American Idol has always been one of my favorite "reality" (and I use that term lightly!) shows. I enjoy watching talented contestants who really just need a break make it to the big league, get coached by some of the best in the business, and then just blossom over 10 weeks of live TV. It's like watching a transformation - and most of the time, my favorites at the beginning do NOT end up being in my top 5 at the end.
Ever since Ellen decided not to return, and then Simon announced he was leaving, and then Kara got fired/decided to leave on her "own terms" - depending on the version you believe - I have been teetering on the edge about whether or not to continue watching. No offense to Steve Tyler (who looks a lot like Howard Stern with brown hair and lipstick) and Jenny From The Block, but I wasn't convinced that the two of them, with Yo Dawg Jackson, were going to be able to do much for me. Or the contestants. Or Fox.
So, I tuned in last night in an effort to give the show one chance to impress me. Let me restate that. AFTER helping Emily work on her 100th day of school project, in which we hot glued 100 Hershey Kisses that spelled "EMMY" onto a blue poster board, and helping Chloe complete her math, science, and reading homework and study for her social studies test, and helping Ross make about 250 notecards for his Spanish mid-term (SURPRISE!!! It is TODAY!!!), and cooking a quick spaghetti dinner, and cleaning up the kitchen, and taking Chloe to gymnastics, and coming home and helping Ross study the 250 notecards he made for his Spanish mid-term, and bathing Emily and reading Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten and Three Cheers for Tacky, and then returning to the gym to retrieve Chloe, and helping Chloe with her bath and devotional, I finally sat down to watch my tivoed American Idol. My expectations were high.
RYAN SECREST is still the draw for me to these audition shows. He makes the contestants relevant (or he pokes endless fun at them - did you SEE the Boy Scout montage? Or the Japanese student footage?) and makes me want to care about them. So, he is definitely a keeper. I enjoyed the way he interacted with Steve and Jennifer, too... I thought he tried to make them feel comfortable without saying, "we have a billion dollar network primetime show with an average of 10 million viewers riding on the two of you!! Don't blow it!!" :)
The tone in the audition room is different this year. After year one on IDOL, SImon emerged as the one judge who would tell you the truth - even if it hurt the contestants' feelings. I always appreciated that about him, even when he was rude and crass with the contestants. Last night, it was like one big love fest. Poor Jennifer can't hurt anyone's feelings, because she has a great need for everyone to "like" her. News Flash: You can't judge people and have everyone like you. Her rookie mistake was when she told the first contestant, "I remember you," and then went on to say that she & Mark were surprised when she wasn't passed through during Hollywood week. Yeah, Jen - based on the audition she gave last night, the same will be true this year. Anyway, she's going to have to toughen up really fast or we will be forced to sit through some unbearably untalented people who have to dance and sing in trios during Hollywood week.
Mr. Tyler just wants to keep his options open. You know EXACTLY what I mean by that. I definitely think he has an ear for this job, though - and he clearly knows what it means to be a star. I think he is going to surprise me as a judge - I just have one tiny request: the high pitched scream-singing he does in just about every other clip - that has GOT to stop. We get it, dude. You can sing like a girl when you want to. Awesome.
Randy Jackson continues to be unimpressive as a judge. I hadn't noticed this before last night, but he rarely leads with the vote, especially when the person is most likely getting a "no." He did it once last night, and J-Lo argued to keep the person. Randy was overridden by Stevey boy, and after that - it became the Jennifer and Steve show. He needs to provide something more than continuity, like an opinion without the words, "just okay" or "not your thing", or he'll be G-O-N-E after this year.
On to the talent:
The first girl that auditioned - the one J-Lo remembered - is Rachel. She manages to carry a tune and makes it through to Hollywood. Good for her.
Tiffany Rios - the Snookie-ish Jersey girl with the big STARS - is just a mess. She bursts into tears at meeting J-Lo, who embraces her as Steven & Randy take time to check out J-Lo's ASSets. Surprise again!! Tiffany has ASSets, too!!! J-Lo actually offers her some good advice about being taken seriously, and she gets through to H-Wood. Yay again.
Robbie Rosen, the guy who sang Yesterday, was great. I didn't really understand the whole "not being able to walk for several years, but there are no pictures of that time in his life" thing, but hey, the kid can sing. Best audition yet.
Ashley Sullivan - the very fidgety (to the point of me thinking she could potentially be on meth) redhead sang a song from Thoroughly Modern Millie. It was underwhelming, and Randy voted "no". J-Lo clearly felt sorry for Ashley and somehow managed to convince Steve that she should get another chance. Hollywood again, baby! If she starts cutting I bet she'll make it into the top 20!!!
I think it would be awesome is Ashley had to room with...
Victoria Huggins, whose sugary sweet personality made me want to gauge my eyeballs out. Really. She sang Midnight Train to Georgia, did a decent job, and I really don't think this girl would have comprehended the word "NO", so she's through! I read a blogger who called her the "Sarah Palin of 2034," and I kind-of agree. There must be some pent-up rage in there somewhere!!!
Travis Orlando, the kid from Brooklyn who grew up in a shelter (or spent some time in one, depending on how you interpret his montage), was extremely talented. He sang Eleanor Rigby, another tune by the Beatles, and then that extremely annoying Jason Mraz song. Both were great, and he's going to H-Wood, too. I did NOT like that it appeared his dad thinks the kid is his meal ticket. That's a ton of pressure for poor Travis, and I really want him to do well.
Two of the freak show people from last night: Yoji Asano, who said he started singing Michael Jackson before he was born, and then proceeded to sing Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus, whom he claimed not to like. Speak English much, Yoji?
Also, the guy who looked very Lord of the Rings-ish made me belly laugh when the judges yelled at him to stop singing and he slowed his voice down like someone was pulling the plug on him. Very funny.
The poor Boy Scout, who is waiting on his Eagle badge, who made that very efficient "Don't Text While Driving" video, who dressed a little like Gilligan - he was just pathetic. But, I am glad they gave his video some air time, and I sure hope he makes Eagle Scout!!!
Signing off until next week!!!!
Kate
