Penster

Well... after saying that the top 24 was the "best ever"... is the top 12 the best ever in the seven seasons of American Idol? I think there is definitely some truth to that. Definitely much better than last year which was the worst ever (in my opinion). Jordin wasn't the worst contestant to eventually win I think that award easily goes to... what's his face??? Oh yeah... Taylor Hicks! Well, eventually Daughtry (who was my favorite to win that season) proved to be the better one afterall hehe.

But i'm getting ouf of topic here... going back to this year, I do see 3-4 people who I am ok to see as champions. And collectively, they have all great talent! Unlike last year where there was 1 who i wanted to win but didn't, there were ho-hum and joke finalists (Sanjaya anyone?), but this year they are all good singers who can really sing and perform. Except for 2 people who wasn't on my list everyone else made it to the top 12.

The girls I had a hard time predicting who make it to the finals. My rankings have been shifting quite a bit every week. But my top choices were in tact including Carly and Ramielle. I was expecting (and wanting) Kady out for sure but Asia'h I thought was good enough for the top 12. In her place, I would have put Amanda... i don't care if she brings her unique rock style... after the first week, she started to bore me. I don't what the judges see in her though.

For the guys it was easier for me. I've predicted Jason Yeager and Robbie the previous week...  and my top favorites all made it to the finals. David Cook is my fave for the guys after all the semifinal performances. I was really sure that Luke must be the next to go and he was. I wasn't sure of my 2nd choice but settled for Chikezee. Although i'm not a fan of Danny, I liked him more than Chikezee since he is fun to watch.

Thus, my core Top 12 by grouping has been made. Of course, things may change after the performances during the finals. But for now i've group the contestants into my three groups:

My top choices
David Cook - Consistently impressed by this guy... under appreciated I think by most
Carly - Loved her from the auditions... she still has make that definitive WOW performance though
Ramielle - Wouldn't it be cool to have the first Asian-American idol to be Pinoy! But I am a fan!
Michael - Not the best vocals but one heck of a performer.

Middle group
David Archuleta - An early favorite and his rendition of Imagine was the best but too pa-cute
Jason - Unique. Too meek to be a champion
Syesha - Great vocals... she's got potential
Brook - Last 2  performances were great. Let's see if she continues to grow.
David Hernandez - Some very good perfomances just at the right time landed him to the top 12 but don't know if he'd be able to sustain it

Bottom pack
Kristy Lee - Just "ok" for me
Amanda - Like I said, i'm not a fan of her voice and her style is getting old quick
Chikezee - The guy who I wanted to go out first from the top 12 but even he has the pipes but he has an attitude... and not a good one.

All in all... it makes for an interesting season especially when we get to the top 6!