The Comet’s very own Idolholic, an industry insider who chooses to remain anonymous, offers us analysis and insight into the first “The X Factor” live performance from Hollywood!

The October 25 first live performance competition show set the stage for the field to be narrowed down from 17 to 12 by the judges removing one (or in Simon’s case two) from their respective groups. It was more America’s Got Talent than American Idol, and I’m not sure that’s a positive comparison. This early in the competition, the added production values of dancers and sets can mask whether there is real talent on stage. Oh, I get it now. Maybe it would be better to strip everything back and find out who can sing before we add the rest of the trappings of ultimate stardom.

The Boys

Astro (aka Brian Bradley) is the first solo rapper to come this close to the finals in any of TVs talent competitions. My first impression of him during the audition rounds was, like Simon’s, that he was a bit obnoxious and totally full of himself. But talent is talent and he has the elusive X Factor this show aspires to find. Now we’ll see whether America can relate.

Chris Rene had a very weak and off-key start, and coming after the bold and confident Astro, it was hard to watch him try to compete with that performance. He made a valiant effort to rebound, but it did not happen.

Phillip Lomax is the lone crooner who wants to be a pop star. But, seriously?  Bringing back The Monkees’ “I’m A Believer”?  It was like the cheesiest show you’d see in a Vegas showroom. Sorry Phillip, stick to trying to croon your way to stardom and do not listen to the bill of goods you’re being sold by your mentor.

Marcus Canty definitely has star quality, but “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?” seemed an odd choice. In the end, I think purely based on potential and compared to the weaker competitors he should have the chance to go forward.

My guess would have been that he would select Phillip Lomax to go home, and I was right.

The Groups

Stereo Hogzz brought the classic “Try A Little Tenderness” into 2011 with a full-blown, stylized performance complete with some of Paula’s perfectly placed choreography and they blew most of the previous singers out of the water.

The Brewer Boys traveled from wine country to Hollywood with their harmonies in tact.  But, in an unusual mash-up, they inexplicably did a mash up of Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl” and George Michael’s “Faith.” I really like these young brothers, but between the tempo and genre-shifting arrangement and the frenetic dancing female fans I fear we lost what’s really special about them.

inTENsity is a judge-made group of their discards from the earlier rounds. Could some enterprising producer have felt this idea could build on the success of Glee?  Obviously someone thought so and having them kick of their Sunday shoes and do “Footloose” just as the new version is in theaters clicked and brought smiles to the audience.

Lakoda Rayne was another of the judges’ throw together groups. I will confess I did not recognize the song and guess most viewers did not either. But Paula said it best…the young male viewers will want to date them and the young female viewers will want to be them. They also have the X Factor in spades.

Sadly, I think Paula has no choice but to send home the Brewer Boys...and she does.

The Over 30s

Dexter Heygood’s surprising rendition of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” may have lost some of the controversy and irony. It was over the top, but I cannot imagine anything else from this character, can you? He may not be the best singer or have a chance or commercial success, but he leaves a lasting impression.

LeRoy Bell is the oldest contestant at 60! This guy has everything it takes to be a star. But he was not given a song that would immediately resonate with the audience. I just hope we can see more of him and that it is not too late for him to shine.

Stacy Francis is perhaps the most polished performer in the competition with her Broadway experience in her youth. Finally tonight she left the tears and drama behind and tried to soar with a George Michael song. But despite her vocal prowess, I found myself wanting more…or maybe just something different.

Josh Krajcik had a terrific voice. But I am not sure I found “Forever Young” the choice I would have made.

Nicole should be sending Dexter home…and she does.

Does everyone else now agree with The Idolholic (and Simon) that Nicole is in over her head as a judge and mentor on this show? Her comments are silly and her song choices and just about everything else she offered her contestants were wrong, wrong, wrong. Simon really went right for the jugular and even went to far as to say, if he were mentoring her group they’d be in better hands. But I frankly could not agree more. She’s unnecessary window dressing. Ouch!

The Girls

Simone Battle has been one of my favorites, but I got the feeling immediately that Simon was going to have to eat some of his own words from earlier in the show. Among other things, she fell victim to the challenges of trying to be a seasoned pop star singing and dancing at the same time. Her “Just Be Good To Me” left me and the other judges flat and the exchange between the panel was nothing short of chillingly tense and uncomfortable. Maybe viewership and ratings will skyrocket now!

Rachel Crow is the youngest contestant at 13 and I absolutely adored her from her very note as the very first auditioner. I liked the look, but the pop medley may not have been the best choice. The rest of the panel agreed.

Drew (apparently just Drew now and no longer Ryniewicz), my favorite from the start of the show, last month, essayed the theme from “Flashdance” unlike any other way it has ever been sung before…and was flawless and amazing. She has such incredible potential.

Tiah Tolliver tried to channel the one and only Annie Lennox on “Sweet Dreams” and it was a bizarre choice where the production value just overpowered everything else. And, unfortunately, her singing just was not up to par when compared to everyone else.

Melanie Amaro, who was a last-minute addition to the show after Simon initially dropped her, stopped the show with Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and proved she indeed has something really special.

Simon should be letting Simone and Tiah go…and he does.

Next week America enters the contest!