Badin vs. Fredericktown
Miamisburg graduation 2012
Valley View vs. Greenville
Home > Blogs > Reality Bytes > Archives > 2009 > January
January 2009
Two cities, one night for American Idol
Off to Puerto Rico and New York we go. Two cities in one night…wonder if this means they didn’t find tons of talent in either place. Guess we will find out soon enough.
First we go to New York and we see a beautiful, young 19-year-old woman, Adeola Adegoke who believed in herself so much that she quit her job just the day before. After breaking it to her that she doesn’t have a career in singing, Simon gets on the phone with her boss and asks for her job back.
Off to Puerto Rico we go and meet Jorge, age 20, and he sang My Way in Spanish and then something in English. He has a very beautiful voice in whatever language he sings in and the judges all put him through. I’m a little concerned for him though because he said something that led me to believe that he had to prepare his English song. That may be tough on him when the singing starts coming fast and furious. But until then we can hope he does well.
Jessica Byer forgot that she just turned 20, but she remembered all the contests that she has won, 700 in fact. She sings Celine Dion’s I Surrender so loud and shrill that she turns the judges off. Then when she started to beg them to listen to another song, Simon dug in and practically pushed her out of the room. The judges said no but tried to give her some much needed feedback. She didn’t take the constructive criticism well.
Melinda Camille is happy when she dances naked in her room and searching for enlightenment. She wants to enlighten humanity with her singing. She is very pretty with an amazing smile so I expected her to open her mouth and be terrible but wow, she sings Michael’s Buble’s Feeling Good and was pretty good and the four judges think so as well. This is another unique and fun personality that will bring variety to the show.
I’m Yours by Jason Maraz is sung by Jackie Tohn who is described by the judges as unpredictable and surprising but I think she is just odd and arrogant. She does have a throaty raspy voice that could work for her though. She gets four okays from the judges. Back to Puerto Rico, where we get a montage of bad, bad, and the worst.
Mike Perlman, the Crazy Rocker, or is it “The Human iPod/GuyPod” comes into the room with a human size cut out of an iPod with a hole where the screen would be. Simon’s had enough of the performance artists — even if they do come with lion puppets and sing The Circle of Life. He leaves shrieking, “I got a no! I got a no!” that he stands in and sings various stuff. He’s just silly and obviously just trying to get on TV.
Norman Gentle is the kind of comedian singer that Simon hates but he can actually sing some and he is pretty funny. When he tries to sing Amazing Grace without the “pulling a face” he does okay for a while then falls into the comedy like he just cannot help himself. I don’t think he can. Simon says no, the girls are entertained and say yes, then beg Randy to say yes as well. He gives in even though he admits Norman doesn’t have a chance. This guy was a nice funny break from the routine.
Now we get a very quick montage of great singers including Ashley Hollister, Kenny Hoffpauer and Kendall Beard. None of them were on the screen long but I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of any of them.
Monique Garcia Torres is another 16-year-old with a really nice voice and a cute little brother. Simon thinks she isn’t singing young enough and the other judges have to agree. It’s a rare time that we a split decision with Randy and Kara saying she’s not quite ready and Paula and Simon saying yes. So off to Hollywood she goes. In all honesty, her little brother probably pushed her over the line with Simon. He tries to play all hard, but he really is nothing but a big softie. So they give her another chance to be young in Hollywood.
Coming back from last season is Alexis Cohen, 24. I’m sure if you watched last year you’ll never forget her obnoxious glittered face and her anger that oozed out of her middle finger. Remember her shouting “Take it! Take it! Take it! Take it!”? But this is the kinder, gentler Alexis who sings Madonna’s Like a Prayer. I’m not sure “sing” is the right word. Kara thinks she’s actually gotten worse since last year. After bad remarks around, she shoots a couple birds at the judges and storms out.
Puerto Rico’s Patricia Lewis Roman, age 20, has a very powerful voice as she sings I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Simon instantly responds that she just wasn’t good enough. People, never, ever sing Whitney Houston at your audition. She gets another 30 seconds to try again and sings a Spanish ballad that is beautifully done. Paula of all people says no, Randy says yes, and then they cut to her family outside the door to build suspense. She pops out with a golden ticket to Hollywood.
So thus ends the audition portion of the season. I’m so glad we are off to Hollywood, although I must say it was better this year with a little more focus on the good voices than the bad. Ohhhhh, but I can’t wait until next week!
Any favorites so far?
TweetThe nicest Idols on the planet in Salt Lake City
Hey, did ya’ll know Idol is on again tomorrow night? One last audition city before we all head to Hollywood next week. Just thought I would let you know, because I didn’t.
Tonight we are in David Archuleta’s home Salt Lake City is next on the list and hopefully there will be more talent here than in Jacksonville last night!
OMG! We have an Osmond! As in The Osmonds, Donny and Marie Osmond! I know this dates me but I had posters of Donny in my bedroom as a young teen. Son of Alan Osmond, 29-year-old David, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three years ago. His father has battling MS for years. He chooses a “religious” song by Take 6 Something Within Me. Based on prior years, not a plus with the judges, in fact they pretty much label him “not contemporary.” Paula wisely points out that David is from a harmony-oriented family and he needs to focus more on being the front man. It wasn’t a surprise they send him through. If for no other reason than ratings, but I think he has a great voice and deserves a chance as much or more than some of these other jokes they have put through so far this season.
Okay, from an Osmond to Tara Matthews. She’s an odd girl who announces she has ESP, pretty strong ESP, and has dressed in a Goth outfit that didn’t suit her. Of course she was horrible. She butchered one of my favorite songs from Moulin Rouge called One Day I’ll Fly Away. Off she goes and was followed with a montage of more horrible, scary singers.
Now we have a guy who brings his friend Greg the Rabbit. A six-foot pink rabbit that stands behind him as he auditions. He certainly wasn’t as horrible as the several they showed before him but there was no chance of him getting through.
24-year-old Frankie Jordan is a gorgeous stay at home Mom who is self admittedly “overly confident.” She bears a resemblance to Amy Winehouse and capitalizes on that by singing Amy’s You Know I’m No Good. She easily gets through with a yes from all four judges but I thought she just did a really good impression rather than making the song her own. But again, she can sing so we’ll see how she does in Hollywood.
Another back story of a challenged soon to be single mom, 23-year-old Megan Corkrey. I thought she kind of rushed through Can’t Help Lovin’ that Man of Mine. She has an odd quivering quality to her voice. Simon said she’s different and he’ll remember her. In fact, he said he loved the performance. Ryan even pointed out afterward that Simon never says that word. She has a glow about her that the judges also love so on she goes to Hollywood. I’m cautiously optimistic that someone like her may get through because she is different.
17-year-old Austin is auditioning between being president of his senior class and planning homecoming. Just a really nice kid who has a really nice voice. He chooses a couple odd songs and the judges seem to hesitate but they like something about him. He’s charming, genuine and likeable and they want to let him through, so they do. He leaves the room with a bit of advice from Simon, “You’ve got to become young.”
Salt Lake City’s good vibes, cheer and happiness is the theme of the show so far which of course leads into a montage of tears.
Tall and pretty Taylor Vaifanua is a 16-year-old that looks at least 10 years older, partially because of her almost 6 foot stature. She sings Joyful, Joyful which again because of the spiritual theme can be the kiss of death with the judges but she has an absolutely beautiful voice. In fact, only the second time this season I’ve gotten goose bumps. Thank goodness the judges put her through but not with the enthusiasm I personally thought she deserved.
Rose Flack, 17-years-old, lives with her best friend and her family because she lost her father when she was 13, then two years later her mother passed away in a car accident. Her “family” that has taken her under their wing are all there to support her. She’s a beautiful, blonde, hippy type who sings I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King. She too has a really cool unique voice. Paula tells her she needs to work on her vocals. Simon thinks she has something special and she ends up with four yeses mostly because the judges see something special in her. I agree.
TweetJacksonville’s not so hot for American Idol!
Here we are in Jacksonville, Florida starting with Joshua, who proudly announces he is often compared to Season 1’s Justin Guarini. He sings Marvin Gaye’s What’s Goin’ On. Interesting sound effects aside, this kid is a bit obnoxious. He he has a pretty good voice and the kind of quirky personality the judges typically like, so it is not a real surprise when he gets four judges say yes and off to Hollywood he goes.
Sharon Wilbur, 25, brought her little dog to the audition. I guess it’s a better gimmick than bikini girl. With dog on lap, Simon joins the other three judges in putting her through after she sings Karen Carpenter’s Superstar. She has an unusual voice, but not bad. Just different with a trace of Dolly Parton or Britney Spears in there.
Anita Baker’s Caught Up in the Rapture was sung by Kaneswa Finnie who was very confident and comfortable singing on stage and to the judges. Simon tells her she is horrible but Kaneswa doesn’t believe him so they invite her mother in to torture her about how bad her daughter is. This one doesn’t go on to Hollywood but at least she and her mother leave smiling and with good humor.
Julissa Veloz, Miss Florida Latina U.S.A, is a 19-year-old beauty queen who also is a bit obnoxious. I am surprised when she can sing AND she sang Whitney Houston nicely. With a horrendous laugh she gets four yeses. She is another character…this is the third one so far tonight. What are they pumping onto the water in Jacksonville these days?
Upbeat and happy Darin Darnell starts working the crowd before he ever reaches the stage and makes a good friend prior to the show. When his new friend gets cut, he is very emotional about this and has a hard time keeping it together in front of the judges. He “tries his best” to sing Boyz II Men It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye. But buh-bye it is because he’s pretty bad.
Naomi Sykes is the last contestant of the first day in Jacksonville and she brings her friend in the studio to meet Randy Jackson (apparently she’s a huge fan). Naomi is going to sing Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton because she can hit the high notes. Of course no one would attempt this song if they cannot sing, right? Wrong! After a bizarre and awful rendition of this song she gets a group hug from everyone but Simon and she still can’t understand why she didn’t get through. Later she tells the camera that she even hit the high note “this time.” No Hollywood for you.
16-year-old Jasmin Murry brought her three sisters and mother for support. Big Girl’s Don’t Cry by Fergie is what she sings. Simon thinks she is cute, commercial and has a very, very nice voice and the other judges agree. Off to Hollywood with another cute 16-year-old. Does there seem to be an awful lot of those this year?
George, an 18-year-old physics student struggles telling Ryan whether he loves music or physics more. George is 18 but looks like 30 or so. Maybe it’s the shaggy beard and awful hair. Maybe it is the nerdy maturity? He’s an odd kind of guy with an odd kind of voice. Hopefully he goes on to get his house with marble floors some day but it won’t be in Hollywood.
24-year-old Ann Marie Boskovich is nuts about Kara, but for some reason Simon doesn’t think she’s coming off like a star so the judges send her away and tell her to come back as a different person. I’ll bet there was a lot more that went on we didn’t get to see. But she will be back in a bit…
Meanwhile, TK Hash, sings John Lennon’s Imagine, and has a beautiful voice. He made it to Hollywood last year and feels he’s grown but Simon thinks he’s over the top and says no. The other three want to give him a chance so off to Hollywood he goes…again. I’m glad. He has a pretty voice and I’m anxious to see what else he can do.
All Michael Perrelli does is sing. No job, no school, just singing. All day…his mom says “this is what he is.” He seems pretty confident until they tell him he cannot play his guitar. He walks into the studio with a bit of a beat up look, but then he sings Third Eye Blind’s Jumper. He’s not bad. He’s not the best we’ve heard this season but he certainly doesn’t suck. But when the judges try to give him some advice he starts to make excuses and “beg” according to Simon. The longer they went on, the more annoying the kid got. I think he may have had a chance to get to Hollywood had he kept his mouth shut. He got four no, no, no, no’s. He walks out to a supportive family and pushes his mom away when she wants to give him a hug. Not cool on national television. Even Ryan says so. Pushes his brother away. Later, outside he tells the camera that he knows he’s” got it.” Arrogance can sometimes help in an audition but in this case it clearly hurt. What a baby!
Ann Marie Boskovich comes back with her hair tossed and some make-up on and sings Colbie Caillat’s Bubbly. The judges apparently all think Anne Marie Voskivich found a bit of that star quality and can discover more in Hollywood.
So Jacksonville only sends through 16 people to Hollywood. Wow. That’s not too good. I’m glad we’ve seen other talent so far and we have one more night of auditions to watch thank goodness!
TweetIs “American Idol” really a talent search?
One of the best parts of “American Idol” is the idea that undiscovered talent is out there just waiting to be found. So as finalists emerge for this season’s show, it becomes known that at least one contestant already had a record deal. we viewers feel a little taken. Thus, a controversy is developing around Joanna Pacitti.
MSNBC and other media outlets are reporting that at age 11 Pacitti starred in the Broadway production of Anne. Pacitti’s parents apparently sued the producers for $50 million after being replaced due to a case of bronchitis. Pacitti’s career doesn’t end there.
As a teen, she released an album called “This Crazy Life” and later she performed a song on the Legally Blonde soundtrack. She also sang a song that appeared in appeared in the Bratz movie and that was recently included on the new Britney CD (this time sung by Britney).
During season eight of “American Idol,” it came to light that Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook and David Archuleta each had some level of professional experience before they appeared on Idol stage, but Pacitti’s experience appears to be quite extensive. Her reality TV experience doesn’t stop with Idol. Pacitti was a featured guest on MTV’s “True Life,” as the show followed her developing singing career.
Isn’t it time the producer’s change the rules to exclude those who already had their shot at fame? What do you think?
TweetLouisville’s got talent for American Idol
Louisville, home of the Kentucky Derby and southern charm, produced over 11,000 people waiting to sing and pronounce Louisville on national TV.
18-year-old Tiffany Shed makes her Mom’s heart melt and Daddy proud when she sings Mariah Carey…but she just made my ears burn. I can’t imagine that these people actually think their daughter can sing. Have they never heard real music?
Another Momma’s girl Joanna Pacitti, 23, is a veteran of an attempted singing career at 16, but “it just didn’t work out.” This darling girl with a really big voice cried crocodile tears of joy as she takes the judges compliments and the yellow ticket to Hollywood after singing Pat Benatar’s We Belong. I like this one.
Bad luck follows Mark Mudd, age 25, who has almost died five times and is hoping this audition will turn his luck around. He sings a very twangy George Jones’ White Lightning. He is even too twangy to sing hidden deep in the mountains with bluegrass singers and that says something. As he walks away from his chance at stardom, he tells the judges to “be careful.” They ask him what he means and he just repeats several times that they should “be careful.” He’s a little creepy this one.
Brent Keith Smith, age 28, sings Bad Company’s Can’t Get Enough of Your Love and his big dimples and sweet smile doesn’t over shadow his easy soulful style. Simon gives him a hard time about his song choice and Kara threatens to not talk again because Simon interrupts her, but in the end…they all say yes and off to Hollywood he goes.
Montage of silly singers that include tone deaf and Minnie Mouse and a guy who crosses his eyes, a sparkly headed black and white man and finally a very large man attempting to channel Michael Jackson…both singing and dancing. Oh my.
Dueling piano player Matt Giraud from Kalamazoo, Michigan gets four yeses after singing Gavin DeGraw’s I Don’t Want to Be. What he needs to walk away with is a boost of self confidence according to the judges. I personally think it takes a lot of self confidence to just get on that audition stage in front of these judges, but I can see their point. Another unique, but nice voice on this one.
Ross, the 26-year-old nerd’s dry throat just really ruined his voice for the day and after taking a really long pull on Paula’s beverage, he again attempted Cara Mia from Jay & the Americans still sounded just awful, making me giggle at the extent of his horribleness. He says the rejection didn’t really surprise him but then he further humiliated himself by singing out with the other contestants. Poor nerd.
Alexis Grace, a 20-year-old from Memphis, is a stay-at-home mom who is high on the sweet and adorable meter. The little blonde belts out an Aretha song and surprises the judges a bit. However, before coming to Hollywood (she got four yeses) they want her to avoid pink and “dirty up.” Kara told her to go home and “make love” to her fiancé and little Alexis was concerned that may be on TV. Like I said, sweet. Tis the season of sweet.
Aaron Williamson is a ball of energy from Louisville. Whoa! This kid screamed “Christian Clearwater Revival’s Have You Ever Seen the Rain” yes, that’s exactly what he said. Under all that energy was just another really sweet kid who brought just a bit too much intensity for the judges liking.
Rebecca Garcia came with a cheat sheet wrapped around her arm in case she forgot the lyrics to Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats. Well, she messed up the lyrics even with the cheat sheet but worse than that was the odd little squiggly, octopus type dance thing, Kara reads that she was considered a comedian in school and accuses her of trying to be funny. Then Rebecca breaks out in tears and the judges realize it wasn’t a joke. As she walks away with her mother, she questions the judges advice to just quit singing…why do I have a feeling there is more heartbreak in the future for this one.
A wonderful montage of great singers that includes our guy from Hamilton, Ryan Johnson. What little we got to hear seems pretty promising.
The show ending tear jerker is Laneshe Young who was raised in and out of homeless shelters. She decides to sing an original song called Natty and I worried for a second. But only a second. She was wonderful. Simon thinks she is quirky, fun, current and compliments her on her song writing skills. She is young, confident and just adorable. I think I’ll have to put her on my favorites list for this year.
As the list of great singers grows, next week we are off to Jacksonville…
TweetOver-singers abound on American Idol San Francisco
After last week’s debut shows it looked like most the people who voiced their opinions on this blog like the new judge Kara DioGuardi. I must admit, I do too so far.
Tonight we go to San Francisco and as much as I love American Idol, I wouldn’t get married in an audition line like some of these fans. Would you? Well, maybe if I were marrying Ace Young from Season 5. Shhhhhh….don’t tell my hubby.
Tatiana del Toro, 23, from Puerto Rico, brings to the audition her naughty press kit and a promise from her very good friend the psychic that she will make it into the top 12. She chooses to sing an Aretha Franklin song, which is usually a mistake, but somehow she makes it through despite her over-singing. OMG that laugh is more than I can handle tonight. Simon 0, Psychics 1
I immediately want Jesus Valenzuela to be good and get through…mostly because of his adoring and supportive kids. Yes, I’m a sucker for that family man thing…but I’m disappointed because he is nothing but a 29-year-old boy band wanna be, which is obvious once he tries Usher’s Nice and Slow. Tonight’s show is only 20 minutes in and we have seen nothing but over-singers. It is nice for this guy’s family that the three other judges over ruled Simon, but they really shouldn’t have let him through to Hollywood in my opinion.
Either judge Kara is a really good actress or she was really getting annoyed with Simon in the little montage of them picking at each other. Paula usually looks like she is just pretending to be annoyed with Simon when they argue, but I think Kara really is and I think Simon is trying to get her goat. That’s okay, we like a bit of sincere feistiness in our judges.
Just because Dalton Powell can solve a Rubik’s Cube in a matter of seconds doesn’t mean he can sing which was perfectly obvious when he tried Smokey Robinson’s Ooh Baby Baby. Why would someone who had never sung in front of people before start with Idol auditions? Are there so few great singers in San Francisco that this is what we have to watch? Maybe this is why it is only an hour show tonight!
Akilah Askew-Gholston with her diagrams and folder of original songs, seems to be having problems singing from her wrong “rectum” this evening. Bad, bad, bad. Oh yeah, did I say bad?
A short montage of great singers…why couldn’t we be watching them instead of these other folks tonight?
Adam Lambert, 26-years old, has been in the cast of Wicked for the last year and after he choses Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody the judges seem to think he is a little theatrical, but I think he is just awesome! Oh yeah, looks like we have our first heart throb of the season. What a hottie!
Another family guy, Kai Kalama, takes care of his ill mother during the day and just wants to buy her a house. He sings one of my parent’s favorites from The Platter’s Smoke Gets in My Eyes. I’m swooning even though he does struggle a bit with the lower notes….I think he has a beautiful, rich voice but the judges have to spend time discussing his cruise ship personality. Eventually they put him through. This guy has potential. A little tender loving care from the stylists…a hair cut, a shave, some new clothes and he could be a serious heart throb. AND he sounds awesome.
So this is San Francisco and I just wish that we could have heard more of the good singers and less of the yuck. But there were five or six hopefuls sprinkled through the hour tonight.
We’ll see what tomorrow holds….
TweetReal Bikini Girl has what it takes - “American Idol” Update
I know Kelle was hesitant to talk about Bikini girl, but based on the people I’ve talked to this weekend, this was their favorite moment from the season so far.
So who is the real “Bikini GIrl”? Well she wasn’t the one wearing a bikini during her audition and isn’t leaving too much to the imagination in a fund raising calender.
Her name is Casey Carlson. According to the Web site CampusGirlsUSA.com, she represents the University of Minnesota and is one of 82 college girls who have posed for Sports Illustrated like Swimsuit calendar that claims to donate 100 percent of profits to breast-cancer research - for what that’s worth.
In her interview for the calendar’s Web site Carlson said “My dream job, really, would be to sing and dance on Broadway.”
The other Bikini Girl, Katrina Darrell, caused most of the stir during the audition when she came wearing her bikini. The sparks didn’t stop there. The new judge on the block, Kara DioGuardi, suggested that Darrell should come to Hollywood naked. I don’t think the two hit it off.
Here’s the video from the audition.
So who has what it takes to be the next American Idol - Katrina or Casey?
TweetAmerican Idol judges too easy this year?
Since last night I’ve discovered a couple more things that are new with the show this year. As I suspected, they are purposely showing fewer “train wrecks” and have decided to focus on character development instead. In a new wild-card round the judges will get to choose three contestants for the final 12. That should be interesting. I’m also quite pleased about the news that the results shows are only going to be ½ hour instead of an hour. Yeah! Less useless fluff.
So what do you think? I’m cool with all of them myself. I’m quite curious about how this new wild card round will work.
19-year-old Chelsea Marquardt begins the show tonight with all the sweetness of many contestants from last night, but oh my goodness…this girl cannot seriously think she can sing? Simon being Simon he says she sounded like a cat falling off the Empire State building. After the official no, she tells Ryan that she just chose the wrong song. Totally delusional some of these people.
Ashley Anderson was a smart cookie by singing a Leona Lewis song that Simon Cowell co-wrote, Footprints in the Sand. After stumbling on the first line, she starts again and I figured she’s toast but she had a beautiful big voice. I’m not sure if it’s unique enough for the long run, but it won’t hurt to have Simon’s ego in her corner.
Before we get back to the show…the David Cook commercial was neat. Wow, he’s always had the voice but it can’t hurt that the Idol stylists made him look like a star. Did you catch his audition tape? What a transformation. Hey David Cook fans, has he always had that tattoo on his wrist and what is it?
20-year-old Casey Carlson is just darling as she belts out Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles. Casey is another fresh-freshed cover girl who appears quite comfortable on the stage and in her own boots. She slides right through with a yes from all four judges. I can’t wait to see what genre’s she can sing. Really good.
Brian Hettler compares himself to Josh Groban which instantly raises expectations in my mind. I’m expecting Groban but he tries Think by Aretha Franklin. Awful. Just awful. So of course, not accepting the judges opinion, he asks if he can sing a Josh Groban song. After Simon denies the request, like so many others before him, he decides to sing You Raise Me Up anyway. There’s no doubt it’s a NO and after he walks out of the audition room he is followed by a camera man poised to catch the tears. An angry Brian won’t let it happen but this set’s up a crying montage that ends with a ridiculous woman screaming, and crying, and pounding on the floor. I really have a hard time believing adults can act this way…even if they are just trying to get on national TV.
Hey, do you folks remember so much footage of the past year’s Idol highlighted during the audition weeks? Not that I have a problem with looking and listening to David Cook, but I find it odd. Maybe they are hoping it pulls in a younger audience? What are your thoughts?
Returning to tonight’s show, we are on to slightly quirky Von Smith. Well, okay, he’s more than slightly quirky but I like him. He busts out Over the Rainbow after a “flemmy” start. He sounds a bit like he is shouting and I’m surprised the judges are a bit harder on him with all their recent generosity, but even they admit he can sing and there is just “something” about him that intrigues me.
Oh wow. Another Castro is trying to be an American Idol. Jason Castro’s 20-year-old pink-haired brother, Michael, is giving it a shot. After he Jason “girly” and admits to the judges that he’s only been singing for 20 days, he runs through Gavin DeGraw’s I’m In Love with a Girl. He can carry a tune but nothing special. I can’t believe the judges put him through but it’s probably more for the attention as Jason’s brother than any real talent.
Welder Matt Brietzke looks a bit like our Chef Gary at work (doesn’t he my work friends?) so he makes me smile right from the start. I was hoping after the touching back story of how being a Dad is his priority, he would be able to sing and I was not disappointed with his version of Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine . He obviously is dealing with some nerves but there is no doubt he can sing. Randy thinks he sounds like an “okay bar singer” followed by a no. The girls like him and Simon, after a long pause for dramatic effect, puts him through. Actually, Simon likes his heart. Do we have a kinder, gentler Simon this year?
There’s a little boring story about the city’s jazz history and a painful rendition of Over the Rainbow from a nice, but bad high-school singer.
I’m always hopeful for great voices when the person gets back story footage and I was thrilled that Jessica Furney was not just another Grandmother loving teenager. There is certainly nothing ostentatious about this girl. Small town girl sings Janis Joplin. One would hope she wouldn’t try Janis unless she can actually sing and boy can she. Another very natural sweet kid that the judges really like and off to Hollywood she goes.
India Morrison has no problem telling the judges that she is better than her sister Asia McClain who was auditioning with her. And she was right! Asia was pretty poor and shouldn’t be there but it was obvious she only came to support her sister India who was pretty darn good. They leave the audition room with sad, long faces only to reveal India’s yellow ticket to Hollywood.
Next, the cheek pierced Jamar Rogers belts out California Dreamin.’ He’s good but a bit over the top. Actually, Kara says “overdone.” In fact, I think all of them made a similar comment; nevertheless, they send him to Hollywood anyway. Does it seem like they are being rather easy on folks this year?
28-year-old music teacher Danny Gokey is Jamar’s best friend. He tells a very tearful story of losing his wife just four weeks earlier. Kick-me if you want to, but he kind of seems like he’s acting when talks about it. Am I the only one who thinks so? But anyway, he sings Heard It Through the Grapevine and was surprisingly good. Better than his friend Jamar in fact. All four judges give him an enthusiastic yes with Randy telling Danny he is one of the best they’ve seen. I feel horrible about the acting comment because he seems pretty sincere for the rest of his appearance, but I watched it again and felt the same way. Go figure.
Montage of bad girl singers.
It is painfully obvious that Anoop Desai is geek (he did his Master’s thesis on Southern myth by studying BBQ - which Simon couldn’t let go without a crack.), a really smart geek. I have to giggle because he could easily fit in with the cast of one of my favorite TV shows The Big Bang Theory. But then he opens his mouth to sing Boyz to Men and WOW. This kid has more than enough soul to make up for his lack of fashion sense. All four judges say yes to Hollywood but Simon warns him that he needs to work on his “look.”
Couple minutes of bad singers doing Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered. After the break, another brief montage. This one of attention craving and dumb “gimmicks.”
Speaking of gimmicks, a couple wacky and ridiculous girls dressed as cheerleaders introduce Andrew Lang who is another over-the-top “theatrical” type. The judges all said no, as they should have, but they have let others through so far who were far worse. I have to wonder if the now crying cheerleaders hurt Andrew more then helped him.
At the top of the age range, 28 year old Asa Barnes is a band director and father of an adorable four-year-old girl. Another sweet all-american type. He sings Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel, despite Simon’s warning that he only gets one song. Asa does a great job and off to Hollywood he goes.
Oh no. Michael Nicewonder’s mother doesn’t think he can sing. there are several others in his life who are not supportive either. That’s a bad sign. He looks to be one of the mentally challenged people that I don’t think Idol should be putting on the show. It’s cruel. This kid had a good heart and the courage to write music and sing it on TV and the producers allowed it. Bad form guys.
Dennis Brigham’s family is crying outside the audition room before he even comes out. He sings Chris Brown’s With You and I thought he was pretty bad. He tried hard and had plenty of confidence in himself. Simon obviously doesn’t like him and Dennis sings another song that is a little better. Then begins the begging and it works on everyone other than Simon. Come on guys. Does this mean the talent pool is this shallow in America this year? I sure hope not. I have to remember that all we need is 12 really good ones for a great season.
Mia Conley “peacefully” awaits her turn says Ryan as they show clips of her falling asleep at various times during the day. She comes in the audition room and I figure it is the end of the show, we’ve had a couple bad ones, and she has got to be dynamite. But no. Choosing one of my favorite songs Minnie Riperton’s Loving You she butchers it. After singing through and over the judges bad comments, she finally leaves cursing them and warning that God is going to get them.
Thank goodness for Lil Rounds, an adorable mother of three who has endured a tornado that tore through her apartment complex recently. She auditions with Stevie Wonder’s All I Do and the judges can’t say enough good about her. In fact, Randy said she is a “mixture of Fantasia and Mary J. Blige.” High praise indeed and I agree wholeheartedly.
To end the show tonight we get clips of Hollywood week and it looks like great drama! I can’t wait. Can we just skip the next few weeks and go straight to Hollywood?
TweetThe microphone is on! American Idol premieres tonight.
Being a huge fan of David Foster’s I really liked the quote at the beginning of the show tonight. “In life, the microphone passes your lips but once…you had better be ready to sing.”
Tonight, we will begin to see the wonderful, delusional, sometimes talented, but all braver than I, Idol wanna be’s take the microphone into their hand and roll die.
Sometimes I dread the little montages they do to fill time on Idol but I really enjoyed this one set to Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World highlighting some of the more memorable moments over the past seven seasons. As a fan who has watched every season but the first one, I recognized most of them and got that little rush of excitement that I do when the lights go down in a movie theatre right before a movie I’m super excited to see begins.
We start the season in beautiful Arizona with the introduction of the new and fourth judge Kara DioGuardi. If she is as feisty as it looks in this clip, I’m excited at the addition. The first contestant Twan and his “kicked up” fro, marches around much like a, well, scary drum major/bad Michael Jackson impressionist. It’s a no dude.
The committed and tattooed Emily Wynne-Hugh is abandoning her band (and the European tour they cannot go on without her) to move on to Hollywood and as far away from an office job as her many tattoos intended. She sang Heart’s Barracuda and I agree with Simon, that’s not an easy song. Paula sees her in the top five. Come on Paula, already? But Emily was pretty good but Hollywood can bring out the worst in people.
We also have our first cry-baby of the season, 28-year-old Randy Madden, is a sales rep that looks like an Axel Rose wanna be. The next kid, J.B., is a little stiff but delivers a solid performance of Ruben Studdard’s Flying Without Wings. He is also an emotional one, but unlike Randy Madden, J.B.’s on to Hollywood.
Michael Gurr is frightened of the judges…and he had good reason. Oh my goodness, I’m not sure that can classify as signing. Honestly, I had to hit pause, stop typing and laugh. I didn’t realize the unintelligible sound that came out of his mouth was an attempt at a Carrie Underwood song. Poor kid was so sick that he had to sit down and have a banana after.
This was followed by a trio of those people who you have to seriously question their mental health. The kind that really breaks my heart.
Aundre Caraway, aka X-ray, is just a bouncy, goofy, not entirely bad looking guy…well, until the spittle started forming at the sides of his mouth. The judges tell him no pretty quickly and he insists on singing until he is escorted off by a big bald guy.
Karaoke singing Arianna Afsar is a sweet 16-year-old who founded a senior’s program called Adopt a Grand-friend. I kind expected she would be good, but I didn’t expect her to be that good at 16. Specially with a difficult song by Corinne Bailey Rae’s Put Your Records On. She had an easy, authentic confidence that most performers twice her age never get. I’m a fan already. Nice way to end Day 1.
Day 2 begins with a young man, Elijah Scarlett, with a serious bass voice. It almost sounds fake and singing just isn’t in the cards for this poor guy. Elijah was followed by Kara’s biggest fan, Lea Marie Golde, a singer-song writer adorned in a pink cowboy hat who has penned over 100 songs but needs to work on her singing. She didn’t really want to take no for an answer but even her idol, Kara, told her no with the rest of the judges.
Fresh faced 16-year-old Stevie Wright has girl next door great looks with a fabulous voice to match…but wait, on her way to Hollywood, Simon wants her to “grow some teeth.” You know how Simon feels about people who are too nice. Don’t listen to Simon, sweetie, just stay the way you are.
“Sweet, sensitive roughneck” Michael Sarver has one of the most dangerous jobs in the world working on an oil rig. But despite the fact that the voice doesn’t look like it should come out of that body, the judges are all pleasantly surprised by his version of Boyz II Men’s Thank You and he quickly gets his ticket to Hollywood. Cool. I love it that nice guys and gals seem to abound so far this year.
Oops. I’ve spoken too soon. After another montage of bad auditions, we see Katrina Darrell, the Bikini Girl, they have been promo-ing all hour. Since her goal with the bikini was to get attention, I’ve half a mind to not write about her but the fun that ensues with the judges is just too delicious to gloss over. I hate to say it but her voice wasn’t bad but it was a little robotic. After an instant yes from both Randy and Simon, Kara attempted to demonstrate the missing element of “swing” by singing a bit of the song herself (much, much better than Bikini Girl by the way) but she was rudely interrupted by Katrina singing over her followed by a comment about Kara not being any better. Them is fightin’ words girlfriend! Paula jumps out of her seat screaming “that was not the right thing to say” quickly followed judge’s papers flying in the air and Kara exclaiming “hold on for a minute bitch.” Tune in for the continuing saga of “Bikini Girl” in Hollywood. Yes, she made it, if only to prove to the girls that she can sing and to prove to the guys that she can’t.
Next is Sexual Chocolate Eric Thomas who doesn’t do so hot singing Stevie Wonder, but don’t feel too bad for Sexual, before the show his mother promises him she will buy him a car if he doesn’t get to Hollywood. Poor guy.
Singing Let’s Hear It for the Boy, Brianna Quijada struggles but gets a second chance with Killing Me Softly With His Song. But despite the nerves, her sweet nature wins over Simon and goes on to Hollywood with the aid of Paula’s vote. She won’t go far I fear.
Deanna Brown’s “quiet confidence” takes her easily through Otis Redding’s Sittin’ On (The Dock of the Bay) and it also easily gets her to Hollywood. Cody Sheldon is a 17-year-old horror-film maker who I expected to have a frightening voice but what a pleasant surprise. The judges seem tentative but also supportive as they send him off to Hollywood.
Another goofy and innocent teenager Alex Wagner makes it to the finals. The three other judges override Simon’s no…but I have to agree with Simon. I don’t think this kid can make if far in Hollywood but he was sweet and sang in tune, so…
One last bad-song montage to Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead or Alive this time. Yeehaw! Seriously, I know lots of folks like this part, but I could do without it most of the time.
Thanks goodness they don’t end the show that way. I much prefer the warm and fuzzy story of Scott McIntyre, the 23-year-old blind pianist, and singer-songwriter who entered college at 14 and graduated at 19. And he sings! Boy does he sing. A little known ballad by Jennifer Warnes’ And So It Goes. It’s clear why they saved Scott for last!! As Ryan gives him a high five, I can’t deny the goose bumps crawling up my arms.
So that’s night one of American Idol Season 8. I have to say I enjoyed the show more than I anticipated. I like the fact that it seemed like they spent more time on the singers with potential than the delusional ones who actually think they can sing. Okay, there were a few, but they do need ratings I guess.
What did you think? How did it measure up to your expectations tonight? How did you like Kara? Now I can’t wait until tomorrow…
TweetAmerican Idol Season 8 Premiere Tonight!
According to AmericanIdol.com, this season promises to bring “intriguing twists and turns.” I’ll be honest; I’m a bit intrigued about what intriguing means. Maybe they are talking about the addition of new judge Kara DioGuardi, a songwriter who has worked with many Idol contestant’s of the past. Rumor has it she’s a friend of Paula’s, but I still hold some hope for a couple “girl” cat fights when disagreements arise. Now that would be intriguing.
Maybe they mean the change in the number of semi-finalists. In years past the field was narrowed to 24, but from what I understand this year there will be three batches of 12 performers. A batch will sing each week over the course of three weeks and from there they will be narrowed down to a top 12. Could be intriguing.
There is a little local intrigue with Ryan P.A. Johnson of Hamilton, Ohio’s local band Instereo rumored to make it to the top 50…at least. According to local Cox newspaper The Pulse Journal “…Johnson isn’t allowed to speak to the media until he is eliminated or wins the competition. But sources close to the band say that Johnson traveled to California last fall for taping after winning a local competition and a regional audition in Louisville.” For more information on Johnson, visit Instereo’s Web site at www.instereo-band.com
I, for one, am excited about the premiere tonight. Not because of all the changes or even being able to cheer on a local boy (which is very cool), but just because I love American Idol. Against all critics with sound intellectual arguments as to why it is the bane of our society’s very existence, I just plain enjoy it.
So, what are your thoughts on Season 8? Do you anticipate the same ol’ Idol or are you intrigued?
I’ll see ya on the flip side of tonight’s show tonight to see what everyone thinks.
TweetNo more “Project Runway”
Maybe…
For now, it looks like the only fashions on the runway will be down the aisle of a court room. Right about now, we should be counting down to the start of season six of “Project Runway.” However, thanks to legal proceedings between all the parties involved, the date for the trial to start isn’t set to start until October, so what about season 6?
According to various reports, season 6 of “Project Runway” has been filmed, so if the parties could agree, we might get to see something in 2009. If not, it could be a year without “Runway.”
Perhaps the some of the fierce competitors for some of the other seasons could come back to help fight it out… imagine Christian as a negotiator… that’s fierce. Or better yet… Kenley, if she were in the negotiating room, this matter would likely be settled… I can’t imagine anyone would want to spend too much time with her in a courtroom!
I hope they settle this thing quick, I’m missing season 6 already… Is anyone else missing Project Runway?
Tweet
