What a difference a week makes. The guys made a big improvement tonight in Week 2 from last week even with the pressure of having to go one night early. Just like last week, the guys were set to perform Wednesday night of this week but after one of the girls (Crystal Bowersox) was admitted to the hospital they were moved up one day to Tuesday. More on that I’m sure will come. You can get the best odds on all of your favorite American Idol contestants at BODOG.com.
Week 1 brought some surprises on the elimination night but I think this week Americans will have a more difficult time deciding who should go home. This is what we know, Michael “Big Mike” Lynch started out the night in the right way singing James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”. Randy agreed by standing up, clapping and saying, “Dog I gotta give it to you.” And Simon saying, “What a difference. You went from being a pussycat to a lion in a week.”
Another great performance came from Alex Lambert who happens to be one of my personal favorites. His Week 2 choice was John Legend’s “Everybody Knows” and I believe he nailed his performance. The guy who looked like a deer caught in the headlight last week made a 360 degree turn for greatness with the help of his guitar. I do have to say that Simon Cowell seems to have taken a liking to Alex as well. Simon said after the performance, “Alex that was a million times better than last week. I wish I was choosing your songs for you right now. Take your part and do your best right now cause you’re a good singer.” Ellen DeGeneres told this young singer, “Out of everybody here, I think you have the most unique style.”
To finish off the “positives” of the night, Lee Dewyze sang Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” in which I can say this guy serenaded me. There’s just something about him that you can’t not like. I would think that the judges would agree. Randy stated, “I’m a huge fan of yours and the song had a few pitch problems but I like it.” Simon added, “Vocally, you are head and shoulders above anyone else on your side of the competition. Loose the nerves, choose the right song, and you might be the one to beat.
Now to the downers of the competition , Tim Urban did another bad performance and I’m surprised he didn’t go in Week 1. The judges were a bit confused by his performance as well with Randy Jackson saying, “I didn’t really get it. It was kind of very karaoke for me. There were pitch problems everywhere.” Ellen’s comment wasn’t any better, “Do you like to act? You should act. I don’t think there was charisma and no stage presence. If you were able to act you’d do so good with a little singing.”
Adding to the bad performances was Jermaine Sellers in is rendition to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s going on”. Simon stating, “I think we’re frustrated. What you do is water down the songs. We can’t take you seriously as an artist. You did do a kind of cabaret performance on that.” When Jermaine asked the judges on what he should sing next week, Simon replied, “I’m not sure you’re going to be here next week.”
No matter who the judges think who were good and bad, America’s vote is the one that counts. We’ll see which two guys will go home on Thursday.
Bodog.com has posted entertainment betting odds to win American Idol Season 9:
Aaron Kelly 50/1
Alex Lambert 35/1
Andrew Garcia 9/2
Ashley Rodriguez 7/1
Casey James 8/1
Crystal Bowersox 15/2
Didi Benami 7/1
Haeley Vaughn 18/1
Janell Wheeler 15/1
Jermaine Sellers 15/1
Joe Munoz 65/1
John Park 45/1
Katelyn Epperly 40/1
Katie Stevens 13/2
Lacey Brown 25/1
Lee Dewyze 50/1
Lilly Scott 40/1
Michael Lynche 35/1
Michelle Delamor 45/1
Paige Miles 33/1
Siobhan Magnus 12/1
Tim Urban 25/1
Todrick Hall 15/1
Tyler Grady 25/1
