JOIN ME NOW FOR LIVE COMMENTARY DURING TONIGHT’S SHOW. 

American Idol has been called many things, but “Amateur Hour” isn’t one of them — not with this year’s contestants.

Guest Remote Island blogger Randy Salas here to note that the TV show bills itself as a forum for discovering America’s next big musical talent, sealing the deal by awarding the winner with a major-label recording contract. But at least three of the Top 10 singers, who take the stage tonight to perform songs from the year they were born, have already had — and lost — such a prize in their pre-Idol struggles to become music stars. So what’s the point of having them on Idol? And why do the show’s producers let such experienced singers compete?

In case you haven’t heard, here’s a look at the Top 10 from most experienced to least, based on my impressions from online research:

MAJOR LABEL REJECTS

Carly Smithson: The Irish singer’s presence on AI continues to baffle me. She released an album in 2001 on MCA Records called Ultimate High. According to Blender, her contract included a $100,000 advance, $5,000 a month in living expenses and an apartment in California. In all, it added up to $2.2 million. In other words, she essentially had what most people on Idol are desperately trying to win. The widely released album, whose promotion included a slick music video, was a flop, so one could argue that she’s still looking for her big break. On the other hand, Idol winners Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks arguably are still looking for theirs, too.

Michael Johns: The seasoned Aussie singer was signed by Madonna’s old label Maverick Records, part of the Warner empire, and formed a band called The Rising. Their album reportedly received airplay and was scheduled for a release in fall 2003, but was canceled.  

Kristy Lee Cook: The country singer was, based on several reports, signed simultaneously by BMI, Arista Records and Britney Spears’ production company. Called a “country prodigy,” she was later dropped. She released the independent CD Devoted in 2005.

TWEENERS

David Cook: He has played, toured and recorded with two regionally popular bands. One of them, Axium, had a song picked by AMC Theatres for playback before movie screenings. He released an independent CD, Analog Heart, in 2006.

David Archuleta: At 17, the young singer has made an early career of singing in talent competitions, including winning the kid division of the Utah Talent Competition. He won the junior division on the TV show Star Search and has made other TV appearances.

Jason Castro: The dreadlocked dude has been in several bands. He appeared on the MTV reality show Cheyenne, including being featured in a Cheyenne Kimball music video.

Brooke White: The former nanny released the independent CD Songs in the Attic in 2006, which included making a music video.

Syesha Mercado: The “working actress” — as she continually reminds us — once competed on the reality show The One: Making a Music Star. Most of her background seems to be in musical theater.

NEWBIES

Ramiele Malubay and Chikezie: She’s a nursing student. He’s an airport security guard. These are the only two singers in the Top 10 who don’t seem to have much experience. They just sing well.

Looking at this list, it’s interesting to note that it’s four of the middle-of-the-pack contestants — David Cook, Brooke White, David Archuleta and Jason Castro — who hold the most appeal for me. Archuleta still has the inside track.

How about you? Do you care if AI singers have already had major-label deals? Â

Well, that was a little bit of a surprise. David Hernandez, not Kristy Lee Cook, left American Idol tonight after receiving the fewest viewer votes. Hooray?

It’s guest blogger Randy Salas here. Actually, after David (pictured) and Kristy were announced as being among the bottom three, along with Syesha Mercado — all as expected by many — I found myself rooting for Kristy to stick around a while longer. Her repeat performance tonight confirmed that her countrified “Eight Days a Week” was still a horrible miscalculation, but she did much better with it — more confident, less bug-eyed, stronger rhythmically. Cook also showed a flash with a few twangy lines from “All My Loving” in the opening medley. (That’s the song she should have chosen Tuesday.) David, on the other hand, sounded as Easy Cheese-y as ever with his Vegas-style rehash of “I Saw Her Standing There.”

It’s just as well that David left now, too. The recent controversy over his past as a male stripper — not a man who strips, but a stripper for men — threatened to spiral out of control with each passing week without a mention on the show. It’s like the Jim Carrey elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.

As for Syesha, all I have to say is “Eh.” She clearly belonged in the bottom three, but this wasn’t her week to go. It will come soon, though.

One final thing: The show is making a Cook-like misstep by repeating the Beatles theme next week. Sure, the Fab Four’s music is timeless and popular, but AI could really use something fresh. After weeks featuring the music of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, and then a return mostly to the ’60s with the Beatles, the show is in dire need of a contemporary jolt. Why not do something newer next week with a promise to revisit the Beatles later in the season?

What do you think? Did viewers make the right choice with David? Should it have been Kristy instead? Or someone else? And how do you feel about a Lennon-McCartney encore?

It’s time for Top 12 night on American Idol. We’ll be getting started soon as the 12 guys and gals plow their way through the music of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Hi, this is Randy Salas, tonight’s guest blogger on Remote Island. This is my fifth season covering the Top 12 for the Star Tribune, and I’m looking forward to tonight’s show. I’ll post my thoughts as each singer performs, so hit the refresh button often to see the latest updates in this space, or stop by after the show to read it as a recap.

Ooh, new title sequence. It’s like a time tunnel. And a new set. Maybe they could have replaced Paula Abdul as part of the makeover. The Top 12 come out, and Amanda looks like an extra from The Addams Family.

The Lennon-McCartney songbook means a lot of material that precedes the age of the singers by many years. The secret for the singers who aren’t as familiar with some of the material is to find a cover version by a band they know or like and do that version. It worked for Chris Daughtry with “I Walk the Line” a few years ago.

Syesha does “Got to Get You Into My Life”: She goes for an R&B approach. It’s just awight, as they say. Every time she comes in on the verse, she’s below pitch and shaky. Overall, not too bad, but it kind of just lays there. The band is the best part. Nothing changes my previous comments about her; she won’t go too far. Thankfully, Paula’s always there to tell the female singers that they look great, instead of focusing on their singing.

Chikezie does “She’s a Woman”: He’s going for the Blake Lewis look.  What a great idea: Do a song that’s not too familiar to mainstream fans, and let ‘er rip! Oh, Chikezie, this was a great move. A surprisingly strong performance, and he “made it his own.” It’s mountain music, man. He’ll be moving up in many fans’ eyes after this.

Ramiele does “In My Life”: Not unexpectedly, she does a ballad. As if she’s not short enough, they put a camera above her, making her look like a hobbit. It’s a beautiful song, but it’s not really going anywhere. She’s going to have show more chops and better stylistic range to make an impression beyond this week. The judges agree, but at least Paula reminds us that Ramiele looks great.

Jason Castro does “If I Fell”: I really like this guy. But the missed notes don’t give a strong start. But, you know, he really does his own thing. I don’t like some of the altered melodies, but he has the uniqueness to do well in recording no matter what happens here. Not the greatest performance, but heartfelt.

Carly Smithson does “Come Together”: This just in: Carly’s been signed and dropped by another record label during the commercial break. I kid. I kid! Her voice is a wee bit warbly for power vocals. This was a strong performance but not earth-shaking. I don’t think a song like this is her strong suit, but the judges don’t agree.

David Cook does “Eleanor Rigby”: Great song choice. Let’s see what he does with it. Shaky start in hitting the notes of a very melodic song. This is not good enough, but things pick up with the chorus and a hellacious light show. At least he has great stage presence. Ultimately, a lot of shouting. Just OK. He won’t go this week, but that wasn’t good enough. But, wow, the judges were listening to something different than me. Maybe I shouldn’t write anything until the judges comment.

Brooke White does “Let It Be”: She has an infectious smile. The grand piano, a la Paul McCartney, is a fantastic idea. It would have been better without any band accompaniment at all, but she really has that Carole King vibe going. A fine performance, but I wanted her vocals to be better. But how can anyone not like her? She seems truly humbled by the whole AI experience.

David Hernandez does “I Saw Her Standing There”: It’s Beatles 101. Oh, this is not good — way too Vegas show-lounge-y. The vocal missteps and melody changes don’t help. This is not the world’s greatest song, but I think he massacred it. American Karaoke Idol.

Amanda does  –  wait for it  –  “You Can’t Do That”: She admits she never heard the song before — brave, or completely dumb to do. The song’s style is right up her blues alley. But, man, she just doesn’t support the notes as she sings. Still, this is the best performance she’s had in weeks. She’ll stick around this week, but I just don’t see her going far.

Michael does “Across the Universe”:  Great song. His voice has such a wonderful tone to it–aching, husky, cool. Right off, this is one of the top performances tonight. But I don’t care for his phrasing. Talent trumps the technical stuff, though. I really dug this. I don’t get all of the criticism from the judges. He went restrained instead of over the top, and I thought it worked.

Kristy does “Eight Days a Week”: A country take, but it doesn’t work, especially when she’s behind the beat. It’s way too fast, too. And she seems to be running out of breath and energy. Good-bye, Kristy. She’s in danger after that.

David Archuleta does “We Can Work It Out”: All he has to do is show up and do a decent job. But forgetting the lyrics and missing notes isn’t good. He’s been the favorite so far, but what a horrid showing. He won’t go anywhere, but, wow, that was bad. Anyone else and they’d be gone.

After tonight’s show, David Hernandez and Kristy Lee Cook had the worst performances and are in the most danger. But will the voters agree? What do you think?

Who do you like among this season’s Top 12 on American Idol? We’ll find out tonight when the guys and gals compete against one another for the first time on the top-rated TV show.

Hi, I’m Randy Salas (that’s me in my Technobabble guise) and I’ll be sharing Remote Island with its host, Star Tribune TV critic Neal Justin, and other guest bloggers for the duration of AI. We’ll kick off the weekly festivities now with my overview of the Top 12. But I’ll also be blogging live tonight during the show with comments about each performance and sticking around afterward to answer your questions and read your thoughts. So come back tonight for all the fun.

Now on to the show.

Ryan Seacrest and company keep telling us that this is the “best Idol group ever!” Hyperbole aside, in ranking this season’s Top 12, I decided that it really is a strong group — in talent, if not personality. We’re not just starting the Top 12, when just one singer leaves the show each week. No, tonight the super-duper big news is that AI has finally secured the rights to the historic John Lennon-Paul McCartney catalog. Of course, considering the way things have gone so far, the hubbub shouldn’t be that it’s Beatles night; it should be that we’re not going to hear anything by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey or Celine Dion.

Here’s how I rank the Top 12, from worst to first, based on what we’ve seen so far. This is just my take, not necessarily how I think they will place — but it’s an idea of that. Since tonight features songs by Lennon and McCartney, I’ve added my suggestions for tunes that are ideal for each singer (assuming songs credited to either Lennon or McCartney, too).

Amanda Overmyer: I actually liked the raspy-voiced Janis Joplin wannaba when she auditioned, but Simon Cowell warned that she had the potential to become a one-trick pony and, Lord, if that didn’t happen quickly three weeks ago. She should have been sent packing after her excruciatingly tuneless and phlegmatic rendition of Kansas’ “Carry on Wayward Son,” but viewers surely feared having to hear the song again as her farewell performance. By far, the best L-M song for her is Badfinger’s “Come and Get It,” but “Come Together” is a possibility.

Chikezie: Somewhere along the way, the soulful singer dropped his last name in his official bio on the show’s media-only site. Unfortunately, it probably won’t be long before viewers drop him. The dude can blow, as Randy Jackson might say, but he just doesn’t project much charisma and he has already flirted with being ousted. He should dial it down — again — with a smooth rendition of “Yesterday.”

Kristy Lee Cook: A fresh-faced stage presence and country-music niche give her tremendous potential once her AI run ends. Her countrified version of Journey’s “Faithfully” last week could be a radio hit now. But she doesn’t have much stylistic range beyond that, which will allow her to go only so far before the mandated musical themes catch up to her. I’m having trouble picking a tune for her, but let’s go with “A Day in the Life.”

Syesha Mercado: The part-time actress and model certainly has the looks, but they trump her singing ability. Maybe that’s why she’s constantly mugging for the camera, to distract us. She also embodies the whole Mariah/Celine/Whitney diva-tude that grows tiresome, but without the chops to pull it off. Let’s go against type with “Revolution.”

Ramiele Malubay: This little dynamo has the whole diva thing going, too, but purely from a song selection standpoint not attitude. She could go further than I expect, as the similar Jasmine Trias did a few seasons ago, but she can’t go the distance. She could shine with a sweet ballad such as “She’s Leaving Home.”

David Hernandez: He unexpectedly wowed everyone with a killer rendition of “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” two weeks ago, showing that he has mad potential. If he maintains that, he could go further, but it won’t happen by covering power ballads, which he did last week with “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” His dramatic flair could be put to good use on “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.”

David Cook: It’s hard to get that ghastly comb-over out of my mind, but this year’s male rocker actually has Chris Daughtry-like musical potential, if not his looks — and maybe that will be his downfall. Last week’s angst-ridden, electrified version of Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello” — Lionel Ritchie! — was downright brilliant. I’d love to hear his take on “Magical Mystery Tour,” a` la the Cheap Trick version.
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Jason Castro: This bright-eyed performer, he of the goofy grin and shy camera presence, makes refreshing song choices with cool arrangements, which is why he might wear thin with voters — that and his nasty dreads. Still, he’s the dark horse among the guys. I could easily see him do “A World Without Love,” an L-M song written for Peter and Gordon, or “Across the Universe.”

Carly Smithson: There is no doubt that this Irish transplant has the talent, looks and intangibles to go the distance. She should: She once had a recording contract with a major label that produced a highly promoted worldwide release that failed to catch on before she was dropped. I have no idea why she’s being given a second chance on AI; she has already had (and lost) what all the others are trying to win. That kind of sticks in my craw. She’s got a “Ticket to Ride,” but do I care?

Brooke White: I love her earnestness and plaintive vocals. She has the solo female songwriter vibe that recalls artists such as Norah Jones and K.T. Tunstall and that could translate into a successful recording career once her AI run ends. Tonight, it has to be an acoustic version of  “Eleanor Rigby.”

Michael Johns: He’s the thunder from Down Under. Like Smithson, he was discovered by a recording label, in his native Australia, but without the same kind of reach that she received. Whatever. (I think I just need to get over it.) There’s no doubt that the guy is a pro. It’s just unfortunate that he’s in his late 20s but looks as if he’s closer to 40. He could work it out on “We Can Work It Out.”

David Archuleta: Sure, he’s a cute little fella. Sure, he can sing. Sure, he has an endearing “Aw shucks!” demeanor. But none can match his greatest asset: the unbridled voting power of millions of screaming preteen girls. That he holds tremendous appeal to their older sisters, moms and grandmothers is just icing on the cake. This year’s competition really looks like the David Archuleta countdown. I know the judges have told him to stop doing ballads, but “The Long and Winding Road” would be prophetic.

What do you think? Come back tonight.