Shocker: More Good Auditions Than Bad in San Diego -- Ranking the Six Best

Well, this is a first -- they actually showed more good auditions than bad on an early episode of American Idol. Hallelujah!

Of course, we had to sit through Valerie Reyes and her Mariah Carey impression, Monique Gibson's meltdown, and the totally bizarre antics of Alberto Hurtado, but in the end San Diego produced real talent -- and we got to see a surprisingly large amount of it!

Here are my rankings of the best San Diego auditions:

1. Carly Smithson
Ladies and gentlemen, I think we've found a frontrunner. This girl is amazing! Part Kelly Clarkson, part Pink, she sounded awesome singing "I'm Every Woman," hitting notes that the girls we've seen so far wouldn't even dream of trying to hit, a capella no less. And how lovely and genuine does she seem? Speaking up for her tattooed boyfriend, and declaring how hard she's going to work and how she hopes that this is her year? I love her already.

2. Perrie Cataldo
What a voice! This single father's voice as he sang "I'll Make Love To You" vaguely reminded me of Elliott Yamin, which I mean as a very high compliment. His heartbreaking backstory isn't gonna hurt him one bit; either is the fact that his son is adorable! This guy seems like a definite Top 10 contender.

3. David Archuleta
Loved his audition, but I'm wondering why they didn't mention that this kid won Star Search a few years back. Weird. Anyways, he sounded great singing "Waiting for the World to Change," and he's adorable, which means, pretty much, he's a shoo-in for the finals. We could do worse.

4. Michael Johns
I've never heard Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long," so I have no idea if that is what the song is actually supposed to sound like, but to my ears (and eyes), this guy is the real deal. He also seems like he'd be versatile -- he'd nail the country and soul themes, and could probably rock out as well. I approve.

5. Samantha Musa
Love Samantha -- hate her sister! Upstage much? Samantha sounded great singing "Until You Come Back To Me," but her sister's hogging of the spotlight totally distracted from Samantha's talent. And that comment about overcoming her earlier obstacles? Yuck!

6. Tetiana Ostapowych
I quite liked the smoky vocal tone of this California blonde as she crooned "Someone to Watch Over Me," and didn't seem to find her confidence quite as off-putting as Simon seemed to have. We didn't hear her upper range, which concerns me -- is she as good as she thinks she is? Is she gonna end up the Haley Scarnato of Season 7?

SPOILER: American Idol Top 50 Finalists Photos and Myspace Pages

Read 'The Ten Best Initial Auditions Ever'

Read 'Ranking Idol: Dallas' Five Best Auditions'

Read 'Ranking Idol: Philadelphia's Five Best Auditions'

Vote in the IDOL MADNESS Live Matches:
#1 Carrie Underwood vs. #16 Brandon Rodgers
#2 Chris Daughtry vs. #15 Camile Velasco
#3 Latoya London vs. #14 Corey Clark
#4 Katharine McPhee vs. #13 Jon Peter Lewis
#5 Justin Guarini vs. #12 Gina Glocksen
#6 Paris Bennett vs. #11 Anwar Robinson
#7 Josh Gracin vs. #10 Nikko Smith
#8 Christina Christian vs. #9 Mandisa Hundley

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IDOL MADNESS Abdul Bracket Results

The results are in from the Abdul Bracket of IDOL MADNESS!

View the results of the Cowell and Seacrest Brackets and vote in the Jackson Bracket Here

There was only one upset in the Abdul bracket, with #9 Ace Young soundly defeating #8Phil Stacey. Ace will next go up against #1 Fantasia, who was less than convicing in her battle with #16 EJ Day. Her fans are gonna have to turn up if she's going to continue to advance.

The top 7 seeds of the Abdul Bracket cruised pretty easily into the Round of 32, with #5 Blake Lewis and #12 Nadia Turner having the tightest battle (60.4% to 39.6%). Blake will next face off against #4 Kimberley Locke, who gave AJ Gil a resounding beating. #2 Jordin Sparks will next play #7 Anthony Fedorov, with #3 Elliott Yamin taking on #6 Nikki McKibbin. Check back this weekend for those matches.

In the meantime...

Vote in the IDOL MADNESS Live Matches:
#1 Carrie Underwood vs. #16 Brandon Rodgers
#2 Chris Daughtry vs. #15 Camile Velasco
#3 Latoya London vs. #14 Corey Clark
#4 Katharine McPhee vs. #13 Jon Peter Lewis
#5 Justin Guarini vs. #12 Gina Glocksen
#6 Paris Bennett vs. #11 Anwar Robinson
#7 Josh Gracin vs. #10 Nikko Smith
#8 Christina Christian vs. #9 Mandisa Hundley

Abdul Bracket Results:
#1 Fantasia def. #16 EJ Day 69.4%-30.6%
#2 Jordin Sparks def. #15 Jim Verraros 75%-25%
#3 Elliott Yamin def. #14 Julia DeMato 89%-11%
#4 Kimberley Locke def. #13 AJ Gil 82.4%-17.6%
#5 Blake Lewis def. #12 Nadia Turner 60.4%-39.6%
#6 Nikki McKibbin def. #11 John Stevens 68.1%-31.9%
#7 Anthony Fedorov deg. #10 Carmen Rasmussen 74.8%-25.2%
#9 Ace Young def. #8 Phil Stacey 63.2%-36.8%

SPOILER: American Idol Top 50 Finalists Photos and Myspace Pages

Read 'Shocker: More Good Auditions Than Bad in San Diego! Ranking the Six Best

Read 'The Ten Best Initial Auditions Ever'

Read 'Ranking Idol: Dallas' Five Best Auditions'

Read 'Ranking Idol: Philadelphia's Five Best Auditions'

Idol Thoughts' AMERICAN IDOL CENTRAL

American Idol Best-Of Lists

News, Recaps, Rankings and Commentary

News on Former Contestants

IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME

Things Get Hot On 'Make Me a Supermodel'

In this week's episode of Make Me a Supermodel, the straight guys are stripped to their underwear and forced to pose as a gay couple. I mean!!

Here's a video preview of tomorrow night's show...



More CUTE BOYS OF POP CULTURE

Heath Ledger Had Pneumonia When He Died; Michelle Williams "Devastated"

TMZ is reporting that Heath Ledger had pneumonia when he died yesterday in New York City.

In addition, the website is reporting that his former girlfriend, and the mother of his child, Michelle Williams, is "devastated by the news. Words cannot describe the grief." She is said to be on her way to New York City.

Meanwhile, his family has denied reports that Ledger committed suicide. With the information coming forth that he had pneumonia, that is looking to likely be true.

What a tragedy.

Breaking News: Heath Ledger is Dead; Signs Point to Suicide

This is too tragic for words...

From the New York Times:

"Actor Heath Ledger was found dead this afternoon in an apartment building at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, according to the New York City police. Mr. Ledger was 28.

At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger’s bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger unconscious. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities. The police said they did not suspect foul play. Officials said pills fear found near the body."

Wow.

UPDATE: TMZ is reporting that pills were found strewn all around Ledger's deathbed, and that his body was found facedown in an apartment owned by Mary Kate Olsen.

More info to come...