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American Idol Mania Begins
The two-hour premiere kicked off American Idol 7 as thousands compete for their spot on the nation’s hottest talent search.
Starting in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, the American Idol tryout train started with thousands turning out to win their chance to sing for America.
Paula struggles to pass on uka (spelling ?) even though it’s clear he can’t sing. All the while Simon keeps prodding her to say he can’t sing… that darn Simon.
My fav was James 78683 singing “Go down Moses.” The judges were moved to laughter despite the fact James clearly thought he really could sing. No worries, he’s coming back to audition against next year so he says.
After a few more, less than stellar auditions, Junot Joyner belted out Elton John’s “The Blues” resulting in a complement from Simon.
Temptress Brown, a sixteen year-old football playing singer, tried her best but it just wasn’t doing it for the judges and tears started to flow… Randy and Paula got up and gave her a hug while Simon sat on his duff.
The highlight of the Philly auditions had to be Alexis Cowan singing Grace Slick’s “Somebody to Love”. Even though Simon’s comments were pretty tame her reaction to Simon was priceless! in just a few minutes she communicated her and perhaps millions of other’s thoughts about Simon pretty succinctly - in other words… I’m pretty sure she doesn’t like him all that much.
Angela sang, “Signed, Sealed, delivered,” winning a trip to Hollywood.
The next few auditions/screechers reminded Simon of a nightmare he had before the auditions began.
Of the non-eligible contestants Milo had to take the cake with his song “No Sex Allowed.” This wacky song left the judges disappointed they couldn’t even vote for this guy.
Next up was Kristy Lee Cook, bringing the competition back on track with a nearly perfect version “Amazing Grace.”
Ben Haar arrived in a cape and reveled too much hair for the judges- we’ll come back to him… he’s out getting a chest waxing… what was up with that?
Paula’s stalker creeped out judges and me with a version of a chalking, stalking, walking song… Simon had enough and called security.
One stalker follows another. This time it was Beth Stalker singing “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” earning her a spot in Hollywood despite Simon’s no vote.
Ben’s back after his waxing singing “Don’t Ya.” Less than two seconds into - he’s out of there.
Chris Watson, brought the competition back on track singing “Follow Me” and without too much discussion by the judges is off to Hollywood.
The force wasn’t with the next contestant despite her Star Wars belt buckle and her singing, “Don’t the Sun Go Down on Me.”
The first night of the auditions ended on a high note with Brook White singing “Like a Star,” earning her a place in Hollywood.
Despite the handful of golden tickets handed out during the show, the clip at the end of the show suggested dozens more had been handed out.
Tomorrow night Dallas…
Who could have imagined that you could mixed hair waxing, vocal auditions and Star Wars all in the same show. Thoughts on tonight’s show?
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Comments
By SRCputt
January 17, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
This show is where I officially gave up. The producers said they heard the complaints, yet here they go with more making fun of the people who cannot sing rather than setting up the storylines for the rest of the season. When the show launched into the montage of I love Rock n Roll, I changed the channel. I will not watch another audition show again. It’s like the popular kids in school picking on the kids who are different, and I am sick and tired of it.
By SRCputt
January 17, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
This show is where I officially gave up. The producers said they heard the complaints, yet here they go with more making fun of the people who cannot sing rather than setting up the storylines for the rest of the season. When the show launched into the montage of I love Rock n Roll, I changed the channel. I will not watch another audition show again. It’s like the popular kids in school picking on the kids who are different, and I am sick and tired of it.
By Kim
January 16, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I found it rather ironic that Alexis ranted in such a psycho manner (maybe she is practising for “actressing”???) against Simon when he was really kinder than normal when he could have told her that she was delusional and had no chance to be an idol. Same thing with the Star Wars chick - you DO need to be able to actually sing to go with your side of quirk. Has she never watched Idol??? There have been MANY “non-beautiful” contestants get through. And I always have to wonder - does the family around these people REALLY think that they are good and that they are doing them a favor by encouraging them? Is love deaf as well as blind? I just don’t get it. I love my daughter dearly, she is adorable and perky and would make a great role model for other teens. She is even in an elite choir and has performed on stage in musicals and plays and one many awards from impartial judges, but we are honest about her abilities. She can carry a tune in a bucket - but she doesn’t have sufficient raw vocal talent for this show (though with studio redubbing she could be a star - so many people who record can’t really sing!). Now - if they ever come up with American Stage Star or something - then I’d taking her to audition! But pure singing - no - I wouldn’t put her through that. I feel badly for those kids that think they are star quality singers!
By Hillary
January 16, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I nearly died laughing at “No Sex Allowed”…, I nearly gagged on Mr. Chest Hair Ben. When they have to plaster the “AI” logo on your body as you walk away to cover things, you probably shouldn’t wear it in public. I felt really bad for Temptress, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way Paula, Randy and even Simon reacted and walked out of the room with her. I thought that was nice. I think Alexis needs some help. It’s really sad that her shananigans took up an entire chunk of the show (one commerical break to another). I was a little surprised at Simon’s admittance that he doesn’t really know how to be happy for others, even those he likes… Granted, he’s never really seemed like a nice guy, but he almost seemed surprised by his own realization. Star Wars girl (can’t remember her name) just needs to take into account that maybe it’s not her level of nerdiness that kept her from getting a golden ticket… maybe it was that her singing was off-key, nearly monotone and pretty bad. But who counts singing in a singing competition? I was really impressed by Angela. Not just because she’s doing it to help her daughter, but because she’s really very talented. And I really loved Kristy Lee Cook’s rendition of “Amazing Grace”. Can’t wait for tonight, but unfortunately on Wed. nights it competes with some of my non-reality faves on TV. Oh well, that’s what Picture in Picture is for I suppose.
By Kelle
January 16, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
These first shows are usually my least favorite because there is such a fine line between being cruel and just wanting to laugh at the idiots that think they can sing. They did a much better job this year at focusing on good singers and delusional idiots rather than the unfortunate souls that are mentally ill. But I’m not sure I like this kinder gentler Simon. He wasn’t quite sarcastic enough for me last night!
By Kelle
January 16, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
These first shows are usually my least favorite because there is such a fine line between being cruel and just wanting to laugh at the idiots that think they can sing. They did a much better job this year at focusing on good singers and delusional idiots rather than the unfortunate souls that are mentally ill. But I’m not sure I like this kinder gentler Simon. He wasn’t quite sarcastic enough for me last night!