After three weeks of spring cleaning, the field has been pared to 12. Let’s have a look.
DAVID ARCHULETA, 17
» Murray, Utah
The winds of gossip this week said record executives had their sights set on only two contestants this season: David Archuleta and David Hernandez. Simply put, Archuleta is the man, er, boy, to beat.
Fuller Power Rank: 1 Vegas odds: 8/11
Turn up or tune out: I’m not a huge fan, but Archuleta is the New England Patriots of the “Idol” league, and everyone’s gunning for him. Turn up.
CARLY SMITHSON, 24
“I Drove All Night” earned a lukewarm reception from the judges last week, but I thought it wasn’t so bad. Carly has the pipes and personality to last.
Fuller Power Rank: 2 Vegas odds: 5/1
Turn up or tune out: Carly needs to find another gear to drive into the elite class. Turn up.
DAVID HERNANDEZ, 24
One thing this talented guy was missing was a little pizzazz. If dancing naked in front of a club full of mostly men earns you pizzazz, then David’s got it in spades.
Fuller Power Rank: 3 Vegas odds: 28/1
Turn up or tune out: The big news from last week had this critic chuckling through most of last week’s performance. The Lord of the Dance may have cost himself the tiara but earned himself a longer run. Turn up.
BROOKE WHITE, 24
Brooke is improving by the week. I am legitimately starting to like her now.
Fuller Power Rank: 4 Vegas odds: 18/1
Turn up or tune out: On stage, Brooke has a star quality she completely lacks off it. Turn up.
RAMIELE MALUBAY, 20
Ramiele still has one of the stronger voices in this competition and remains a competitor to watch. She has definite upside.
Fuller Power Rank: 5 Vegas odds: 18/1
Turn up or tune out: Cute, pixieish Ramiele was sobbing when her buddy Danny was eliminated Thursday. If Ramiele endears herself to America, she could take off. Turn up.
MICHAEL JOHNS, 29
Steady as she goes. Michael delivered another solid, workmanlike performance with “Don’t You Forget About Me.”
Fuller Power Rank: 6 Vegas odds: 10/1
Turn up or tune out: It’s not that I don’t like Michael. He’s just revealing himself to be predictably unremarkable. Tune out.
JASON CASTRO, 20
» Rockwall, Texas
Jason seems better suited as an extra on “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” or “Dazed and Confused.” We’d be better off if he’d make like a clam during interviews and open up only to sing.
Fuller Power Rank: 7 Vegas odds: 8/1
Turn up or tune out: Strangely, his performance of “Hallelujah” had me wanting more. I don’t know what to say about this. Turn up.
SYESHA MERCADO, 21
» Sarasota, Fla.
Did you know Syesha overcame a house fire in high school? I dug that out of the “Idol” Web site because the only other thing I know is that her capable performances just aren’t scratching where it itches.
Fuller Power Rank: 8 Vegas odds: 18/1
Turn up or tune out: If you want to playin the big leagues, eventually you need to start hitting home runs. Tune out.
DAVID COOK, 25
» Blue Springs, Mo.
On the edge of elimination, David responded with a brilliant interpretation of Lionel Richie’s “Hello.” The performance single-handedly saved his “Idol” life and hurtled him ahead of other lackluster performers.
Fuller Power Rank: 9 Vegas odds: 17/1
Turn up or tune out: David is a smart competitor. If he doesn’t keep using his noggin, he’ll be gone. Tune out.
KRISTY LEE COOK, 24
» Selma, Ore.
Kristy Lee is wisely sticking to the country music route. She’ll travel as only as far as her girl-next-door sweetness can carry her.
Fuller Power Rank: 10 Vegas odds: 40/1
Turn up or tune out: Kristy Lee’s voice is improving. That’s (barely) good enough for the bottom of the top 12. Tune out.
AMANDA OVERMYER, 23
» Mulberry, Ind.
We’ve heard Amanda’s song many times over now. I really enjoyed it the first time.
Fuller Power Rank: 11 Vegas odds: 70/1
Turn up or tune out: From Amanda we’ve seen black and midnight black and inky black and pitch black. Maybe we can cross our fingers and hope for charcoal gray. Tune out.
CHIKEZIE EZE, 22
Chikezie seems like a nice enough guy. Sadly (or happily?) we’ve got a world full of nice guys exactly like him.
Fuller Power Rank: Elimination imminent Vegas odds: 100/1
Turn up or tune out: As Randy would say, Chikezie’s got to “show and prove” with the quickness or he’s on the next bus to Loser Town, USA. Tune out.
Each week, Scott Fuller breaks down the sinkers and swimmers on “American Idol.” Sound off: [email protected].
