After a few seasons filled with lackluster guys, this year’s class is packed with possible winners. Jason Castro’s gorgeous take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” may have been the best “Idol” performance ever for a guy. That’s what it took to outshine David Cook’s rock version of Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” which truly could be a hit if it was released today. (Will it actually be a hit, iTunes users?)David Archuleta and Michael Johns were both predictably strong, but that may not be enough this year. Any one of those four has the potential to take it all and David Hernandez, given the right circumstances, could challenge them as well.
That leaves the other three out in the cold and which ever one of them survives to the Top 12 (my guess is Vote for the Worst fave Danny) will not last very long after that.
Jason Castro, “Hallelujah”
David Cook, “Hello”
David Archuleta, “Another Day in Paradise”
Michael Johns, “Don’t You Forget About Me”
David Hernandez, “It’s All Coming Back Me to Now”
Chikezie, “All the Woman I Need”
Danny Noriega, “Tainted Love”
Luke Menard, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”
WILL BE CUT: Luke and Chikezie
SHOULD BE CUT: Luke and Danny
ACTUALLY CUT: Luke and Danny