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« American Idol
Episode Recap: Omaha Auditions
Amid all the cornfields and comforting Midwestern vistas, who knew Nebraska would be a hotbed for some of the freakiest freaks we've seen on American Idol yet this year? And I don't mean necessarily the freaks with costumes and gimmicks — though there were a few of those, as well — I'm talking bona fide weirdos, folks who are just plain odd. Like Sarah Whitaker, the goth former pro wrestler with the creepy laugh who sang something akin to Tiny Tim's version of "Living in the Sunlight, Loving in the Moonlight" — only her voice was even more twangy than a ukulele. Or how about Johnny Escamilla, who said, "Pretty much I'm one of the weirdest guys you'd ever meet," then proceeded to sing and sort of flop around to "Shout" while Paula hiccupped and looked a little, shall we say, out of it?
Maybe the best reaction of the night came, oddly enough, from another reject, namely super-Kelly Clarkson fan Chris Bernheisel, whose lackluster "Since You've Been Gone" really was beside the point. You couldn't fault the kid — who reminded me a little of charming serial killer Dexter — for his performance values, which included some crazy choreography and a handstand. The best part, though, was his big bag of gifts, including a stuffed shaggy dawg for Randy, something that may have been a stuffed cat for Paula and a sweatshirt for Simon (who was eager for a "bribe," but said, "Can't we just have money?") It was a no, clearly, on the singing, but Simon positively made Chris' day by saying that he wanted to see him reporting from the red carpet for his local stations, Fox 42, at the AI finale. Chris was ecstatic: "I feel like I just won the lottery!" Now imagine if the judges had actually sent him through to Hollywood — he would probably have just passed out on the spot.
On the flipside, tonight's episode let us see and hear more of the "yes"es than we're usually privy to, even if they were just in passing — folks like Elizabeth Erkert, whose "Heard It Through the Grapevine" apparently impressed Ryan and Paula enough to put her through, but not so Simon. She was psyched to go to Hollywood, she said, because she couldn't wait to prove him wrong — by golly, "I am America's Next Top Model." (See what I mean about the weirdness? OK, so maybe that was an honest mistake.... but still.)
Other "yes"es went to:
Jason Rich, who sang "When You Say Nothing at All" — the farmer from Stout, Iowa, couldn't quite get past the first line or two of his song, prompting Simon to say that he'd blown his chance. Despite his nerves, he made it through, because what he could manage to get out sounded awfully good.
Rachael Wicker, who sang "Don't Tell Me to Stop Loving You" — the championship arm-wrestler did sound a bit yodely, but she sure looks like a country singer, and there's no denying that she can carry a tune.
Samantha Sidley, who sang "Don't Know Why" — the poor dear was stuck in the middle of a Ryan-Simon power play, as Ryan sat in for Paula as a judge, while she did a perfunctory job of acting as host. Despite all the shenanigans, Samantha got her golden ticket.
Angelica Puente, who sang "The Power of Love" — I didn't entirely follow the ins and outs of her sad story with her father, but it was touching when she told him that she was going on to Hollywood.
David Cook, who sang "Livin' on a Prayer" — he said he was inspired by Chris Daughtry, but David's main attribute seemed to be his nifty hairdo (thought that at least clearly wasn't inspired by Daughtry).
Leo Marlowe, who sang "A Song for You" — Mom may have raised him as a perfect homecoming queen, but he was clearly one of the night's biggest studs. He definitely warranted Paula's "touchdown!" and I'm hoping we'll see big things from him come Hollywood week.
Best Ryan-bashing of the night:
Randy, on hearing a high-pitched sound after Jason Rich's departure from the audition room: "There's a squeak as he walks out the door." Simon: "He just stood on someone. He just stood on Ryan."
What do you think? Was Omaha weirder than you would have expected it to be? Any favorites from tonight's auditions? And do you think Chris Bernheisel will get to live out his dream of being a red-carpet correspondent for the Idol finale?
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Jan 29, 2008 11:12 PM
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I blame it all on the phony producers and of course the executive ones even more so that we viewers have to sit through some of the worse and ugliest people on the face of the earth. How can normal people think this is entertainment. My DVR lets me race thru the garbage but still I'm annoyed that not enough quality shines through. Was I one of many who did not get "house" on the DVR?? My girlfriend's 2 dvr's and mine at home did not record that show. Was it a glitch on my cable system?
Please try to reply and let me know if you are also fed up with what this show is turning into....a big freak show. Thousands wait outside to display their "talents" to the mini-producers first to then be allowed to enter the hallowed halls of the hotel lobbies. It must be grueling for the trio of judges to really watch every nutcase do their thing but at least they get giant bucks to suffer and make fun of the contestants. Can't wait for the Hollywood finals.
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Jan 29, 2008 11:47 PM
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I really didn't like the Omaha auditions. I was boared the whole night. But I did like the guy who couldn't remember the lyrics....he was real good.
As to your questions, Yeah it was the weirdest auditions ever. I hope next year they don't go back there. As to Chris Bernheisel, even Im happy he got something out of this besides the golden ticket, I could careless what he is going to be doing at the finale.
Before I go...I did Paula leaned over the table like that? Did she had to poot or something. Even for her that was odd. "Shout" while Paula hiccupped and looked a little, shall we say, out of it? Paula always looked out of it. Did anyone noticed that she finally clapped like an adult?
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Jan 30, 2008 3:59 AM
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I love the show. For those of you that don't, use that chanel button.
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Jan 30, 2008 7:10 AM
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I still wish they showed more of the people who made it to Hollywood than the goofballs. At the end when they showed the montage of those who got through, they showed to girls standing back to back. urns out they are both daughters of former NHL player Igor Larionov. I heard them sing the national anthem once and they were really good, it would have been nice to have seen them on the show. I liked the farmer who forgot the lyrics. I still think that AI really wants a hunky country singer because they've seen how the country audience has been the most consistent. Besides Carrie, Kelly Pickler, Josh Gracin, and even Bucky have all had success with singles, albums and tours. Once again, with an hour show you'd think they'd show more winners than loser, but alas. I can't wait for Hollywood. I hope they make the shows 2 hours like all prior years and not the hour shows like last year. Last year the Hollywood shows seemed rushed.
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Jan 30, 2008 8:21 AM
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In response to Trombone's post above:
"let me know if you are also fed up with what this show is turning into....a big freak show". How is AI "turning into" a big freak show? You obviously haven't been watching the show from the beginning of season 1. Idol has always shown "some of the worse and ugliest people on the face of the earth", as you put it, from day 1.
"How can normal people think this is entertainment"? Well, like it or not, you are obviously in the minority in your opinion there, as evidenced in TV Guide a few weeks ago. TVG listed the top rated shows of 2007, and guess which episodes were in that group? Not the episodes featuring the final 12, not even the episodes featuring the final 5, but the initial audition episodes. I know plenty of people who cannot stand these first few weeks of episodes and won't watch until the hollywood round, or in my father-in-law's case, the final 12. If you dislike them so much, have you considered doing this?
As for my personal opinion, I, along with millions of others of viewers, enjoy watching these train wrecks, but I do agree with you that I would like to see more of the ones that make it through. I could even do with less of the misguided people who actually think they have talent. But at least keep us happy and show some of them.
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Jan 30, 2008 9:28 AM
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That whole stuff with Ryan and Paula switching places was just weird. Ryan was acting really weird when he went back in the hall. I think he was mad.
David Cook, who sang "Livin' on a Prayer" Wasn't this the bartender from Tulsa? That's where I'm from.
I can't believe they let that crazy wrestling girl HIT Ryan. That was weird. I'm glad she couldn't sing. I'm thinking, even if she could, they would have turned her down. She was too out there for idol.
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Jan 30, 2008 10:00 AM
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I couldn't believe how nice Simon was to the first singer we saw last night! His voice was awful, and I have a niggling feeling that he was at the try-outs not to get on "AI" as a singer but he really wanted to be on the red carpet at the finals! He didn't seem that disappointed to be told "No," and then asked right away about the red carpet gig...it could be that he honestly realized that he is not a good singer but I think the fact of the matter is that he had an ulterior motive - and it worked for him! So good for him!
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Jan 30, 2008 10:27 AM
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it could be that he honestly realized that he is not a good singer but I think the fact of the matter is that he had an ulterior motive - and it worked for him! So good for him!
Back when they were having celebrity guest judges, Natalie Maines (of the dixie chicks said she would want to be a guest judge. If she had done that, I would have went just to try to meet her. I know I can't sing. I don't even sing in church and I run the sound so I'm back there in the booth alone. I still don't sing.
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Jan 30, 2008 10:33 AM
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This was another great auditions show! I was kinda missing Paula and her wackiness at the beginning. It felt odd not having her there. Maybe that was just me.
I can't believe Simon said yes to the guy who kept forgetting the lyrics. Although, he was a very good singer, I was just blown away that Simon let him pass..
And I loved when Paula hiccuped. Did you see Simon's face when she did that and the paper he was reading, he dropped it and said what a filthy pig..haha..I loved it..
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Jan 30, 2008 10:50 AM
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Yeah, I'm a sucker for the show but I prefer cheering for the good singers.
I can't help but feel uncomfortable thinking about these folks that are passed through when they clearly have no talent at all. I figure that's why so many of them go raging off the set - apparently they truly thought they had a chance for Hollywood, but instead they are deliberately set up as fools and humiliation.... I'm sure I'd be pissed, too!
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Jan 30, 2008 10:55 AM
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Since I've been in Omaha and the Qwest Center (where they held auditions) it was fun to watch last night's episode. At least a couple of Iowa boys made it through to Hollywood--I'll be interested to see how they do out there (please remember your lyrics!)
I would be happy if they showed more of those who are passed through, because I like being able to recognize the singers during the Hollywood auditions. That's the only reason that I watch the auditions, not for the freaks who are so awful that my TV screen threatens to crack. I don't mind some of the more entertaining contestants who don't make it, like "You Are My Brother" dude from last week. But when they're just there to sing badly, act disbelieving when they're rejected, and swear at the judges, I find them a waste of time.
Still, I watch for the glimpses of true gems. I will be glad to see the Hollywood auditions, though, providing that we actually get to see everybody who makes it through to the final group.
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Jan 30, 2008 10:56 AM
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I think this year's audition shows are much more interesting than last year's. Last year, it was 2 hr shows filled with THE worst singers and very little with talent. This year, we have a few who are terrible and provide a good laugh, but most of the singers have been good. Easy to listen to.
I think Simon put thru some because he knows they will never make it thru Hollywood; on the other hand, as we've all seen in the past, some had totally terrible auditions (ie the guy who forgot the lyrics) and went on to just blow everyone away in Hollywood. Not all the excellent singers make it in Hollywood so this is why it's so interesting and fun.
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Jan 30, 2008 11:40 AM
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When the girl on the escalator with her parents said that she would show Simon and become America's Next Top Model, my 7 year-old son and I just cracked up. It was just hilarious to me. We had to rewind the tivo a few times so we could rewatch it and crack up some more! Silly I know, but too funny! ![]<img border=](http://community.tvguide.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif) ">
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Jan 30, 2008 1:21 PM
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Yawn!  I'm tired of these audtion shows...my god how many cities did they go to this year?? I'm ready for hollywood so we can see the top 24 emerge...until then let me sleep!
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Jan 30, 2008 1:31 PM
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