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Episode Recap: Miami
OK, so is it just me, or are the auditions just dragging on eternally at this point? I mean, I've always enjoyed them.... but now I'm ready for the real singing to start. Alas, next Tuesday's episode will mean yet another location for American Idol, Atlanta this time. Hopefully the auditions won't be too painful and Hollywood week will make it all worthwhile.
I did kind of like the Miami Vice music and opening credits — though I'm not sure who Ryan thought he was channeling in those sunglasses (Don Johnson circa 1984 he is not). He wasn't the only one sporting some odd duds: The first day, Randy was wearing some blindingly shiny red-patent shoes, which may have actually been topped on the second day by his equally shiny purple embroidered shirt. And Paula was seriously busting out of her clothes. Must've been awfully hot in Miami for her to wear so little out in public (much less on camera). Even Simon commented on it: "That's a very short dress, Paula, very slutty."
Has anyone else noticed that Randy and Simon are seeming very buddy-buddy this season? It's kind of cute. Simon may not exactly be mellowing in his old age, but he's at least being a little nicer to his fellow judges.
Anyway, on to the auditions! I'd like to start with a general insight: Anyone who comes in trying to sing Janis Joplin is probably in for a rude awakening. Witness Shannon McCough, who works at her parents' meat market and exhibits an astonishing (if not exactly "impressive") belching ability. Her "Cry Baby" was positively cringe-inducing. Or, as Randy summed it up, "It sounds like you're eating when you're singing." Even better was Simon's comment: "That was like the Hungarian Janis Joplin." When Shannon asked, "Can I sing something else for you?" Simon responded emphatically, "Never." Perhaps even more astounding was Julie Dubela, the former American Juniors finalist, whose "Me and Bobby McGee" was pretty lackluster, but nothing compared to her persona and appearance. That must have been seriously the roughest-looking 16 I've ever seen. Not only has she apparently aged exponentially in the past four years, but she sounded a lot better at age 12. I shudder to think what she'll be like at 20!
Other less-than-sizzling Miami auditioners:
Ben Hausbach, who sang "Crocodile Rock" — this may seem odd, but Ben sort of reminded me of a completely creeped-out Lyle Lovett. Minus the vocal ability.
Carroy Bethea, who sang "Chain of Fools" — Carroy was all screech and hair. When he sang, "My doctor said take it easy," I thought, Yes indeedy. If he keeps that caterwauling up, he's liable to rupture something.
Richard Valles, who sang "God Bless the Broken Road" — he seemed so serious and intent, I sort of felt bad for the guy, but honestly, what was that? I mean, there's having a nasal sound and then there's literally singing out of your nose.
Brandon Black, who sang "I'll Make Love to You" — his "comedy" routine left nearly as much to be desired as his singing, which also involved stripping off parts of his all-white outfit and doing some kind of scary hip-thrust thing.
And some of the folks who made it through:
Robbie Carrico, who sang "Simple Kind of Man" — the former boy-bander with the long hair and the knit cap just barely made it past the judges, but I thought he sounded pretty darn good. Plus, if he hadn't gotten his golden ticket, his family would have been denied covering him with silly string, which would have been a bummer for all of us.
Ghaleb Emachah, who sang "I'm Not Afraid to Love" — I'm not sure that the guitar-playing Venezuelan with the big smile deserved to make it through, but he did inspire Simon's best odd comment of the night (see below).
Corliss Smith, who sang "Take 5" — Corliss was one half of the memorable best-friend team, and she was hot for Randy, who seemed to eat it up. She was accompanied by...
Brittany Wescott, who sang "My Guy" — Brittany was in love with Ryan but didn't have too much trouble switching her affections to Simon. Both girls were rewarded with golden tickets, and their joy meant that everyone got kisses.
Ramiele Malubay, who sang "Natural Woman" — I thought it was sort of condescending that Paula said, "awww," and Simon, "aren't you cute" when she walked in (she's a person, not a poodle), but I was also impressed that a voice that huge could come out of someone that small.
Syesha Mercado, who sang "Think" — the power-of-positive-thinking girl was certainly pretty and seemed to have a great attitude, but was she really that impressive vocally?
Natashia Blach, who sang "At Last" — we hardly got to see anything of Natashia's audition, didn't get any of her backstory, but I thought she had one of the nicest voices yet.
Best Simon line of the night, about Ghaleb Emachah:
"I would like you if I was drunk. You're out on the town in Miami, a few margaritas, you start singing, I'm drinking, I quite like you. Sober, I don't think it works."
What do you think? Are you about ready for the auditions to be over? And what do you make of Simon and Randy's newfound chumminess?
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Jan 30, 2008 11:41 PM
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No its not you Nina, the audtions are dragging out eternally. And Im getting boared with it. I am so ready for the real drama to start in Hollywood.
I think the only reason why Paula said yes to Ghaleb Emachah is that he is gorgeous. He couldn't sing to save his life, but who cares with looks like that.
I also liked Corliss and Britney. But Brittany sounded better than Corliss. Robbie the one time boy bander. Why didn't they do a back story on him instead of the meat girl? And I liked Natashia Blach, who sang "At Last."
And as for, Syesha I agree she wasn't that great. She will be cut in the first rounds.
I have a feeling that another woman is going to win this years AI.
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Jan 31, 2008 4:07 AM
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I still think that the AI producers want a hunky male country singer, which is why so many have gotten through that weren't exactly the cream of the crop. As for Miami, I liked the boy band/rocker dude, the gal who sang At Last, and the tiny Filipino girl with the big voice. I also liked Brittany more than Corliss. This episode all the singers seemed to have "potential" and could be much better with coaching. I didn't really see anyone who was better than some of the "ringers" who've already gotten through. Speaking of ringers, I thought it was funny how they hammered the girl from American Juniors, when there seems to have been several who made it through without mention of their past link to AI. She was cute at 12 and sang well then. WTH happened? She came off as a ditzy, valley girl type. You could tell that she's had vocal coaching, but she just wasn't that good. If she really worked on her singing and performing for 2 years and came back at 18, she might have something. But, more importantly, she needs to work on her personality and study harder in school. Yikes.
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Jan 31, 2008 7:58 AM
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Simon got it wrong: Julie Dubela, the American Juniors alum and Valley Girl wannabee, is not "precocious." She was precocious at 12. Now, some 4 years later, she's obnoxious, spoiled, and monstrously full of herself.
But Google her name and you'll find some of her work that reveals a singing voice of nuance, depth, and range, remarkable in some ways for someone so young. You'll also find her website, which illustrates her growing degree of self-worship. I hope that her disastrous behavior on AI proves to be the wake-up call she needs to grow up some, because she has genuine talent.
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Jan 31, 2008 8:44 AM
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I'm actually liking the auditions in smaller doses (1 hour as opposed to 2). I'm also LOVING the new fun attitude the judges seem to have. I could never enjoy a group of nasty, miserable people pointlessly attacking deluded, talentless kids. This season is so nice, and I'm loving it. Everyone's having fun. The nasty comments are being used mostly for those who actually deserve them. Very nice. I haven't missed an episode yet, and I'd sworn this show off a few years ago.
As for Miami, thank heaven they didn't put through the vulgar butcher shop girl or the seriously, seriously obnoxious "American Juniors" star. Yuck. Wanted to reach through the tv and smack them both. Most amazing, Paula was spot-on when she described them both as never having heard the word "no" before.
Loved Corliss and Brittany. Fun, bubbly girls with interesting good voices. Neither of them felt it necessary to torture every note or screech at the top of her lungs. Honestly, I would happily spend some serious time listening to those gals.
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Jan 31, 2008 9:57 AM
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No, you're not alone - I am finding the show unbearable. I think, in all seriousness, the show has probably run its course. There's nothing new or exciting this season - just the same old same old. Yeah, Simon is nicer at times. Yeah, Paula is kooky at times. Yeah, Randy is ... Randy. Yeah, there are some good singers. Yeah, there are some truly delusional people.
I might tune in when they're down to the bottom 12, but for now, there's nothing holding my attention.
My prediction: a male country singer will win.
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Jan 31, 2008 11:35 AM
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I looked up precocious in my dictionary and there was the kid's picture. Talk about 16 going on 29. And then one of the biggest problems with taking criticism. She didn't hear what was said. She was told she had more talent to be an actress not that she was acting too much while singing.
I wish the show would give us the golden ticket so we could all go to Hollywood.
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Jan 31, 2008 11:56 AM
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seriously where is that girl's mother? Julie was AWFUL! and you could tell at the end after she was told no, she was only acting for the camera.
haha exactly ,what happened?? i couldn't believe it when she said she was 16.. i was thinking early 20's after a whole bunch of drugs. :p
Corliss and Brittany were cute and bubbly, LOVED Brittany's voice. Just beautiful.
I really like the girl that sang 'think'. The philapino girl was cute and tiny but i didn't like her voice. It felt way too pushed and straining to be loud and outthere. She might sound better if she sings something not as big.
We are almost there.. hollywood is soon.. right? 
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Jan 31, 2008 11:58 AM
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lizzybelle,
It's BORED, not BOARED!
There is a spellcheck button (see the ABC tab above the message box) that you can use prior to posting your message.
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Jan 31, 2008 12:48 PM
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I'm sooo disappointed with the Miami Auditions. I was really hoping to see a lot of people I knew. I knew several people for a fact that went. I did see one guy i knew but it was just while he was in line and the dude has his own Band down here.
They should show a lot more people getting through rather than the idiots there were (Re: Guy who thought he was funny in all white).
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Jan 31, 2008 1:28 PM
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No i'm tired of these auditions too, they are dragging out forever and next week we're still stuck w/ them!! UGH
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Jan 31, 2008 1:51 PM
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The tag said Natasha was 29. I thought the cut-off was 28. Then they put her through to Hollywood. Weird.
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Jan 31, 2008 2:12 PM
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I any truly puzzled by some of the people that are being sent to Hollywood. The man with the heavy accent had a voice that I wouldn't judge as even average. But they kinda made up for him with the smack down of the extremely obnoxious 16 year old. Maybe there is some behind-the-scene master plan that the show is using to try and manipulate the voting once the top 12 are chosen. But maybe much of the audience will have tuned out by then.
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Jan 31, 2008 2:28 PM
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I hate the auditions! I want to see the good people, or the on-the-cusp people. Everyone knows you can go on American Idol and act like an idiot and they'll put you on TV, so thats all we get now? This is retarded.
When is Hollywood? Lets get to the show already. Geez. Oh, and enough with the backstories, just show us the damn singers.
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Jan 31, 2008 3:04 PM
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I remember watching an interview with Simon last year ("60 Minutes" maybe) where he said that he, Randy and Ryan go out and eat dinner together after tapings, though not with Paula. It's a guy thing apparently. But I guess we're seeing more of their "friendliness" on camera.
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Jan 31, 2008 7:04 PM
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