Mixed To 36

We are finally introduced to our Top 36 tonight, and it was a 2-hour show (which for some reason I wasn't aware of). As we expected, Fox made us strap our seat belt on for the roller coaster ride of elation and heartbreak. Lots of tonight's picks were no surprise, due to 'product placement' from Idol thus far, and from the incessant spoilers this season. However, there were some surprises, a couple of upsets, and a couple of awkward moments. For now, I'll start with the...

Biggest Fan Club at Our House: We have heretofore dubbed ourselves as follows: the Anoopiatrics, the Anoopians, and the Anoopaniacs. AKA the Anoop Dawgs, on our way to celebrate the Anoopandemonium and the Anoopsensation.....well, you get our drift. We're big fans. First of the Top 36 announced.

Most Unanimous: Receiving the standing "U" from the judges panel this season for the Top 36 were Anoop, Adam Lambert, Scott McIyntyre, Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey, and Kai Kalama, and maybe others they didn't recognize as such. Job well done.

Most Histrionic: One would think that Tatiana would hold this category single-handedly, but Nathaniel Marshall and Jackie Tohn came close. Question: will this pay off when viewers call in? I think not.

Most Pink-Haired: Was it me, or did it seem like pink was it this year in Hollywood? Kristen McNamara (AKA Jessica Sierra 2.0), Alexis Grace - where did that come from? - and Allison Iraheta all sported the colorful locks.

Most Unknown: We saw several new faces tonight despite several weeks of Idol having passed. Maybe I snoozed, but I don't remember anything about Jesse Langseth (who beat out the over-confident Frankie Jordan and her polecats for a top-36 spot), Allison Iraheta, Ricky Braddy, Jeanine Vailes and Kris Allen. Good luck, heretofore unknowns!

Most Of Course: There were lots and lots of contestants this season who you just KNEW where shoe-ins for the Top Whatever, and they included Anoop, Von Smith, Taylor Vaifanua, Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Cokery, Mishavaonna Henson, Stevie Wright, Kendall Beard, Scott McIntyre, Lil Rounds, Danny Gokey, and Anne Marie Boskovitch.

Most Surprising: Course Idol wouldn't have the evening go off without some drama in the house (AKA the Judges Mansion). The first dose of this came when Cody of fright-film fame was forced to Sing For His Life against Alex Wagner-Trugman, who reminded me instantly of Clay Aiken, in a good way. Cody had a youthful edge to him , but it was clear after hearing them sing that Alex deserved the spot. More drama unfolded with Joanna Pacitti who forgot every lyric known to mankind in Hollywood but through some TV miracle was passed through. Wahtevs. And my guy Jamar was robbed of a spot in the Top 36...I don't know what they were talking about that he didn't bring anything original....for Simon's sake, he already had a cheek piercing and went and got a lip stud....people, that is not Middle America! Plus I just liked his voice. But alas, the judges did not. Most shocking why they didn't find a place for him. And I loved how they put both blue collar working Dads through at the end (Matt Breitzke and Michael Sarver), although if you'd been doing the math during the show you'd have figured out there were 2 spots left :)

All in all, some talented and interesting contestants this season. Can't wait for what comes next!

My Biggest Question: Why, when they said that if you forget your lyrics, you're OUT, did they pass through 2of this season's biggest offenders? (Joanna Pacitti and Stephen Fowler). We think in our house that if Joanna were F-A-T or U-G-L-Y she would be O-U-T, but because she is H-O-T, she is I-N.

What do YOU think?