I watched some of the auditions but haven't watched any thing else of American Idol. However I did watch it last night. I thought maybe my comments could be interesting as someone who hasn't been following it and therefore is basing her opinions on one performance with no favourite to be biased towards

For me, the standout was the dude with dreadlocks (I can't remember any of the names) as he was the most interesting and took the biggest risk in a sense. I loved the arrangement of Over the Rainbow and playing the (ukelele?) was an interesting move. Basically he stood out for being different and interesting.

Apart from him they were all kind of boring. Competent - I didn't notice any who I thought were actually rubbish, but boring. Most of them were pleasant to listen to while they were singing but by the time the next person started I couldn't really remember much about them, if that makes sense. The guy who sang Angels is good example - very nice, pleasant, sweet voice, clearly a good singer, but so boring. There was nothing to grab me in his performance at all and to someone who hasn't been following the programme I just thought 'yeah he can sing, but thats about it'. Wasn't helped by the fact he chose a song which is very boring!

*prepares for responses - hides under desk*

I think you saw an abnormal week. Jason was great last night, but before that hadn't shone for a while. Watch again next week and see if your opinions change.

Personally I thought last night many of them were not up to their usual standard. I think your opinion of the show last night is much the same as lots of us who've been following the whole series.

The weaker ones shone last night; Kristy & Jason
And frontrunners stumbled; Carly & Michael

It was a weird one last night...maybe with all the "excitement" of Idol Gives Back, plus the broad-ranging theme, it threw them all off a bit...and just wait for the result tonight...

Last night was a, relatively, awful show because of the crappy theme. All the other weeks, with maybe the exception of the 2nd Beatles show have been brilliant with at least 2-3 top quality performances.

I'd have a look on Youtube to see some of the past shows. My 3 favourite performances have been Carly's Crazy on You, David Cook's Hello & Chikeze's She's a Woman.

I'm one of the people who thinks that Jason has been good since week one. Not the strongest voice but more individual and different than anyone else. Loved his versions of Fragile Halleluyah and even What a Day for a Daydream.

I think David Cook has the strongest male voice but find Michael Johns much cuter. David A is a little sugary though I think he manages to stay away from being syrup.

Of the girls I like Syesha the most though I agreed with Simon that her version of I Believe wasn't as emotional as Fantasia's.
Brooke is a bit too lightweight for me - I want her to be another Carole King but she lacks the connection with the lyrics when she sings.

Carly Smithson always looks as though she's trying too hard. She picks songs that are a little bit too far out of her range so it's a bit painful to watch and listen to.
I'd like to hear her do something which wasn't trying to showcase her voice so much.

Kristy is an also ran IMO. Picked for her looks rather than her ability.

Last nights was probably the weakest show, Jason (dreadlocks) certainly had his best week so far, but I still think, sweet bloke that he is, he's more busker then Idol.

At the moment I think David C is miles ahead, not his best week and he chose an unfamiliar song, but when he hits it he's unstoppable, ain't no one can do a 'glory note' like him David A is relying on the 'High School Musical' vote and the cute factor, and Michael John suffers a bit going for the same vote as David C, but lacking his voice (cute as hell though )

None of the girls particularly impress me anymore. I thought I'd like Brooke, but I'm steadily going off her, she completely failed to connect with 'Jolene' the other week and lacks emotion and vulnerability when singing. Carly comes across as a bit desperate for it, trying too hard maybe, Syesha apepars to be on borrowed time, good singer that she is she's nowhere near the class of Jordan, Lakeisha or Melinda from last year, and KLC is a very average country singer.

yup, he makes the group songs bearable, and tonight's is no exception

He seemed oddly defeated this week, either because he regretted the song choice (didn't work when reduced to 1 minute 15 seconds - or however long they get - and not really an idol-friendly song; Simon was never gonna 'get' that) or he's really starting to feel the pressure, but I have faith he will return triumphant next week and attack Mariah's "hits"!

I think Kristy's really getting into her groove now...I have to say honestly I don't enjoy her vocals but she is a beautiful girl and I'm sure will do well once she's eliminated i.e. she'll be well "looked after"...

Brooke, lovely as she is, and comfortable as she is in the niche she's carved out for herself, needs to find the fun a bit, but I'm sure continuing the way she has been will serve her well and she does have a pleasant, sensual tone to her voice...but I agree her expressions during Jolene made it feel like a camp-fire performance and she didn't seem to be really thinking about the lyrics...

For me, Michael Johns has had an excellent couple of weeks, from 'We Are the Champions' onwards (even though I actually didn't find his Beatles efforts too objectionable), there is a GREAT voice in there, and every so often it comes out...(listening to his pre-Idol work will prove this; a soulful frontman, great recording voice)... He looks great, has that certain Aussie charm and I'd like to see him do well. He was pleasing last night; I love that song anyway, and ok maybe it was a tad imitative, but he caught the spirit of it and it was enjoyable... I won't say any more except to say I'm still absolutely speechless...

Carly is a tough one; I like her spirit and motivation, and it's obvious winning would mean the world to her, but she really does scream a lot of notes out and in the long run she can't be doing her voice any favours abusing it the way she does! Simon had it right a few weeks ago: she always takes it too seriously, even in the group songs where it seems like she's competing with the backing singers for who can shout the loudest. Often I feel this results in her singing off-key and sacrificing the subtleties of the songs she's singing...:yawn:

Syesha won't last much longer I imagine because competent as she is, nothing really sets her apart. I wouldn't put it past her to be the Jennifer Hudson of this group though; going into acting and finding huge fame and recognition a few years down the line.

As for David A...ummm....yeah...not much to say really - I can take him or leave him...he's "only OK" for me...nice enough and can sing pleasantly enough, just not my style and too 'mild'...like visiting the Champagne region in France and being told you can only drink sparkling water...that's been open for a week...not enough fizzzzzzzz...

As someone who only dips in and out of American Idol (although have watched the last two in full) I am amazed at the quality of the final lot compared to the X-Factor finalists. I just don't think you would see Same Difference in American Idol (yes I know they are a band () but you get what I mean.

As has been said last night wasn't typical for most of the performers. Jason Castro was really good last night whereas he hasn't been particularly good for some weeks now and has come across as a busker in most of his performances

David Cook is usually the performer that gives original and exciting performances whereas he was just ok last night

Carly Smithson was worse than she normally is last night - though she isn't normally that great

Kristy was much better than normal

David Archuleta was much the same as ever - quite good but a bit boring. He's probably the most consistant there though he's never outstanding IMO

Well yes - virtually any of the remaining artists would win x factor as they are so much better than the usual x factor performer