the buzz log

Shockers, leaks, and ringers—and "American Idol" hasn't even started the electoral process yet. This season's abbreviated Hollywood round cut down on both the drama and the onscreen bonding moments.

Next week, Fox viewers become voters, but some may already be disappointed with their choices. Amid the rush to find the "american idol 2008 top 24" (+942%), some like Carly Smithson and Michael Johns (who have had record deals) weren't surprises. The lachrymose Josiah Leming was another story: The early-on Search favorite impressed with his song choices, spurring searches "grace kelly lyrics" (+136%) and Brit artist Mika (aka Mica Penniman). Alas, the homeless hopeful got dumped. The shocking dismissal ricocheted him into the top 2,500 searches that day, ironically giving him the highest Buzz profile of the chosen 24.

As for the remaining talent pool, Ryan Seacrest harped all week about how strong the competitors were this time. "Idol" remains behind in ratings compared to last season, but buzz may be more forgiving: Unlike this same time last year, many individual singers are already sparking online interest. Stay tuned to see which contestants take the lead in Search.