Idol Chatter: Hollywood Week and the Top 24

Photo courtesy of FOX.



by Becky Tennant and Bethany O'Neil

After months of waiting and hours of agonizing auditions, Hollywood Week was finally upon us. This year was just as rigorous for the contestants as past years. We got to see people at their best and at their worst.


Once again we were consumed by heart wrenching stories and tears. What a relief it was to watch last nights show and finally see all of the Idol contestants that make up 2008's Top 24. What a relief it was to realize that this year there was no Sanjaya Malakar. There are actual talented people in the Top 24!

Would Josiah Leming, the homeless Tennessean, wow the judges once again? Or would Amanda Overmyer, the rocker nurse, who was involved in a serious car accident just a week before the auditions and has the 12 staples in her head to prove it, move on to Hollywood?

Unfortunately the journey ended last night for Josiah. And frankly we weren't surprised to see him go. He proved to be way over confident in his abilities by "dismissing" the band, having a meltdown when they didn't do things his way, and not to mention the weird British accent thing he does. That is just odd. We think he needs to step back and find out who he really is? Or maybe take some medication.

Another guy who got the boot was farmer Drew. Unlike Josiah, we were sad to see him go. But at least he got home in time for turkey season, we wouldn't want him to miss out on that.

On the other hand Amanda Overmyer once again won over the judges with her Janis Joplin like voice and made it through along with 11 other gals and 12 guys.

Here is your Top 24 for Season 7:

Ladies
Alaina Whitaker
Alexandrea Lushington
Amanda Overmyer
Amy Davis
Asia'h Epperson
Brook White
Joanne Borgella
Kady Malloy
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Kristy Lee Cook
Carly Smithson

Guys
Chikezie Eze
Colton Berry
Danny Noriega
David Archuleta
David Cook
David Hernandez
Garrett Haley
Jason Yeager
Jason Castro
Luke Menard
Robbie Carrico
Michael Johns

Next week it is finally a real competition and it will be our turn to vote and decide who goes on. Will the previous Idol disappointments prompt people to vote more for talent than popularity? We can only hope. And since this year there seems to be lots of talent, maybe that superstar we have been waiting for is just around the corner.