Watermelon, Chicken, and Gritz

It was Country night on American Idol tonight. Can't say I was especially excited, but it did save me at least 4 bucks because I wasn't running to iTunes immediately after the show buying all the songs.

Before I get to a few thoughts, let's start by saying the episode got off to a FANTASTIC start. After the second performer they cut to the crowd, and, lo and behold, it's Rachel Bilson.

Got that? It was Rachel Bilson.

Aww, hell. One more time: Rachel Bilson.

Ok, good. Granted, it was even better that she sat while the entire crowd gave a standing ovation.

That was followed later by crowd shots of Whoopie Goldberg and Chris Rock, who looked like he must have lost a bet with someone to end up in the audience last night.

Anyway, three thoughts:

1) As little as I was looking forward to Country night, at least the contestants would be challenged and we'd be hearing something new. I mean, I expected every song to be something up-tempo from Big and Rich or Brooks and Dunn (not that I have any idea what songs they sing, but they seem like as good representation of the current state of country music as any other). Instead we got Paris singing drivel like "How Do I Live Without You" and Bucky puking up crap like "Best I Ever Had". I'm sure that's a country song, but I first heard it done by Vertical Horizon. That, to me, doesn't count as country. Especially coming from someone like Bucky, who managed to screw up the ONE WEEK that he should've done well. And "How Do I Live Without You" doesn't sound anymore country than a typical love song. Sure it's a Leann Rimes tune, but couldn't you see Mariah Carey or Kelly Clarkson doing the same song? Just disappointing all around. Next time, just give me Rascall Flatts "Bless This Broken Road" and be done with it.

2) Kellie Pickler has replaced Paris as the worst interview. I cringed last night as she butchered "calamari" and "salmon". I also don't believe she's nearly as dumb as she comes off. At least Seacrest isn't afraid of calling her out. Paris, by the way, must've used the entire bottle of Proactiv last week because her face cleared right up. And whatever interview coach they hired her should be paid a ton because she actually sounded normal last night. Of course, that didn't stop her from saying "thank you" after Paula ripped her performance.

3) I'm convinced there's just not a ton of talent here. Sure you've got Chris Daughtry who supposedly was offered the lead spot in Fuel after one of his performances, but could you really pick who are the definite top-three contenders? A few weeks ago it seemed like a clear race between Daughtry, Mandisa, and McPhee, but not anymore. It's like a high school play.

But at least Rachel Bilson was there...