The American Idol auditions went to Memphis this week, finding a bunch of soulful hopefuls. You would think that being so close to Nashville would have led to a few country folks auditioning, but alas no torture for Simon Cowell. The State of the Union speech from President George W. Bush pushed American Idol down to one hour for today (for that alone I say we impeach the President!), making the show seem very short and rushed.
First up was a clip about how awesome Memphis is, along with a question of why Memphis felt like a ghost town. It seems that most of them, about 16,000 of them, were at the stadium, auditioning for American Idol.
First contestant through the door was Frank Byers Jr., a male cheerleader. He naturally brought along a marching band and a bunch of cheerleaders. He sang Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine, which was very much like a male cheerleader should sing the song. Simon hated it, as he said it was over the top and cabaret. So Frank starts to sing another song, but Simon says he still hasn't changed his mind. Randy Jackson says it wasn't great. Paula Abdul told him he can sing, but it was a little over the top. Paula told him to try next year. Frank leaves and tells his posse that it's a no, but it's okay. The band starts playing and the cheerleaders start cheering, leading Simon to wonder if Frank realized he didn't make it through. Simon gets up and goes out to tell them to shut up. Ryan says that somone is a bit of a *beeped word from the TV* today. Simon says they're trying to hold auditions in here.
Next up was Timika Sims, who Ryan Seacrest said was brimming with enthusiasm, personality, and energy (yes, even dear sweet Ryan is capable of sarcasm). Ryan asked her what is different about her. Timika couldn't come up with anything, and Ryan told her she might want to think up a good answer in case the judges asked. Simon asked her why she was there. Timika said she wanted to be the next Mya, leading to a minute long exchange with Simon as he thought she meant 'mayor' but was just pronouncing it wrong. Finally I think it was Randy who figured it out and explained it. She sang a song by Ashanti. Simon said he didn't understand a word of that, and wondered who she thought she sounded like. She said she sounded like Ashanti, and wanted to sing another song. Simon said it was pointless, but she sang anyway. Needless to say it was a no.
It seemed that lack of understanding was a theme, as the following two contestants were difficult to understand. Christopher Rivera sang Superstition by Stevie Wonder, which Simon didn't understand. Then Alexis Partee sang a Tina Marie song that Simon didn't understand (nor did I) before she even started singing. They both were refused a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Next up was Jason "Sundance" Head, who embodies the blues, as Memphis is the home of the blues. Sundance's father is Roy Head, who had a hit song called Treat Her Right. It was knocked off the charts by a little band called the Beatles. Needless to say, his dad doesn't like the Beatles that much. Sundance joked that the judges will kick him out and AI will air this later, and everyone will say what a smart *he was. Simon wondered about Sundance's year, as apparently the paper said he was having a good one. It turns out that Sundance got married, and had a baby due around Christmas. And he came to American Idol. After he sang, Simon's only response was "Wow." Paula says she didn't expect that powerful voice. Randy said he sang a blues song and blew it out. Simon called it one of the best auditons of the season, and after yeses from Randy and Paula, told Sundance that if he didn't make the finales he would be amazed. His comment after Sundance walked out will no doubt anger the Soul Patrol, as Simon said Sundance blew Taylor Hicks completely out of the water.
Wandera Hitchye didn't get the answer she wanted. She sang pretty good, but Simon told her that there are so many singers like her, all trying to get a deal. Paula liked her, but added a "but" to the end. Randy told her she had nothing to take it to the next level. Wandera yelled at the camera. It seems the judges were particularly ruthless (hmmm... all those news sites and blogs must have been right!). This led to a video montage of Elvis' Don't be Cruel complete with not so nice comments from all the judges (mainly Simon though).
That video montage was followed by a love fest from Travis McKinney, who wanted to do a song for his girlfriend. He said there would be so much emotion in that room when he got done that you wouldn't want to be in the room. After some crazy movements and insane singing, Simon stopped him. Randy said it was crazy. Travis wanted to try another song, but Simon still gave him a "bye bye bye."
Last up from day one was Danielle McCullough, who just wanted to make the judges smile and have a good time. She sang Aretha Franklin's Baby I Love You. Simon thanked her. Paula said she was an old soul. Randy wasn't impressed though. Simon disagreed with Randy, saying he liked the blues part of her voice. Randy told her no for Hollywood, saying she wasn't that good. Paula disagreed and said yes. That left the final decision up to Simon, who in a rare moment of niceness agreed with Paula. Randy welcomed her to Hollywood, telling her to prove him wrong.
On day two, Simon and Randy came to the auditions virtually unnoticed, while Paula hugged half of Tennessee. Her biggest fan was yet to come though. First up on day two was Christopher McCain, who is a huge fan of Paula. Topher's wife recently cheated on him, but he took her back. Then she cheated again, but he says she will want him back when he's the next American Idol. Simon asked him why his wife left him. Topher replied that it's because she's a *beeped on TV*. Randy reminded him that there are a lot of women out there. Topher sang Footloose by Kenny Loggins. Simon said he was tempted to ask if he sang that the night his wife left him, but he won't. Instead he tells him it was like someone getting drunk at a wedding, singing Footloose and falling off the stage. But on the bright side, he got to call his wife a *beeped on TV* on national television, which cheered Topher up a bit. When asked what he'll do now, Topher joked that he'll go get drunk and fall off stage.
The sexy Janita Burks was next. She says she likes to dress sexy but not over the top. Her style is important as it boosts her confidence. She said the first impression from the judges will be a wow. As she sings Disco Inferno, she bends over and shakes, leading to her chest nearly popping out. Paula pulled her own shirt closer together. Simon told her that she's a handful, and it's a no. Randy told her the vocals are not good enough. She wanted to sing something else and Simon (Simon?) said "sure." It still got a no from Randy.
Sean Michel, aka Fidel Castro, was up next. He says everyone tells him he looks either like Castro, Jesus Christ or a homeless bum. After he sang, Simon told him that cheered them up. Paula says she didn't expect that nice tone to his voice, it's a bit shocking. Simon says they expected something about a revolution, then all three judges say yes. Randy told Castro it doesn't matter what he looks like, he can "blow."
Professional background singer Melinda Doolittle was nervous about stepping into the spotlight herself. Simon asked her if she hates everyone she does backing vocals for. He wonders if she wants them to fall off the stage so she can take their place. Melinda says she likes being in the background. Simon wonders what has changed. Melinda wants to push herself to be in the spotlight. After she sings, Paula tells her she's really good. Randy things she looked like she was scared to death. He tells her that many background singers can't come to the front and be a solo singer, as solo singers have a Simon Cowell thing going on. Simon told her that most people come in with attitude and confidence but no voice. Melinda is in the opposite. He's concerned about her lack of confidence though. Randy tells her she's one of the best auditions.
Of course we have to have someone who is "just like Elvis" and that person is Robert Lee Holmes, who can sing, dance, act, and write stories. Simon asks him how his current part ends, and Robert Lee fires back "with a period." Randy liked that comment. Robert can sing one rock and roll song, and that is Burning Love by the King himself. He sings and Simon wonders what they are supposed to say after that. Robert says they should say yes. Simon wonders why. Robert tells Simon that it's because he loves Elvis Presley so much. Simon says the judges didn't like that version that much. Paula passes, saying it wasn't that good. This leads to a montage of Burning Love, sung mostly (and humanely) by Elvis Presley, with a few bad and good attempts by contestants. There was much dancing, and it ended with a guy pulling a towel (?) out of his pants, through the zipper. Y'all don't want to know what I was thinking at first!!
Last up was Philip Stacy, who was woken up by his wife early this morning with the news that she gave birth to their second child that morning. He was going to sing "Let's Get It On" today because that's the last thing she wants to hear from him today. As he enters the room, the judges clap and congratulate him. Randy wonders where the cigars are, but Philip says he wasn't ready for that. Simon asks him what is more important, the baby or Hollywood. Philip answers the baby is. He decided to change songs and sing "My Girl" and dedicate it to all three of his girls. Randy liked the voice, but didn't like the whold outfite. Paula wished she could have heard something else, as that sounded weird. Philip sings something else, leading Simon to tell him that was an even weirder start. Randy liked that one better though. Paula and Randy give him a chance, though Simon says no. He still goes on to Hollywood though.
All in all, 22 made it to Hollywood from Memphis. Tomorrow we're back to our standard 2 hour episodes (presuming the President doesn't have anything else important left to say).
Hi
I love American Idol and it is always a surprise. I think it's funny how many people audition and truely believe that they have talent, I mean believe completly that they should be on this show. I can't wait to see who you find this year. Loving it already!!!
I thought that it was incredibly selfish for the last guy to have let his wife go thru labor alone, just so he could go audition. I mean they have auditions all the time! He could have gone to a different city to audition later, if it was that important! I didnt think he was that good either. It seemed like they just let him thru b/c he gave up going to the birth to be there.
Simon had the right idea when he asked what was more important, the birth or the auditon. Even though the guy answered that the baby was more important, he proved what he REALLY thought was more important by going to the audition instead of the birth.
His wife or the baby could have died. How would he have felt if that happened while he was off doing something so selfish? I hope he gets cut down by Simon and sent home right away!
CHEERLEADERS! There's a good, endless source of collective brainlessness to laugh at!! (no, I was never, nor never would be, a cheerleader)
Regarding some of the previous discussions, I got to thinking that AI doesn't want to put too many of the good-but-not-good-enough singers on the air for the armchair critics to wonder why certain contestants didn't make it through...
Maybe I was just more easily impressed tonight, but Sundance Head (who in the heck would name their kid that, even if they were hippies?) and Melinda Doolittle blew me away! I am really looking forward to listening to them!
I also got the impression that Philip Stacy didn't expect his wife to go into labor...I thought it was a nice touch )not to mention good TV) for the AI crew to go and film his wife and kids.
Amen to that, Mrs Luv and I Luv Melinda! Come on girl, break out of that shell, you know you got it!
The cool thing about Idol is that you don't have to win to make a name for yourself (can you say "Jennifer Hudson" anyone?).
I also enjoyed Dani McCullough, but she needs a hair makeover.
Hey, you guys remember Matt Rogers? (He was in the top 10 or 12 from a few seasons ago) He's now working as a football coach at Daughter Luv's high school here in Rancho Cucamonga CA.
I quess the contest is not based on looks because if they were there would not be an american idol.The girl you thought she sang like ashanti I do not know what she was thinking, give it up move on.
Hi everybody! Sorry I've been M.I.A. Turns out Mr. Nicole and I are expecting baby Nicole and s/he was making Mama pretty sick for a while. When I could crawl to the computer, all I had time to do was search for morning sickness remedies. However, we are now in the second trimester and I'm feeling a whole bunch better. Expect me to disappear again around the the end of June/beginning of July to have the baby . . . right around the middle of Rockstar!
Also, I didn't come running over here right when Idol started because I hate the auditions. So mean! Last week, when they were making fun of that guy with the buy eyes who looked like an extra from a David Lynch movie . . . well, I'm a tad emotional, so no surprise I started crying! Poor guy, he didn't have the worst voice ever and he's clearly got some sort of thyroid problem that makes his eyes jump out like that. I don't mind so much when they make fun of the cocky ones, but when they make fun of them just for being ugly, well, I guess I'm starting to think along the lines of "that ugly kid has a mother who loves him very much."
But don't worry, the flip side of my weepy sentimentality is a bitter, searing anger so I should still be able to mock the contestants mercilessly (though I promise not to intentionally go after whoever you like, Luv :))
Sundance Head? Are you kidding me? Sounds like an adult entertainment star to me. Nice voice, but he seriously needs a chest wax. The two girls were unremarkable and the bald guy at the end . . . can anyone say radar dishes? My cat's ears look just like that, pointy and everything.
So far, my favorites are the two Indian brother and sister from last week. I also predict that Rudy from Seattle will make it far (he sang Journey at the end of the show) because they showed him squabbling with Simon and they like to set up Simon's antagonist early (remember Taylor Hicks' audition?). I also think they are going to stack the semi-finals with latinos and latinas because that's probably the biggest minority group that hasn't made it far in the finals yet.
Nice to be back. I'm off to shovel a bowl and a half of cereal into my mouth and start my day of serving my lord and master: food. I'll stop back tomorrow.
I thought that the guy with the long hair that look like Castro and sang Johny Cash was great. He seemed not to care much what the Judges thought and put feeling into the song.
I did a little research on Sundance Head's father. According to Billboard, the song, "Treat Her Right", only went to number two on the charts for two weeks, not number one as AI stated. It was however, indeed blocked by "Yesterday" by the Beatles, which was number one for five weeks. "Treat Her Right" was number three and rising at the time "Yesterday" hit number one. Maybe "Treat Her Right" was number one on some other chart, but not on the gospel of charts, Billboard's Top 100 (and various incarnations). Five bucks says if Sundance makes it to the Top 12, he will sing "Treat Her Right" in tribute. But, what will he sing when it is "Paul McCartney" week (as rumored for this season)?
I agree with everyone so far that Melinda was great. I am sure that she will find some confidence soon. If she sings that well when she is nervous, watch out! I sing horribly when I am nervous, so she is beyond fantastic at this point.
I liked the Fidel lookalike, Sean, as well. He is the first person to give me chills this season. He poses an interesting dynamic of looks versus talent. I hope he doesn't cave to pressure and change his looks just because we live in a music video world.
The creepiest guy out there was Robert Lee Holmes. His name evokes "psycho killer, mass murderer." He is unstable for sure. When he was rejected by the judges, for a split second, he had this look of evil rage, like his life work was crushed with no hope for the future. I would not be surprise if he snaps one day and goes on a killing spree. Seriously.
Nicole said: Hi everybody! Sorry I've been M.I.A. Turns out Mr. Nicole and I are expecting baby Nicole!
Peace!
Heck, I better go out and buy a whole heap of stock in the grape soda and pork rind industry!!!!
Wouldn't it be great if David Lynch made a movie with the craziest of the crazy and disturbed from Idol auditions, it would be interesting, especially with his take!!! Call David now!!!!
"Hi everybody! Sorry I've been M.I.A. Turns out Mr. Nicole and I are expecting baby Nicole and s/he was making Mama pretty sick for a while. When I could crawl to the computer, all I had time to do was search for morning sickness remedies. However, we are now in the second trimester and I'm feeling a whole bunch better. Expect me to disappear again around the the end of June/beginning of July to have the baby . . . right around the middle of Rockstar!"
Congratulations!!!! How exciting!
"Sundance Head? Are you kidding me? Sounds like an adult entertainment star to me."
~laughing~
I was wondering who would point this out.
"I also think they are going to stack the semi-finals with latinos and latinas because that's probably the biggest minority group that hasn't made it far in the finals yet."
I wondered about that while Perla was auditioning...at the very least it will attract males 18-45.
"Nice to be back. I'm off to shovel a bowl and a half of cereal into my mouth and start my day of serving my lord and master: food. I'll stop back tomorrow."
The good part of this is that you are literally eating for two so you can get away with anything! Congrats again!
Hello to all and Congrats Nicole! Ben mentioned Paul McCartney week is rumored for this season, does anyone know what other weeks are rumored so far?
I was just curious.
Melinda was good but my favorite is the brother of the brother/sister team.
I've put in my two cents here and there post AI. But, and not to steal any thunder from Nicole (congrats!), I have been busy procreating as my wife is due with our first child in 24 days. Baby prep certainly takes a lot of energy out of you! However, I look forward to doing regular AI posts once again!
ben1974 said: But, and not to steal any thunder from Nicole (congrats!), I have been busy procreating as my wife is due with our first child in 24 days.
Well now! Congratulations! I dont think you stole anyones thunder! I might as well tell you that I am going to be using the, I have been busy procreating line from now on. It is cute and witty! Suddenly, I want to have a child, but me gal thinks one kid (thats me) is all she can handle at this point in time. Oh and people who are wondering how is child birth relevant to AI one name Philip Stacy!
Ok, I have very little to say about Memphis!
Nicole said:Sundance Head? Are you kidding me? Sounds like an adult entertainment star to me. Nice voice, but he seriously needs a chest wax.
ROFL! What gave that away I wonder? Chest wax? You mean to say you got past that awful beard?
I sincerely think Sundance and Sean need to get rid of their awful beards.
Sean just might be the makeover story of AI! What was with all that hair?
Melinda was a powerhouse.
I am sorry, but was the only one who thought Philip was nasal?
Seriously, why dont these people think before they make huge declarations? I am talking to you Christopher! Anyway, I hope some gal found you cute enough to date you!
Timika and Janita were so weird that they were not even funny!
Janita If you got it, flaunt it! does not work in each situation!
I must confess I had a heart laugh when Robert told Ryan that he would be mooning (?) instead of dancing in the audition and the reaction from Ryan was priceless! Who knew Ryan would make me laugh!
I am a little under-whelmed so far!
The Core Of Man's Spirit Comes From New Experiences!
Nicole said: Hi everybody! Sorry I've been M.I.A. Turns out Mr. Nicole and I are expecting baby Nicole and s/he was making Mama pretty sick for a while.
Congrats Nicole! I hope baby Nicole won't but a crimp on your sense of humor. Mrs. Luv can relate to morning sickness (although it was about 11 years ago when DaughterLuv2 was preparing for her debut).
Speaking of debut's, my Kat Pee's albulm will be released in less than a week, yippee! To mark this occaision, would you please re-print your "Ode To Elliott"?
Belinda Doolittle was a teenager the last time I heard her sing. I was a volunteer youth leader for Fusion the youth group at Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Belinda was a background vocalist there under Byron Scott the Music Leader for the youtyh worship team. I always knew she could sing, but dang! She really is good
Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.
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