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« American Idol
Episode Recap: The Best of the Rest Auditions
Behold, the real competition is finally in sight: Next week, American Idol will cease its endless auditions and instead focus on the 164 singers who actually earned golden tickets. Hollywood week is (finally) nearly upon us!
But first, we had to endure one more night of audition footage — albeit the "best" of the rest. Some were amusing, in an awful way (remember Luke Reeder, of the ear-flap hat, the cartoon-character outfit and the flailing arms?). Others struck a sweeter note, like Chikezie Eze, who sang "All the Woman I Need." Chikezie auditioned last year, too, but Randy wasn't feeling him. This time around, he impressed everyone with his passion, power and clear tone.
Other bests:
Amy Davis, who sang "Blue Bayou" — when this stunner walked in, Randy said, "Nice shoes," but somehow I don't think it was her shoes he was looking at. Her voice was pretty enough but not particularly memorable.
JoAnne Borgella, who sang "I Love You" — you had to like this Jersey girl and plus-size model. For the first time this season, though, I can honestly say that song choice came into play; she better pick some tunes that suit her better in Hollywood!
Alesha Stelzl, who sang "Surrender" — when she first came in, I'll admit I was just kind of mesmerized in a scary sort of way: the teeth, the hair, the mother... it was all just too much. Then Randy and Paula decided that she sounded like Dolly Parton and should sing one of her songs... only problem being that Alesha didn't know any. So she left the room, learned "Islands in the Stream," came back, and boom! Next thing you know, Simon is saying, "Welcome to Dollywood."
Cardin Lee McKinney, who sang "One Night Only" — this was one of those mystery yes'es to me; I kind of couldn't stand her. It seemed like Paula was on the same page... but Randy said yes and Simon said no, so of course Ms. Abdul couldn't be the one to dash Cardin's dreams — that's just not her style.
Danny Noriega, who sang "Proud Mary" — likely the most impressive of tonight's auditions. He's this tiny, young kid, and yet the sound that came out of him... was impressive, and actually really exciting. I have high expectations for him.
Other rests:
Tiffany McCambell, who sang "Hallelujah" — unlike Simon, I'm not going to comment on this young lady's faith, but wow was her voice painful to listen to. After she told Simon that her voice was a gift from God, he said, "Does he have a return policy? I'm sorry, but if I was given that, I'd give it back." Ouch!
Cory and Chris Lane, who did an original number — The twins involved in the pseudo-love triangle were sort of charming but got completely frazzled when one of them (they're twins! Cut me some slack) forgot the lyrics.
Ashley Lawing, who sang "Red High Heels" — she was memorable not only for being the girl in the twin triangle, but for her adorable puppy, Panda. I kind of liked the Lane boys until I heard them talking about how they'd encouraged Ashley, even though they knew she couldn't sing worth a lick.
Joshua Moreland, aka Jay Smoove, who sang "Beautiful Lady" — with his gummy smile, his bedazzled sunglasses and his upper-register singing, Smoove was anything but. "Can I be honest with you?" Simon asked him. "It was a horribly over-the-top, corny, revolting audition." Smoove's handful of confetti and rose petals did, however, lead to a pretty amusing scene of Simon attempting to sweep up the audition floor in an effort to embarrass Ryan.
What do you think? Are you guys as psyched for Hollywood week as I am? Or are you just glad that the auditions are over?
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Feb 6, 2008 10:41 PM
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I am so glad that the audition phase is finally over. I think this years auditions were worse than it has ever been.
I did like Chikezie Eze,and JoAnn. I really didnt care for Alesha, she didn't sound like Dolly Parton to me. But her mom sorta looked liked Dolly. I thought the whole thing with the love triangle between the Lane twins and Ashley was the dumbest thing ever. I have a feeling that after tonights show Ashley isn't dating neither of the Lane twins.
Did anyone hear Paula's redundant question to Amy Davis "What's your ethncity?" What business is it of hers on what the girls ethncity is. I just want to slap some sense into Paula sometimes.
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Feb 7, 2008 3:40 AM
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From the preview, it looks like Danny Noriega doesn't fare too well in Hollywood. I thought he did ok, but was annoying. As for Amy Davis, there was all kinds of weirdness with her audition. When she walked in, the judges kept saying that "she was in a good place" and "she was in a very good place." WTH? I have no idea what they were talking about or why they were saying that. Simon seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes up (I can't say I blame him.) And then Paula asked about her ethnicity. WTH? I can't believe that they aired that. That seems like something AI wouldn't want to air. It was just weird. She sang ok, but nobody last night really stood out, everyone was just kinda meh. Looking forward to Hollywood, I just hope they go back to 2 hour shows for Hollywood week.
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Feb 7, 2008 6:21 AM
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My husband, my 16 year old daughter and I always watch AI together. Last night we laughed harder than we have during a lot of the previous shows. Watching Simon do his act sweeping was hilarious.
I remembered both Chikezie Eze and Danny Noriega from last year. I thought they were nuts not to send Chikezia to Hollywood last year, so I'm really glad he made it through this year. I liked seeing Danny again. I remembered that he chose a really bad song and was so nervous, he could hardly get it out. The judges told him to work on it and try again someone and he did and made it! YES!
The previews of Hollywood do seem to indicate that Danny had a rough time of it. I liked seeing people playing instruments! THERE is a nice addition to Hollywood week! It will be great to see what some of the folks can add to their performances by using them. I've got my fingers crossed that AI will go back to the two hour shows previous to last year....but I've got my doubts about them doing that. Regardless, I can hardly wait!
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Feb 7, 2008 9:31 AM
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I thought that the Lane twins admitting on camera that they encouraged their 'girlfriend' to audition even though she couldn't sing was too funny! Finally someone admits their love one can't sing!!!
Alesha was kinda like a train wreck, you cound't help but look, she sounded alot like Dolly though, her songs really suited Alesha's voice. Simon admitting after she did sound like Dolly was funny!
Danny had an amazing voice, I somewhat remember him from last year. I got the same kind of surprise from when I heard Chris Sligh sing! 'Wow is that actually coming from him???' lol
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Feb 7, 2008 11:31 AM
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I don't understand why everyone seems so offended by Paula's question about ethnicity, although I suppose I shouldn't be surprised in this world of political correctness in which we live. Paula had just commented on how pretty she was, but there was something a little unusual about her. What's the big deal? It's not like the girl was embarrassed about her heritage....
But wouldn't it have been funny if she had answered Paula's question and then asked "What's yours?"
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Feb 7, 2008 11:36 AM
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She's a Lebanese Jew, though a lot of people think Paula's Latina or part black, which I'm sure is what prompted her to ask the question.
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Feb 7, 2008 12:43 PM
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I have no problem with Paula's "ethnicity" question. You people need to lighten up.
I thought this years auditions were sorta vanilla.
I'm being nit picky here, but last nights show was titled Best of the Rest. How can the worst auditions be considered "Best"? Shouldn't the show have been titled Best and worst of the Rest?
Thank god Survivor starts tonight. Once of my other favorite shows (Big Brother) is going up against AI on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It will be interesting to see how the ratings go then.
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Feb 7, 2008 12:45 PM
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thank god they are over in an episode were lucky if we see half of the people who even got golden tickets. hollywood week is the best part of the whole show i wish the did three weeks of that.
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Feb 8, 2008 1:11 AM
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I'm surprised no one mentioned Ashley's comment to Simon after he said he's stealing her puppy: "If you put me through to Hollywood, you can have whatever you want." The look on Simon's face was priceless...
Bet she's not dating either of the twins after Wednesday's show!
Bring on Hollywood week!
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Feb 8, 2008 12:37 PM
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I've only been watching AI from the beginning since Season 4, but every year since then I've been able to pinpoint the best ones. I had Carrie Underwood picked from the get-go, the next year, it was Chris Daughtry and Katherine McPhee, and Season 6: Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, and Melinda Doolittle. But this year, I haven't seen anybody yet where I thought "Wow, this person is definitely a Top 10."
So, are they just holding back the best auditions so we'll be amazed by them in Hollywood? Or has this show gone on so long that America is starting to run out of talent?
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Feb 10, 2008 4:08 PM
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