Top 13 Perform

Holy Moly!! This is the BEST first night we've ever seen of ANY season to date!

One of the most overused lines on this show is "This is the best Top 12 we've ever had" but man this may well be! Well, 13.

Seriously, what a night! WOW! I had SO MUCH FUN watching that!!

Who's in the bottom 3? Jasmine, Megan, and Michael (Anoop, sadly, would be deserving but since he's a favorite, I don't think he'll see the bottom 3 for a while).

Going home? Who the heck knows if the judges are going to mess with it. This show is 'jumping the shark' WAY too many times this season already. Now this? Honestly. If they make it not worth voting, they'll ruin the integrity of the show. Grrrrrrrrr.

My favorites: I TRULY liked most everyone! That's unusal for me. There's no one I don't like, but there are a few I think weren't as good as others, but seriously, WOW, what a show. My top favorites are Adam, Danny, Adam, Scott, Adam, Matt, Adam, Kris, Adam . . . I pretty much can't get enough of Adam. I love Anoop even though this wasn't his night. But I DIG Adam.

Other observations:

The camera people never quite get it together the first night.

This show wouldn't be what it is without Paula--I love Paula.

It drives me NUTS that they do so much stupid banter in the beginning and then rush through their comments for the final few singers. So stupid. It's Season 8. They should have this down by now. Forget jumping the shark and do your normal job already.

Quick Recap:

1. Lil Rounds - Wow! I think we might tire of her without more originality, but she can sing.

2. Scott - What a voice! I love to hear him with the piano--he's so much more comfortable. I think he'll go far. I hope so.

3. Danny - I love Danny! I love his raspy voice, his presence, his singing--he's fabulous! Love, love Danny.

4. Michael - Nice guy, good voice, I think he's out of his league and knows it, but I like him. He reminds me of someone and I don't know who and whoever it is is someone I don't like, but I'm trying to get past that bias, because it's not even clear what that bias is. He did a good job but is overshadowed by this group.

5. Jasmine - I'm not a big fan. They're constantly telling good singers that they don't have enough personality (Simon: "charismar") to make it through, so it puzzles me when they put through an inconsistent, mediocre singer/performer who doesn't have a lot of personality. Huh?

6. Kris Allen - He's SO CUTE. And I'm loving the crusties his wife sends the camera every time they say he's cute or shouldn't mention his wife. I REALLY like him and I dig when he plays guitar.

7. Allison - She has GOT to be the first authentic, REAL rocker chick we've seen on Idol. Okay, maybe Carly. But this girl is the real deal when it comes to rocking. And she's 16! Heart and now Michael Jackson? Wowzers.

8. Anoop Dawg - I like Anoop and was so excited to hear that he'd sing "Beat It" but it was just aw-right, unfortunately. I think he has a following and will stick around, thankfully.

9. Jorge - It was okay. I like Jorge. How can you not? But it was good, not great.

10. Megan - I laughed through the whole thing. Something about her (and thinking about how uncomfortable Mark gets when she sings) makes me not be able to help it. She did a good job, though. She's a feel-good artist. Weird song choice, but she's likeable.

11. Adam - HOLY SMOKES. I can NOT get enough of Adam!! I have ALWAYS liked him and I like him even more now. I love how he carries himself. I love his confidence. I love his look. I love his personality. I love his chutzpah, stage presence, and voice. I love how he hits "ridiculous" notes and his screechy way. He's like a male Fantasia and I can get down with that. LOVE him.

12. Matt - I really like Matt. I love how he plays piano. I love anyone who can play like that. WOW! He did a good job. He really hit some notes, fell off a bit, but it was still good. I like him and want to see more of him.

13. Alexis - HOLY. That little petite thing can seriously SING. Dirty Diana? Are you FREAKING kidding me? She looks like she's 11 but sings like she's a cross of Tina Turner/Fantasia/I don't even know who but I am speechless at the power and control that girl has. She NAILED that song and was stunningly amazing on it. An Adam-Alexis finale would be incredible.