American Idol has moved beyond the initial fun of watching people audition and all of the craziness that ensues when hopeful young people try to get face time on the camera into the serious part of the competition where the top aspiring singers either shine or fail. Now is the time that we can finally start to see the competition unfold and start to cheer for favorites.

AmericanIdol.net recaps the first of American Idol’s Season 9′s Top 24 contestants to fall :

Girl #1 Eliminated – Janell Wheeler

Girl #2 Eliminated – Ashley Rodriguez

Guy #1 Eliminated – Joe Munoz

Guy #2 Eliminated – Tyler Grady

Video: Janell Wheeler sings What About Love

The Los Angeles Times’ American Idol blog — Idol Tracker — gives a summation of what happened when the singing competition was pared down to 20 singers from 24:

So how did they do on this very different performance? Some, like Tampa’s Janell Wheeler, handled their ouster with class, others, like Boston’s Ashley Rodriguez and our hometown talent Joe Muñoz were clearly bummed about a journey cut short, and one in particular, Pennsylvania’s Tyler Grady, seemed a tad touchy.

Billboard reports that some of the American Idol contestants thought the judges were “too harsh.”

“Yeah, they were not taking any chances this week,” Ashley Rodriguez said during a conference call with reporters the day after the first results show. “I think a lot of people thought maybe they’d be a little lenient considering it was our first live show. Turns out they were coming throwing punches. There was definitely no leniency with it being our first live show, which is unfortunate ’cause there are a lot of jitters and nerves that go into a first live performance. We definitely could’ve used a little bit of love from them, for sure; I think they were very quick to give a lot of criticism and not back it up with anything positive, which is unfortunate.”

Video: Ashley Rodriguez sings Happy

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Joshua Ulloa looks like Justin. Will he impress the judges with his unique style and sound effects? Simon says Joshua Ulloa reminded him of Inspector Gadget. Joshua Ulloa gets four yeses.

Sharon Wilbur is a cutie with a little doggy. Is her singing good enough to impress the judges? Sharon Wilbur gets a yes from Simon and Randy. Will Kara and Paula say yes? They do and Sharon Wilbur is going to Hollywood. Plus, Paula and Kara kiss.

Dana Moreno. Ouch. Not going to Hollywood.

Kaneswa exudes confidence. Will it be enough for a Golden Ticket. Simon says the song got progressively worse. Kaneswa does have good stage presence, great smile and attitude.

Julissa sings well while wearing a tiara. Will she be the first Latin American Idol? Julissa is going to Hollywood.

Commercial break features a cosmetic ad with Queen Latifa looking good with nice highlights.

Random thought — you’ll always have someone ask a question during the time an American Idol contestant’s name is displayed. Must concentrate more to catch spellings.

Darin Darnell wants to be the next Idol and is lively and chatty. But his best friend is cut and now he’s broken up. Darin Darnell‘s singing has broken. No joy. No golden ticket.

Naomi Sykes is up. They say she’s the last contestant of the first day. Naomi Sykes lobbies for her friend to come into the audition room. Friend Samantha joins in and sits on Randy’s lap. Soon everyone is on each other’s laps (Kara with Ryan and Simon with Paula). Trying to sing Minnie Riperton’s Loving You is tough and Naomi Sykes can’t do the song justice.

Jasmine Murray is the baby of the family. Jasmine Murray‘s family is there to show the support. The 16-year-old likes Jasmine Murray‘s singing. Four yeses and Jasmine Murray is going to Hollywood.

George Ramirez is a physics student with a hippie beard who wants a simple house with marble floors. George Ramirez is not going to Hollywood after his quiet audition. Simon says singing isn’t the thing for George Ramirez.

Commercial for Fox Chicago teases special report about medical personnel endangering us all by wearing scrubs out and about. My wife wears her scrubs when going out for lunch with me. I’m afraid now!

Anne Marie Boskovich searches for new confidence and will be back later. Anne Marie Boskovich can sing, Simon wants her to come back later as a star so the judges send the hottie out for a little while. You know Anne Marie Boskovich is going to get a Golden Ticket when she gets a chance to sing her song for the judges.

TK Hash can sing. TK Hash had auditioned before, so will he get a Golden Ticket his second time around? TK Hash is going to go to Hollywood with a 3 to 1 vote with Simon dissenting.

Michael Perrelli wants to be a musician, but panics not being able to play his guitar. Michael Perrelli sings like he’s on Broadway. Simon thinks Michael Perrelli has and interesting voice but will struggle in the competition. Paula suggests the guitar helps him sing. Simon kicks Michael Perrelli out because he was starting to plead.

Anne Marie Boskovich is back all made up and looking sexy. I like Anne Marie Boskovich‘s voice and she’s a hottie. Yes, yes, yes and yes onward to Hollywood for Anne Marie Boskovich.

Sixteen make the cut this time on American Idol. Tomorrow AI listens to contestants in David Archuleta’s hometown of Salt Lake City.

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My reason for thinking Laneshe Young could take the whole American Idol competition this early in the season is Laneshe Young‘s stage presence, her persevernce through difficult life experiences and her ability to write her own music.  It will give her an edge with the voting audience.  Also, it didn’t hurt that Laneshe Young is just what American Idol is looking for, according to the judges.

More after the video content.

Video: American Idol News

Eleven thousand show up for the tryouts, but only a few make it to Hollywood.

Tiffany Shedd is a blonde who has supportive parents. If Tiffany Shedd doesn’t make it she’ll go back to school. Tiffany Shedd will go to college instead of going to Hollywood based on her failure to impress Simon and the American Idol judges.

Joanna Pacitti is a brunette cutie form Philly. Joanna Pacitti had a recording contract with A&M — Kara recognized her. Joanna Pacitti can sing. Joanna Pacitti is going to Hollywood with a second chance at a singing career.

Mark Mudd from Kentucky is featured. Mark Mudd has had some bad times and is related to Dr. Mudd of history. Simon asks if Mark Mudd has a gun — it turns out it’s a cellphone holder. The judges are laughing. Paula says this isn’t the right competition. Simon suggests Wheel of Fortune is Mark Mudd‘s competition. At the end, Mark Mudd tells the judges to be careful. The judges take it as a threat. I think Mark Mudd just didn’t know what to say to the judges after getting no votes and probably said the first thing the popped into his mind.

Brent Keith Smith sings next. Paula says he’s good. Simon says Brent Smith could have made a better song choice that wasn’t buskerish. Kara says Brent Smith would do well with a good song. Brent Smith is going to Hollywood — even Simon says yes after giving some constructive criticism.

Cue the contestants who can’t carry a tune but who are good for a laugh. A guy with a hockey mask and a big guy round out those signers who aren’t going to Hollywood.

Matt Giraud sings. Simon has an amused look on his face. Kara likes Matt Giraud. Simon says that Matt Giraud could be great if he has self-confidence. Matt Giraud is going to Hollywood.

Ross Bradley Plavsic sings using some sort of system he developed using Chinese characters and internet videos. Ross Bradley Plavsic takes a sip of Paula’s water after not singing very well. Paula looks scared as Ross Plavsic is drinking. The water doesn’t help. He’s not going to Hollywood. Paula asks for a new cup of water.

Ten Louisville contestants get the Golden Ticket to Hollywood. We’ll get to know them later — maybe — because we didn’t get to see much of them tonight.

Memphis stay at home mom Alexis Grace likes to sing. Alexis Grace‘s significant other is serving in the military. Will Alexis Grace make it to Hollywood? Paula says yes. Simon says good and that Alexis Grace has a commercial face. Judges saying “yes” mean Alexis Grace is going to Hollywood.

More bad singers are making Simon tired.

Aaron Williamson is up with an infectious attitude that might liven up the judges. Aaron Williamson blows Paula out of her seat. Kara and Paula are dancing in their seats as Aaron Williamson belts out his song. Ryan Seacreast iadrawn into the intense primal scream therapy. The judges like Aaron Williamson but he’s not going to Hollywood.

Rebecca Garcia is featured on local TV news. Rebecca Garcia has a cheat sheet, but the judges say it’s okay. The singing stops — the judges say check your cheat sheet. Rebecca Garcia cries after Kara asks if her singing was a joke. Simons says Rebecca Garcia is a nice person, but needs to stop singing.

More contestants stream by in short blasts. Will any of them make it? One does. Then another. Then another. I was thinking they wouldn’t make it so I didn’t get their names. Add them to the list of others we’ll get to know later on as the AI season progresses.

Leneshe Young is a cutie with a touching back story of growing up homeless with her mom. Laneshe Young sings her own song. Simon likes Laneshe Young. Paula loves Laneshe Young‘s lyrics. Randy says Laneshe Young is what AI needs. Kara loves Laneshe Young also. Keep an eye on Laneshe Young to go far.

Next week — Jacksonville, Florida.

Related Post from BuddyTV: American Idol 8: Louisville, Kentucky

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Will AI’s judges find the next American Idol in SF?

Tatiana Del Toro is a hottie with a huge resume, psychic friend and silly laugh. Tatiana Del Toro also has a modeling portfolio with a “naughty” lingerie photo, according to the judges. Tatiana Del Toro cuts off Simon and ends up going to Hollywood.

Tatiana del Toro

Dean-Anthony Bradford can’t sing despite his special jacket. The judges agree with my assessment and Randy calls Dean-Anthony Bradford‘s singing torture. The officers at Gitmo are awaiting word to see in their new CINC will allow Bradford‘s music to be used during interrogations.

The post continues after the video content.

Video: American Idol News

Jesus Valenzuela says his kids told him to audition. Simon cuts him off saying Jesus can’t win. The judges call for the kids with their “love” signs. He’s going to go to Hollywood — how can he not get a golden ticket with the kids there? Simon sticks with no. Kara and Paula say yes. Randy makes the final decision with a yes vote sending Jesus Valenzuela to the next round.

Dalton Powell can solve the Rubik’s Cube, but will he impress the judges. Dalton Powell says he has stage fright. Dalton Powell gets a compliment from Simon despite four no votes.

Another male singer sings — I missed his name — and Randy says Paula wants his baby. What was that? Before we can figure it out, the producers have cut quickly to more contestants, including one studying anatomy.

Simon and Kara feud. He says no and she says yes. Randy says in a clip it’s man vs. woman.

Akilah Askew-Golstein was the woman studying anatomy. Akilah can’t sing and Simon can’t pronounce Akilah’s name. Kara says “singing is going to happen today.” Kara hugs Akilah and says it’s time to go.

Three golden tickets are awarded to singers whose names are displayed for split seconds — definitely shorter than other singers who rate longer segments on the show. Does this mean they are ones who could go far or could be cut and therefore don’t rate lots of time in the initial American Idol episodes? Keep an eye on them because surprises are always something designed to keep viewers coming back. Their names are John Twiford, Allison Iraheta and Raquel Houghton.

One singer who doesn’t earn a golden ticket is Annie Murdoch. Annie Murdoch sings and makes Kara wince. Simon says its was Annie Murdoch was singing while drunk.

Adam Lambert is on the cast of Wicked. Paula likes Adam Lambert‘s singing. Simon says Adam Lambert is theatrical, but Simon says yes along with the rest of the judges. Paula says Adam Lambert is awesome.

A son who is taking care of his sick mom is featured as the last contestant. Kai Kalama sings Some Gets In Your Eyes by the Platters. The judges are digging it, except Simon says Kai Kalama needs more stage presence because he sounds like a ship’s singer. Kai Kalama gets four yeses and some advice from Simon to watch Simon as an exemplar of confidence.

Twelve make it through to the next level of American Idol as we all await anxiously to see the auditions from Churchill Downs, complete with a frightening audition that features some sort of threat, according to the promos.

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