere.

Chickezie (insert last name here, oh wait I am Madonna), 22, Inglewood, CA

Well we have the distinct honor of seeing Chickezie again, who has lost his last name somewhere. He made it to the end of Hollywood last year, but was cut on "D" day. He got his groove on with "I love you more today, than yesterday", clad in an orange velvet (??) suit that had Simon barfing in his mouth. Randy's comment was his famous "it was ahright dog," and Simon shared the love about the suit with a rather modest "The suit is hideous and old fashioned." I guess they don't get a stylist until they make it to the top 12.

David Cook, 25, Blue Springs, MO

I actually though David was pretty cool during the audition rounds, but upon seeing him on stage, looking like a drunken Philip Seymour Hoffman, I was begging his voice would at least be good enough to distract us from everything else. He pulled off a alright performance singing "So Happy Together", but I see him doing much better during 80's week (if they have one).

Jason Yeager, 28, Grand Prarie, TX

Whoa, Daddy! Jason shared the story of being a dad, and singing server in his native Grand Prarie. He sang "Moon River" and I have to agree with Simon's comment that he is like a "Cruise Ship singer". Ahoy matey!

Robbie Carrico 26, Melbourne, FL

Our former Boy Bander (was in the group boyz & girlz united??) and sang "One (is the lonliest number). It was performance reminiscent of past contestant Buddy Covington, but Randy believes he looks like J.T. (Justin Timberlake...HELLO!!). Not bad considering his boy band roots.

David Archulata, 17- Murray, UT

The guy favorite of this season sang "Shop Around" and got so many compliments it was kind of sickly. Simon said "When you got it, you got it" and "Best performance by a comfortable mile". I prefer the insult slinging Simon myself, but this kid can sing, and will almost definitely be in the top 6.

Danny Noriega, 17, Azusa, CA

This spunky young lad sang "Jailhouse Rock" and actually made it sound a lot more fun. He is absolutely another contender for the Top 6.

Luke Menard, 29, Crawfordsville, IL

Luke sang "Everybody's Talking" but my take is they are not talking about him. The only observation I made is that he will not be singing next week, hopefully.

Colton Berry, 18, Staunton, VA

Sang "Suspicious Minds", and put his own little ending on it. I love this song, and can't complain too much of his rendition.

Garrett Haley, 17, Elida, OH

Ok, what is it with all the new American Idol wannabe's looking like past Idol contestants? This guy looks so much like Canadian Idol winner Kalen Porter, but unfortunately does not sing as well. He sang "Breaking Up is hard to do" which is the last song on earth I would have chosen to sing. But hey, I have no room to talk.

Jason Castro, 20, Rockwell, TX

I can't get over the dreads, that went out of style along with the grunge era of the 90's. He sang "Daydream" which would have been more enjoyable if I could stop staring at his dreads.

Michael Johns, 29, Buckhead, GA

Another thing I don't understand this year, is what happened to the age limit? I thought you had to be under 28 or 27 or something. I suppose the talent is drying up so they need to expand their criteria. Which by the way I am thankful for because Micheal was smoking hot with his hot, hot, hot, version of " Light my Fire". He has my vote on being the winner, and if he doesn't, he can be my husband...(did I say that out loud).

Wednesday the girls strut their stuff in hopes of hanging on to the breakable thread of the American Idol dream, and live to sing another day.