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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?
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Comments
By mikey F Baby
January 30, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Bikini girl Katrina Darrell all the way!
By Kim
January 30, 2009 9:26 AM | Link to this
I was mostly underwhelmed last night - though I did enjoy watching the show. I didn’t see anyone that I thought could really make it. Melinda was interesting - she was the memorable one for me - but I think her personality got her through as much as her voice. Her glow was irresistible. I loved Jorge’s Spanish number - nothing like a ballad in a romance language! But I too am concerned that he won’t be able to “mainstream” it up enough. And yes - Simon really can be a softie - but he likes it when people get sassy with him - ha! And now - we’re going to HOLL-EEEE-WOOOOOOD baby! We all have our vicarious golden tickets to watch from afar. :)