This season of American Idol is definitely going to be the best since the Fantasia/LaToya London/Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken/Reuben Studdard seasons of years ago. Normally there are three or four clear standouts and the rest are nothing but filler to stretch the season out, mannequins destined to be tossed overboard from the beginning. Not so this season! Several of the guys stepped up to the plate this Tuesday night and at least knocked the ball into the far outfield, if not out of the park. It was great to see and hear.

The very first guy, David Hernandez, hit and sustained his very first note perfectly. I've never seen a performer open the show with his game so dead-on. Though those that came after would upstage him, I bothered picking up the phone to vote for this guy not once but twice, the only time I've cast a vote on Idol except for the time I voted for Jasmine Trias after she cried from Simon's criticism. (Hey, she was cute.)

Josh Castro -- this guy is the shit. He's the American Idol for all of those who hate American Idol. He's not conventionally good-looking; his style isn't saccharine; no soccer mom will put his CD in the minivan unless it's to impress the kids. It's like Arlo Guthrie somehow wandered into a Hollywood TV studio after bringing in a couple of keys. His voice isn't an American Idol Olympian display of leather lungs at all, but he's got what it really takes to be a star: a unique look, a relatable, memorable sound and quirky character. He was the first idol I can recall who performed while playing an instrument (he strummed a guitar). He's going to make this show worth watching to a wider audience, if only for his 1:30. I also voted for him twice.

Michael Johns -- This guy seems to be the Chosen One already. He's from the Buckhead area of Atlanta, so that's an okay thing. He's originally from Perth, Australia and moved to Tifton, Georgia to attend an agricultural college before deciding to move to Atlanta and make a swing at a singing career. His auditions were stellar but his first performance tonight, a half-assed reading of the Doors' "Light My Fire," was disappointing. Being the Chosen One the judges gave him a big thumbs up anyhow, but I hope he can again reach the heights of his rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody." I tried to vote for him three times but the line was busy every time.

Stop acting like you're too cool for it and fucking watch American Idol!