IdolPhenomena

So every once in awhile I don’t get to see Idol when it airs and I have to give a good ol’watch via the DVR and tonight was one of those nights. I did that thing you should never do and checked my twitter feed before watching and all I read was that tonight was the worst episode so far. So that was definitely a big bummer but I watched it anyway.

So tonight American Idol headed to California and the first city they hit was Los Angeles. Up first was Victoria Garrett. She firmly believed that God brought American Idol to LA and she was the reason for them being there. She enters the audition room ready to blow the judges socks off and she just might do that ;-).-LOL. She breaks out with some Kirk Franklin, Now Behold The Lamb. She can feel the music in her soul but what comes out is not that soulful. She kind of sounded like a dying cat as Simon would say. Randy compared her audition to an animal getting a shot. Steven was ready to vote and told her she was going to Siberia and Jennifer so kindly told her it was a no. Hopefully this audition wouldn’t set the precedent for the rest of the show.

Next we are introduced to Tim Halperin who’s excited to meet J.Lo since he had a crush on her while he was in middle school. He has chosen Maroon 5’s She Will Be Loved. Tim has a good voice. I like that its very nonchalant- he does however need to work a little more to be able to compete with some of the people that they have already passed on through to Hollywood. Randy felt like Tim just auditioned for Jennifer, who proceeds to ask his age which he replies, “23” and then asks her age in return. -Wow man someone’s getting ballsy asking a women her age-LOL. Randy interjects telling him never to ask a woman her age. Tyler says that asking their age never gets him anywhere. While Jennifer answers, “Old enough for you, Don’t you worry.” – What exactly does that mean??? Now to his vocal which is the reason why we’re all here. Randy says he is not ready and that it’s a no. Steven tells him he needs to work on his voice and that he needs to step it up but it’s a yes. Jennifer likes the tone of his voice and gives him a yes. With two yeses Tim is the first contestant of the night off to Hollywood. Justin Carter is the next contestant who tackles Madonna’s, Secrets. His clip is kind of short so we don’t know what comes of him at this time but Jennifer did say his audition lacked “POWER.”-;-)

Almost a quarter away through the show and we are introduced to two friends Isaac Rodriguez and Daniel Gomez. Daniel sings first and completely kills one of my favorite songs, I’ll Be by Edwin McCain. It was so out of tune I didn’t even recognize the song. Steven Tyler told him it was so far from the melody your just not there. Randy was all like dawg this is not for you your relatively tone deaf. While Jennifer just giggled. Rude yes, but also so very true. :-). Following Daniel was Isaac who apparently dropped out of college to be pursue singing and has yet to tell his parents who are with him at the audition.- I’d hate to be him after all this, my parents would kill me. He takes a chance with Build Me Up Buttercup and low and behold he does have something in common with his friend Daniel. They are both tone deaf. Where’s the melody man? Jennifer tells him he has a nice smile while Steven tells him you set the soul on fire in the wrong way. Randy proceeds to tell him he burnt the song to the ground, which I would have to agree with the judges on that one. Then Randy goes on and tells him that, “You and your buddy Daniel shouldn’t be singing.” – Randy when did you become Simon ;-). Then before they break for commercial there's a nice segment about how Daniel and Isaac are not going to give up on their dreams with Whitney Huston and Mariah Carey’s When You Believe playing the background- I don’t know what to say to something like this except it verges on being totes inappropes.

What were the producers thinking? -Seriously. I know we all find enjoyment and entertainment value in all of this bad singing and gimmicks but I would really like to hear some talent. At this point only 15 minutes into the episode and I am actually considering turning it off. I can only hope that the next contestant would change my mind. This was the first time in Idol history that they used MySpace as a source for auditions which is how the next contestant made it to this point in the competition. Karen Rodriguez is a 21 yr old student from New York City. She has chosen to sing Whitney Huston's You Give Good Love. Karen has a great voice and a great vibe about her. She definitely has star quality. Jennifer thinks her audition is hot and that she has great control in her voice. While Tyler tells her she’s got confidence, you got the spit; you got the fire, great voice. So that means Karen will be joining Tim in Hollywood. So that’s only two golden tickets where’s the talent at LA???

Next we meet the over confident Tynisha Roches whose from Hoboken, NJ. She has chosen to do a tribute to Frank Sinatra. I can't believe how out of tune it is and she forgots the words. Oh, I still can’t believe she chased Randy around the audition room- talk about a crazy person. Then there’s the beautiful Heidi Khzam who does a nice entrancing belly dance for the boys, but can she sing? She sings some Alicia Keys Superwoman and Randy and Steven are all like Welcome to Hollywood! Personally I feel her dancing was blah and her voice was nothing that special but compared what has aired tonight so far I would have to say that she sings well. :-/. And the crazy doesn’t stop there. It continues on with the next to auditioner, Matt “Big Stats” Frankle. Who is apparent a free lance music producer – cough scam artist ;-).- Horrible version of Love Don’t Cost a Thing by the way man. I can’t believe he told the judges he needs to lubricate.- Some please just make him go away. The strange just keeps on coming.

Next is William Robinson of Long Beach, CA who just shrieks some ungodly notes- WHAT WAS THAT?? Steven Tyler tells him that he is not ready for 2011, 12,or 13 American Idol. –LOL. He is followed by Jeannete Manning who sings something I can’t even make out and the judges tell her she’s way way of of all the notes. Then there’s Daniel Hall who’s Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom- talk about awkward audition. Then Anthony Grange reenacts Pants on the Ground with his pants on the ground. This lovely segment of complete bad ends with Arista Pemperton who butchers His Eye is on the Sparrow and then does some crazy dancing. I can’t believe how much garbage they weaved into tonight’s episode. I am highly disappointed. So far that’s a possible 3 golden tickets and a whole lot ‘o bad. Hopefully the Guttierez brothers can turn this show around.

Next up are Mark and Aaron Guttierez from Red Lands, CA. They’ve chosen some Bill Withers Lean on Me. Their audition was definitely refreshing compared to the rest of the evening. They have great vocal chemistry and I like how their voices complement each other so well. They also exude tons of personality which is something we haven’t seen a lot of this season. Randy said their audition was very nice and that they sing well together. So that’s two more Hollywood bound contestants. Now there’s only one person left, Cooper Robinson.

Cooper is a street performer from somewhere deep in the heart of Arkansas. You travel 10miles out of some city, down a dirt road and pass snakes and alligators to get where he lives. What is this guy on.-Is he really serious??? This guy has no clue how old he really is… I feel like asking where the paper bag is with the bottle of alcohol he drank before the audition is. However, he does of soul as he busts some moves to James Brown’s I Feel Good. And that’s it people I have to say overall I am disappointed with tonight’s episode I feel like it had the potential to be way better. But I can’t wait until next week when Idol hits the last city of San Francisco and starts into Hollywood week. My rankings are as follows.

Tim Halperin 1.5-Stars

Justin Carter 1.5-Stars

Karen Rodriguez 2.5-Stars

Heidi Khzam 2-Stars

Mark Guttierez 2-Stars

Aaron Guttierez 2.5-Stars

Tonight Idol visited the city of Milwaukee, WI which produced Idol Contestant Danny Gokey, and Sumerfest and…. apparently that’s all.-LOL… At least for now. The locals are excited Idol is there but all they really need is their cheese and their beer. ;-). This year Idol planted their cattle call audition at the Bradley Center where they saw thousands of people. The first to start off the evening was 16yr old Scott “Scotty” McCreery. He impresses both the judges and me with his incredibly deep natural country voice. The first song he chose to sing was Your Man which made Jennifer smile. Then the panel wanted to hear his upper register so he chose some Travis Tritt, Put Some Drive in Your Country. Steven Tyler’s surprising reaction was, "Will hellfire save matches? **** a duck and see what hatches!" Oh Steven you crack me up. And Randy liked how he’s a throw back country singer. His impressive audition gets him a golden ticket to Hollywood.

We’re next introduced to Joe Repca. A 19yr old University of Toledo student who’s Grandmother is tone deaf and I hate to say but I don’t think the apple falls far from the tree. Not only does he have dreams of being the next American Idol he also aspires to be a radio announcer. Ryan starts the segment with some comment about being able to picking your friends and picking your nose but you can’t wipe your friends on the couch…. Oh Ryan… I hope that wasn’t on a cue card-LOL. He has chosen to sing For The Longest Time … he definitely should have stuck with just claps and snaps :-). Tyler tells him not to quit his day job. Lopez tells him to pursue the mic thing and Randy suggests he not sing and stick to radio. And for Steven’s second comment of the night he suggests he and Joe form a new type of band, a rubber band that is SNAP…-LOL oh this is priceless humor that I still don’t think is all that funny. Then he follows it up with a silent wow as Joe leaves the audition room.

For our first 15yr old of the night we are introduced to Emma Henry. Emma and her family traveled all the way from Colorado just to be here. Now that she’s recently got her learners permit can she top off the good things with a golden ticket??? Her song choice is Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors. Personally I feel that Emma’s voice is nothing great or spectacular. You can tell she’s nervous. Tyler likes that she has a lot of character. Jennifer express that she is not ready and should work on developing her voice. Randy agrees and feels she isn’t ready for the competition. Next it’s time for the vote Tyler is a yes Lopez is a no… that leaves Randy who just happens to be on the fence. Then come the characteristic water works and expressing about how this is their dream speech and Randy gives in and says yes. So now Emma is on her way to Hollywood.

At this point we are 27 minutes into this 2hr Idol Extravaganza and I am surprisingly entertained. Dare I say this episode is a lot better than the first two?

Up next is the typical montage of tone deaf singers and screamers. Kody, Juanita, Kamil, and Kanisha…. all terrible terrible terrible with a capital T. And please some of you look like you dressed in the dark. You really wore that to your audition???

Up next is Naima Adedapo who I have personally been waiting to hear what she sounds like since a lot of her YouTube videos are all slightly muffled because of speakers and such at live performances. She wants to be able to provide for her family and give them opportunities she never had growing up. Tonight she auditions with a little Donnie Hathaway’s… For All We Know. She has a good voice that has a subtle confidence about it. Lopez says she’s one of the best they’ve seen and Tyler thinks she’s all that. So Naima is on her way to Hollywood.

Cue back handspring on to camera man’s face….. 10 Points ;-)

Next are some more bad people Jovan and a man carrying a giant toothbrush who Randy tells to sing in the car only when the windows are rolled up-LOL.

Up now is Jerome Bell who refers to his shoes as space boots… slightly awkward.. but I get it-LOL. He has chosen Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On. Bell definitely has a powerful voice and a great range. Randy liked his crazy hot vocals; Jennifer felt he was loud, soft, sweet, powerful, and cute. And Steven felt he was so good, SO GOOD. Then there’s 5yr old Valerie who is absolutely adorable who does some Corrine Bailey Rae, Put Your Records On.

Following Jerome and Valerie is 15 yr old Thia Megia, the girl with the movie star name. This “movie star” just happened to be on America’s Talent back in 2009 so she is no stranger to Reality TV. From Mountain House, CA she enters the room star truck and wins the judges over with Chasing Pavements by Adele. She has incredible control over her voice and for such a young age I am definitely impressed. Thia’s audition is followed by a montage of other young contestants who have made it through to Hollywood. They are Felix Ramsey, Ashika Sachdev and Hanani Taylor.

After the commercial break we meet civil war re-enactor Nathaniel Johns whose father is totally not a hippy.-LOL. Nathaniel has chosen The Lion Sleeps Tonight… why anyone would pick this song is beyond me. Randy can’t stop laughing While J. Lo flat out tells him no. Steven Tyler was nice enough to say he liked it but that it wasn’t for Idol. Then there’s Mason Wilkinson who spent some time turned around in front of the judges to collect himself before singing. His audition song mentions something about serenity which is definitely something I am going to need after hearing that.

Following that is accomplished Harvard graduate Molly deWolf Swenson. She seems to have a lot going on for her especially being an intern at the White House. Would her list accomplishments include a ticket to Hollywood? She opens her mouth and presents the panel with a smoky version of Sittin’ on the Dock of The Bay which was unique and amazing all at the same time. Tyler likes her attitude and she knows where to put it. J.Lo was impressed and was surprised as how rich her lower register was. Randy is baffled that she hasn’t been discovered and asks what’s been going on… uhh let me see HARVARD and working out the white house. Oh Randy sometimes I wonder why your still on the show. Oh and Randy didn’t mean to hit you in the face ;-) LOL.

Next is Haley Reinhart who auditioned in Chicago last year and was told to come back when she was more ready. So this year she’s ready and has chosen to sing Oh Darling. At 18 she has an amazing voice. Tyler said she had a beautiful choice of notes and Randy expressed that she has gotten better since last time. However, I don’t think he really remembers her. And Jennifer with the third yes and Haley is off to Hollywood. Then the Idol panel is graced with the twistin’ the night away styles of Tiwan Strong who has a great voice and personality. Tyler liked his voice and the sparkle in his eye. J.Lo said he did a really good job and Randy liked his voice so that means Tiwan is off to Hollywood.

The next to audition is CPA Steve Beguhn. He has an incredible country voice which I didn’t expect. Lopez was also pleasantly surprised. Tyler thought his audition was disturbingly great. Yes the big goons going to Hollywood. Then there’s Vernika Patterson who said she sang so much better than anyone else there and that she is being discriminated because of her appearance. She chose to sing Luvin’ You which I totally wasn’t luvin’-LOL. After the judges tell her she isn’t ready for Idol she just walks out of the room choosing her own future which is not to go to Hollywood.

30 Minutes left in tonight’s episode and the next contestant is Albert Rogers III. He’s been compared to artists like Ruben Studdard, Luther Vandross and even Usher. He has chosen to audition with Stand By me. I don’t know who told him he sounded like the previously mentioned artists but this guy is seriously all over the place and he may be even tone deaf. Tyler said he squeezed it out so slow that he isn’t sure he’s for Idol. And Randy felt like the audition was terrible and a complete joke. So did I.

Next in to see the judges was Scott Daingerfield whose audition is surprisingly refreshing. Tyler said he was blown away. Lopez felt he was one of the best they’ve seen and Randy said this is crazy followed don’t judge a book by its cover. J.Lo expresses to Scott to keep the hair keep glasses and not to change a bit. Then next is Megan Fraizer the Packers super fan who sing’s a version of Baby which is far worse than Justin Bieber’s original.

Now that we’ve reached the last two auditions of the night… the first is Alyson Jados. Alyson has an edgy rock vibe and has chosen to sing Come Together by the Beatles. S. Tyler thinks she’s pitchy and that she looks like she could be one of his…. Lopez likes the great quality in her voice and her performance. Randy doesn’t think she’s ready yet. However , Alyson wins her Idol over and receives two yeses and a ticket to Hollywood.

Overall 53 contestants made it to Hollywood from the Milwaukee auditions. To close the night is 26 yr old barista/care giver Chris Medina. Whose personal struggles with his fiancé’s accident are extremely heartfelt and emotional, If you haven’t seen the song he wrote for Julia while she was in a coma I suggest you check it out here. Chris is incredibly talented. His chosen song was Breakeven by the Script. You could tell that the song meant something to him because you felt what he was singing. Three yeses and Chris is off to Hollywood. Thus concluding tonight’s episode, Thursday night Idol heads to Nashville, TN. And here are my ratings on 3-Star scale :-).

Scotty McCreery 3-Stars

Emma Henry 1-Star

Naima Adedapo 2-Stars

Jerome Bell 2.5-Stars

Thia Megia 3-Stars

Molly deWold Swenson 2.5-Stars

Haley Reinhart 2-Stars

Tiwan Strong 2-Stars

Steve Beghun 2-Stars

Scott Daingerfield 2.5-Stars

Alyson Jados 2-Stars

Chris Medina 3- Stars

Tonight Idol brought us back to New Orleans or is it Nah-lens or something like that ;-) The show started with a black screen saying Blake Patterson will not be going to Hollywood followed a clip of him crying and singing at a piano and I couldn’t agree more. – LOL Steven Tyler’s first comment of the night is “You know what they say about little hats… A little hat is good for a little @$%! – What is a little hat good for- LOL? The first contestant of the night is Jordan Dorsey. Jordan is from La Place I mean La Plah—SSS, LA. is how it really is said J He has chosen to audition with his own rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow which is a great way to start of the night. Jordan is incredibly talented, you can tell that he is naturally talented. This is reflected in his chosen occupation which is that of a musician and a piano/vocal teacher. J.LO gets her first set of “Goose Pimples” of the night which Dorsey was hoping she would get. Tyler attributes it to the warmth of the contestants singing even though Jennifer expresses that the room there in is cold. Then all together they say 1-2-3 YES and Jordan is off to Hollywood.
Next the show moves into its first montage of “Bad” singers that includes Najsha Palmer and Jarrell Brower who are both what I call screamers. And then the tone def David LaRocca who thinks that he did good.-LOL To round out the screamers and the overly self confident the montage ends with Kiana who wouldn’t stop singing after Randy told her to stop. Gotta love these people J. The next auditioner is Sarah Sellers. As she enters the room the first thing out of Tyler’s mouth is ‘Where’d you get those lips?” And I’m like OMG did he just say that? Sarah is a 28yr old Marketing Analyst from Richardson, TX who has chosen to sing To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan. This was a fantastic choice of song for her. She has a really good voice but for some reason I felt like I wanted to see more from her which she did not deliver. Steven Tyler was sold when she laid her eyes on him… whatever that means. Lopez tells her, “I Know where you’re going” and that she has a beautiful voice. Randy proceeds to tell Sarah that he liked her voice and then he turns to J.LO and says, so Jennifer What does it mean for this girl… And she replies you’re going to Hollywood!!!
Up next is 23yr old Jovany Barreto who is a shipbuilder from Harvey, LA. We learn that he has admired Jennifer’s beauty since he was young and that since she’s married to his Idol Marc Anthony she is now a goddess in his eyes. So before I continue everyone thinks this contestant looks like he could be from the Jersey shore but when he started to sing Luis Miguel – I believe that’s what the song was called-LOL. I was incredibly surprised at the voice that came out of him. He is an amazing singer and I would say that he definitely looks the part of the American Idol. J.LO said that he had a beautiful voice and that his high notes were good. Tyler again uses delicious to describe an audition-LOL. Then Jovany expresses that as result of some bet with his friends he has to show Jennifer his abs. So he’s joined by Randy and Steven Tyler who all show their stomachs thus “ruining Jennifer’s ‘show’”-LOL. And Jovany gets himself a golden ticket and he is on his way to Hollywood.
Next is contestant Jacquelyn Dupree who is a 24yr old cosmetologist from Summit, MS. She has chosen to sing I’ll Stand By You but not before handing over some old high school pictures to Randy and reuniting him with his old football coach which just happens to be her Uncle. Once she gets to sing she has an absolutely beautiful however I felt like she was detached from what she was singing. Jennifer said the transitions in her audition were seamless and she was awesome. Steven and Randy both expressed that they liked her voice. So that’s another golden ticket handed out. The next contestant is 16yr old Brett Loewenstern from Boca Raton, FL. He tells the audience about what school has been like for him and how he has been picked on. He wants to inspire people with his music and he has a message he wants to convey to kids and bullies that it’s important to believe in one ’s self and just be happy. He is happy with himself and that is all that truly matters in life. He opens his mouth and out comes a great version of Bohemian Rhapsody. I really enjoyed the mature sound to his voice. For J.LO this audition was “Goose Pimples” rounds No.2-LOL. Tyler said he was fabulous and Randy expressed that that this is the way you audition.
At this point we are half way through the show and there have been many good voices, yet I still haven’t had my wow moment. Up next is Gabriel Franks who has chosen to sing Bad Romance. And don’t let his name fool you he looks frightening and does not have the voice of angel. –LOL. His audition is followed by more horrible screaming, a guy that gets interrupted by the boat horn and contestants that have forgotten their lyrics. We are then introduced to Alex Attardo who had the chance to go to Idol Camp when he was only 15 now at 18 he hopes that his experience has paid off. Boy was he wrong, Alex is horribly tone def. The judges couldn’t even hold back their laughs while he was singing. Tyler tells him that the notes were all over the place that he couldn’t even pass it on as his own rendition. Then Randy tells Alex it was horrible and makes a comment about closing the Camp- LOL.
Next is one of two auditions I’ve been waiting to see all night. The first is of 15yr old Jacee Badeaux from Lafayette, LA. Jacee has chosen Otis Redding’s Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay. As he begins to sing I am taken back by how refreshing and uplifting the tone of his voice is. He is an incredible natural talent that I can’t wait to see him progress through the competition. Jennifer said that he was sweet, cute and that his voice is really beautiful. Tyler likes the sparkle in his eye and Randy agrees with the panel and Jacee gets three yes’s and a ticket to Hollywood.
The last audition of the night is that of Paris Tassin. Now 23 Tassin tells us the story of how at 18 she was pregnant with her daughter Kiera. She expresses how she was told not go through with the pregnancy due to possible complications however she had chosen to proceed. Her daughter was born with hearing loss and has to wear hearing aids. Her emotional story won not only me but the judges over as well. But when Paris began to sing it was so amazing that it almost brought tears to my eyes. Her chosen song was Carrie Underwood’s Temporary Home. As she sang she conveyed so much emotion that you could feel the song. She told an incredible story that came straight from the heart. Tassin’s dream is to sing and J.LO loved the emotion and feeling in her voice. And the judges give her a ticket to Hollywood which puts her one more step closer to her dream. And thus now I am impressed with at least two of this year’s contestants :-) can I say wow-LOL.
And that is New Orleans for you 37 contestants have one a pass to Hollywood. Next week Idol heads to Milwaukee, WI. So I decided to rate each of the auditioners on a 3-Star scale going forward let’s see if that will generate any feedback from my readers :-).

Jordan Dorsey 2-Stars

Sarah Sellers 1.5-Stars

Jovany Barreto 2-Stars

Jacquelyn Dupree 2-Stars

Brett Loewenstern 2-Stars

Jacee Badeaux 2.5-Stars

Paris Tassin 3-Stars