American Idol Season 8 – New York City/San Juan Auditions – Recap

By On 01/29/2009 · 39 Comments · In Uncategorized

UPDATE: Recap and thumbnails added

  • Adeola Adegoke – Age 19 – Bronx, NY – Bank Teller – “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson – NO – VIDEO
  • Jorge Nunez – Age 20 – Carolina, Puerto Rico – Student – “My Way” (in Spanish) “What a Wonderful World” (English) – YES – VIDEO
  • Jessika Baier – Age 20 – Jackson, MK (PR) – Waitress – “I Surrender” By Celine Dion – NO – VIDEO
  • Melinda Camile – Age 21 -Â   Stratford, CT – Unemployed – “Feeling Good” – YES – VIDEO
  • Jackie Tohn – Age 27 – Silver Lake, CA – “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – YES – VIDEO
  • Joel Contreras - Age 23 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Street Performer – NO – VIDEO
  • Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell   – Age 27 – Brookfield, CT   – “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson – YES – VIDEO
  • Ashley Hollister – Age 21 – Hasbrouk Heights, NJ – Receptionist – “Baby It’s You” – YES -
  • Kenny Hoffpauer -Â   Age 16 – Havertown, PA – Student – “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – YES
  • Kendall Beard -Â   Age 23 – Austin, TX – Student – “The Ashes” by Martina McBride – YES – VIDEO (with Ashley and Kenny)
  • Monique Garcia Torres – Age 16 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Student – “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes, “I Turn to You” – YES – VIDEO
  • Alexis Cohen – Age 24 – Philadelphia, PA – Student – “Like a Prayer” by Madonna – NO – VIDEO
  • Patricia Lewis Roman – Age 20 – Caguas, Puerto Rico – Singer – “I Want to Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Huston – YES – VIDEO

Advanced to Hollywood: Nine from Puerto Rico, 26 from New York City

“For the first time ever,” says Ryan “We bring you two cities in one show.” Uh Ryan, back in the days when the audition rounds were only a couple of weeks long, y’all doubled up on audition cities all the time.

Those were the days. Sigh.

At any rate, the producers use West Side Story as a reference for welding New York City and San Juan together, but it’s tenuous at best. Really, these two cities are lumped together because the PR auditions were so lame (300 people showed up to audition, by accounts) it didn’t deserve it’s own episode.

And I suppose, in order to distract from the lameness that is the Puerto Rico auditions, the producers choose to cut back and forth between the two cities. It’s awkward, at best, and a bit hard to keep straight. Palm trees behind the judges? We must be in Puerto Rico right now!

The last night of auditions were not the “best night!” as promised. Still, more of the same listless fare, except for Nick Mitchell, a “joke” audition that was actually hilarious for once.

Adeola Adegoke – Age 19 – Bronx, NY – Bank Teller – “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson – So, we’re so out of frickin’ ideas, we’re going back to the ole “Simon calls my boss to get my job back” well.   I swear there’s been several variations on this theme done before.   Adeola quits her job, she’s so confident she’s going to Hollywood.   Of course, when it turns out she’s sucktastic, Simon intervenes to save the day. Yawn. -   NO -   VIDEO

Jorge Nunez – Age 20 – Carolina, Puerto Rico – Student – “My Way” (in Spanish) “What a Wonderful World” (English) – I have to agree with Kara that Jorge’s singing sounds more heartfelt in Spanish.   His English singing is just so-so.   But who cares!   There’s no way Mr. Dreamy Eyes isn’t going to Hollywood. -   YES – VIDEO

Jessika Baier – Age 20 – Jackson, MK (PR) – Waitress – “I Surrender” By Celine Dion -   Oh dear.   Are there really singing contests that reward this sort of caterwauling?   Jessika swears she’s won money, swag and trips all due to her glorious singing.   She’s not bad, but she does that overkill thing that Von Smith does.   Oh,, except he advances and she doesn’t.   I suspect if she was hot, she might have walked out the door with a golden ticket – NO – VIDEO

Melinda Camile – Age 21 – Stratford, CT – Unemployed – “Feeling Good” -   I half-way expect Melinda’s singing to be as ridiculous as her hippy-dippy new age philosophy, but it turns out she has an easy, soulful vibe that’s engaging.   Melinda tells the panel that she loves to dance naked in her room.   Simon tells her to imagine Randy naked while she’s singing.   Obviously she didn’t do that, ’cause she sounds great. – YES – VIDEO

Jackie Tohn – Age 27 – Silver Lake, CA – “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – YES – Ms. Tohn needed to a: calm down and b. suck on a lozenge or two.   Her jittery audition feature raspy vocals that border on the unpleasant. I have a feeling she sings better than that, and of course, the judges know that too.   But it’s funny to watch someone advance after a bad audition.   Makes it hard to believe that these outcomes aren’t already a foregone conclusion.   The window comes crashing down during Jackie’s audition–and it doesn’t appear staged. – VIDEO

Joel Contreras - Age 23 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Street Performer – NO – Joel, a super annoying street performer judging by the clips of him working–actually brings a couple of lolz to his audition.   The big giant cut-out iPod he brings with him is pretty lame, but when he whips out a Lion King hand puppet, I burst into a spontaneous giggle. Of course, these types of contestants are meant to play off of Simon.   “It’s everything I hate,” he says.   VIDEO

Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell – Age 27 – Brookfield, CT – “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson – YES – Another comedy routine, and although the banter between Nick and Simon sounds scripted, it still has me laughing in spots.   Even the gay Seacrest joke has me lolz.   Nick’s shtick isn’t original, there’s just something really likable about this guy.   He plays serious for a minute, singing “Amazing Grace” and he isn’t half bad.   Simon, arms crossed, votes no, but the rest of the gang put Nick through -   VIDEO

A triplet of talented singers whiz by – Ashley Hollister – Age 21 – Hasbrouk Heights, NJ singing “Baby It’s You”,   Kenny Hoffpauer – Age 16 – Havertown, PA – Singing “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and Kendall Beard – Age 23 – Austin, TX singing   “The Ashes” by Martina McBride   – Kenny and Kendall are the standouts, here. VIDEO (with Ashley and Kenny)

Monique Garcia Torres – Age 16 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Student – “You Can’t Hurry Love” by the Supremes, “I Turn to You” – Cute little brother got her camera time, but Monique’s singing is just ai’ght.   The judges decide to give her a second change and advance her to Hollywood, despite the fact it’s obvious her lack of confidence and inexperience will most likely get her cut on the first day – YES – VIDEO

Alexis Cohen – Age 24 – Philadelphia, PA – Student – “Like a Prayer” by Madonna – NO – She’s baaack–Alexis Cohen, the “Take it” girl from last season.   She’s   attempted to clean up–gone is the crazy eye makeup and she’s wearing a nice dress. But curiously, her singing is worse than it was last year.   I remember thinking, “crazy lady, but vocals not half-bad,”   last year.   At the end of the audition, she goes back to her old ways, flipping off the judges as she leaves – VIDEO

Patricia Lewis Roman – Age 20 – Caguas, Puerto Rico – Singer – “I Want to Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Huston -  Ãƒâ€š   She makes the rookie mistake of singing Whitney, and proceeds to underwhelm the judges. She sings in Spanish and is a tiny bit better.   Nice girl.   Completely unmemorable. The judges put her through anyway.   Probably so they could get a shot of her huge family celebrating. -YES – VIDEO

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

    Melinda Camile – Age 21 – NY – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Feeling Goodà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Nekkid!

    She had a good voice – kinda jazzy, kinda reminded me of LaToya London, nothing memorable.

    Jackie Tohn – Age 27 – NY – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m Yoursà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  by Jason Mraz

    Liked the raspy tone. I’m glad she had to sing another song, though.

  • jokiebird

    I just became a fan of Jackie Tohn on Facebook. I love her just based on that audition. I hope she goes far. I don’t usually have a favorite this early, but so far she’s it.

  • lefty

    All I could think about when Melinda was talking about dancing naked was, what if she makes it into the top 12? Would she dance naked in the Idol Mansion? Drama in the house!

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

    Would she dance naked in the Idol Mansion? Drama in the house!

    OMG! :lol_tb: I’ll be surprised if she makes Top 36, unless she throws down in Hollywood.

    Seriously, no one has impressed me so far tonight.

  • Lys

    For me, the most memorable part of tonight’s episode was the 30-second preview of Hollywood week.

    That, and the two-second clip they showed of Kenny auditioning with “I’m Yours”. I wanted to hear more from that kid.

  • hicksaholic

    Jackie Tohn reminded me a little of a female Taylor.

  • IdolFanatic

    That, and the two-second clip they showed of Kenny auditioning with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m Yoursà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . I wanted to hear more from that kid.

    Yeah aside from him and Kendall Beard, I was not lovin’ tonight much. I’m very glad that the freakshow that is the Idol auditions are now OVER!!!

  • abbysee

    Even though I was not totally impressed with the overall talent so far (I think they are hiding folk and that there is a method to the madness)I do like the direction it seems that they are taking. More current, more singer songwriter, more jazzy.

    I must say I am totally hetero, but somehow Melinda dancing around nekkid seemed really appealing, or maybe I am just anxious for the games to begin. Hell, maybe everyone should have been nude, it would have made the auditions more interesting, and funny.

    Oh yeah, I must say the funny guy totally sold me. Of course he’s toast, but I would have put him through just for the entertainment factor. He had me ROFL!

  • lefty

    Seriously, no one has impressed me so far tonight.

    I watched very little tonight, but what I saw was not good.

  • hicksaholic

    I was hoping for more of Kendall Beard as a singer but she definitely has it in the looks department.

  • Lys

    Yeah aside from him and Kendall Beard, I was not lovinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ tonight much. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m very glad that the freakshow that is the Idol auditions are now OVER!!!

    What did Kendall sing? I’m trying to remember her… Was she one of those two-second auditions they showed?

  • hicksaholic

    Two seconds tops

  • cookcricket

    7 yr. old son, “Picture Randy naked…I don’t want to!”

    I guess entertaining has some value in the judges eyes, Nick was it? Wasn’t he mouthing “What?” as he went outside? He was funny!!

    I liked Jackie. Not sure if she’s a female Taylor, may have to reign it in some.

    Hubby says the fact that the last girl started singing again instantly without hesitation when Simon gave her 30 seconds is probably what got her through.

    I have to admit this was a fun one to watch though not many stand outs.

  • milajoy

    MJ…Check out my blog:

    http://www.JoesPlaceBlog.com

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

    Oh yeah, I must say the funny guy totally sold me. Of course heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s toast, but I would have put him through just for the entertainment factor. He had me ROFL!

    OMG, me too. The one-two punch of the “guypod” and the Norman dude had me seriously laughing out loud. Brilliant. I loved it. THOSE are the kind of bad/funny/crazy auditions I want to see. That was the best part of the show, for me at least. LOL.

  • Grammie Kari

    It was a good show tonight. I knew at least one person from San Juan would be in the TOP 36 and as I was watching Jorge Nunez, I thought, “This is the one!” He’s young; good looking, and has a nice voice. We haven’t had any guy quite like him in the TOP 10.

    Now, the fun begins! I am on the record for saying there will be 7 guys and 5 girls in the TOP 12.

  • Lu

    I liked when funny guy got his first yes and he said “Wowzers!” hahahahaha

  • Diana

    I have yet to see Kara offer any original or even intelligent comments.

    “Pronunciation problems?” WTF?

  • Hoppy

    I’m not done with the show yet… but I have a feeling Jackie Tohn is a love her or hate her kind contestant.

    I’m kinda on the latter and not the former. Something about her comes across a bit fakey-fake to me. It bugs.

  • Diana

    I kinda liked the guy who sang Jason Mraz — they showed him for 2 seconds.

  • Grammie Kari

    So, does anyone believe we have seen most of the TOP 50? LOL!

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    That 16 year-old kid Kenny Hoffpauer is from the town my sister lives in. My niece is 15, and if they go to the same high school (they probably do) I’m going to kick her ass for holding out on me…

    ;).

  • CathyMK

    I liked Kenny’s version of I’m Yours a lot more than Jackie’s. I also liked Monique’s voice a lot, but she is very young. Those were the only 2 that grabbed me tonight at all. Thank goodness we’re finally going to Hollywood!

    ETA: “My niece is 15, and if they go to the same high school (they probably do) Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m going to kick her ass for holding out on meà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦”

    Or maybe she can make it up to you by getting you an exclusive interview!

  • ilovetohateai

    booooooring

  • sillypraguer

    Loving Jorge Nunez. But I love Latin music anyway, and he’s got a great voice for it … it’ll be fun to see how he works out on the live shows.

  • CFIdolsfan

    Loving Jorge Nunez. But I love Latin music anyway, and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got a great voice for it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be fun to see how he works out on the live shows.

    He was my favorite of the evening. I grew up listening to a lot of salsa and other Latin music, and his kind of voice is what I heard a lot. Also, I, and other Ace Young fans, were surprised but delighted to hear some lyrics of Ace’s “You Redeem Me” sung. Unfortunately, it was when they showed the quick shots, and the contestant was not good. His name was Mark Granata, and the lyrics were “When I’m out standing on the ledge/You pull me right back from the edge.”

  • stardust462

    Did Jessika really say she has watched the show every week? If she knew that, she would know NOT to sing an over the top Celine song, especially one that Kelly Clarkson absolutely rocked in S1.

    I didn’t think she was THAT bad, just way too over the top and kind of shrill. I bet she could sing well, as long as it’s not a huge diva ballad.

    Bring on Hollywood! Drama!

  • CookorHubbyHmm

    Was it me or did they show Kendall Beard a bunch of times last night. Major pimpage.
    The funny guy gave me the LOLs. He didn’t have a bad voice.
    I wish I hadn’t seen Jackie dancing… woah…no bueno.
    Ummm…Kara…just because someone has an accent doesn’t mean that they have “pronunciation problems”. I like that Simon corrected her and said that he liked the accent. That was weak. I like Kara for the most part, but there are times when I feel like she’s grasping for ANYTHING to say.

  • jumpstart

    For me, last night was a total waste of time. For that matter, S8 as a whole is beginning to seem pretty lackluster.

  • ohreli

    Everyone gets too worked up about what the auditions mean for the current state of American Idol. Really , the auditions are just like a little appetizer before the real courses begin. Its just some entertainment to whet the appetite, so of course it is going to be contrived. The main courses of AI are the live shows.

  • Dr. Tracey

    Last night wasn’t too bad, I loved Jorge, I could totally get into him so i’m happy to see him on ‘the list’.
    Personally I didn’t think Jessika sang that badly, she wasn’t anything special but no worse that a lot they have let through.
    Melinda surprised me, I liked her voice and her personality was uplifting but she can keep her clothes on LOL
    Norman was a hoot! Too bad he won’t make it because I enjoyed the comic relief.
    Thank God that part is over though, bring on Hollywood the previews have got me well pumped.

  • Michelle

    Thank God, we’re DONE!!! I had my laptop out planning to sort through my inbox during sob stories and commercial breaks. I don’t remember a thing from the ep except the window falling out and missing the judges, apparently archiving email was more interesting to me than the auditions.

    I was sort of impressed they managed to make the audition crowd look that large in PR, considering we heard only 300 people showed up.

  • Seachange

    Aww, I loved Melinda’s personality – she was so genuine. She wasn’t about exhibitionism, but naturalism. The process from here on will chew her up and spit her out though.

    I must say the one thing I enjoyed in this year’s auditions was having picture windows behind the judges at every place. Hee!

  • Diana

    Hoping to see more of Kenny Hoffpauer at least in Hollywood, if not in the top 36!

  • thedingoateyobaby

    OMG! Norman Gentle….get outta town!! I LOVE this guy. Any guy who can make me fall down laughing and can even carry a decent tune is my kinda guy. Im thinking he just might surprise a few people. Hillarious.

    Norman!! Be my Valentine! and dont forget the hershey kisses.

  • Lys

    Hoping to see more of Kenny Hoffpauer at least in Hollywood, if not in the top 36!

    You and me both. :)

  • erennick

    But ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s funny to watch someone advance after a bad audition.

    I agree. I hated this. In fact, the only audition I liked at all was Kenny Hoffpauer’s (and it was, what like 15 seconds?) Since they gave out 27 golden tickets and they chose to show us six, I’m guessing that only a couple of them make it onto the show so they didn’t want to “bore” us with contestants that can sing but have no story.

    I’ve always believed that the judges know which contestants are “good or bad,” but I thought the judges ultimately decide. This year has shown that they must have the “definites” no matter how they sound.

  • Grammie Kari

    Loving Jorge Nunez. But I love Latin music anyway, and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got a great voice for it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be fun to see how he works out on the live shows.

    There seems to be a lot of positive vibes for Jorge around the boards. Of course, I looked here first. I hope all goes well for him because American Idol needs someone like him. When Mario quite the show, there were many Latin Lovers/Spanish Loves disappointed. So, he fills in a void. I can just picture him on Tour singing at least one Spanish song. Oops, jumping the gun.

    I just hope he’s the real thing.

  • MaryS-NJ

    Jackie Tohn reminded me a little of a female Taylor.

    Hm. I can sort of understand what you mean. Not surprisingly, I think she’ll be one of the more interesting singers as a matter of personal taste.

    However, I also agree her audition was kind of a spazzy mess (unlike Taylor’s). She needs to seriously chill out.