What the?

OK, somehow Casey -- the supposed front runner -- should have lost last week but was fortunate enough to have the judges save him in a way that should have helped Alexis a few seasons ago. I know declare this field wide open!

For scoring purposes, both contestants knocked out this week will only get credit for reaching the round of 11, regardless of the order they are eliminated on Thursday.

Contestants sing Elton John this week, did you the know the song Philadelphia Freedom is about a tennis team? I just learned that last Thursday.

Have a great week!
Nate

America = racist? (It's not libel if you ask it as a question)

Well, could it really be coincidence that, like Jorge a few seasons ago, Karen, the lone Hispanic contestant in the Final 12 was voted off. What's that you say? It was a lack of talent that doomed them? Well, that's certainly a convenient excuse.

The net net here is of course that Shelby has set a new infamous record in the history of our game for selecting two contestants that failed to earn any points. Karen's loss also basically eliminated Kelly and Matt from contention.

And Nicole, Andrew and Nate may not be far behind in derailed entries as Haley has been in the bottom two for two straight weeks. Something I learned this week: Only the top 10 make the tour, so whoever goes home this week loses out on a six-figure paycheck.

Enjoy the Idol!
Nate

Round of 13 Review: Sorry Ashton/Shelby

Well, Ashton went home, and we may be learning that golden retrievers are not much better at picking Idol winners than octupi are at selecting soccer winners.

Fortunately for the rest of us, Shelby (Vicki's dog) was the only one that had plotted Ashton for the final four. But the Neales, Andrew, Matt and I got barely by as Karen and Haley finished in the bottom three. I don't know about the rest of you who picked Paul, but I'm also having buyer's remorse on him (though he has been the early adoptee of Vote for the Worst).

I hope everyone else feels more optimistic about their own entries. The Top 12 will be back this week on Wednesday, and we can finally start earning some advancement points.

Have a great week.