American Idol Season 8 – Jacksonville Auditions – Recap

By On 01/27/2009 · 81 Comments · In Uncategorized

Update:Â   Just added thumbnails, and a re-cap…

Rickey and I have been chatting post show at around 9:30.   You can check out the transcript: Part 1 and Part 2.

  • Joshua Ulloa -Â   Age 22 – Beverly Hills, FL – Tile Layer – “Let’s Get it On” by Marvin Gaye – YES – VIDEO
  • Sharon Wilbur – Age 25 – Jacksonville, FL – Non-Profit Admin – “Superstar” by Leon Russell – YES – VIDEO
  • Dana Moreno – Age 24 – West Palm Beach, FL – Student – “Through the Fire” by Chaka Khan – NO – VIDEO
  • Kaneswesa Finnie – Age 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Student – “Caught up in the Rapture of Love” by Anita Baker – NO – VIDEO
  • Julissa Veloz – Age 19 – Orlando, FL – Sales Assoc – “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston – YES – VIDEO
  • Darin Darnell – Age 28 – Houston, TX – Tennis Instructor – “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” by Boyz II Men – NO – VIDEO
  • Naomi Sykes – Age 25 – Tampa, FL – Food Server – “Loving You” by Minnie Ripperton – NO – VIDEO
  • Jasmine Murray – Age 16 – Starkville, MS – Student – “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie – YES – VIDEO
  • George Ramirez - Age 18 – Jacksonville, FL – Physics Major – “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves – NO – VIDEO
  • Anne Marie Boskovich – Age 23 – Nashville, TN – Waitress/Nanny – “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat – YES – VIDEO
  • T.K. Hash – Age 23 – Concord, NC – Administrator – “Imagine” by John Lennon – YES – VIDEO
  • Michael Perrelli – Age 18 – Orlando, FL – Musician – “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind – NO – VIDEO

Sixteen auditioners advance to Hollywood from Jacksonville, Florida.

Seriously, I think TPTB are losing the plot, here.Neither incredible nor horrible, the Jacksonville auditions were just a big pile of MEH.   I could barely write this re-cap without falling asleep. The contestants are so dull, the producers jam judges hijinks into the segments in an attempt to entertain. But the badly edited clips are pointless and make no sense.   Nice try, but no cigar.

The episode begins with the Idol crew in the middle of a police escort. What is this, American Idol Cops? So staged! And there’s Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell just goofing around! They’re regular guys, doncha know.

Lolz alert: A clip of Randy Jackson playing with Journey from back in the day, sporting an awesome wedge haircut. That clip is tenuously connected to the city of Jacksonville by…the fact that it’s got Randy Jackson’s name in it? Talk about reaching.

Anyway, 11,000 show up to audition, TPTB claim. And they all love Randy.

More re-cap, and thumbnails after the JUMP…

Joshua Ulloa – Age 22 – Beverly Hills, FL – Tile Layer – “Let’s Get it On” by Marvin Gaye – YES – Gah, I hate annoying white suburban dudes who sport fakity fake urban street affectations. Seriously dude, you come off as a tool. And bragging that people compare you to Justin Guarini is not helping.   He starts singing, and he’s ridiculous with the pulling at himself and the show-offy beatboxing. So, I’m waiting for that big fat NO, that I know is coming. Except, after the panel mocks him, they put him though. “It was like inspector gadget,” says Simon. VIDEO

Sharon Wilbur – Age 25 – Jacksonville, FL – Non-Profit Admin – “Superstar” by Leon Russell – YES – Sharon Wilbur is smart. It’s well-known that Simon Cowell is an animal lover, so she brings her cute little pooch, Sasha, to the auditions. Simon cuddles the dog, while Sharon sings. Her singing is raspy, very raspy, like she needs a lozenge, but she’s not bad. The boys say yes. And in response, the girls…begin making out. ??!? This clip is so weirdly edited, I feel like I missed something. I guess they say yes, because Sharon is through. – VIDEO

There’s Ryan, driving a golf cart and getting eaten by gnats. He’s such a wuss.

Dana Moreno – Age 24 – West Palm Beach, FL – Student – “Through the Fire” by Chaka Khan – NO – Well, that was unpleasant. – VIDEO

Kaneswesa Finnie – Age 16 – Jacksonville, FL – Student – “Caught up in the Rapture of Love” by Anita Baker – NO – Mom gives Keneswesa confidence. Maybe too much confidence, ’cause her singing is pretty dire. It’s too bad–she’s mature, self-assured, and really likable. And despite her delusions, mom seems pretty cool too. After her performance, Kaneswesa, mom and Simon have a good natured exchange–it’s evident he really likes her. I bet if she she could sing even a teensy bit, he would have put her through. – VIDEO

Julissa Veloz – Age 19 – Orlando, FL – Sales Assoc – “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston – YES – Why are these beauty queens so fricking annoying? She’s wearing her “Miss Florida Latina USA” tiara, and says she wants to be the first Latin Idol. When she mentions Whitney,   I brace myself for some horrible singing, but wouldn’t you know, she’s not half bad. She can hit the notes, at least. “It was better than I thought it was going to be,” says Simon, but he doesn’t like her tone, or her laugh. Paula pretends to feel ignored, throws a snit, and leaves the room. Julissa brings her back, and for that, she gets a yes from Paula. There are three more rather reluctant yeses, and Julissa is on to Hollywood. – VIDEO

Darin Darnell – Age 28 – Houston, TX – Tennis Instructor – “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” by Boyz II Men – NO – First headcase tonight: Darin Darnell, who is all smiles as he works the room, but when his new buddy Devin is turned down by the judges, his mood swings to despair, as if he’d forgotten that morning’s dose of Lithium. All of a sudden, he can’t pull it togther to sing. When he finally performs…well, he shouldn’t have bothered. Kara tells him the music business isn’t for him because, “It’s paved with heartache.” That, and he’s completely talent free – VIDEO

Naomi Sykes – Age 25 – Tampa, FL – Food Server – “Loving You” by Minnie Ripperton – NO – I’ll bet my hat this audition is fake. Naomi swears she’s got the chops to sing Minnie Ripperton’s range-busting “Loving You”, but oh, could she bring her best friend in the room who’s dying to meet Randy? Well of course. Best friend ends up on Randy’s lap, Paula on Simon’s lap, and finally Ryan on Kara’s. Naomi begins singing, horribly of course. When her friend can barely surpress a giggle, it seems obvious the whole deal is a set-up. When Simon asks Naomi if she’s kidding, she turns on some fake waterworks, and the audition ends with a great big fake group hug. Whatever. – VIDEO

Nine golden tickets are given out on Day One. “They were terrible,” claims Simon. Ryan promises the “Superstars” will emerge in the second half. Hm.

Jasmine Murray – Age 16 – Starkville, MS – Student – “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie – YES – Jasmine is the youngest of a big family. Her mom says they both almost died when she was born. Tonight’s first, and only sob story! She’s young, poised and current. Simon’s favorite kind of contestant. He’s got that look on his face, you know, the one he gets when he sees dollar signs in front of him. This is probably better than sex for him. “Cute, commercial, and you’re a very, very good singer,” he says. Everyone agrees, and she’s on to Hollywood. – VIDEO

George Ramirez - Age 18 – Jacksonville, FL – Physics Major – “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves – NO – Physics major, George Ramirez is a little hipper and less clueless than last week’s nerd, Ross Plavsic. That’s why he annoys me more. Ha ha dude, you got yourself on TV, I’ll bet your hipster pals are proud. I have to give him credit for making “Walking On Sunshine” completely and wholly unrecognizable. Lolz alert: Simon, “Where do you see yourself in 11 years time?” George: “A simple house with nice floors. I want marble.” – VIDEO

Anne Marie Boskovich – Age 23 – Nashville, TN – Waitress/Nanny – “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat – YES – Seriously? Anne Marie (or is it Ann Marie, like her MySpace) is told she doesn’t have “star quality.” (not mentioned in her clip is the fact that she’s been performing all over Nashville for years.) So, the judges send her out on a contrived quest to fix herself up. She just happens to find a makeup artist “wandering around”, and that’s where she’s left–until two auditioners later–new shoes and sans jacket–she’s back to sing. OMG Anne Marie! Now you’re a star! *eyes roll*Â   That she’s been around the show business block is evident when she sings back one of Kara’s obscure songs to her–heard at some industry function. She does sing well, but she’s no rube. Naturally, the judges put her through. – VIDEO

T.K. Hash – Age 23 – Concord, NC – Administrator – “Imagine” by John Lennon – YES – T.K auditioned last year. He comes back to try again. He performs “Imagine” with so many indescriminate runs, that even Randy “I never met a run I didn’t like” Jackson calls him out on it. T.K is trying way too hard, but his big voice has potential. Paula suggests that T.K was inspired by David Archuleta. You think? Simon, who hasn’t said a word, says no, but everyone else says yes. – VIDEO

Michael Perrelli – Age 18 – Orlando, FL – Musician – “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind – NO – I feel sorta bad for Michael, ’cause I have a feeling his clip was cut to make him more of a toolish crybaby than he really is. Truly, that shot of him pushing his mother away as she tries to comfort him was probably enough to assure failure if he made it to the voting rounds. But, I didn’t think his singing was that bad. The judges have passed poorer singers to the Hollywood Rounds, that’s for sure. Michael was crying, but was it really because he couldn’t play his guitar? I dunno, the editing seems kinda really suspect… – VIDEO

Tomorrow…Salt Lake City, home of David Archuleta, and the Osmonds!

 
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  • jokiebird

    Oh my gosh you’re fast. :-) Can’t wait for the top 50, the auditions seem to be endless!

  • itsalleternal

    Audition shows end Thursday though!

    I really liked Sharon…

  • gingerly

    Damn, I almost watched this. Then I got a grip on myself. I’m waiting until Hollywood or beyond to become overly (hope not) invested.

  • CathyMK

    So, it seems like bringing something cute, whether it’s your kids or your dog, is a surefire way to get to Hollywood this year.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Okay, in the winners montage, I sooooo saw the girl who was next to me in line at the first round auditions. She was the one in the gray dress with the long striped head scarf. I really think it’s the Megan Bohls chick that was posted in the spoilers the other day… It’s just gotta be. I’m kicking myself for not asking her name.

  • Little Boy Blue

    RE: Naomi Sykes – Age 25 – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Loving Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  by Minnie Ripperton – NO

    Oh what I would give to find someone who can do Minnie Ripperton proud. If you can do this song without shattering our ear drums, you deserve to be a finalist.

  • SallyinIllinois

    Love Jasmin….great attitude….she could be the next Brandy and surpass Jordin if she keeps her cool in Hollywood.

    They need to leave the bad singers for the end of the show and leave it to the audience to stick around. Honestly, some of these bad singing people — the pre-judges KNOW they’re bad and it doesn’t work anymore.

  • SallyinIllinois

    Michael = Josiah

  • http://www.myspace.com/gundomom CarieB

    Of the 12 they showed, only 6 got through. Sigh. I cannot WAIT for this phase to end. Bring on Hollywood, ppppleeeeze!

  • CathyMK

    Michael = Josiah

    I agree. It’s too bad, because I liked his voice, but it’s a bit much to whine and cry through an audition.

    (And they played a little Carolina Liar!!)

  • itsalleternal

    Tonight was yet another trainwreck after a promising start with Sharon. From 8:10 onward, bad show.

  • lefty

    Did I actually hear Randy say something about too many runs?!?!!!

  • frogcooke

    lefty… he did!!! I was like LE GASP!! What did Randy just say?

  • lefty

    LOL frogcooke … I thought my world had turned upside down.

  • yummystars

    My favorites were Jasmine and TJ, both really good-looking people too, just as an added bonus!

    I think they were kind of mean to that kid who freaked when he couldn’t play his guitar. He was kind of immature but I don’t think they needed to be so heavy-handed with him. I think they should have let him play his guitar.

    On the other hand, maybe he shouldn’t have tried out if he hadn’t even thought ahead of the possibility of not being able to audition on strength of vocals alone. He was kind of a crybaby. So, okay.

    Still, he wasn’t bad without the guitar, just a bit derivative, and I think he had more talent than some of the others they have been putting through. Sometimes it just seems to be really personal with them, why they say no. For his part, it’s not the end of his music world, just the end of this year’s audition for a reality show, so he shouldn’t have taken it so hard, I guess.

    Boy, am I rambling or what?

  • Winter

    I really thought Michael should have been put through. Guitar or not he was good, and had the looks!

  • terps

    Was I the only one who thought Paula was well… drunk at the begining of the show

  • cookcricket

    No one really stood out to me tonight. Having said that, I thought the show was somewhat entertaining.

    RE: Michael

    I agree. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too bad, because I liked his voice, but ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a bit much to whine and cry through an audition.

    I agree, I liked his voice as well. But he was missing something (other than his guitar), hmmmm…wait, a backbone. Toughen up some Michael and you may make it yet…

  • Winter

    Oh and Jasmine… Ick did nothing for me. I thought she just blended in

  • hapi

    Is there someone this year that is capturing the shows/performances in total?
    btw..thank you mj for such fast info!

  • jewel

    i really thought the michael guy might be able to sing… so went directly to myspace. big mistake… no myspace page. missed a chance to redeem himself!! (unless i spelled his name wrong).

  • erennick

    Michael = Josiah

    No way. I could see with the sound of the voice (a little) and the crying, but Josiah would never speak to his mom like that on tv. Did you hear Ryan call him out for it? Plus, those eyebrows were just too much…

  • Winter

    i really thought the michael guy might be able to singà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ so went directly to myspace. big mistakeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ no myspace page. missed a chance to redeem himself!! (unless i spelled his name wrong).

    I went to look for it too. I am starting to dislike him more.

  • t2

    Jacksonville= a big pile of pfffffftttt

    Seriously, can anyone remind me why I was excited about this year of American Idol?

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    This show? Ugh. Nothing but average got through.

    Michael Perrelli acted like a spoiled brat.

    Anne Marie Boskovich still bored me. Her voice is pleasant and not exciting. I need a thesaurus. Yet, vocally speaking, she’s probably the best I heard tonight.

  • caringgirl

    LOL at randy saying he used to many runs on imagine. I dont think he sang it as good as Archie. I liked the girl who sang bubbly…I thought she was good…and the 16 year old girl…………Im glad archie is gonna get some pimpage tomorrow nite……..is tomorrow the last night of auditions? I hope so.

  • snuffles

    Jasmine is VERY marketable. I could easily see her on Jive being a little hip hop princess.

  • primeminister

    American Idol should really just have 1 week of auditions. Or maybe 2 weeks max. Hollywood can’t come soon enough.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    American Idol should really just have 1 week of auditions.

    I’m really beginning to wonder if they’re necessary at all.

  • cookcricket

    but Josiah would never speak to his mom like that on tv. Did you hear Ryan call him out for it?

    I don’t know enough about Josiah to know whether or not he would do this. However, I can’t believe I instantly forgot Michael did this. I cheered Ryan on for calling him out right away. Arggghh! No one should do this off TV either (imo) unless you’re a thirteen year old maybe and just argued with mom?

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    1) Simon rather liked having Paula sit on his lap.

    2) Somehow, Paula and Kara ended up switching seats after the whole lap episode.

    3) Michael should have thrown himself down on the floor and had a full-fledged tantrum. Then, I would have been more entertained.

    4) Jasmine Murray is a beautiful girl.

    5) “Loving You” should be banned from any and every Idol audition.

  • Grammie Kari

    My favorite tonight was definitely T.K. Hash. I liked his attitude and his singing.

    Is it Ok that I am not too impressed with Anne Marie Boskovich? Maybe I’ll like her more in Hollywood?

    I agree, I liked his voice as well. But he was missing something (other than his guitar), hmmmmà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦wait, a backbone. Toughen up some Michael and you may make it yetà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    This was a perfect set-up for Michael to return next year. In the mean time, he should get at least a part-time job or go to Community College. Also, before next year’s audition. practice singing without the guitar. Mayn have been sent through who were not as good as this kid.

  • SpenserJ

    Michael Perrelli acted like a spoiled brat.

    No doubt. I hate crybabies, and little man was rude to his mom on national TV. That is just not okay. I’m glad Ryan called him out on it.

    Yet, vocally speaking, sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s probably the best I heard tonight.

    She didn’t set my world on fire either, but I do think she’s got a good voice. And, after being beaten over the head for an hour with a range of outright crap to mediocre, she sounded pretty darn good.

    I liked TK too, if he could lose some of those runs. He’s got talent, but I’m not sure if he has enough control over it to reign it in. (And, STFU Randy).

    Jasmine is a beautiful girl for sure, and she has a good voice. I could tell that Simon was LOVING her. He had those dollar signs in his eyes.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    Jim Cantiello ´s live blog is up

    I ´m think that the best for this season is going to be the Idolatry and Cantiello ´s blogs…

  • sma11ie

    Ugh, didn’t catch the whole show, but I saw a whole lot of meh being put through again. That girl who sang Fergie was soooo nasally. Man, I really loathe that song, and Fergie’s annoying voice, so maybe I’m biased but it was like nails on a chalk board to me. The guitar guy who cried sang his song kinda boring but didn’t deserve FOUR no’s after so many other bad singers got four yesses. I’m not likin’ like this 4-judge dynamic at all– wayy too much herd mentality. The girl who brought her dog was terrible, and what is up with the judges hamming it up with the sitting on laps and stuff? So fake. That girl who say “Loving You” was totally faking the crying– c’mon how could she have been serious about that? SO.FAKE. Jacksonville UGH! On the bright side, SLC looks promising! I’ll be catching what I can and the rest with MJ’s caps :)

  • Gracie77

    My biggest impression from the episode is that the dog was really cute–but I can’t actually remember who it belonged to.

    Some okay people, I guess, but there still hasn’t been anyone this season to really make me sit up and go ‘WOW.’ Man, I hate the audition episodes.

    I also about fell over when Randy made a comment about too many runs…I didn’t think the man had ever met a run he didn’t like.

    For right now, I’m willing to let T.K. stick around more for the eye candy than for anything spectacular about his voice. :)

  • Lys

    Meh, no one really stood out to me tonight.

    I thought Jasmine was cute, but I didn’t think too much of her voice. Sounded to me like she was singing straight out of her nose.

    And I agree with you, sma11ie, about the herd mentality thing. Seriously, have Randy, Kara, and Paula ever disagreed over a contestant before?? Just once, I’d like to hear Kara side with Simon…

  • abbysee

    1) Simon rather liked having Paula sit on his lap.

    That is the only thing I remember from this episode. I think I will start drinking at 7:59 tomorrow evening. Maybe it will help.

    I liked a couple of people, but not enough to try to find out who they are, or even check and see if they are on the spoiler list. Wake me up for Hollywood week.

  • J.S.G.

    Favorite audtion for me was Joshua, ‘singing’ the Marvin Gaye song to open the show. Good voice with some real potential to do some of the things Blake Lewis did.

    Anne Marie was good television.

    Still a lot of time wasted on meh audtions and contestants being put through who we all know won’t make it out of Hollywood.

  • Grammie Kari

    My fear is that GOOD television time will be spent on the judges “performances” rather than the contestants. Most of the interactions will be scripted and after 7 seasons, I am not that all interested, even if Kara is interesting.

  • star

    I thought Jasmine was adorable, but her “Big Girls Don’t Cry” was super affected. She was trying too hard to imitate Fergie. I heard hints of a good voice in there somewhere, though!

    The moment with judges/hosts/friends of auditioners sitting on each other’s laps was just stupid, weird, and pointless. I cringed. I’m SO ready for Hollywood.

  • http://idolstages.com Connie D.

    What are they thinking? Michael Perrelli was the best of the night, for me.

  • snuffles

    OK, I just saw Anne Marie Boskovich audition and now I think….:::SNOOOORE:::

  • IdolFanatic

    I thought Jasmine was adorable, but her à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Big Girls Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Cryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  was super affected. She was trying too hard to imitate Fergie. I heard hints of a good voice in there somewhere, though!

    My thoughts exactly! WAY too affected. Commercial girl, yes, but her voice would get on my nerves after a while. I like Fergie, but not those who try to imitate her.

    Ann Marie and TK were good, but I wasn’t jumping out of my seat either.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    That girl who sang Fergie was soooo nasally.

    See, I thought I was hearing things.

  • Diana

    Michael was too much of a head case. Granted he was young and immature, but I bet this guy is still mental at 30.

  • Dlynne

    Well, that’s 60 minutes I’ll never get back. It irritates me that out of 16 contestants who made it to Hollywood, we only got to see six of them. WTH???

    Some quick thoughts:

    The very cute dog = memorable
    The owner = not

    Jasmine is adorable but I’m not sure about her voice. I wish she had sung something besides Fergie.

    Anne Marie seems like a very down-to-earth girl. I’m hoping she surprises us.

    Michael has a very nice voice. Too bad he couldn’t hold it together. Something tells me that he would not have survived the pressure of Hollywood anyway. Even if he had made it through, I would never vote for someone who treated his mother that way. The kid needs to grow up or grow some – I don’t care which.

    ETA: Here’s the link to Michael’s Myspace. I think the judges made the right choice.
    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=433848365

  • Suzanne

    Completely agree about the girl who sang the Fergie song. She has a nasally voice like all of the singers in High School Musical. (I have a 7 year old; I’m required to see these things by law.) That super nasal sound is rampant in the “kids pop” genre. Frankly, I hope she doesn’t make it thru Hollywood b/c I hate that horrid sound.

    Anne Marie was the best for me too. She’s done enough professional singing to not lack confidence, so I don’t get that whole makeover thing. But it was good tv if you go along with the “she’s an amateur” fiction.

    Michael Perrelli–Wow–personality SO matters, eh? I thought he had a good voice and chose a decent song for himself. His scared, whiny self completely killed it for him. The judges don’t want to send emotional weaklings to Hollywood to cry on the big stage, burdening everyone. I think he should grow a pair and try again next year (sans bandanna so they don’t remember him from this year).

  • Fender

    The most entertaining part of the show, for me, was Randy telling that one kid he sang too many runs. I think that was the funniest audition moment I’ve seen yet this year.

    I’m just going to agree with all the people above and say Hollywood week can’t come fast enough.

  • Duke

    LoL, I can honestly say after tonight, I am embarrassed to say that I am from Jacksonville. Deff the worst city so far. With the exception of the girl who sang Bubbly, who i thought had sooo much potential and her runs were so precise and pleasant to listen to, everyone was pretty blah.

  • movin2thabeet

    So far, the way TPTB are choosing to frame these auditions is not impressive. Mostly, I’m bored and fast forwarding through much of it. I see the usual bad singers, the folks who think they can sing and can’t, and a scattering of ok but unremarkable singers. I’ve seen very few standouts so far, especially tonight. It’s hard to tell if this is because there really wasn’t any, or they’re keeping them cloaked well. Either way, it’s certainly not engaging tv. I’m sure hoping that they build from here. If not, I might finally break this AI habit.

  • seattle_girl

    So far, the way TPTB are choosing to frame these auditions is not impressive. Mostly, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m bored and fast forwarding through much of it.

    You stole the words right out of my mouth. Although I’m not sure if it’s the editing/production I’m most disappointed with or the fact the judges seem to be passing so many marginal singers on through. Whichever it is, it is def less than compelling TV. The only guy I WANTED to hear more from tonight the kid who lost it because he couldn’t play his guitar. At least he intrigued me instead of bored the socks off me.

  • seattle_girl

    ETA: Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the link to Michaelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Myspace. I think the judges made the right choice.
    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=433848365

    I actually like his cover of Your Just 2 Good 2 Be True (who did that originally??). Shows some creativity and originality. Kind of a Jack Johnson flavor to it. First song not so much ~ although it’s pretty funny, I don’t need to explain to my kid about the midnight run for fast food after sharing a roach.

  • Keel

    Well, one consolation from tonight is that we know that they’ll pimp Archie tomorrow night when they show the SLC auditions.

  • Hazehel

    I actually like his cover of Your Just 2 Good 2 Be True (who did that originally??).

    The song is called “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli -

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0IM7Mvg80w

    Also covered by Andy Williams -

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWtLK7XP-Bk

    I think he is one of the few interesting singers of all the auditions so far. Too bad the judges didn’t want him to be in the competition, it doesn’t tell us that the judges make good decisions.

    It’s been really poor this year so far, only two or three persons I’d want to hear again and the audition is almost over. I think the judges annoyed me more than anything else. I haven’t heard Randy say anything useful so far, and he way he laughs and hides his face in front of bad auditioners is just so fake and offensive. Simon is his usual pompous self, Kara less than impressive, and what can one say about Paula?

    I can only hope that they are hiding all the good singers, otherwise this season will be a complete washout.

  • lurksalot

    You’re just 2 good 2 be true… Can’t take my eyes off of you…if that’s the one it was Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons.

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    WOW! Our MJ is now writing for NYPost.com!! Check out the byline:

    http://nypost.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

    CONGRATULATIONS!!

    ETA: Oops! This link will work better:

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/01282009/tv/false_idol_152359.htm

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    ^^^ I figured either Bobbi or JP fan would find it. :) . Do me a favor and hold any comments for the headlines thread, I’m going to be posting it there in a minute. :) .

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Do me a favor and hold any comments for the headlines thread, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to be posting it there in a minute.

    Hurry!!! :clap_tb:

  • idolbeat

    MJ!!!!!!!! Congrats!

    Umm, Michael, I really liked. Maybe next year. Or, maybe Nashville Star!!!!

  • sma11ie

    Well, one consolation from tonight is that we know that theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll pimp Archie tomorrow night when they show the SLC auditions.

    Yeah, and I’m glad the judges called that guy out for cribbing (badly) from Archie’s version of Imagine in that run-infested mess of his that even Randy couldn’t get behind. And yet, he made it! WTF?

  • hardkandy

    No one really stood out tonight. Boring boring boring.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m glad the judges called that guy out for cribbing (badly) from Archieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version of Imagine in that run-infested mess of his that even Randy couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get behind.

    They called him out for mimicking Archie?

  • sma11ie

    ^^ Paraphrasing badly from memory (I tend to do that), but I think one of the judges said something like, oh you must’ve been inspired/influenced by David Archuleta’s version a little, right? To which, the guy was kinda like, yeah, maybe a little bit. Haha, I totally got all the words wrong but it went something like that.

  • Dr. Tracey

    No one really stood out to me last night they were all kinda blaa.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Paraphrasing badly from memory (I tend to do that), but I think one of the judges said something like, oh you mustà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been inspired/influenced by David Archuletaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version a little, right? To which, the guy was kinda like, yeah, maybe a little bit. Haha, I totally got all the words wrong but it went something like that.

    I’ll have to watch it again. I totally tuned the judges out because I knew he would make it.

    T.K. has a gorgeous smile and a nice voice.

    My problem with the runs, and Randy’s reason for calling him on it, was that he has trained himself to do it because it sounds good. Yet, such extravagant singing doesn’t seem to come naturally for him. Therefore, forcing the melisma on “Imagine” (a song which, in my opinion, is more poignant because of its simplicity), it comes across as over-the-top.

  • Keel

    Randy calling anyone out for having too many runs in a song was kind of surprising, but he was right. The guy singing changed up the original melody too much because of mucho melisma and major run-itude.

    . . . but yet, he made it. Whatevs, Season 8.

  • IdolFanatic

    My problem with the runs, and Randyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s reason for calling him on it, was that he has trained himself to do it because it sounds good. Yet, such extravagant singing doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem to come naturally for him. Therefore, forcing the melisma on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Imagineà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  (a song which, in my opinion, is more poignant because of its simplicity), it comes across as over-the-top.

    You explained what I wanted to say very well. I believe that while some did not like Archie’s version either because of the runs he used, that things like that come much more naturally to Archie and he knows how to not go overboard most of the time. Archie’s version of Imagine was beautiful and modeled after Eva Cassidy which is a version I love. TK appeared to be trying way too hard…Archie did not….that’s the difference.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Maybe we need Nigel back.

  • IdolFanatic

    Maybe we need Nigel back.

    I’ve been wondering that too. They’re supposed to raise the bar each year, not lower it.

  • jumpstart

    pj Jan 28th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    Maybe we need Nigel back.

    Yep, I’m thinking the same thing. If this is any indication of the rest of the season, I think we’re in for a slow, painful ride. Nigel was annoying at times, but I’m really beginning to think that he was the “brain” behind the operation. Time will tell.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Maybe we need Nigel back.

    I never really believed he was the problem. His show, “So You Think You Can Dance” is really entertaining–lots of current music, interesting story lines for the contestants, it’s just an entertaining show all the way around.

    I hope things improve during the Hollywood Rounds.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Either way, I am so glad this is the last week for auditions.

    Hollywood week had better be a blast!

  • sma11ie

    I never really believed he was the problem. His show, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“So You Think You Can Danceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is really entertaining

    I only caught the last few episodes of SYTYCD, but I enjoyed what I saw, so ^^ this was my line of thinking for a while as well. And then, that stupid faux internation superstars of dance show happened. I don’t even know the name, but boy that show was the cheesiest cheese that ever cheesed. Really made me question Nigel’s tastes and judgment.

  • seattle_girl

    I think that the ho hum audition phase is really due to the absence of all the gory auditions. I never liked the really cruel ones like the “bush baby” (who BTW works at Macroni Grill by my house). But the trainwrecks were obviously entertaining…at least to me. Very few of the first round auditions have EVER stood out. Really, did any of us KNOW that Kelly or David C. were going to be stars when watching their first auditions? I think it takes the instructions and pro backup that they get from Hollywood on to finally make the future stars begin to stand out.

    They’ve effectively removed nearly all the love it vs. hate it auditions (e.g. bikini girl) and we’re left with a season of pretty bland auditions. I’m trying to convince myself that there’s still hope for some good talent to start to emerge next week.

  • BootStar

    I think that the ho hum audition phase is really due to the absence of all the gory auditions. I never liked the really cruel ones like the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bush babyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  (who BTW works at Macroni Grill by my house). But the trainwrecks were obviously entertainingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦at least to me.

    LOL, did anybody else catch the “bush baby” kid in last night’s show? I couldn’t believe it! He was sitting on a chair next to one of the contestants. Can’t remember at the moment who it was but I have it on the DVR.

  • hardkandy

    It was really weird that they called TK’s audition OTT and yet they said nothing about Von’s. I still can’t figure out how the eff Von Smith made it through, it’s like bizarro world. I agree about the TK guy’s Imagine being too full of unnecessary runs but if that was OTT, what do they use to describe Von’s audition then?

  • leome

    These episodes just get less and less entertaining. They’re putting in Hollywood people that are really meh. There wasn’t any stand out moment here.

    Did anyone else notice during the group song a guy dressed up like David Cook? It cracked me up. Hair and clothes just like David’s audition. ah ah!

    Michael sang well, I liked when he was singing during his montage. The the voice soubnded “young”. A bit imature.
    The girl who went back to become a star? Really… the whole thing was a bit too much. I actually think she can sing and I was impressed by those few seconds of her singing Kara’s song, but then not so much with Bubble.
    The rest? I don’t remember anymore.

  • tbellax3

    Does Anyone know the song that played after T.K. Hash finished his audition?! I cannot seem to come up with the name or artist. Thank you.

  • DahKay

    tbellax3, I’m SOOOO wanting to know what song was that. I’m Spanish, so my English isn’t perfect (yes, it’s the first time I follow American idol, and from barcelona!!), but what I understood was something like:

    “….in between the curtains, “use the sheets” everytime for I….”….

    with this I couldn’t get anything from Google, but I’m so hoping someone knows what song is it!

  • DahKay

    FOUND IT!!!

    The song is “Beautiful World” by Carolina Liar!!!