The Windy City Goes for the Gold, But...

In my column in the H-D today, I said that “Idol” was reducing the number of train wrecks in the early episodes to focus on the real talent.

Unfortunately, Chicago did not really leave them much choice but to go the other way as the golden tickets were in short supply. 12,000 people and only 13 went through?!

Here are my thoughts on the Windy City…

Did anyone else notice that “Broadway Baby” Amy (“Dr. Feelgood”) was from Westchester, Ohio?...

Love the “Growing Pains” theme for the montage…

Charity (“Summertime”) made it sound way too effortless for 16…

Did that mother who was mad at Simon actually say, “Hell to the no”? LOVE it…

It will be interesting to see what happens with Angela on her third (and final) visit to Hollywood. I think unless she really cracks in Hollywood, or gets another speeding ticket, she’ll make the Top 24…

Nick, the tall blonde, looked interesting. Either he didn’t have a good backstory or his song didn’t clear so we didn’t get to see him…

Brian (“Tiptoe Through the Tulips”) was in the military?!...

I agree with Shania. John (“More Than You’ll Ever Know”?) has a gorgeous lower register…

Paige (“Change Is Gonna Come”) is the kind of contestant who usually gets completely chewed up and spit out in Hollywood…

So my favorite from Chicago was definitely Charity. It will be interesting to see what happens to her…

What did you guys think?

Tomorrow night, we head to Orlando with guest judge Kristin Chenoweth, at 8 p.m. on FOX…