When AI raised the age limit to 28 and made it so that people previously (but not currently) under contract could apply I thought it would improve the talent. I was wrong. The initial performances from the last 24 guys and gals couldn’t have been much worse. To give you an idea how bad they were, as we (norcaldoll and myself) rated only four performers 15.0 or higher out of a possible 20.0 and all were guys. GUYS: Bo Bice was so clearly the best of this crop, at least for one night. He went with “Drift Away” which was also nicely done last year by finalist JPL (Jon Peter Lewis) and absolutely drilled it. As a 29 year old rocker he won’t get a lot of free votes, but at 16.25 he was clearly our best. Scott Savol is certainly no looker, but when all was said and done his version of “I’m Your Lady” wound up one of the night’s best. Travis Tucker finally gives AI a good looking thin black man and even with that stupid ass “beard” he was decent and will get a ton of votes. The last really solid showing came from Joseph Murena who should be shot on sight for singing Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” but although he messed up some words (don’t ask me how I know that) he stood out.

Anthony Fedorov tried to be American with “Hold Onto the Night” by Richard Marx, and while he wasn’t bad it was not as good as his preliminary work. His raw voice sounded better and since he’s a complete dork I’m not sure where he winds up. Constanine Maroulis has my support, but he ripped Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose” into petals by trying too hard. He should live to tell about it though. David Brown has terrible hair and only an average voice. He won’t win the demographic battle with Travis Tucker either. Anwar Robinson’s rendition of “Moon River” did very little for me, but he’s a unique guy and should do well.

Nikko Smith is famous for his father Ozzie (aka The Wizard) who was a Hall of Fame shortstop with the St. Louis Cardinals. As the worst of four black guys in this dozen, he’ll continue to be known for that. His “Part Time Lover” by Stevie Wonder to open the show was pretty average. Mario Vazquez seems like a really cool guy who showed well in the prelims, but really didn’t bring his best on this night. Jared Yates is an Enrique Iglesias wannabe and has to hope that his nationality niche gets him by because his performance was pathetic. Judd Harris put on “Traveling Band” and that’s what he’ll need after he gets voted out.

WHO IS OUT AND WHO ARE THE FINAL SIX? Without question Judd Harris is gone. I think Nikko Smith will have a tough time drawing votes as the demographics lay out because he is the worst black guy. Meanwhile Jared Yates might slide by this week for exactly the opposite reason although if talent prevailes Jared will go. My impression of who will ultimately advance at this early stage is Bo, Anwar, Joseph, Anthony, Travis and Mario in that order of confidence.

GIRLS: In years past the female performers have been much, much better than the males but that seems to have changed a lot this year. Only two of them broke 14.0 in our scoring. Amazingly, a rendition of “Could Have Been” from Tiffany performed by Carrie Underwood wound up scoring as the tops for us. The judges were dead wrong about Janay Castine although I have to believe they were critiquing them based on things they saw in their prelims. Amanda Avila also did the unthinkable by singing the same Bolton song as Joseph did, but like him it landed her #3 on my scoring list even with a less then stellar rendition. Nadia Turner is probably Anwar’s sister, and although she has a different type look the song was terrible. I expect better from her and she did wind up in our top quartet.

Celena Rae is hoping that looks get her over, but she looks old and at 29 she is, relatively speaking. It remains to be seen how the older contestants do in the voting which has to be dominated by the younger crowd. Aloha Mischeaux closed the show and did absolutely nothing for me, but someone has to be ranked here. Vonzell Solomon opened it with “Heat Wave” which was completely cliché and poor. Jessica Sierra butchered “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins at times, but as she went along it got better and before Simon mentioned it I noted she was nervous.

Lindsay Cardinale wears outfits that look like lingerie so it looks like she’s also trying to get by on looks. The flood pants need to go, and on a night with poor showings she was still leading the bottom of the pack. Sarah Mather sang the song I remember from the Jackie Brown promos which I think is called “Get Ready” or whatever. It really doesn’t matter given how bad she was. Mikalah Gordon went with a black song and just couldn’t handle it whatsoever. She looks better suited for MTV’s Rich Girls show and tried to play up to the audience way too much. If she survives this week it won’t be on talent. Melinda Lira made the mistake of going with Celine Dion’s “I’m Your Lady” and let’s hope this year’s Jasmine Trias clone makes an early exit.

WHO IS OUT AND WHO ARE THE FINAL SIX? I can’t see how Sarah Mather can get enough votes to make it. Melinda Lira and Mikalah Gordon will compete for the sympathy votes, but I think Melinda will lose that battle. As for those who will last for the final dozen I believe Carrie, Nadia, Amanda, Janay, Lindsay and Jessica are the ones to make it although while that list is in order of confidence I only have faith in the top four.