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Episode Recap: Atlanta Auditions
Tonight's American Idol auditions were in Hotlanta, Mr. Seacrest's hometown, so I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise that we got to meet his mom and dad. Pretty cute, I'd say, though his dad did look a little like he was running for public office (then again, it's Super Tuesday, so maybe I just have politics on the brain).
We also now know how they stretched out the audition portion of this season — by creating montages of Paula being wishy-washy. Oy. Tomorrow night is the best of the rest of the auditions... (yawn). But! You know what that means, don't you, kids? It means that next week we're going to Hollywood!
Only a couple of good singers really stood out for me tonight: Alexandrea Lushinton, whose "My Funny Valentine" had a haunting sound that was way beyond her 16 years (and whose 93-year-old great grandmother stole my heart when she said, "Don't let me cry, because they're taking pictures"); and Amanda Overmyer, the rock & roll nurse who started singing "Mean Woman. " Remember my rule about how singing Janis Joplin is never a good idea in an audition? Well, I was right. Though when Simon made her switch songs (to "Travelin' Band"), she showed some bona fide rockin' chops. We'll see how she fares next week.
Other Atlanta "yes"es:
Joshua Jones, who sang "Don't Stop Me Now" — the guy who works with glass freaked out Simon with his "demonic" eye rolling; when they made him sing with his back to them, Simon quipped, "That's something we should have done to Clay Aiken years ago."
Asia'h Epperson, who sang "How Do I Live" — tonight's saddest story really was wrenching; her father passed away in a car accident while she was on her way to audition. I can see why the judges were moved, and I feel awful saying anything negative about her, but she has a serious breathing-support problem — her air was just hissing out as she sang. My prediction is that she won't get far.
Brooke Helvie, who sang "Who's Loving You" — Miss South Florida Fair was as perky as could be, but was also, as Simon put it, "Possibly the most annoying person I have ever seen in my life."
Josiah Leming, who sang "To Run" — his own composition didn't particularly impress, though I felt for the kid with the dream who was living in his car and listening to lots of British bands (thus the acquired accent). As far as I can tell, he sings the same three or four notes over and over, but my husband was with Paula on this one and thought Josiah sounded great.
And tonight's rejects included:
J.P. Tjelmeland, who sang "Me and My Gang" — when he auditioned three years ago, he and Carrie Underwood were "audition buddies." He was pretty confident that he had come a long way, but Randy was sort of in shock that this kid was majoring in singing. (Hall of shame quote, from J.P.: "I really, really want this; I don't want to do four years of school.")
Eva Miller, who sang "A Thousand Miles" — her performance consisted of turning in circles and falling on her bum. She got teary when Simon said, "This is a joke," but she still declared her love for him.
Chris Lars, who sang "Summertime" — he wore some kind of a kilt (or maybe it was just a skirt?) and had a full scruffy beard... an even more unlikely image for a pop star than the mini-Clay Aiken they showed audition clips of.
Jared Wiley, who sang "I'll Sail Upon the Dog-Star" — an eerie, high-pitched, toothy, hilarious mess that inspired Simon's best line of the night (see below).
Nathan Hite, who sang "Paralyzer" — he did say he was hungry and tired, which perhaps explains why he was clutching his tummy the whole time. Simon called it a "bedroom audition," which Nathan interpreted thus: "Maybe it's the fact that I refused to spoon with him, so he refused to let me through."
Best Simon line of the night, about Jared Wiley:
"OK, this is like something out of a science fiction movie." I don't appreciate the sci-fi dis, but I know what he meant.
What do you think? Did Simon have a point about making Clay Aiken sing standard backward, or was he just being a meanie? Did Alexandrea strike you as wise beyond her years? And are J.P.'s parents kicking themselves right now for paying for their kid to go to college?
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Feb 5, 2008 10:53 PM
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I really liked the nurse. I wasn't impressed with the gal whose father died. She has a gravelyness (if I can make up a word) that would be great if she had lessons to work on her breathing issues, or whatever it was that seemed to take her breath away quite often. The pageant gal was ok, but probably won't go far unless she also worked on her vocals between then and Hollywood. The 16 year old with the 93 year old grandmother was pretty good. I actually liked the kid living in his car, he could do well if he works at it. He's the reverse of all the British singers who listen to American songs and sound American when they sing. He needs work along with...the Demon Eye guy. He was another one with a decent voice, but too much karaoke. At the end of the day, the only "star" was the nurse with the powerful voice and her biker-goth look which is something different for Idol. She might be more biker than Goth than Gina from last year, but she also seems to be a better singer.
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Feb 5, 2008 11:20 PM
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I really liked the biker rocker nurse. Idol needs more rocker chicks. I think I liked that her voice sounded different than other voices. I also thought "My Funny Valentine" girl was good as well. Her great grandmother was cute.
The pageant girl did seem a bit annoying. And AI tried to play up the annoyance with the silly music accompanying her. I must admit, I did chuckle at the Paula montage. The homeless guy wasn't bad. If I read right, contestants playing instruments will be more of a factor in Hollywood. That might help him some.
I am with the majority of the woman with the dead father. I didn't hear what was so good about her voice. I frankly thought she sucked and I didn't want to hear her anymore.
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Feb 6, 2008 12:41 AM
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Good recap! The girl's father died two days ago, and she still goes to the audition?! Maybe I'm being cynical, but the first things I thought of when I heard that is either she's lying or they really weren't that close. On the other hand, maybe she should be given credit for being "strong." Nevertheless, I didn't like her singing much either. Loved the rocker nurse though.
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Feb 6, 2008 6:19 AM
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I also thought the girl whose father died sounded breathy. But maybe she was full of emotion when she was singing that song. But then again, I have heard other singers who was full of emotion and they didn't sound like her. And I agree that she won't make it past the first round in Hollywood. I also like the girl who sung "My funny Valentine",loved her 93 great-grandmother....so cute about not wanting to cry because they are taking pictures. I also liked the nurse, and the glass maker...but I briefly saw the eye thing that Simon was talking about.
As for the rejects, Eva cracked me up when she was doing her whatever she called herself doing and fell. But I liked the way she left the audtions with grace, instead of acting all self-rightous. Jared did have some funny comebacks to Simon, but did anyone hear him say "Im a ninth grade repeater." I hope he was joking, if not I wouldn't of mentioned that on national tv...thats something you shouldn't be proud of.
Speaking of the Paula montages, whats her problems with saying no? Its like if she says no, something bad will happen to her.
Im so glad that tonight is the last night of the freak show of auditions.
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Feb 6, 2008 10:39 AM
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 Nina, you write such great re-caps, I hardly feel the need to comment anymore. Thanks for doing such a fantastic job!
I thought Simon's quip about making Clay Aiken sing backwards was quite witty. We know we always have to take Simon with a grain of salt...he is the king of sarcasm.
I really enjoyed the montage of Paula. It was really funny to me!
I found J.P. annoying. He went into the room hoping to do verbal sparring with Simon, but was certainly no match. I do believe him when he says he is a ninth grade repeater. He gives off that distinct aura of, "who cares?"
There wasn't anyone who particularly wowed me last night, though I thought the very best singer was Alexandrea.
I'm looking forward to tonight. As I've said before, I'm easy to please. I love it all.
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Feb 6, 2008 11:03 AM
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Chris Lars was wearing a Utilikilt, I believe. Try Googling it. 
I can believe that Asia'h wanted to go through with the audition--some people just need to keep busy when something tragic happens. When my mother died, I did everything I could think of to take my mind off it. I kept very, very busy for a few days. If I had an audition to go to, I probably would have.
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Feb 6, 2008 2:28 PM
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Asia'h may have had one of the hardest luck stories I'd heard, but I felt her voice wasn't all that great. Kudos, though, for still trying out (and making Paula cry in the process)... but I too have a feeling she'll wash out in Hollywood.
Brooke Helvie wasn't that annoying; I thought the overachieving teen who preached abstinence a few weeks ago was far worse.
The two that stood out for me were Amanda (the rockin' nurse/biker - we need more of her in this competition!) and Josiah (nice kid who sings w/a British accent... I hope his family knows he's OK).
As for Nathan Hite... not only did he come across as way emo, he was proud of being in a ninth-grade repeater school. At least Simon put him in his place when he attempted to come across as a wiseguy.
Tonight - the freakshow, oops, I mean, the "best of the rest!" Thank God the Hollywood round starts next week!
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Feb 6, 2008 2:34 PM
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Color me confused. What is Paula's function as a judge if not, well, judging. She is at the auditions to judge who is a likely candidate for the pool that will go on to Hollywood and get a crack at the show. Simon is perfectly within his rights to ask her to choose, and yet she behaves as if this were a perverse and cruel demand. Granted, Paula seems to make her decisions by one of two processes: a) agreeing with whatever Randy says or b) whether she thinks the auditioner is "cute asa bug" or has a story too sad to be eliminated. Feh.
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Feb 6, 2008 2:41 PM
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Simon said he hates it when other people are successful and he is never happy for them. Simon wanted Ruben to win and he bashes Clay because he doesn't understand why so many people love him and why he is so successful.
Get over it Simon, its been 5 years and Clay is still da bomb!
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Feb 6, 2008 4:06 PM
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I don't get why everyone is critical of the girl whose father died. I think her breath problems were more her emotions from her father dying than anything else. I actually think she has great potential.
I agree with everyone else on the rocker nurse- I still think I liked Gina better last season, but this girl was good too. Also liked the girl who sang "My Funny Valentine".
Wasn't that impressed with the guys tonight. The guy with the crazy eyes did creep me out and he wasn't even that good to begin with. And I didn't like the guy who lived out of his car either... he was cute but something about his voice I didn't like.
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Feb 6, 2008 4:59 PM
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I don't know why Simon makes negative comments about Clay now. Almost all of his comments during AI2 were complementary other than saying he 'didn't look like a pop star' and then said he was 'looking better' and 'memorable'. Simon gave Clay many positive comments during AI2. I have never heard Clay say anything negative about the judges. He's such a gentleman in addition to being a wonderful talent. Now if he would just quit putting himself down!
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Feb 6, 2008 10:18 PM
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