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American Idol's last stop not too bad

curlio

2007-02-06 22:24:07

American Idol's stop in San Antonio didn't end up being all that bad. Considering their last trip to Texas was a definite dud, it was surprising to hear so many good singers. It was also nice that they seemed to focus more on the good. Actually it was about 50-50, but for American Idol that's a really good percentage lately! They had 11,000 people show up at San Antonio this year.

Poor Simon Cowell had a bit of jet lag as he came to San Antonio. It seems he had just flown in from London. Waking him up would fall to Bryan Kyrish. He says he's not afraid of the judges. He adds that he is a very loud singer, who sounds like Billy Idol, Ozzy, and AC/DC. Simon asked him why he was there, Bryan answered that he won several competitions already. He sang Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell." Simon was indeed awake, but gave it a no, as it was all shouting without melody. The others agreed.

Next up was Haley Scarnato, a very down-to-earth young lady who realizes that there is always someone better. Paula Abdul told her she loved her outfit. Haley sang "I Can't Make You Love Me." Paula told her she had good control. Randy Jackson agreed, but sounded unsure. Simon agreed with Randy, saying that Haley looks good and sounds good but is a bit cabaret. He think she deserves a second chance though and Randy and Paula agree so Haley goes on.

Jasmine Holland wasn't too sure about coming to the audition, as her family talked her into it.

Paula asked her if she was shy and Jasmine said she was. As she sings, Simon works very hard to control his snickering (he was being nice again), but Randy (who again was the mean one) couldn't manage. Randy started laughing, which made Simon laugh. Simon tried to cover it with a cough, but it didn't really work. Paula asked Jasmine if she was sad. Jasmine fired back that the judges were being rude and immediately negative. Ultimately as she walked out, she was insulting Randy, wondering what he did, saying she never heard about him before AI. The family outside is angry that a Brit would dare to judge Americans on singing talent, because you know only an American knows what true music talent is (*do we hear me snickering on that one?*)

Baylie Brown was up next along with a visit to her very small hometown of Krum. She's a country girl, but her mother says she doesn't sing country at all (that was a lie by the way). Baylie is really into fashion and says a small town isn't for her. After she sings (rather good I suppose) Simon tells her she's very commercial and marketable. He tells her she is a record label's dream. She wonders if that is a good thing. The judges tell her that it is. Paula adds that she also has good fashion sense, which is rare when you come from a town with more cows than people. Baylie gets a pass to Hollywood.

As the theme for this year's AI auditions has been the "wrong door" problem, we had a montage of all the wrong door issues. Simon and Paula even had "wrong door" issues. The funniest part was someone managing to open the locked wrong door. Show of hands, who says they did it deliberately to be mean - locking the door that is.

Next up were Cousins William Green and Akron Watson. William was first up. He sang Amazing Grace, but did so in a long, drawn-out boring kind of way. Randy told him that felt like it would take a few days. Simon asks who is better, him or his cousin, William says his cousin is.

William tells the judges that he needs to do some trash talking as he walks out, and the judges just LOVE it. William's cousin Akron was up next. He sings way better than his cousin, who I suspected only entered as moral support. Simon tells him he is a good singer, but has a personality problem. Paula says she was surprised when he opened his mouth to sing. Simon says he was bored, and that bothered Akron. Akron doesn't want Simon to be bored. Paula tells him to do something about it. Akron sings again and Simon immediately says yes (I think because Akron listened to criticism and immediately tried to improve, Simon likes that). Naturally Akron is off to Hollywood.

A montage of bad singers leads to Sandie Chavez, who says her voice is bluesy. She has been singing since she was 2. She even sang for the mayor of Houston. After she finished her song, Simon told her it was like a language he had never heard in his life. He asked if she was serious. Sandie started crying and apologized. Paula told her she didn't have to apologize, then smacked Simon when he said she did. Paula tells her to stick to being a teacher. Sandie mentions singing for the mayor of Houston, and Simon wonders if he liked it. When Sandie says he did, Simon says they've been to Houston one year. After she leaves, Simon says the worst part is that she's a music teacher.

Ashlyn Carr was beaten up in school for having a good voice. Simon asked her about it when she went in. Her singing was great, but as Paula explained to her, the facial expressions were just off. Simon says she has a unique voice, but the facial expressions were just something else. Paula told her that she needs to sing in front of a mirror as the weird faces take away from the singing. Simon tells her she needs a vocal coach. Randy says there is more attention paid to the faces than the singing. Paula and Randy say no, but Simon says he would have said yes. After she leaves, Simon says they made a mistake on that one. Randy and Paula relent and want her brought back in. Ryan finds her and asks her to come back and she does.

After a commercial, we see her returning. Simon asks her how she is feeling and if she understood what they meant. Ashlyn says she understood. Simon tells her to pick a Gladys Knight song. After she sings this time, Simon tells her that she has bad habits, but they are looking for someone unique. He tells her she is like an old school Dionne Warwick. Paula tells her to work on her bad habits, but this time all three judges give her the okay for Hollywood.

Jacob Tutor, aka Jake the Snake, says his influences are Kurt Cobain and Axl Rose. As he sings, Simon nicely hides his laughter in his Coca-Cola glass. Simon says that he needs to be in a dark bedroom when he sings that song. Randy tells him no. After he walks out, Jake the Snake curses up a storm about the judges. As for Ryan, he still likes him.

Last up was Jimmy McNeal, singing Cupid. After he sang, Simon said he was like a little fun Ruben. The judges loved him, so he goes off to Hollywood as well.

All in all, San Antonio wasn't that bad, as 22 people made it to Hollywood. Tomorrow we're still not off of the audition trail yet as we get to sit through the best and the worst of the auditions.

Overall, I thought tonight sort of proved my continuing point about Simon. While he is rude and mean, he does have a nice side to him. He tried to contain his laughter for the most part in tonight's episode, though it helped that we saw mostly the good and not too many of the bad. I personally just can't wait until next week, when we're finally away from the auditions and I can start really picking some favorites!

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GUEST ( Guest )

2007-02-06 23:27:40


	I think this will be AI's last season. Everything is the same, same bad audtions, same cheesy power voices, same bad jokes. I think by season's end people will say "enough."

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

GUEST ( Guest )

2007-02-07 00:27:10


	Um what drug are you on? No one cares that the show is redundant, idol is pulling in its best ratings ever.

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

jill ( Guest )

2007-02-07 01:09:44


	baylie brown is from my hometown!! and i love american idol. it'll never end!

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

Shenova ( Head Editor )

2007-02-07 01:42:40

She who thinks!
	So I did catch part of the show tonight...its like a bad addiction... Baylie Brown is already setting herself up as another Kellie Pickler. "She's a country girl, but her mother says she doesn't sing country at all (that was a lie by the way). Baylie is really into fashion and says a small town isn't for her." Baylie is as geographically far from fashion as she is from singing country...meaning that both are lies... Krum, Texas, is on Interstate 35 and is only 10 minutes north of Denton, Texas. Denton, population almost 100,000, is the home campus for two major universities - University of North Texas and Texas Womens University. Denton is only 30 miles from both Dallas and Ft Worth and is often considered the furthermost northern suburb in the DFW Metroplex. Denton has a mall plus most well-known retail shops. While Krum, Texas, is a small town and has a small town mentality, it is only 20 minutes south of one of the biggest Prime Factory Outlet Malls in the US (south of Gainsville, TX - people regularly drive from Dallas/Ft Worth to shop there) and only about 45 minutes northwest of a Dallas mall that houses Macys, Nordstrums, and Saks Fifth Avenue. This one's a phony. Then again, she's 16. "Overall, I thought tonight sort of proved my continuing point about Simon. While he is rude and mean, he does have a nice side to him" I would agree with that. He has shown some geniunely compassionate moments during these auditions. Has anyone else noticed that when he looks dazed and distant, it usually means he's into the performance? One the other hand, when the contestant sucks, he usually makes faces and grimaces.

GUEST ( Guest )

2007-02-07 06:44:14


	I recently caught a segment of American Idol for the first time. A few thoughts crossed my mind while watching the show. First, I shuddered as the �judges� rudely, crudely and meanly attacked the participants � as one newspaper article described -- �targets for acerbic judge Simon Cowell.� I understand that this is one of the reasons that viewers watch. However, shows like this and �Showtime at the Apollo� model behavior for young people that helps create a cruel society. I taught middle school for 29 years and in the last years I was upset as my students performed in shows to a taunting, rude, crude and mean young audience. The administration of my school ended peer performances and only had the students perform for their parents at night. What a loss! Secondly, I wondered if some of our great American performers could get through the first level of American Idol � Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong. Or wouldn�t the judges laugh at them and criticize them for not having standard singing voices? Finally, it�s appropriate to have this show on Fox Television � Murdoch, Hannity, O�Reilly and Cowell. Not a very pleasant bunch.

Don't mind me, I'm just a guest.

ben1974

2007-02-07 09:00:02


	I watched last night and was impressed with a few folks, Little Ruben and Akron. I was not impressed with Haley. I thought she got in on looks alone as her voice was nothing to write home about. If she was the shape of her mother, short and rotund, I think she would have not gone through. Baylie Brown had a great name, but that is about it. I was not impressed with her either and thought she was a big phony. It was interested to see Shenova�s comments on the matter to confirm my suspicions. As far as the softening of Simon, I think that this is purely an editing job. Simon has been known as the mean one, so naturally the editors would show him as such. When AI got so much flak this year for being a little too mean, I think they ran to the editing room to show Simon�s softer side. I am sure that he has always been nice to certain contestants and mean to others, but again, he is the �mean one.� Once Hollywood begins, he will be back to his mean self since he will be expecting more out of the candidates.

Waiting for the real show to start...

Will ( Site Recruiter )

2007-02-07 10:09:54

We are Stardust!
	Shenova said: Baylie Brown is already setting herself up as another Kellie Pickler. "She's a country girl, but her mother says she doesn't sing country at all (that was a lie by the way). Baylie is really into fashion and says a small town isn't for her." Baylie is as geographically far from fashion as she is from singing country...meaning that both are lies... Dr. Jung has a therapy designed for our darling Shenove, she must put on a long and silky blonde wig a dance or better strut in front of a large mirror and sing, "I'm to sexy for this show, too sexy for this world, too sexy for this uni-verse........" it will set you free sister, and you can discover your inner bimbo, you know you repress her so.........LOL, your Will

shellybean ( Reviewer )

2007-02-07 10:10:27

Beanstalk- er
	Excellent recap once again Curlio! As the resident dumb blonde here at Curlio, I must admit I am having a hard time keeping up with all these people. I will be so glad we get to Hollywood next week and I can focus on the good and not guiltily giggle at the bad! You know mean, nice, or indifferent, Simon is usually spot on about these contestants. When Randy and Paula passed on the girl that was eventually called back (see can't remember names ) my mouth dropped. I thought she was really different in a good way. I hate to admit, but I usually am right there agreeing with Simon! And how many of us would be getting punchy after seeing 11,000 singers and would forget our manners. But my favorite part of the whole season thus far, was the wrong door montage! People doing stupid stuff (falling down, walking into doors etc.) is hilarious. That got an A+ from me

If you can't be a good example, then be a horrible warning!

shellybean ( Reviewer )

2007-02-07 10:12:17

Beanstalk- er
	And who else thinks Baylie Brown looks like Denise Richards? (Albet younger...)

If you can't be a good example, then be a horrible warning!

Will ( Site Recruiter )

2007-02-07 10:16:35

We are Stardust!
	shellybean said: Excellent recap once again Curlio! But my favorite part of the whole season thus far, was the wrong door montage! People doing stupid stuff (falling down, walking into doors etc.) is hilarious. That got an A+ from me I was another excellent re-cap by our Curlio!! And, I'm with you Beanstalker, there is nothing in this world funnier that people being people. The door thing is soooo typical, and fortunately we all are sometimes humbled by the wrong door syndrome. They could intall trick doors, but, that would be too easy, I guess. No, natural is better!! Will

Will ( Site Recruiter )

2007-02-07 10:23:45

We are Stardust!
	shellybean said: And who else thinks Baylie Brown looks like Denise Richards? (Albet younger...) Some, but she does have great eyes, I believe Denise has green eyes though, not blue. Will, she has alot going for her, she is lucky that she is from a upper middle class brand of farming and ranching. That is a very valuable place her folks have. She is lucky that if her talents don't get her off the farm she can do anything or go anywhere she pleases. I like her, you might know!! LOL Will

Shenova ( Head Editor )

2007-02-07 16:07:21

She who thinks!
	Will said: [...] Dr. Jung has a therapy designed for our darling Shenove, she must put on a long and silky blonde wig a dance or better strut in front of a large mirror and sing, "I'm to sexy for this show, too sexy for this world, too sexy for this uni-verse........" it will set you free sister, and you can discover your inner bimbo, you know you repress her so.........LOL, your Will LOL! For the record...me and my inner bimbo are good friends. I have a Victoria's Secret credit card and I know how to use it! However, my dearest, beloved Will - you still haven't figured out women... Its okay to be a bimbo when you can back it up with some sort of redeeming talent, initiative, and/or brainpower. Bimbo isn't the problem...the problem is when the three B's are combined - busty, built, and brainless - and its even worse when you add the fourth B - blonde. BRAINLESS is the problem element here. Looks are not a reedeming feature to most women without some other element of substance... I really wasn't this bad until I moved to Texas. There ain't no common ground here. You either want to be or want your daughter to be Miss Texas and/or a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, or you hate everyone who aspires to be Miss Texas/cheerleaders...and you really HATE their mothers for raising their girls to be idiots. For a textbook example, please replay the tape of Baylie Brown...

shellybean ( Reviewer )

2007-02-07 16:50:26

Beanstalk- er
	How did I know Will could do a compare and contrast on Denise Richards and Baylie Brown?

If you can't be a good example, then be a horrible warning!

Will ( Site Recruiter )

2007-02-07 16:53:40

We are Stardust!
	shellybean said: How did I know Will could do a compare and contrast on Denise Richards and Baylie Brown? She's got serious green eyes, but she is far better to look at than listen to. When was the last time you heard her interviewed, probably never except in a group. And, there is a reason. God, I am full of worthless info. Will.! edit: Will - 2007-02-08 10:01:59 GMT - typo

Shenova ( Head Editor )

2007-02-07 23:40:43

She who thinks!
	On another topic... Rumors on other websites say that Akron Watson will be dismissed next week because of drug conviction(s)... Don't know if its true or not, but I can tell you that the local Fox News did a lengthy piece on Jimmy McNeal (he's from Waxahachie, southernmost suburb of the DFW area) after the audition, but didn't even mention Akron (lives in Dallas) or Baylie...

ben1974

2007-02-08 08:01:40


	I also heard on the news that Ashlyn was once convicted for pouring sugar in an ex's gas tank. I do not know if she is going to get booted from the show or not. However, the news said that Akron was already removed from the show for pot possession. He claims that the producers never told him why he was being removed from the show.