Season 8, yo!!!! First 12 out of top 36!!!!!

Here we go! It's been a long time... and yes, I have missed you. Whoever "you" are. :-) Let's do this!

I'm very excited about this season. They actually have some real singers this year.

Oh, gawd. Paula's hair is back to looking horrible. WHY??? She actually looked great and acted semi-normal during the audition process. What happened in between then and now? Come on, Paula!!!

Ryan is looking very casual tonight. Hmmm. Simon is in a black shirt, as usual. Moving on.

Hits from the hot 100??? That's a broad spectrum. Gee.

I'm gonna go ahead and predict Danny Gokey will shine. That said, let's say hi to the first 12 performers...

Helloooooo, Jackie Tohn. I like this girl - but she seems a little older than her age. Oh, no, those pants. Oh, no, the lip curl! What the heck is she doing??? She's making a fool of herself. She's energetic but I feel like I'm at King's Island in the late 80's. Of all of the songs she could do... this is just downright annoying. She's funny, though. She reminds me of Chelsea Handler. Buh-bye Jackie Tohn.

ha, whenever I hear Simon talk, all I can think of is the bonus material on the Shrek 2 DVD.

Ricky Braddy - Belmont student - is up next. The Braddy Bunch is quite a fierce little fan club, too. He might make it through. Never heard him sing. Will now. A Song For You - Leon Russell. Crowd fave, usually. I LIKE HIM. Love his phrasing. He's taking a tired song and putting a little spin on it. Love his tone. His tricks. He knows what he's doing. I hope he somehow makes it into the top 12. There is just a SLIGHT hint of showtune quality to his voice at times... but hey.

Alexis Grace is next. I thought she did well in Hollywood week. Based on that, I picked her to be the girl that goes through. Ooh, she's doing Aretha. She better bring it. Good control at the beginning!!! The girl has soul, that's fo sho. I thoroughly enjoyed this performance!!!! Made me wish it was me singing that song. Ow! She's good.

Ha ha, look at Paula's bracelet. It's like the one Tatiana wore.

Brent Keith is a cutie, but can he get enough of a fan base? Oopsie, the tape messed up. Aw, he's a sweet guy. Hicktown. Great. Yeah, I can already tell he ain't going far. He's just not good enough. I like him. I hope someone helps him make a country album or something. Maybe he needs to go to Nashville Star. His performance is just awkward. And frankly, his singing is not very good.

Next is Maci Ashworth - I mean, Stevie Wright! She totally looks like my friend Maci. I can't remember if this girl can sing or not. Taylor Swift. Ok. Oh, good Lord. It starts of BAD. Poor girl. She seems like a sweet little girl, but this is just PAINFUL. Ouch. Seriously, how in the world did she make it this far????

Anoop Dawg is in the house. He has some fans. It's India's year. Slumdog, yo. He has a silky smooth voice... but was this the right song choice? I think not. He may not make it through this time, but may come back as a wild card. He can sing, but BAD song choice. What is up with those backups? And the band sounds like a band at a jr high dance. Eeek.

Casey Carlson is next. She's a cute girl, but I cannot remember her voice. The Police??? No, girl. Don't mess up my Police. And why the lip curl??? Why? Ok, so this is a weird song choice... but she has some interesting aspects to her voice. This performance sounds like it needs to be in a musical. And all those winks. Gah. (I love musicals, though.) Wow, watch her face while they are critiqueing her! she's downright pouting.

Ooo, I'm so ready for Michael! I want America to love him! I loved his voice throughout auditions. He's very soulful. Yay, Gavin!!!! One of my favorite songs! And he can pull it off. Yes, way to attack that song. Used to be, contestants only gave it their all after they had been voted off. I just like him. He's likable. Lay off him, Randy!

Ok, so next is Anne Marie. She's likable, but she's not my favorite. Hmmm, she's a demo singer. Didn't know that. Natural Woman. Starts VERY shaky. Eeek. Breathe through it, Anne Marie. I'm gonna tell you 2 things right now: 1) if she makes it over Alexis Grace, it will be a shame. 2) She looks weird when she sings. Also, she seems like she is trying to mimic Celine Dion. ??? She hit some of the belty notes, but it didn't transcend into the rest of the song. Wow, she just slammed Sarah Barellis. Or however you spell her name.

Steven Fowler. He better do better than when he forgot his lyrics. Michael Jackson. A little Rock wit you. He was way off pitch at the beginning. He is sharp as all get-out. Where is the band? I don't see them. Wow, he cracked. Twice. Ouch. Didn't like it. Buh-bye.

Oh, my. Tatiana is next. What will she sing? I think she has potential, but a CRAZY personality. Whitney Houston. How very appropriate. She has such a nice, rich belt voice. She was pitchy throughout the song, but I like the big parts... her belt reminds me of Bernadette Peters. yes, that's who she reminds me of. Oh, Lord. Is she gonna make it through?

I'm hungry. Is this show over yet?

Ok, let's hear Danny Gokey! Everyone's favorite! Man, he looks so much like Robert Downy, Jr. So much! He starts off pretty strong. Love his tone. Mmmmm. Nice. Aaaand, Paula is up. Wish he had chosen a different song - it's a little rushed, too. Ok, hands down he sounds the best of the night. Great singer. Love his style. It's gonna be fun watching him. Ha, you can tell he's a minister.

My top 3 picks for the night? Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Ricky Braddy. HOWEVER, I wouldn't be surprised if Anoop Dawg replaced Ricky Braddy. That would be a bummer, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

Later!