I’ll admit I quite enjoy the pop culture – phenom of American Idol. The combination of their (carefully-selected) mishaps during the city-by-city auditions and the week-by-week crescendo of the Top 24 keeps the American dream alive. Who doesn’t love watching a (usually) rags-to-riches story come true?

So, while we’re just in the beginning stages (week two, I believe) of the Final 24, here are my favorites and guess at the top eight… who are your choices?

Women

Crystal Bowersox – she’s not the glam, over-produced pop star but how can you not respect her raw talent? She makes me want to be in a bar, drinking a good beer and watching her perform. I love her gritty voice, musical abilities and “I’m me – take it or leave it” confidence.

Katelyn Epperly - first, I love her hair. Adorable. Second, love the tone of her voice. The only negative to her for me was her mother during auditions – projecting her divorce and sadness onto this poor girl and pressuring her to do this not for Katelyn, but for her mother. Seemed a little contrived to me. But I love this girl and the fact that she can also play piano (which we learned tonight) just made me like her all the more.

Lilly Scott - score one for the band geek. This woman can play at least a half dozen musical instruments, she’s got crazy hair (what is that color?) and she is so entertaining to watch. Also, another unique soul who is comfortable with herself – and that is so attractive. Plus, who sings “Fixing a Hole”? She does, that’s who.

Siobhan Magnus - Simon has this girl’s number – she is a “funny little thing.” But damn, this girl can sing. And I love that she used to have a mohawk. How many of us can look back on our lives and say that? Now, if I could just get there to style her….  her fashion sense is so awful it holds me back from loving her like crazy. Someone get this girl a stylist!

I also quite enjoy Paige Miles – she’s adorable, personable and a great singer. But she also seems like someone I’ve seen a million times, and the ladies above offer something just a bit more interesting and different.

Men

Michael Lynche - Who doesn’t love “Big Mike”? He’s so personable, so sincere and so darn good. He is just fun to watch. I hope he goes a long way.

Lee Dewyze - I could listen to him sing all day long. He’s just interesting and has a great tone – although a little pitchy at times. But there’s some strangeness in his eyes – is it lack of confidence, as the judges suggest? Well, that can grow with each performance, so vote for him each week!

Alex Lambert - Again, a kid who could do better once she shakes the nerves, but his voice is so cool. Now, just cut that hair and he might even be hot.

Andrew Garcia – Andrew has been one of my “top 3″ choices since the beginning. I was surprised the judges didn’t like him as much this week – his voice is incredibly controlled and he can add his own, unique twist to every song, it seems. I hope he goes very far, if not all the way.

I’d like to include Casey James in the top eight but the truth is, he’s so pretty I can’t tell if I like his singing as much as his smile.

Who are you betting on this season?