Posted on 2/27/2008 6:33:10 PM

Entertainment Betting - American Idol’s 10 Hopeful Men

By Mike Rose

The men picked back up this past Tuesday night, but they were without Colton Berry and Garret Haley who got axed in last Thursday night’s elimination show. Berry was a bit of a surprise, but Haley’s dismissal was expected. Heading into Tuesday night’s show, BetUS.com released odds on who would be eliminated first and it was last week’s final two contestants, David Archuleta and Michael Johns, who came out the prohibitive favorites at +3000 (30-1) and +2500 (25-1) odds respectively to not get voted off this Thursday.

Now that we’ve seen what these guys brought to the table this week, let’s break it down and find ourselves some winners!!!

One of the competition’s favorites, Michael Johns, opened up the competition by covering Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”. After seeing him whale away with Queen and the Doors the last couple weeks, I was very disappointed with last night’s performance. It looked as if he was almost taking for granted the leap he took last week. Randy thought it was a nice way to start the show off, but wants him to let go, while Paula thought the effort was consistent and he got the whole crowd working. Simon thought he coasted through the performance and felt it was his weakest effort yet. There’s no doubt Michael will move on since everyone wants to see more of him, but hopefully he’ll crank it up a couple notches like he’d done throughout the last month. Don’t waste your time backing this 25-1 dog as it’s not that time….yet.

Jason Castro stepped up with guitar in hand once again and played Andy Gibb’s “I just want to be your everything”. I was impressed with Jason last week, but I felt this performance was a bit redundant and not nearly as good. The background singers seemed to be doing all the hard work, and the guitar looked like a crutch more than anything this time around. He didn’t do himself a favor this week. Randy digs his act, but felt the vocals were just ok. Paula thought it was a clever choice of song, but wants him to lose the guitar next week if he makes it (which he will). Simon thought he looked uncomfortable throughout the entire performance and thought the song didn’t suit his voice. Those holding Castro tickets to win this whole thing just got a major wake up call, as did Jason, but don’t bet on him to be eliminated this week even if it looks juicy at 15-1.

Luke Menard looked to bounce back after last weeks mediocre performance with his rendition of Queen’s “Killer Queen”. I felt it was a perfect song choice for him after last week’s performance that Simon tabbed as “forgettable”. Randy felt the song choice was more in his wheelhouse, while Paula thought it was “a great week for him vocally”. Simon felt Luke’s performance “lacked charisma and personality” and felt he was up against it because a song like that is always compared to how the original artists performed it. Luke was probably in the bottom five of last weeks results, and he only came out a small +105 underdog to get eliminated this week so his dismissal won’t come as a big surprise according to the numbers.

Next to take the stage was self-proclaimed rocker Robbie Carrico who chose to belt out Foreigner’s “Hot-Blooded”. I wasn’t the least bit impressed with his act and deemed it a “Mulligan performance”. Randy doesn’t think Robbie has enough ooommmphh in his voice for a rocker, and Paula thought he played it a little safe and needs to up the ante next week if he returns. Simon thought his vocal was ok, but continued to question him as a rocker. Robbie’s rocker image will continue to get questioned every passing week, but I personally don’t think he’ll stick around for us to see next week. At +500 odds, Robbie is my juicy dawg of the week to vacate the premises after Thursday night.

Danny Noriega took the stage looking to better last week’s effort that Simon thought was verging on grotesque. I felt he put his best foot forward and put forth a redeeming performance. I also think this kids got a lot of charisma that should carry him deep into this contest. Randy wants him just to let go, and Paula thinks he possesses great vocal skill. Simon thought the performance was much better than last week’s, but not fantastic. He also thought he looked great on camera and that he stands out in a crowd. You either love this kid or you hate him, but don’t look for this +350 pup to leave just yet. He’s got the moxie to pull off a huge upset later in the competition, and look for his 30-1 odds to win it all to drop a bit in next weeks reopen.

David Hernandez came out with a vengeance this week, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that this +125 underdog won’t be cashing anyone’s tickets come Thursday night because he’ll be back next week. He put his sex appeal foot forward, and the ladies in the audience ate it up. Randy proclaimed, “This is the David Hernandez we all fell in love with.” While Paula felt his voice was as pure as they come. Simon appreciated the fact that he rose to the challenge after last weeks disappointing performance, and proclaimed his performance the best vocal of the night. David came out swinging and will find himself in the third round regardless of the ‘nightclub’ rumors that hit the internet the last couple days.

I still have no clue how Jason Yeager survived last week, but there’s not a doubt in my mind that he’s gone come Thursday night after taking the safe route with the Doobie Brothers “Long Train Running”. It was a prefect song choice since it hides his poor vocal range, but it didn’t change the mind of the voters who should no doubt vote him out this week. Getting even money (+100) on this kid to get eliminated this week is my American Idol lock of the week. Back the truck up and load up!!! As Chicago White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson says on every strikeout…..”He Gone!!!!”

Looking for redemption from last week was Chikezie Eze who took the stage sporting more floral colors, but his performance allowed me to look past the duds and enjoy the tune. He belted out “I Believe” with such emotion, and had the place rocking. He even took a jab at Simon during the song stating his name for us all to hear. Randy welcomed him back to the competition, and stated “You’re in it to win it”. Paula thought it was a brilliant performance and Simon thought it was a million times better. However, Chikezie once again portrayed his obnoxious side when he once again razzed Simon about his wardrobe. This dude just doesn’t get it for some reason, and even his mom was embarrassed for him. That being said, Chikezie will survive due to this performance and the fact that he’s got a nice little soap opera in the works with Simon. Look for this –200 chalk to stick around another week and cost his naysayers plenty come Thursday night.

David Cook pulled a Castro and took the stage with guitar in hand; only this one was electric. The self-proclaimed “word nerd” did a solid cover of “All Right Now”, and I do believe the true rocker of this contest stepped to the forefront. Randy thinks he’s the real rocker of the boys, while Paula thinks he’s the real deal. Simon thought it was a solid performance but questions his charisma and added the opening film about his crossword addiction didn’t do him any favors. David did a good enough job in my opinion to survive another elimination, so don’t look for a return if you bet against this +175 underdog this week.

The final act of the night came from the competition’s favorite, David Archuleta. He made a bold choice by covering John Lennon’s “Imagine” and the teenyboppers in the crowd loved every second of it evidenced by the swooning he received once he finished. Randy proclaimed it the best vocal he’s ever heard on this show, and Paula thinks he’s destined for superstardom. Simon thought it was very risky of him to tackle that song, but then added that there are 19 other miserable contestants right now. You have a better shot of winning the lottery Thursday night than seeing this 30-1 choice pack his bags come Thursday night. This kids sticking around and will no doubt turn into a chalk to do so once the lines are released next week.

So there it is people!!! The perfect blueprint towards making a couple bucks off this multi-million dollar extravaganza. Jason Yeager is the stone cold lock to exit stage left Thursday night with Robbie Carrico, Luke Menard, and Jason Castro being possible contenders. David Hernandez and Chikezie put forth redeeming performances, while Michael Johns and Jason Castro grossly underachieved after last week.

Now it’s the ladies turn to impress Wednesday night, so check back early Thursday morning for some more moneymaking strategies….

Additional sports and entertainment odds can be found in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, in Futures/props, under Entertainment Props.