After last night’s American Idol “Top 10 goes to 9″ results show, which ended with Chikeze’s exit, I was a little sorry to see him go. I know he was cannon fodder, but he seemed like a really nice guy with a good voice. But would I buy a Chikeze album? Or solo concert ticket? Naw. I started to look at all the contestants with those things in mind. Ramiele is certainly nearing the end of her stay: she is not a great performer, I think she has massive fear issues, and there are others in the group that are much more consistent and are better performers. There are, however, some pretty wide gaps in the Idol lineup.

Ideally, the next American Idol will be someone America wants to hear on the radio, and see live. An Idol Superstar. Idol has a mixed record for producing these results with their winners. Some of them just didn’t cut it in that crucial next stage of their careers. Their audiences were segments of the listening public that were too narrow, or their songwriters sucked. Some of them were just too boring to watch, and we didn’t. A truly successful Idol has to have a broader, organic audience that is outside of their Idol fans. If they don’t build it quickly, they will fade fast. They must be great performers.

Those that have that kind of large-scale potential are few this season: David Cook: yes, without a doubt. Brooke White: I think it’s possible. Carly Smithson: yes, if she can bridge the disconnect she has with the audience that is so subtle, nobody can quite put their finger on what it is. David Archuletta? He is such a dilemma. I know I wouldn’t want to listen to a whole album of his, but if he’s positioned for the tween and teen market a la the Jonas Brothers, I think it would work. It will not work with many who are over 18-21.

Then there’s a gap in the lineup. Michael Johns is great to have on the tour, but he’s not consistent enough to be a great Idol. He’s got potential to have a successful career if he’s smart about picking songwriters and sharpens up his game. Jason Castro: exactly the same as Michael. That’s it.

I really don’t think anyone else has the ability or potential to be an Idol Superstar. The meh in them just can’t be overcome. A totally off the subject note to Carly: WTF with not being familiar with a studio mixing board? That looked really dumb. Was it staged? She was so goofy, I think it could have been real. Maybe I’m cynical because I ‘m surrounded by recording studios EVERYWHERE, and they really ARE foreign to Carly. But she cut an album. Come on. And Carly? Your sound engineers are your FRIENDS. Unless you piss them off by saying they probably don’t know what all the buttons are for. Never let that happen again in your lifetime. They can RUIN you.

Spotted in the audience last night on the Idol results show were the Dynamic Duo of the Doublesnap: Danielle Noriega and David (dancin’ queen) Hernandez. The camera shots were VERY quick. Hmmm. Maybe this is a good time to share this interesting Idol “rumor” that seems to have some legs. Idol buzz is that this season during “Idol Gives Back” (April 9th) there will be a wild-card competition where one contestant will win a spot on this year’s summer tour, bringing the tour number to 11 people.

Word is, 5 contestants will fight for the spot including Amanda Overmyer, David Hernandez and 3 other yet to be named contestants from those who were ousted between the Top 24 and the Top 12. During the “Idol Gives Back” episode ( 2 hours and 30 minutes long; get ready) the 5 ousted contestants will compete again for your vote and a spot on the tour. Votes for the wild-card won’t be free; American Idol will charge around $0.10 a vote (could be more) will all money donated to charity. The 11th tour contestant will be announced on the results show.

This could be the most fun we’ve had in weeks! You know if Amanda gets back up on that stage she will waste it like a true bat outta hell. (Note to intern K-Fed: Amanda and Meatloaf duet. Get ON it.) Not dying to see another David H. number, but the Overcheese button might be on, and then we’d be in for a wicked treat.

Who else would you like to see back to compete? The possible contestant list is below. Hit us with your thoughts/favorites in the comments! Don’t hold back!!

Remember, the wild card contestant who wins will just get to join the tour, not rejoin the competition. If intern K did his research right, the other possible wild-card contestants would come from this list:

Danny Noriega, Luke Menard, Alexandrea Lushington, Robbie Carrico, Garrett Haley, Amy Davis, Alaina Whitaker, Jason Yeager, Asia’h Epperson, Colton Berry and Joanne Borgella.

If the buzz is true, it should be announced sometime during next week’s shows. Cross your fingers, and leave your picks and thoughts in the comments!

Welcome Erin to Wild Bluff Media! She’ll be covering everything from Idol to celebrity chaos.

Check out all of Wild Bluff Media’s American Idol Coverage

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