TVSquad

Let's not beat around the bush. The Brittenum twins are jerks. I originally sung their praises when we first saw them in Chicago. And then they got arrested. And then we found out that they've been arrested before. Now, we find out that they are jerks. I don't care how sharp you look in an ascot. If you're a jerk, you're a jerk. And the Brittenum twins are jerkdom times two!

Tonight was the first night of Hollywood Hell Week, and the Brittenum twins did not impress me at all. Of course, I already knew that they'd gotten the boot (after the Hollywood auditions taped) because of their criminal behavior, and I sort of felt sorry for them. No, I don't feel sorry for criminals (do the crime and pay the time), but I'd been rooting for them before. Now, I see that I would have been rooting for their demise.

Derrell and Terrell performed separately (they had to), but it was almost this weird vaudeville act the way one came out to defend his brother ,and then the other one set up his microphone. It was just bizarre. It almost seemed rehearsed, but how could it have been? Neither one of them sang particularly well, but the judges weighed in their exceptional showing at the Chicago audition and let them through...but with some constructive criticism. Well, the Brittenum twins don't take criticism very well. They went on and on about how much the judges sucked. And then THEY went on to criticize Carrie Underwood and the other contestants. I think that shows a lot of nerve.

But as far as stand-outs, I'd have to say that my personal pick would be Paris Bennet. She's also Bob's early pick for the next American Idol. I seriously think this girl has it. She's little and adorable and her voice packs a serious punch. I wasn't crazy about her homeless vagabond outfit, but somehow it worked for her. It seemed to exaggerate her tiny frame and amplify her voice. She's going to be hard to beat.

Two other early picks for the final three are Lisa Tucker (16-year-old with black curly hair) and Katharine McPhee (mom is the voice coach). They are both beautiful, friendly and have incredible voices. Kellie Pickler (beautiful blonde from NC auditions) is another girl you want to root for, but her voice was lacking during the Hollywood audition. Simon blamed it on nerves and warned her about it, but let her go through. Kellie is a favorite not just because of her voice, but because she's selling the Fantasia Factor (i.e. the hardknock life -- no mom, dad's in jail).

Taylor Hicks (grey hair) did a surprisingly great job. I was really thinking that Paula and Randy were going to turn on him once he made it to Hollywood, but they didn't. And he may have even won Simon's heart. After his audition, Simon commented that he's "interesting." Hey, not much of a compliment, but from Simon...that's huge!

I wasn't too crazy about Megan Zieger. She woke up sick and had a hoarse voice. Her audition went poorly, and she explained her illness to the judges and they let her through. You could tell that she does (normally) have a great voice, BUT my problem with her is her ego. She just came across as being way too cocky. It was just really obnoxious and I don't think it's going to fair well if she makes it on to the higher levels where America gets to vote. I think her ego might come back to haunt her.

Someone who has no attitude problem is Garet, or the Crying Cowboy, as he calls himself. What an adorable kid. He didn't sing that well, but he just moves you to tears. He's crying at getting to see the ocean for the first time, then he's crying about the amazing experience of just getting to come to Hollywood. What a self-less person. And is it me or did he get more attractive from the Denver auditions? He's not hot, but his hair looks a lot better and I'm not as repulsed by his face as I was before. I think his country charm is playing tricks on my eyes.

Finally, Crazy Dave was in Hollywood too. Do we have to talk about Crazy Dave? He was the clown that the judges (Paula and Randy) let through because they were feeling wacky. I hate Crazy Dave. I don't think he's funny. If they were going to let a nutbag through simply for kicks, then they could have picked a better one. At least, someone who is legitimately crazy and not just doing a shtick. But Crazy Dave came out and jumped around like a nutjob and then he dove onto the judges' platform. I'm sure you saw it in the ads. Blah, blah, blah. Simon cut him. He's out of our lives for good now. The only other thing I have to say about Crazy Dave is, how crappy do you feel if you are standing on the line with him? Because then you know that you're about to get eliminated because no way are they going to let him on to the group auditions.

All in all, 66 people got cut and 99 are moving on to the drama of all dramas -- the group auditions. Tune in next Tuesday at 8 p.m.