In the “go home” show before the real season starts, four more contestants were sent packing to try and fulfill their dreams without the American Idol branding. On the girls’ side, Asia’h Epperson and Kady Malloy were given the boot while Luke “Perry” Menard and “Boy Danny” Noreiaga also had bad days Daniel Powter style. That leaves us with the following folks in top 12.

Amanda Overmyer
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Chikezie
David Archuleta
David Cook
David Hernandez
Jason Castro
Kristy Lee Cook
Michael Johns
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado

I think the singing talent is there this year, but my main worry is that there aren’t enough standout players. I’m not sure there’s a “total package” in the group, but there are definitely a few who seemed to bring their A games to the final cut downs. As it is, I think David Archuleta, David Hernandez, and Carly Smithson have the best shots, but truly, this is a crap shoot.

Here are some other thoughts:

  • If this was “Britney Spears Impersonation Idol”, Kady Malloy would’ve won hands down.
  • Amanda Overmyer shouted her way into the finals.
  • David “The Stripper” Hernandez made it rain during the last two weeks.
  • If there was Johnny Gill night, Chikezie could make them all say, “My, my, my.”
  • I think the nerves will eventually get to Big Dave Archuleta.
  • Poor Asia’h Epperson lost the Whitney Houston challenge.
  • To show how stressful this show must be, Kristy Lee Cook used to smile.
  • I bet the first thing that came into Lionel Richie’s mind when he saw David Cook run through Hello was, “Outrageous!”

Next week, it happens for real.