Have I mentioned that I lurve the new kinder and gentler Idol auditions? Well I do. Tonight could have easily gone the way of the freak showcase that the Minneapolis auditions turned into last year. But instead, the producers were able to showcase the bad and the weird without leaving a bad taste in the audience’s mouths. At least I felt good afterward.
Back in August, Senior Idol Producer, Patrick Lynn, confessed to the Omaha World Herald that he’d been pushing for Omaha as an audition city because of the movie his friend, Dan Mirvish directed, called Omaha (The Movie) Said Lynn, “That’s a great little movie…It really captures the quirky and off-beat aspects that make Omaha Omaha.”
I got what I expected–Omaha as a town full of quirky, yet likeable oddballs–living in the heartland of America.
The show begins with an aerial view of the show logo cut into a farm field. American Idol has landed. Yay?
Ten-thousand hopeful auditioners turn out to audition in Omaha.
Paula’s plane has been delayed. Which gives the writers a chance to throw in a bunch of fun (as in not) gay jokes between Simon and Randy. I guess Ryan needed a rest.
Chris Bernheisel 24, Fremont, NE - “Since You Been Gone” By Kelly Clarkson - The night starts off with Chris, who is the perfect embodiment of the quirk-fest the show seems to be going for. He’s preternaturally sunny, and optimistic, and completely undaunted by little details. You know, like the fact that he can’t sing. He’s so excited to audition, that he claims he’s going to “explode in happiness, and it’s going to to go everywhere!” That could be messy. Chris enters the audition room bearing a bag of gifts. Simon jokes, “That’s not Pauler in there?” and “Can’t we just have money?” Chris gushes that he loves Idol because, it gives people a second chance at their dream. Then he starts crying, because he’s so HAPPY that the auditions are in Omaha, because he couldn’t afford to fly anywhere else. His audition is off-key and frenetic. Inexplicably, he throws in a handstand. Simon appears charmed, but says the singing wasn’t good enough. Chris, undaunted, moves right along. He asks if he can audition to do “Red carpet stuff” and launches into a Ryan Seacrest spiel. I LOVE this guy. He’s adorable! Simon laughs and says, “You tell FOX 42 that we want to see you at the finale, reporting…tell them to call us.” Chris leaves the audition BEYOND happy. Hey–Ryan Seacrest already has a million jobs. He can give up one of them.
Jason Rich 21, Stout, IA - Keith Whitley “When You Say Nothing at All” - Jason works part-time on his girlfriend’s family farm. He’s a gentle soul who looks right at home in shots amongst the rolling corn. At first, he chokes, and can’t get past the first line of the song. Simon says, “There’s nothing I can say, Jason, you just blown that.” Finally on the third try, he gets it together and finishes big. It turns out he’s got a great voice for country. Randy isn’t sure he has star quality, but says yes. Simon says, “I will give you another shot…but I will never give you that shot again.” Paula’s still a no-show, but I have a feeling she would have said yes. Jason, full of potential, moves on to Hollywood.
Paula finally shows up.
More cross-promotion! The next bit plays off the FOX! Hit! Show! Don’t Forget the Lyrics. It’s a parody called “You Forgot the Lyrics”. And it features that Idol staple: (as in yawn) Dumb-ass contestants forgetting their lyrics…
Rachael Wicker 23, Richmond, MO - “Don’t Tell Me to Stop Loving You” by Lee Ann Womack - Rachel is a champion arm wrestler. We see her out in the waiting room demonstrating her mad skillz against men and women alike. Simon declines her challenge to wrestle, claiming she’d probably beat him. She probably would. Her vocals display a decent country old-school quality, but Simon thinks she sounds too old. Randy kinda mocks what he calls her “half yodel.” Nevertheless, he says yes, Paula says yes. Simon says no. At which point, it would have been fun to watch Rachael totally take him down.
Sarah Whitaker 24, Council Bluffs, IA - She used to be a professional wrestler called “Lady Morg” who’s main feature is a Britney-worthy English accent and a cartoonish, maniacal laugh that seems to frighten the people sitting around her. She demonstrates one of her fake wrestling moves on tiny Ryan, who she could probably knock cold for real. I have no idea what she’s singing–it resembles a demented show tune. Simon says, “This is like the soundtrack to this town.” Sarah responds with that maniacal laugh. “You’re just really strange, Sarah.” She takes it as a compliment. No doubt she’s psyched to be able to let her freak-flag fly in front of millions. Randy and Simon say no. Paula mumbles a hardly audible “yes” (!!??!).
Next, begins a bit that looks supah-set up and supah-edited-in after the fact. Ryan peeks his head into the audition room and asks why they didn’t “put her through, what was wrong with her?” A big fake discussion ensues between Ryan and the judges resulting in Ryan being invited to trade places with Paula. Simon says to Paula, “You go out there and pretend to like the contestants, and let Ryan judge.” Then Ryan says, “How do I pretend to be overpaid for doing no work?”
*
*
Samantha Sidley 22, Los Angeles, CA - “I Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones - This is a total knock-off of Norah Jones. It’s like she’s performing an impression. Simon asks her if she thinks she can win the competition and she says sheepishly, “I don’t know.” Wrong answer! Samantha seems to lack confidence. Ryan says (yes, the bit continues into the next audition) that she needs to “Stop spinning around on the mark.” Simon laughs and says he likes the performance parts. Right on cue, Paula bursts into the room to chastise Ryan, “It’s about singing Ryan.” Oops, Paula, then where does that leave you? I’ll bet Samantha’s thrilled that her audition has been hijacked by a fake bit. Ryan opens the left door and Randy yells, “Wrong door! Wrong door!” The fact that it’s not locked kinda ruins the joke. As a sidenote: Samantha gets four yeses.
A very quick run-through of some of the Hollywood-bound contestants follows:
Elizabeth Eckert 19, Springfield, IL - “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” - Decent, but generic.
Denise Jackson 17, Madison Wisconsin - Big powerful voice in a young, tiny package. Observant commenters noticed that Denise is last year’s crack baby contestant from last year. She also got into a little bit of trouble after her audition was broadcast.
Michael Sanfilippo 19, South Barrington, IL - “If You Really Love Me” by Stevie Wonder - Very soulful.
That was fast…
Angelica Puente 17, Kenosha, WI - “Power of Love” by Celine Dion - It’s time for a backtory. Angelica lives with her grandparents, because she moved out of her Dad’s house. She says he’s strict, and they don’t always get along. Then she starts crying and stuff. She explains that after she left a mini cell-cert message from a Martina McBride concert on her Dad’s phone, he offered to pay for her American Idol trip. So, he’s not all bad. Angelica sings with a powerful voice, but she’s obviously inexperienced. Simon and Randy both think her performance is unoriginal. Simon thinks she needs some work. Really, she’s the kind of auditioner that the show is supposed to be about in the first place–a “diamond in the rough” right? With reservations, they send her to Hollywood. Afterward, Ryan calls her Dad. When he hears the news, he calls it “Badass.”
It’s time for some cross promotion, as the next segment opens with a snippet from Daughtry’s new video for their latest single “Feels Like Tonight”! Ryan gushes about Daughtry representing the Idol success story, blah, blah blah, and how Chris Daughtry has encouraged “rawkers” across America to audition for Idol! Then we see a montage of the biggest Rawk posers ever. Yippee.
“And thanks to Chris,” Ryan says, “We met this guy…”
David Cook, 24 - “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi - David admits that he watched Chris’s audition to figure out “some sort of competitive edge.” Would that edge include Simon saying no like he did to Chris when he initially auditioned? Gee, that’s time well spent. Maybe David has been listening to a lot of Daughtry, ’cause he sounds like a clone. However, nobody seems to notice. David’s faux-hawk coupled with an argyle sweater is…interesting. Hey, where’s the guyliner?
Johnny Escamilla 18, Scottsbluff, NE - “Shout” by Otis Day and the Nights - Johnny announces his weirdness right up front. He can’t think of who to compare himself to, except for maybe James Brown. Oh this should be good. While Johnny introduces himself, Paula hiccups loudly. I’ll refrain from making the obvious joke. Johnny, in his glittery gold jacket, is a sparkly, spastic nightmare. The old Simon makes an appearance, “That must’ve cleared your hiccups.” And, “In every single way, that was just everything I hated…from the jacket, the singing, the dancing, everything.”
Tonight’s montage of crappy singers is to the tune of “Stuck in the Middle with You.” Stuck in the middle of Middle America?
Leo Marlowe 23, Charlotte, IA - “A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway - Leo’s got a good sense of humor. He says, “My mama always said she raised a perfect homecoming queen. Too bad it wasn’t one of her daughters.” Self-deprecating and honest. I like it! Bonus: He’s got a really good voice–warm and raspy. I like that too. And Simon likes, he says yes. Paula screams, “Touchdown!” like a crazy lady. Could it be the return of wacked-out Paula? I hope so! Randy says yes. Leo gets choked up and asks for a hug.
Aww, what a sweet way to end the show.
In all, there are 19 golden tickets.
Tomorrow, the auditions move to Miami, FL.
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I liked that boy Chris, he was a happy soul. I hope he gets to do the red carpet.
I kind of liked Jason, but he’s got to get it together before Hollywood. Take some singing and performing lessons.
Didn’t like the Norah Jones knock-off, she won’t last.
Yeah, I was surprised they called that last girl on imitating “Celine”, but gave “Norah” a pass.
Yep Longsong, you and me saw the same thing. The last guy Marlowe came out admitting he was gay, had a nice voice good personality, but I wonder if the audience might backlash because of his gayness.
It’s gotta be hard to be gay in Iowa in a town of 200. I think he might have my vote…if he makes it. (I’ll have to check out the spoilers again.)
I knew Alaina was from Tulsa, but had no idea David Cook was also until the show tonight. Interesting, going to have to check that out.
The show was alright, no one really stood out alot except the last guy who had a really decent voice.
I just loved the first guy Chris because he was soooo happy and you know when those singers go in there they are so introverted and have no personality. Since he can’t sing, he would make a good Seacrest.
me 2 sally!!
I wasn’t the biggest fan of hers either, but guess who her voice teacher is, the one and only……..Peisha Mcphee!!!!
Hubby and I both thought Ryan had *puppy love* over the Norah Jones Mcphee trained girl. He was almost shy, and the looks he gave her, made me want to say awwww, lol. As for her singing, meh.
Funny, I got the feeling that it was her girlfriend waiting for her. If you catch my drift.
What has it been? A little over a year? Where’s everyone?
Kristi I thought that was her sister since they look so much alike in the face. Shows you how much I know, lol.
Im out west, no show yet.
and no one has posted any videos on any of the usual sites. Waiting for MJ’s recap.
http://www.dailymotion.com/igrecman/1
This person always uploads whole episdoes.
I was working on my taxes tonight, so only had my ear half-open to the show. Which one was David Cook?
thanks prime
I loved Samantha Sidley, and I was actually impressed with David Cook as well. Overall, a pretty good episode.
I was at the Omaha auditions (husband auditioned), and was sitting about 10 rows behind Goth Girl alllllllllllllll day…that was a treat, let me tell you! I saw myself on TV…I was very very small, but I was on there!
I caught clips of this and actually thought it was a decent show. I liked David Cook and the last guy who sang A Song For You. The interaction between the judges was funny and the show didn’t give me the creeps. It just felt more “real” than most of the others so far. I really liked judge Ryan (according to rumor we’ll see more of him).
I like Leo Marlowe! What a neat guy. David Cook is good too. Not a bad show tonight.
I truly hope there won’t be a gay backlash against Leo? I mean have we not advanced any in the last few years? I guess it’s okay to laugh at all the gay deluded auditioners, but not okay to root for an open talented singer. That just sucks. I guess that is why so many idol contestants stay in the closet. That sucks too.
David Cook was good, but personality-deficient. There will be three male rockers this year! And a female rocker, too, What a crowd. Someone will be lost in the shuffle.
What a difference in the tenor of the show this year, if you know what I mean, not the sense of cruelty towards contestants as in the past.
Will remember Samantha Sibley. Yeah, she sang like Norah Jones but her shyness was quite endearing. And I would have put Jason Rich through on the basis of his first two lines.
For an audition show, this one was quite good. Simon was actually quite funny. All the judges seem to have upped there game this year.
I am still finding the auditions to be lacking something this year .. could just be the “waning” effect of idol ACK lol
i loved samantha’s voice
Dancin - could it be that Simon is “too nice”? He hasn’t made any snapping remarks, everything he says seems politically correct and not meant to hurt feelings.
Paula, my goodness, has nothing to say.
I liked David Cook and Michael SanFilipino. I liked Samantha Sidley’s voice but I did think she was just imitating Norah Jones and I’m surprised the judges didn’t call her on it. I’m glad they put through Jason Rich. I liked his voice alot and felt bad for him when he couldn’t remember his lyrics. I’m glad he finally pulled himself together.
LOL, jersey. I am Filipino…I think Michael is SanFilippo. ;)
I also liked very much what I heard from him. Did he make the Top 24? I’m gonna go check the spoiler list again…
For those who say they like David Cook, you might want to look at his band AXIUM. They’ve already released a CD :
http://cdbaby.com/cd/axium
LOL, purple. It was early when I posted that.
Haha! You get a pass then, jersey. ;D
I thought David Cook looked a bit like Chris Daughtry, crossed with Blake (with a little Sanjaya thrown in with that mohawk…and was that a bald spot I had a glimpse of when he went to hug his mom? heh). For a teeny bit of a second, he also looked a bit gay to me (my sister also remarked so). LOL! (Or maybe it was because this show was just so gay? lol) I did like him, though, and I actually liked the whole show. I thought it was light and fun (thus, gay) and the singers I thought were good. :)
Also, is it just me or was Johnny Escamia (?) channeling Taylor with the “ungelled” hair and those moves? Heh. ;)
First time/long time/ great topic/ love the blog….Ok, enough for introductions. Coming out of lurking, in need of a little assistance.
If I remember correctly last year Denise Jackson make it to Hollywood with the back story of being a “crack baby” from Madison WI. This year she was shown, albeit for only a few seconds, again receiving a golden ticket. Ironic isn’t it that last year the show focuses on her back story, while this year nothing is said?
Oh, so that is who Denise Jackson was! That’s why I thought the name seemed familiar. I thought she sounded good last night…maybe better than she did last year. I actually don’t mind that the back story wasn’t shown this year…maybe that’s why I appreciated the voice more. ;)
Welcome (back?) to the blog, purerock. :)
lol chicago sally .. that is probably it.. simon being so nice its like we’ve stepped into the twilight zone lol
although a bit of paula’s “weirdness” shone thru last nite hehe
OK, Im bored to tears with the auditions, lots of good voices but no one whose name I could remember or would want to remember EXCEPT…..I think my guy will be the last one who auditioned last night. Name was leo something or other, he was openly Gay and a total breath of fresh air. Loved his voice and he will be my next Taylor.
OK, I got a little carried away but thats how much I liked him.
I love Simon and he’s as handsome as ever but I dont like this new niceness. Its very unbecoming.
>>I thought David Cook looked a bit like Chris Daughtry, crossed with Blake (with a little Sanjaya thrown in with that mohawk…>>
Holy shit Purps! I saw daughtry in him as well. Im missin’ Sanj already.
Hey, dingo! *hugs*
I thought David sounded a bit Daughtry-ish, too, but to me, his audition was better than Daughtry’s. I’d like to see how well he does during the actual competition. :)
Hey, dingo, you should watch out for that Sanjaya-Shyamali MTV show then. Or maybe just check out Rickey’s every once in a while…he sure likes Sanjaya and features him a lot. ;)
GET OUT!!!!
Sanj is gonna have a TV show!?? Oh gawddddd, it doesnt get any better lmao. Thanks for the heads up and I too thought that guy sounded a bit like Daughtry and I saw the likeness right away. I just didnt think anyone else had.
I’ll check it out at Rickey’s.
Dingo, it’s not confirmed yet and the news (or rumor) reportedly came from PageSix, heh, so I hope I didn’t get your hopes too high up. Anyway, you can read all about it here:
http://www.rickey.org/?p=6837
;)
As to David, I certainly saw the Daughtry-ishness at once. Will he get stuck in an elevator, too? I’m tuning in. LOL
On to other matters, I was just reading Slezak’s article and was reminded of the girl who said Simon would be proven wrong, that she could be America’s Next Top Model, and I am cracking up again.
HEY !!!! I liked that dude that kept forgetting his words.. cute !!!…. The pro-wrestler needs heavy medication !!! I wanted het to arm wrestler the arm wrestler !! Very weird !
>>>>Randy and Simon say no. Paula mumbles a hardly audible “yes” (!!??!).
Randy said it. He mumbled the hardly audible “yes” for Paula.
>>>>Next, begins a bit that looks supah-set up and supah-edited-in
>>>>after the fact. Ryan peeks his head into the audition room and asks
>>>>why they didn’t “put her through, what was wrong with her?” A big
>>>>fake discussion ensues between Ryan and the judges resulting in
>>>>Ryan being invited to trade places with Paula. Simon says to Paula,
>>>>“You go out there and pretend to like the contestants, and let Ryan
>>>>judge.” Then Ryan says, “How do I pretend to be overpaid for doing
>>>>no work?”
Why all the hate? It was funny.
Is that Denise Jackson the same one who auditioned last year, who said she was a “crack baby”?
There’s no hate, here. I’m a lover.
Parts of it were funny. It would have been funnier if it had been spontaneous. But it looked super-fake, like they had memorized a script, which they probably did.
LOL. And the wallet chain, too? He really is like Daughtry meets Blake meets Sanjaya, isn’t he? If he has a tattoo on his back, I will LAUGH.
The one ironic thing about Ryan’s judging stint - the comment he made to the auditioner was pretty much the exact same thing that Paula said. Yet with Ryan’s comment, “it’s about the SINGING”, and with Paula, it was a “good observation.” LOL. Totally staged… yep.
They showed Amanda Overmyer really quickly last night during the Daughtry montabge.
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r279/milajoy/Amanda.jpg
Hi folks.
I caught the ending and thought Leo was adorable and has a nice voice!
I’ve checked out some of David Cook’s music. I think his voice reminds me more of Darius Rucker than Chris Daughtry, for what little it’s worth.
Back to lurkin’.
Have fun!
Not much to add about last night. SO ready to move on here. I agree about the kinder, gentler Idol. It is, to me, a better approach.
Staged much? Ya think??!! I think that probably 80% of what we are seeing is pre-arranged, pre-written, you name it. Including giving a guy, what, 4-5 tries on a song because they wanted him for their final 24. It is so obvious, it is almost painful to watch. (And I liked the guy, Jason Rich, just fine. But I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell anyone who thinks this guy, among others, hadn’t long since been pre-chosen for beyond Hollywood, and the “judging” is just for, well, show.)
I am pretty over this portion of the show and ready to hear some sangan’ fo’ real.
I wouldn’t get too attached to Leo. No openly gay contestant has ever made it to the semi-finals. A few have come out afterwards (or during) and a few have certainly looked the part. There’s no “danger” of a backlash when they don’t make it to the big stage anyway.
Oh ok. Yay! I was worried you were becoming jaded to our cheesefest!!