Posted on 4/10/2008 3:32:42 PM

Entertainment Betting American Idol 8 Hopeful Idols

By Mike Rose

Ramiele exited stage left last week and cashed our +300 tickets in the process. Thankfully, we didn’t have to listen to another boring performance from the pint sized Polynesian. With eight contestants left vying to be the next American Idol, the heat was turned way up for Tuesday night’s “Inspirational” show. That said, the show failed to impress, and I believe it to be one of the worst shows of the season.

Michael Johns opened up the show with a very average rendition of Aerosmith’s “Dream On”. It was a solid cover of the tune, but it sounded exactly like the original. All the judges harped on Michael’s unoriginality, and I think that will cost him this week. Johns offers up a nice sized return at +550 to get voted off tomorrow night, but there were worse performances than his. He might however find himself in the bottom three.

Syesha Mercado took on another diva this week with “I Believe” by Fantasia. It was good, just like last week, but it wasn’t great. Randy thought it was ok, while Paula thought it was a shining moment for her. Simon thought she sang it well technically, but it lacked the big wave of emotion that Fantasia offers up when she performs it. Once again, Syesha will be in the bottom three and might get the boot. At only +200 to go, Syesha isn’t bringing back enough of a return for a wager. We’re hunting for bigger game!

Jason Castro went Muppets on us and performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” while strumming a ukulele. This performance backed my opinion that he’ll be a fantastic children’s performer down the road. However, the judges loved his rendition so look for “Locks” to breeze on through to the next round.

Kristy Lee Cook looked great once again, and this time, sounded fantastic. Her performance of Martina McBride’s “Anyway” was her best yet, and it also showed her spunky side. Simon shocked her by stating; “You looked like a star tonight!” Look for KLC to avoid the bottom three altogether and move on to the next round.

David Cook has been one of the most innovative performers throughout the entire contest, but he really failed to impress with his cover of Our Lady Peace’s “Innocent”. The flash of his hand in the camera at the end of his act was cheesy as well. Randy thought it was by far his weakest week, and Simon didn’t like the performance at all calling it pompous. Mr. Cook’s not going anywhere due to the large fan base he’s gained throughout the show, but he could make a shocking entrance into the bottom three. He deserves to be there after this lackluster effort.

I was really surprised Carly Smithson avoided the bottom three last week after her uptight performance, but I’d be shocked if she managed to avoid it this time around. She took on Freddy Mercury and did it in such a way that the performance took on an angry tone. This didn’t sit well with the judges considering it was “inspirational songs” week, and I believe Carly punched her ticket home because of it. At +400 Carly is an absolute buy since her performance just didn’t work, and I foresee her being the next contestant to get voted off.

David Archuleta and Brooke White each put forth efforts good enough to allow them to sail through to the next round.

So there you have it folks. Our choice to vacate the premises after Thursday night’s elimination show is Carly Smithson. It might seem like I’m picking on the girls with every passing week, but there’s no doubt in my mind that most of the talent is on the men’s side this season. So Carly to go, and Syesha, Michael Johns and David Cook to join her in the bottom three.

BetUS.com American Idol Odds to win it all:

David Archuleta –150

David Cook +300

Carly Smithson +2500

Brooke White +1700

Jason Castro +2000

Michael Johns +1000

Syesha Mercado +2000

Kristy Lee Cook +5500

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