THE TOP 13 UNVEILED--AMERICAN IDOL REVIEW

Meet the Top 13

THURSDAY NIGHT AMERICAN IDOL REVIEW

Well, I have no complaints about the Top 13! America (and the judges) got it right.

By the time I got home from a late shift at work, eight of the top ten vote recipients were already relaxing in specialty seats on the seats on the stage. Malaya Watson, Jessica Meuse, and Majesty Rose had survived the debacle that was the Top 15 (10, really) Girls’ round, as I had predicted; ‘Miss Ooh La La’ Emily Piriz, who was heckled twice by judge Harry Connick Jr. for singing that edgy-sexy song, was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. And I was thrilled to see Caleb Johnson, Dexter Roberts, Ben Briley and Alex Preston representing the guys (glad to see people remembered last night’s opening act, Caleb, and appreciated this season’s token Different contestant, Alex). Moments later, MK Nobilette and Sam Woolf predictably rounded out their respective Top Fives.

We’d heard an awful lot about the judges’ “Wild Card” picks, but as of tonight had no idea what shape the selection process would take. Would Harry, Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban just snatch people off the bench or have them perform? It turned out to be the latter—they selected five people to sing on-the-spot renditions of their final solos from Hollywood Week (automatically eliminating anyone who was not picked). The people they picked to sing were, in order, CJ Harris, Jena Irene Asciutto, Spencer Lloyd, Bria Anai Johnson and Kristen O’Connor. Other than sublime performances from CJ (whom the judges criticized for some reason, claiming either he or the band was “off”) and Jena (who was a given to make it), it was a slightly painful process. Bria reminded us she can hit notes most of the other contestants can’t, but her performance didn’t flow, and, Harry said, “was all over the place”. Resident heartthrob Spencer started out pitchy and uncomfortable before he started to warm up, finishing with a sneaky-sexy glower that probably almost made half the women in attendance faint. Comely nurse Kristen massaged some decent big notes but choked on another—one that could have been a signature big, explosive moment.

With freshly-eliminated also-rans Brianna Oakley, Marielle Sellars, Emmanuel Zidor, George Lovett and Malcolm Allen watching, the five wild card contenders lined up on stage once the last performance had concluded and faced the judges. Keith gave the good news we all knew was coming, to Jena. Harry blessed Kristen, whom I like but thought was out-sung in this wild card contenders’ round by Spencer. And JLo made it clear that all the right guys made it, bringing CJ into the fold.

Overall, I really like this Top 13. It stinks for early frontrunners Marielle, Spencer and Emmanuel, who had talent and got plenty of exposure but just didn’t deliver when the time called for it. It’s also a real bummer for repeat contestant Brianna, who has legitimate talent but wasn’t memorable enough. Kristen, to me, screams weak link, with a slightly bland personality backing up a decent but unspectacular voice. Malaya, Ben and Caleb have the big voices, Alex and Jena are sure to keep things interesting, Majesty, Emily and Sam bring youth, Jessica gets to cement her serious-musician cred, CJ’s a sweetheart and Dexter will keep the country crowd excited. All the ones I wanted to see made it, and I’m really interested to see what themes they’re asked to tackle.

And now begins a six-day wait for performances from the Top 13. Or, as Ryan Seacrest would say, I’ll see them…after the break.