I think it’s too early to say that the contestants are mediocre. We only saw snippets of some auditions. Sometimes the best singers aren’t even highlighted in the auditions.

To me, last season’s contestants were mediocre except for the top 4, so I’m hoping this will be a better season a la s7 or s5, with lots of talent. Too soon to tell though imo.

The auditions made me a fan of Victoria Beckham. I loved her, very witty and intelligent. I’m not a fan of Kara but don’t hate her. I think when she asked Casey to unbutton his shirt, she was inappropriate but just wanted to see how he could be packaged and marketed. She didn’t ask him to take off his shirt, he did that on his own I think. He’s a very cute guy.

Decent looking white guy with a guitar with an average voice from the South… And he even has a sob story.

I have two words for you: Kris Allen.

To be honest, I thought his audition was kinda degrading. He was auditioning for a singing competition and Kara and Victoria told him to take his shirt off? What, his voice wasn’t good enough to get him to Hollywood?

I’m afraid that someone very mediocre will win this year. Again.

The helium girl has got to be a joke. Terrible monotonious song and mediocre voice… what the hell were they all going gaga for? Because she flew in?? Oh wow…

her daddy probably bought her audition and golden ticket…..as we know from various reports, there is a lot fo manipulation back stage from producers, hence the best singers dont automaitcally go through and weirdos like this girl end up in hollywood.

thanks god we can move on to hollywood week….hope they actually show us real singing and behind the scences PRACTICING, not fake fighting. I know, i know…wishful thinking.

also, wtf is up with the lifetime stories they are shoving down our throats??? seriously, everybody’s life is fked up. so what? get over it. my momma left my daddy, my gmom was in a gang, i was 2 pounds overweight as a child …blah blah blah. who cares? stop crying and deal with it. grrrrrrrr

One stood out- Danelle Hays.
She was really good.

The helium girl has got to be a joke. Terrible monotonious song and mediocre voice… what the hell were they all going gaga for? Because she flew in?? Oh wow…

I don’t believe that Kara still has a job after telling a male contestant to unbutton his shirt.

ITA.ewwww

I had to study Posh for a while to register who/what I was seeing. Her hair looked like a toilet plunger and she is seriously so skinny she looks unhealthy.

Casey was hot. Shallow I know. But yes he was hot. WGWG hot. I luv ‘em.

Oh dawg, me too. *sigh* I like the guys, well – and girls, with raw talent and lots of potential… and a guitar. He may prove to be a little snooze-worthy as a performer – time will tell, however, Casey’s definitely a hottie. Still, I was embarrased for him being ogled in such an obvious way.

I also liked Haley’s (not country) country-esque sound, and she seems cute and perky.

I thought Mark was kind of funny and loved his song choice but wasn’t wowed by his vocals.

I don’t believe that Kara still has a job after telling a male contestant to unbutton his shirt.

Amen to this! WTF with that moment! Kara is seriously messed up, terrible at her job, and the only redeeming quality for her is that she seems to be such BFFs with Adam (those Clive party pics of them made it hard to hate on her too much). But still, I can see Simon wanting to jump ship just because he’s too fed up with her. If she stays on the panel, and he leaves, Idol is in BIG trouble.

Psst, AI producers – replace the two of them with NPH and Shania pronto, or else it ain’t gonna be pretty next year.

Some of the ones they passed through were barely passable (like the Nikki girl – who’s song was very stupid, imo). And why does every woman who goes through either have to be 16 or have a kid? WTH with that?!

Still, hardly any memorable people from the auditions this year, imo. It seems the early fav (he’s at #1 on Slezak’s Power List) – is John Park from one of the first auditions. Interestingly enough, he is very similar to Anoop in style, and last year, Slezak’s #1 in the first weeks was – Anoop.

Simon Fuller, if you really care about your show, you better do something fast. I’d bring in John Locke (aka “Smokey”) and slaughter that current group you’ve got running things. My middle schooler could produce a more entertaining hour.

Alex Nester
Blake Marvin
Casey James
Colten Pierce
Danny Jones
Haeley Vaughn
Harrell Holmes Jr.
Jareb Liewer
Jeffrey Goldford
Jessica Furney
Jimmy Charles
Kelly Bachran
Kim Kerbow
Lilly Scott
Maddie Penrose
Margo May
Mark LaBriola
Moorea Masa
Nicci Nix
Sham Al-Islam
Tamra Salmon
Tawny McCorkle
Tayler Bledsoe
Tori Kelly

I like Danielle, the karaoke hostess. She the only one that made me wake from my idol borne stupor. This show is suddenly sad sack central, and although I continue to shovel the heap of sad sack backstory dross, I see the potential in her. Of course she could melt down and become one of those crazy Hollywood week casualties, but I am gonna keep my eye out for her. That is if I can keep my eyes open during this boring ass year…. sorta wondering why some are questioning the black country singers cred? But that’s just me I sorta like her cause she can sing and she does have that package that they seem to be looking for…..now if she could unbutton her blouse….. see how inappropriate that is?

I certainly thought she had a bit of country sound. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t questioning her country authenticity because of her skin color, I fear there will be a lot of that if she makes it far this season, and it doesn’t help that the judges were falling over themselves to point out she is BLACK and sings COUNTRY!1!!

Guess you have to be an old fart to remember Charley Pride, who had 36 #1 hits on Billboard Hot Country.
Not too shabby.

Also Stoney Edwards, Big Al Downing, Cleve Francis, Miko Marks, Carl Ray, Rissi Palmer, and Cowboy Troy.

Most recently Darius Rucker crossed over very successfully and I think Akon is releasing a country album next.

I liked two out of these three – Haeley and Mark. I’m not quite sold on Torri. Pretty girl, though.

And I agree about it being sob-story central this year. What is with that? The thing I liked about Haeley (and this is where the producers are going to find her a challenge) is that she was so CHEERFUL when she told her stories. It was like, “I was a preemie! My Mom could hold her in my hand! I almost DIED! I know, RIGHT? *giggle*” And even when talking about her father who passed away she didn’t act maudlin and play the victim. She just said she misses him and probably got her singing talent from him.

It was the same with Mark. He turned his story into an adventure, even though you know that had to be a strange, unsettled life for a small child. Then, to be taken from that life at 10 and returned to a dad he would barely remember – yikes!

I think that Casey James has more in him then we were shown last night. He seems like the male equivalent of bikini girl right now, but I think he’s got more going on. There is a voice in there, but he was pretty bland. Kara just lost every right to be self-righteous about bikini girl when she forces a contestant to take off his shirt to get a gold ticket.

Kara should be embarrassed but I don’t think it compares to Bikini Girl because he didn’t come in not wearing a shirt at least, Kirsten. I’m ashamed to admit that though I didn’t want him to take his shirt off, he looked pretty good. I liked his voice but he’s not going to last without a better personality a la Bucky or Kellie Pickler or Ace……

Not a great night imo. I was surprised to like the first guy, Mark, but nobody else really stood out for me. I didn’t like the Rogaine girl or Danielle who I thought was screechy. Almost forgot that I did like Haeley who at least has a different sound. If Denver had so many good singers why not show the best ones? I hope Hollywood starts soon because I’m so over auditions.

I can’t believe Posh came back but agree with Mj – bring back NPH & Shania. At least they make the dreg a little easier to take.