American Idol Season 9 Top 12 Girls

It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for — the first live Idol show of the year. As the start of the first episode approached, anticipation was running high about the important questions. What will Ryan be wearing? Casual or smart? Light or dark? Is he still obsessed with tie bars? If he’s wearing a jacket, will he have a pocket square … and will he have eaten his words about peaks meaning “I’m yesterday” and worn it pointy side up. So many questions! And we haven’t even started on his hair. It was all a little too much, but finally the wait was over and the she show started … in the control room, teasing us with a tiny Ryan in the middle of the screen. We could see he was wearing a dark shirt and a tie … and fortunately, before the squinting to see could cause permanent damage, the director said “Cue the Queen!” “Cue Ryan!” and the full treat-sized Ryan was there for our viewing pleasure.

And was it ever worth the wait! Ryan looked HOT with a capital everything.

Looking drop-dead gorgeous in black shirt and pants and rocking a Burberry tie, Ryan walked along a corridor fashioned from nervous contestants and started to build the drama:

This is not just a stage. This is a platform that will launch one of these 24 faces into superstardom!

With a fabulous smile, Ryan announced “THIS is American Idol!” and it was time to let the games begin. Ryan walked past the girls lining the stairway and stood at the bottom, so we got a good look at him as the girls filed past and waved to camera while Ryan told us their names. @RSP retweeted a comment that Ryan’s hair needed more gel and to be messier. I thought his hair looked just fine, although it hadn’t quite reached Hollywood Week Day Two proportions of epicness … but if there’s a need for volunteers to muss Ryan’s hair, I’d be more than happy to offer my services. And muss his hair.

The top twenty four will be whittled down to six girls and six guys over the next three weeks, and Ryan introduced the guys as a whole as they get to sit this one out — it’ll be their turn tomorrow. Ryan, ever concerned with health and safety, took time out to warn Big Mike to take a little more care with his clapping as his elbows might take out a chin or two. I wonder if a ‘no picking Ryan up’ rule has been implemented for the live shows.

So we’d met the girls, the guys, and the delicious host. That just left the judges and Ryan introduced them, starting first with Ellen, then Randy, Kara and finally Simon.

So let’s start with Mr Cowell! I heard the big news. I saw the New York Post…

A grinning Ryan captured everyone’s attention with those words, and I swear I heard a pin drop as everyone held their breath, waiting to see where Ryan went with this as the camera panned to Simon, who queried, “about?” as he glanced nervously to his left … is that where a certain someone was sitting?

You’ve said it’s going to be the girls’ year.

Cue lots of laughter from the judges and the audience as Simon recovered, “you’ve thought about that, haven’t you”. Ryan told Simon that was the first time he’s seen him looking nervous. Round One to Ryan … let the sniping commence!

Ryan had a few words with each of the judges, best of which was the clip that explained why Ellen and Simon were no longer sitting together: Simon just can’t keep his hands to himself!

Nice one, Ellen!

Then it was time for the contestants. I suppose “and some people sang badly” would be glossing over that part of the show a little too much even if I do watch the show mainly to see Ryan. It’s so good to see him back interacting with Simon and the other judges!

Paige Miles sang Alright Now by Free. Simon thinks she has the best voice out of the girls but wouldn’t have chosen the song. Kara thought the song choice was brilliant as it gave her a chance to show her soul. Randy agreed with both of them and Ellen agreed and disagreed with them all.

Ashley Rodriguez sang Leona Lewis’ Happy, though it didn’t seem to put a smile on Simon’s face. Simon stared off to the left as Kara and Randy sugar-coated their disappointment. Simon thought it was clumsy and lacking originality.

Janell Wheeler took on Heart’s What About Love. Randy didn’t like the song choice, Ellen did and thought she sang it well other than a few off notes, Simon said she gave it 100% effort but delivered 65%, and Ryan popped into view as Kara said the song was too big for her. Taking the heat off Janell, Ryan went with the song choice angle and got Randy to explain what the contestants should look for when picking a song.

Lilly Scott chose The Beatles’ Fixing a Hole. Ellen thought she was unique, Simon complimented her on choosing something that would portray her as an artist but said she still lacked star power, Kara found her believable, and Randy likes that she’s a genuine indie artist. Lilly towered over Ryan when he joined her in front of the judges. She said she didn’t want to make him feel too short, but Ryan assured her it’d already been done … since he was born.

Katelyn Epperly also went for a Beatles track, choosing Oh Darling. Simon thought it was messy but finds her quirky and interesting, Kara said she knows her voice very well but didn’t like the make-up, Randy liked the make-up and her tone, Ellen found her interesting. Ryan asked Katelyn about the word bubble in her head when Kara commented about the make-over … Kara said she knew, it was ‘bitch’.

Ryan had moved to stand behind Randy and Ellen to introduce Haeley Vaughn. Haeley completed a Beatles hattrick with I Want to Hold Your Hand. Kara told her to work on her technical abilities, Randy likes her unpredictability, Ellen said she shines on stage and Simon thought it was verging on terrible. Ryan asked if they were watching two different shows because Ellen loved it and Simon was apoplectic, but Simon said “it’s called having an opinion”.

Lacey Brown sang Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Ryan introduced her sitting on the edge of the stage in front of the guys — he sure gets around. Maybe they’re compiling photos for a special version of Where’s Wally/Waldo? with Ryan in the starring role. Randy thought Lacey was pitchy, Ellen thinks she’s better than that, Simon found it depressing, and Kara hoped America would give her another shot.

As Idol came back from a break, we searched the scene for Ryan … there he was! In the red room sitting between Michelle and Katie. We’re getting good at this game!

Ryan asked Michelle Delamor how the other contestants felt after hearing the judges’ criticism and asked Michelle what she did before Idol. Michelle talked about her three jobs so Ryan said, “that’s more jobs than me!” … but she just laughed. Michelle braved Alicia Key’s Fallin’. Ellen thought she had more in her, Simon thought it was professional but nothing that made him think ‘wow’, Kara said she looks commercial, and Randy thought she did a pretty good job.

Didi Benami chose to sing Ingrid Michaelson’s The Way I am. Ryan introduced her from the back of the stage, then stalked by in the background as she started singing. Simon thought she lacked a spark, Kara thought she showed creativity, which Simon interrupted to say you need to be remembered, Randy wasn’t seeing a star factor, Simon chipped in to say ‘no x factor’ .. sneaky name check for his new series! Ellen thought the song was too low key for a first impression.

Ryan: Simon, I get the sense that you’re a bit frustrated

Simon: It’s like your first kiss. Your first kiss has got to be something you’re gonna remember. Not you. But that’s what it is. You’ve got to come out here, do something and prove to everyone watching this show I am different, unique and I’m a star, rather than indulging yourself. That’s the problem.

Ryan: I didn’t think of any of that during my first kiss.

Randy: Really?

Simon: I think that probably went both ways.

Ryan was back by the stairs. The producers had made it a little more difficult this time by standing him in front of a background that was almost the same colour as his clothes, but we still found him. Only three more to go — that should put a smile on Simon’s face. Most of the singers have been pretty dire.

Siobhan Magnus said at the end of the clip that she wasn’t sure what a dark horse was … but Ryan assured her it was a compliment. Siobhan sang Wicked Game by Chris Isaak. Kara wouldn’t have picked it but kinda liked it, Randy wanted her to reach for bigger things, Ellen forgot it was a singing competition and was just entertained and Simon thought she’s a funny little thing. Simon said the song was dark, but she might be a dark person … blowing glass all day. Simon asked her to explain why she’d picked the song. After a rambling answer, Simon in his most sarcastic monotone said, “okay, now I understand” as he rolled his eyes and glanced sideways at the camera with a grimace.

Ryan: Randy pointing out that when he first saw you, you could blow …

Camera switched to Simon’s did you really just say that expression and back to Ryan’s cheeky schoolboy face. Yes, he did. There wasn’t much anybody could add to that without getting into trouble, though Randy did try, so Simon just laughed as Ryan said they needed a scroll along the bottom. I don’t think that’ll be necessary … at least he didn’t start talking about glory holes.

With both hands in his pockets, Ryan introduced Crystal Bowersox from alongside the stage. She sang Alanis Morrisette’s Hand in my Pocket, playing both guitar and harmonica during the performance. Randy loved the honesty even though he wasn’t sure about the song, Ellen said she adds something fresh to the show, Simon likes her but thinks there are thousands of her doing this outside subway stations, and Kara thought she was good but has the potential to be great. Ryan volunteered for the job of Crystal’s assistant (he just beat Michelle to it) and asked about the autographs on her guitar.

Ryan introduced the last contestant from the red room and Katie Stevens closed the show with Michael Bublé’s version of Feeling Good. Ellen thought it was a little old and wanted to see her be 17, Simon agreed and said it started to become annoying, Kara didn’t think she could hear herself because she was all over the place, and Randy thought she was pushing so much the notes were going sharp.

From centre stage, surrounded by the girls, Ryan introduced a clip of the boys trying to look cool/funny/interesting ahead of tomorrow’s show. Most of them failed, but it’s always funny to watch them try.

What a fantastic show! Except for most of the singing, but luckily that’s not what we’re watching for! My favourite contestant is still Crystal Bowersox, by a long way. I liked Lilly Scott and Didi Benami and think Katelyn Epperly, Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor and Siobhan Magnus should stick around a little longer. I’d send Paige Miles and Lacey Brown home.

If you want to chat about American Idol, you can find a growing community of Ryan’s fans at the Ryan Seacrest Fan Forum and Ryan Seacrest Fans on twitter