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American Idol Power Rankings: The Guys (March 4)

Contributed by: Eric Lubbers/Sarah Blomstrom   on 3/4/2008

There are literally thousands of people blogging about American Idol, and I know I'm not the best or the brightest one out there. That's why I enlisted the best and the brightest (and the best-looking, to boot) reality TV scholar in the country: My girlfriend, Sarah. To add an extra kick, we are going to co-opt the Internet's best mechanism for comparing competing individuals: The Power Ranking, as seen on every sports Web site ever (think college football rankings). The rankings will change week to week, so stay tuned. Let's get started with The Final Eight Guys: '80s Night.

1. Jason Castro / "The Dreadlocked Dreamboat"
Eric: The blue-eyed, perpetually almost-stoned crooner hit his stride by covering Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (I refuse to acknowledge Rufus Wainwright or Jeff Buckley here). He left the guitar crutch behind and was better for it, sounding great. But how can you not sound great with Leonard's lyrics? Bonus: Castro told a story about having a dreadlock fall off in his hands on a first date. Awklarious!

Sarah: Don't be fooled by Eric's nickname. I was totally raving about Mr. Castro's dreaminess before the show tonight and Eric was all like, "What? Really? Nah," and it was only after he pulled out the Cohen (though sounding infinitely more like the Buckley/Wainwright versions, of course...but my pal Lenny gets all the credit because the lyrics are what make that song truly incredible) that Eric would acknowledge my claims. Seriously, I was rather turned off by the dreads at first (not really my thing), but I kind of love the fact that he has them because he would totally be the most conventionally hot contestant without them...but he chooses to keep them! He doesn't seem like he's trying to fit in with any certain scene; his hair just happens to look like that. And that, my friends, is cool. Never mind the fact that he's on American Idol and is thus most likely way more lame and boring than I'm making him sound (but in comparison to everyone else on the show at this point, he might as well be The Velvet Underground surrounded by Lifehouse and The Dave Matthews Band and Evanescence). I'm calling him my favorite of the season. Adorable, charming, good taste (for this show anyhow), what more could you want?

Original Artist video©
Leonard Cohen Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf36v0epfmI

2. David Archuleta / "The Adorable One"
Eric: Everyone's favorite "Aw, shucks" started out on the piano for the first time all season and did his usual near-pitch perfect rendition of some Phil Collins song I've never heard, nor really care to again (I found out it's called "Another Day In Paradise"). It was a little bit boring, but that's Phill Collins' fault, not David's. His interview with Ryan exemplified his Boy Scout-y appeal by insisting that America know that he was thinking of the homeless when he chose this song. Awwwwww.....

Sarah: Oh, David. I almost always tend to rail against anyone everyone else likes this much, but in this instance I just can't help myself. He's totally the chubby kid that grew out of his chubby, awkward stage without really realizing it (I pulled a similar trick between seventh and eighth grade so I know how it goes...growth spurt+killer case of mono+contact lenses=way improved Sarah!), hence why he is so completely nice and genuine, despite being the obvious favorite to win. He's goofy and sort of a goody goody (andI typically rail against them too...hey, I'm a difficult person to please) and I spend a whole lot of time giggling at him (occasionally with him), but whatever, I still like him. This ranking has little to do with tonight's performance (meh, he sang how people on this show want you to sing...all while having to pee, apparently. But I did rather like the piano part in spite of myself) but he's just so damn likeable I fought to get him this spot. Thank me when you're famous and forced to sing terrible/boring songs, kid!

Original Artist video©
Phil Collins - Another day in paradise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftlYLcEW_I4

3. Michael Johns / "The Aussie"
Eric: Handsome, foreign and singing "Don't You Forget About Me?" I dig. He sang it well, lifted the spirit of the show and injected a little rock into the mix. The best part of the whole performance was the judging when Randy jumped right in and immediately confusing the Scottish band Simple Minds with the Australian band INXS, even going so far as comparing Michael to the late Michael Hutchens. And no one called him on it! They just let him simmer in his marinade of ignorance. Even Simon.

Sarah: I started out liking Michael a ton more at the beginning of the season, but then he sang songs by The Doors twice (blech) and well, this song seems like an easy choice from the 80s that doesn't really take a lot of talent to sing. So I don't know. I like him way more than any of the other contestants below him on this ranking, but I hope he pulls out some better songs in the future. Of course, this won't change the fact that he's married and the married contestants always tend to kind of bother me for some reason (and I'm totally not going to take the time to explain why because it's all a bunch of nonsense, but it's how I feel regardless).

Original Artist video©
SIMPLE MINDS Don't You (Forget About Me) LIVE 1985
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7sNmrlLFGg

4. David Cook / "The Unfortunate Hair"
Eric: I can't get past his horrible haircut and color, but I have to admit he made Lionel Richie sound adequately rock-y. And compared to some of the dreck on the rest of this list, he sounds pretty good.

Sarah: I don't know why, but the dude really rubs me the wrong way. He seems really pretentious or something (I bet he thinks he's the "outsider" of the show...and I would probably feel the same way, but still, you can't let such feelings show without coming across as a d*uche bag, you know? And besides, why not just stick with your band and avoid this show if that's really how you feel?) and I can't get a handle on him or his taste, but I always assume he's probably pretty lame (and defensive, considering his reaction to Simon's comments last week). And Eric seems to be most annoyed by his haircut while I am most offended by the color (he looks like he's an uncool 35 year old trying to pretend he's still 20 or something...and I realize he's not actually 35, but I think his hair makes him look super old). I guess this performance was alright though. Kind of funny, but not funny sounding. Plus, he had guitar problems (the sign of a true musician!). Other people probably dug it quite a lot.

Original Artist video©
Lionel Richie - Hello
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDZcqBgCS74
Click here for part II - the rest of the guys


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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Submitted By: Tracey Fanning
posted on 3/6/2008 @ 12:07:30 PM
(Not Rated)
It would be nice to see David Cook put away the guitar since he can't really play anything but simple chords.I hate phoney guitar players.That hair and everything about him turns me off.American Idol is really quite boring this year. I will watch to see how far the Irish Carly who has been given a free pass so far on her terrible singing goes home.I will also watch hoping David Archuletta,the only one with extreme vocals wins it.I can't wait until I see the ugly tattoos go home.If she wins it ,it will definately be fixed.
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Submitted By: Robin Nolet
posted on 3/5/2008 @ 9:39:00 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Wow, you guys will be pulling all nighters with details like these! Loved the video links-great idea. I don't think I'd agree with Jason as #1...but I'm enjoying him while he lasts. Though the story of the dreadlock falling off was kinda ewww... Love the nicknames! http://denver.yourhub.com/~ParkerPerson
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Submitted By: Noel Henry
posted on 3/5/2008 @ 3:35:58 PM
(Not Rated)
Travis I think they have it right! They are my top 3 in that exact order! I can't wait to see Archuletta in Tiger Beat! I especially agree with the comment about Cook's hair. It's waaay to thin to be colored like he's 20 years old. (Not that it's so terrible to be 35) I also can't stand the way he sings out the side of his mouth. REDICLOUS! But if you close your eyes he's very talented! Besides these 4 fellas and Chikeezie the rest of them to me aren't even worth mentioning.
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Submitted By: Travis Henry
posted on 3/5/2008 @ 2:03:56 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Sigh. I know you stayed up late working on this and everything, but Castro No. 1 and Aussie No. 3? To know who is really in the running I ask my 12-year-old daughter after every show. She and her friends usually have voted five times before the credits end. Archuleta is No. 1, followed by Cook, sadly followed by emogrinch. And Sarah, 35 is super old??!
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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
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