On Tuesday night, the Top 12 contestants in Season Four of "American Idol" will hit the stage. Because of the gender-balancing act being performed this time around, the men and the women have not yet had to compete against each other. Conventional wisdom last season was that the women were much stronger, so this rejiggering was intended to deliver a more balanced group. Of course, most agree that the men are the more talented group this time around, so the format change may have been entirely unnecessary.
For the next 12 weeks, ZMethos and I will be giving our thoughts on the contestants, their performances, and how the competition is progressing. For now, we'll start with a general preview going into the finals.
Scott: Right now, everyone seems to think that the guys are going to clean up in the finals, but I'm not so sure. While the Top 12 are stronger as a group this year, I think there are a few weak links on both sides.
Starting with the men, I think Constantine will be one of the first to go. He's so clearly inferior to Bo Bice as a singer and a performer that it's becoming painful to watch him get up there each week. And the tweeners who've been voting him through on looks must have noticed that he's gained about 15 pounds since the audition rounds.
Scott Savol should be an early casualty as well. He's a good singer, but his image has only marginally improved from his first appearance on the show. As we've seen time and again, it's not just the vocals that get you through, it's the whole package.
ZMethos: I have heard arguments on both sides; some say the men are stronger, some prefer the women this season. But I agree that, taken as a whole, this group has more talent than past years have provided.
Article comments
1 - Sue
You've got to do your research -- Mario dropped out of the competition and has beenm replaced by Nikko.
2 - Natalie Davis
I am so tired of this. If someone picks fave singers who happen to be of European-American descent, does anyone question whether that person is "racist"? Of course not. So why would someone make that accusation if someone prefers singers who happen to be (ostensibly, of course; no one actually knows) of African-American descent? Would that charge be made of someone who routinely preferred singers who happen to be of Hispanic-American descent or Asian-American descent? The whole thing baffles me.
Whatever. Keep up the good work, Mr. Pepper; this Bo fan always enjoys reading your insights and AI updates.
3 - American Idol Expert
"I agree that Carrie may have trouble branching out into other styles of music; instead she may try to "countrify" any song she chooses to sing, and that may end up working for her because it would play to her strengths. I'm also not sure what the viewing audience prefers to see/hear, which makes it harder at times to guess who will advance."
This leads me to believe that Carrie will be the "Josh Gracin" of AI4. Josh had issues about whether he was all country all the time or something else. She'll go far, like the top 3, but then lose. No way is the final not going to be Bo vs. Anthony.
4 - Sarah
AI Expert: Interesting comment comparing Carrie to Josh Gracin. I see that too, but Carrie is cute and might go farther than the top 3.
The only thing is that I also agree with your top 3: Bo, Anthony, Carrie
This is the order I feel the finalists will be picked off:
Nikko, Mikalah, Vonzell, Lindsey, Nadia, Anwar, Jessica, Scott, Constantine, Anthony, Carrie, and Bo (Winner)
5 - Scott Pepper
I would love to see Carrie and Bo as the top two, though I think both could have some trouble getting there.
6 - Leslie
I think this is the best of the shows yet and look forward to the next several weeks as the talent narrows down. Since the show will be using different genres this season I know many of the contestants are going to flop. I've been watching Bo Bice who has been phenomenal so far but worry he's going to have trouble with the genres of music outside of rock. I hope he 'wows' us all. The first of the 12 to get the ax will be Nikko and Makalah {but I think she's a real firecracker and would do great as an actress - a mini Fran Drescher}.