American Idol

Due to a medical emergency involving Crystal Bowersox, the men were forced to switch nights with the ladies this week on American Idol.

We guess we could chalk up the number of poor performances to this scheduling switch... if so many guys had not also been lackluster last Wednesday evening.

While a handful of semifinalists stood out, we wouldn't complain if any of the bottom half of contestants listed below got voted out. Here's how we'd rank this week's male contenders:

1. Aaron Kelly: Granted, "My Girl" is a fun, easy song to sing for anyone with a good voice. But Aaron showed impressive range and confidence for a 16-year old.
2. Michael Lynche: Might have to be known for more than his physique and personality know. Fantastic song choice with a James Brown classic.
3. Casey James: The judges may say it's a singing competition, but his electric guitar will help James go far. So will his looks.
4. Lee DeWyze:We hate to agree with Kara, but it's true: we could imagine Lee on the radio right this very instant.
5. Andrew Garcia: That rendition of "Straight Up" is coming back to hurt him. No performance since has compared.
6. Alex Lambert: We weren't nearly as impressed as the judges. He may not have vomited before performing this week, but is that the standard we're going by now?
7. Todrick Hall: The best of the worst. We'll give him points again for at least trying something different.
8. John Park: Ellen said she likes his look. The guy wears a t-shirt and... is Asian? We're not sure what Ellen means.
9. Jermaine Sellers: Says he'll stick around because "I know God." Loved Simon's response: Then there's no need for anyone to call in for you, right?
10. Tim Urban: Seems like a very nice guy. But simply isn't a very good singer.

Take your pick, vote our any of the final four and we'll be happy. But we'd send Sellers and Urban packing. How about you?

Below, we've posted performance photos of all 10 semifinalists. Click on each to enlarge and choose your favorite...

The week after American Idol made its first round of cuts (sorry, Tyler, Janell, Ashley and Joe), we're continuing to ask readers which semifinalists they think will advance the farthest.

Past showdowns between singers, for example, have pitted Katie Stevens vs. Katelyn Epperly. Which of those young beauties has the most potential?

Now, for the first time in this feature, we're mixing up genders. Fox may wish to separate men and women like some sort of middle school dance, but THG is all about integration!

Last Tuesday, viewers voted Siobhan Magnus through after an impressive rendition of Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game." As an alternative to guitar players such as Didi Benami, Magnus may be a dark horse on the female side.

Meanwhile, Aaron Kelly also received good news from voters. His adorable mug will be on full display again this Wednesday. Choose between these contestants below...

Which semifinalist will advance farther on American Idol?

Adam Lambert will return to the American Idol stage this season.

A few hours after Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen performed for fans, Lambert Tweeted today:

"Yes, I have been booked on Idol! Can't reveal the date yet but it's a ways off... So excited. Kris and Allison were awesome last night."

They sure were. But Lambert's debut album sold the most copies of any season eight finalist and his appearance later this year is sure to draw huge ratings.

But which competitors will still be around to see him? Our money is on Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Didi Benami or Crystal Bowersox to walk away with the season nine crown. What do you think?

Sheryl Crow once crooned that "the first cut is the deepest."

For American Idol last night, the first four cuts were the most erroneous. Let's analyze each below:

Joe Munoz over Tim Urban?!? The latter might be cute, but did you see the look of shock on his face after Ryan told Tim he was safe? Did viewers really do Urban a favor by keeping him around and ensuring his weak vocal skills will be torn apart again and again until America comes to its senses?

Tyler Grady over Jermaine Sellers?!? We weren't fans of Grady's 1970s-inspired gimmick, either. But he made a great point (which Simon acknowledged, if you read his lips) about the judges selecting him for the semifinals... but then jumping all over him for the same schtick that got him there.

It would have been nice to have seen if Tyler had more to offer going forward, especially compared to the over-emotional nonsense that Sellers through our way this week.

Janell Wheeler over Haeley Vaughn?!? Yes, Wheeler chose the wrong song. She's not a rocker. But Vaughn comes across like some sort of frightening, dressed-up doll. She just looks awkward on stage and her rendition of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" wasn't strong.

Ashley Rodriguez over Lacey Brown?!? Brown was really bad and Ashley is really good looking. Come on, voters!

At least we got to see Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen perform. And at least we can still look forward to Crystal Bowersox, Didi Benami and Andrew Garcia next week. But this was a poor start for the viewing public.

Did you agree with who was sent home? As you ponder that question, check out a few photos below from the first results show of season nine:

We're glad we're not an American Idol contestant this season. Partly because we have an atrocious voice and would be laughed out of the competition.

But also because the judges seem more scatter-brained and confusing than ever: be original, they tell contestants, but not so original that you butcher a song. Be true to who you are, they add, but also mix it up and stand out.

For example: If you didn't like Tyler Grady's 70s schtick, panel, why did you select him for the semifinals?

With that complaint out of the way, we've ranked last night's set of live performances from best to worst:

1. Casey James: Yes, we're suckers for the Bryan Adams single "Heaven." But aside from his voice, we admired James for the classy way he handled the show's focus on Kara's fawning over him.
2. Andrew Garcia: Stop bringing up his great rendition of "Straight Up" from an earlier round, judges, and focus on each performance. We loved his arrangement on "Sugar We’re Going Down."
3. Todrick Hall: We're probably alone with this pick, but the guy took a major risk by re-working a Kelly Clarkson classic and he gets props for that.
4. Lee DeWyze: We had no idea he had this in him. Solid work on "Chasing Cars" and the official male dark horse.
5. John Park: Did he try to do much with a difficult song? Yes, but he wants to marry Shania Twain and the show could use someone with a sense of humor.
6. Alex Lambert: The judges actually did call this one perfectly. He has potential, but just needs to get more comfortable on stage.
7. Aaron Kelly: If he had waited a year or two to try out, could have been a front-runner. Decent performance of "Here Comes Goodbye."
8. Joe Munoz: We're just glad he didn't choose the popular Jason Mraz song everyone sings. Actually not bad, but a lack of stage presence and star power.
9. Jermaine Sellers: Over-singing alert! The guy just tries too hard on stage and it doesn't look natural.
10. Michael Lynche: We're huge fans of "Big Mike" as a person. Nice, sweet guy. But he simply lacks the vocal talent.
11. Tyler Grady: We never liked his 1970s look. Way too much of a gimmick.
12. Tim Urban: Actually worse than Lacey Brown the night before.

Browse through performance photo of the competitors from last night and let us know: Who was your favorite?

The live performances have scarcely begun, but controversy has already enveloped this season of American Idol.

Semifinalist Todrick Hall was embroiled in scandal last summer when a Tennessee production he played a role in never actually aired any performances, depriving the families involved of money.

More recently, Chris Golightly was booted from the top 24 (and replaced by Tim Urban) because he had signed an exclusive contract with a boy band.

Now, one of THG's early favorites might be in trouble: Didi Benami has a connection to judge Kara DioGuardi that some might say gives her an unfair advantage on the show.

Didi Benami possesses a unique sound and a genuine stage presence that makes her among the favorites on American Idol.

Benami has worked with Jason Reeves, a man she referred to as a “magical genius collaborator" and thanked on her MySpace page last April. The pair wrote the single "Pretty Fool" together.

Who is Reeves? A friend and songwriting partner of DiGuardi's.

Would this affilation have any actual bearing on the competition? It's unlikely. But as the most popular show on TV, American Idol must be extra careful about any appearance of favoritism. This is a situation worth keeping one's eye on.

While everyone has been assuming a female will come out on top of American Idol this season, the ladies left the door open for the men last night, didn't they?

It's very early, but no woman stood out on the first live performance show of the year.

Two singers very happy about this development? Jermaine Sellers and Lee DeWyze. The crooners will take the stage this evening, along with 10 other men, and aim to impress all four judges and all 30 million people watching from home.

Sellers is a professional church singer and takes care of his ailing mother. She's been diagnosed with Spina Bifida.

DeWyze, meanwhile, wasn't seen very often during the initial Hollywood rounds. He hails from Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Compare the hopefuls and then vote below in our poll:

Who will go farther this season?

Before we break down each American Idol performance from the first night of live auditions, we must say: The judges seem confused.

They chose a slew of Taylor Swift-like guitar players, laid back contestants (Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox, Janell Wheeler, etc.) with a quiet sound, and then complained last night when the women played to their strengths. Simon continually said he didn't have any "Wow!" moments, but, in many ways, he didn't select any "Wow!" contestants for the semifinals.

Below, in descending order, we rank our favorite performers from the evening:

1. Lilly Scott: Played with the arrangement on “Fixin’ A Hole” by the Beatles and stood out with her original sound/look. Comes across as a "real, indie artist," as Randy said.
2. Michelle Delamor: Almost seems like a professional singer already. We wouldn't have chosen an Alicia Keys song because it sets the bar too high, but Delamor can wail. If this is an actual singing competition, based on the best voice, she's the best woman.
3. Siobhan Magnus: Different, dark, we liked her version of "Wicked Game" a lot. Falls somewhere between the acoustic players mentioned above and Delamor.
4. Crystal Bowersox: We can't get enough of the harmonica, but that alone won't be enough to carry her to the title.
5. Katelyn Epperly: Didn't like the look. As Ellen said, she was trying too hard. But nice, blues-like version of a Beatles song.
6. Didi Benami: The perfect song choice (“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson), but what will her range be like? Seems like this is the exact performance she'll put on every week.
7. Paige Miles: The biggest surprise of the night, only because we scarcely saw her on previous weeks. A great voice.
8. Janell Wheeler: Attempted to go outside of her comfort zone and rock out to Heart's "What About Love." Points for trying, at least.
9. Katie Stevens: We agree with the judges. You're adorable. Choose songs that are younger and more fun. But amazing pipes.
10. Ashley Rodriguez: Shockingly in danger already. But unless fans want nothing but Swift wannabes, will give this potential rocker another chance.
11. Haeley Vaughn: Just awkward all around, from her look to her version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
12. Lacey Brown: Atrocious.

WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE PERFORMER ON THE NIGHT?

How far can young and cute carry Katie Stevens and Katelyn Epperly this season on American Idol?

It's a question worth asking because these two semifinalists don't have the strongest voices on the show.

But Stevents, at least, has the most moving personal story of any contestant: she's extremely close to her grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The Boston native says she'd love nothing more than to achieve her dreams while her grandmother is still relatively cognizant.

Epperly, meanwhile, is a 19-year old from Iowa. She plays the piano and has served as the vocalist for Katelyn & the Bruises, a folk rock band.

Compare the hopefuls below and then vote in our poll...

Which semifinalist will go farther on American Idol?

We also encourage readers to sound off on a showdown between Michelle Delamor and Paige Miles. Which of these singers will do the best?

Place your bets... place your bets...

The day before American Idol goes live and the top 12 women take to the stage, SBG Global Sportsbook has revealed each contestant's odds to be the next Carrie Underwood or Kris Allen.

After his sterling performing of "Straight Up," it's no surprise to find Andrew Garcia as the early favorite. A bunch of guitar-playing women follow, with little-known Joe Munoz bringing up the rear...

• 9:2 - Andrew Garcia
• 13:2 - Katie Stevens
• 7:1 - Didi Benami, Ashley Rodriguez
• 15:2 - Crystal Bowersox
• 8:1 - Casey James
• 12:1 - Siobhan Magnus
• 15:1 - Janell Wheeler, Jermaine Sellers, Todrick Hall
• 18:1 - Haeley Vaughn
• 25:1 - Lacey Brown, Tim Urban, Tyler Grady
• 33:1 - Paige Miles
• 35:1 - Alex Lambert, Michael Lynche
• 40:1 - Katelyn Epperly, Lilly Scott
• 45:1 - John Park, Michelle Delamor
• 50:1 - Aaron Kelly, Lee DeWyze
• 65:1 - Joe Munoz