Hooray for Hollywood?

After too many weeks of time-wasting and purposely emotional audition rounds, we're onto Hollywood and the introduction of Ellen DeGeneres to the judging table.  While a bit irritating at points, she is a solid replacement for Courtney Love Paula Abdul (confused my drug addicts). 

Since I am exhausted from trying to understand another episode of "Lost" and from writing some clever things in my "Final Thoughts" column tonight (READ IT!), you get a very straight forward recap tonight.

Katie Stevens peforrmed solidly once again to retain her spot in the top 24 and possibly the title of "America's Sweetheart" amongst this year's performers.

Does anyone else think that Andrew Garcia looks just a bit too much like Hokey Gokey?!  At least Garcia is 100 times more talented than Gokey and Paula Abdul , even making Abdul's "Straight Up" palatable. 

Looks like Vanessa Wolfe is "Leaving on an Aeroplane"...back home this time. Hear the song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and that comment is a tad bit humorous. :)

Janell Wheeler's pleasantly raspy folky/country performance pushed her onto the next round and most likely into the top 24.  Will she be this year's country girl?

While the judges liked Haeley Vaughn, I didn't prefer her song choice nor her voice much.  I know she is supposed to make the top 24, however I hope this does not occur (see below for the better choice).

Mary Powers showcased a great voice, but stop yelling for Christ sake!

Lilly Scott remains one of my favorites of the competition, however I have a feeling that she is going to turn out to be closer to last year's beauty Meghan Joy than past winner Kelly Clarkson.  Scott seems perfect for soundtracks similar to "(500) Days of Summer"...a great soundtrack if you're unfamiliar with it.

How could you not like big teddy bear, Michael Lynche?  Besides a great voice that one would not expect from a linebacker like Lynche, the guy just had a baby winning the emotional vote!  Of course, his father ruined it all when he announced that he made it to the top 24...let's hope that Idol producers give him another shot.

As for Tim Urban? Not a fan of him...don't expect to see him in the top 24.

Same goes for Casey James who is destined for the top 24 (according to leaked reports).

Didi Benami who is not on the leaked list for the top 24 remains one of my favorites and for the first time, I really hope the leaked list is incorrect.  Besides being a cutie, she has a very unique voice.

Once Crystal Bowersox loses a few pounds, bleaches her teeth, and gets cleaned up by the stylists, she could be a force to reckon with in season 9.