http://youtube.com/watch?v=AvYpZhOFwus

I am glad that Angela has a pretty good voice, because I wanted her to have the opportunity to go to Hollywood. I cannot blame her for the editing that was done on her story. We now have her background story, may future success be based on her talent.

Kristy Lee Cook’s story isn’t totally true and it bothers me that the backstory made her seem desperate. Regarding, Brooke White, the Mormon religion is strict, so I wasn’t surprised about her story.

Thank you for the recap, MJ!! I would say that AI is off to a good start. I don’t like the professionals getting on, but I will have to deal with it. I have heard that not every single contestant stands in the long lines.

Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t listen to her. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen pictures. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perfect!

Metta!!! *hugs* Too bad I don’t kick a$$ or I would yours. LOL

I didn’t catch Melanie’s audition. Any youtube link to her audition out there?

I hated that they pimped Ginoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Cheesesteak sandwiches because I have had one and it was downright inedible. Anybody worth their salt knows that when youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re in Philly, you HAVE to make a pilgrimage to Tony Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s which is under Route 95 in South Philly. It is truly an amazing experience, but I digressà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.

hey, what about famous Patà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Steak in South Philly? YUM!

hey, what about famous Pat’s Steak in South Philly? YUM!

I expect Mcphee type diva ness with this little one. she is hot though.

:wacko_tb:

Whatever.

I will need to see more episodes before I do any sort of judging but I will say:

–Kinder gentler Idol judging seemed a bit strained to me. Sort of overkill, especially with the looooong (but touching) back story on Angela and the too-staged hugfest with Temptress. (Maybe they were afraid she might break THEIR bones).

–Sorry, but the totally staged “temper tantrums” by Star Wars Girl and Actressing Alexis were SO patently obvious Idol plants encouraged to do so. I am so over this kind of thing, starting with Tameka in Season 1 and on down the line.

As to the off-to-Hollywood talents, I will just have to see how they shake out. I am not even going to START to get interested in someone after what has happened to Taylor, an ACTUAL winner, and some of the talents like Tami who never get anywhere beyond a promising tryout.

I could also lose half of the weight he did, heh.

Don’t listen to her. I’ve seen pictures. She’s perfect!

Thanks for the recap, MJ!

Melanie is a good singer but I don’t think the song she chose showed off her voice.

I liked Angela Martin and Joey Catalano. The whole Temptress Brown episode was deplorable. I hate when Idol does this.

They showed half of Taylor’s head in the intro.

The instant “in your face” backstories got my juices flowing and having the first singer (Joey) actually be talented with a compelling story – well, I was hooked.

Like in years past, I liked a lot of the guys (think I’m biased toward male voices). Joey, Jenot, Jose, Jonathan and Chris all sounded great to me.

The whole building up and bringing down of Temptress did not sit well, but I did like how Paula actually wiped her tears with her hand and they walked her out to her family. Disingenuous? Sure, but better than last year’s treatment of people with challenges. Of the girls, I enjoyed Melanie (remember seeing her live), Angela, and Kristy (she did not bug me for some reason – her “type” usually would) and Beth.

I thought Ryan was terrific last night and really enjoyed the moment when he told the “grandmas” he was taking them out on the town – they seemed so tickled! Cute.

I hated that they pimped Gino’s Cheesesteak sandwiches because I have had one and it was downright inedible. Anybody worth their salt knows that when you’re in Philly, you HAVE to make a pilgrimage to Tony Luke’s which is under Route 95 in South Philly. It is truly an amazing experience, but I digress….

Again, overall, I tend to think the magic is back and ratings will rise with word of mouth that this year is starting out way better than last. Thanks for the recap, MJ. Awesome as usual.

I thought the bit with Temptress or whatever her name is was just cruel. They knew she couldn’t sing and went ahead and put that family, who obviously has severe problems, through that just to turn her down and show how “kind” the judges are with that silly group hug, etc. The backstory of the girl with the disabled child didn’t bother me – at least she had some talent and had a fair shot at getting to Hollywood – poor Temptress didn’t have any chance.

I didn’t see anyone who really stood out – I liked the guy who lost all the weight and Chris Watson (is that his name?) caught my eye – he seems like a nice kid and has a fairly good voice. But other than that, no one made me say “wow”. But who can tell from these auditions? Last year, Sundance just blew me away during his audition and look what happened with him.

mj
Jan 15th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦including or except Taylor? Sorry, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m unclear.

They showed everybody, including Taylor. Not that I was concerned one way or another.

Kat, I think that was meant for me.

Don’t know what everyone else was seeing. They focused on each winner for a few seconds. He was briefly shown when all Idols are shown but you can barely see his face. It was probably all of half a second.

And I am concerned one way or the other because it’s mean and unfair. But there are many things about this show that are mean and unfair, especially in the audition process.

Sorry for bringing this up. I’ll go back to my hole now.