“Most talented ever” the judges say. Hmmm… I don’t know—maybe so. Maybe no. I was kinda disappointed last night but is it just me or were the arrangements of the music more responsible than the artists? But I digress.

There is some great talent in this group and by the time we get to the final 6 guys, I think we’ll have a more talented group of guys overall than last year’s top 6. (I miss Brandon. But I gotta let go of the past.) 

Before I get into the good stuff: someone remind me why Garrett Haley and Jason Yeager are on this show and not Josiah and a couple others that were more talented and promising?!  

OK onto our personal faves.

Danny Noriega. One of the strongest male vocalists during Hollywood week, I’m not sure he was at his best last night. But his comments and facial expressions (OH SNAP) were the stuff great entertainment is MADE OF, causing even Simon (who is much looser this year, huggin on Paula and all) to bust out into a wide grin. WE LOVED IT. LOVED it. And Danny’s also very cute and personable. 

But as someone alluded to in an earlier AfterElton conversation on the topic: Is America ready for a Gay American Idol? (er, an American Idol who’s gay, I mean.) [Nothing I’ve ever read says he’s out…but child please…surely this one is.] 

David Archuleta. GOD who is not in love with this kid?! Seacrest actually had a couple good one-liners last night including “'You can only vote for him. You can't actually adopt him.'' Classic and so so true. And I have to include what Michael Slezak at EW.com wrote,  

If I didn't know better, I'd say that a magical Idol witch concocted little David in a cauldron, using the soft, downy fur of a week-old kitten, the damp, cool nose of an innocent puppy, and the voices of a thousand angels as her main ingredients. 

Dang I wish I had written that!  This kid is definitely one of two men to beat. [He will have to overcome the shock and surprise every time the judges say they love him or it could become annoying as we saw last year with Melinda Doolittle last year. Although I think David is truly the genuine, real-deal.]  Which brings me to...

Michael Johns. He is truly talented also. Good looking. Great, comfortable stage presence. But…too old to be an Idol? Me thinks that will be his downfall. And then there’s...

Jason Castro. I was really eager to see what he was all about since he was shut out of most of the Hollywood week brouhaha. (And somehow we missed his audition.)  But dude: husband and I are truly in love with each other but damn is this guy gorgeous or what?! I think the dreds are madd hot (how’s that for a throwback) and those EYES and the EASE at which he took the stage and played that “gee-tah” (as Simon pronounced iti) and sang those lyrics. We are both in love. (A different kind of love than with David Archuleta. LOL) Fortunately, Jason is not only pretty, he’s very talented.  

So there’s our top 4 males. Chikezie disappointed (loved the suit though!) and can anyone say, "We've already seen Reuben!" Colton is just too theatrical and not as great as we first thot. David Cook doesn’t have the look to me (i.e. not that attractive). David Hernandez was OK but…I’m just not feelin the buzz. Why isn’t he exciting me? Luke and Jason were just total SNOOOOOZE fests (and someone bitch-slap whoever did Jason’s kid’s hair. Good GOSH.). And Robbie feels like a “prepackaged Idol in a box.” I’m not buyin it. And poor, poor Garrett. I’m sure the women will throw DOWN tonight and like last year, possibly be a stronger group than the guys. But maybe not.  

Who were your faves?! Who did you hate?!