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« American Idol
January 31, 2007: Fluctuate and Reverberate
Word of the day: Xcentric
Animal of the day: Panther
Job title of the day: actor/model/author/singer-songwriter/rapper/composer/producer (did I get them all?)
The “most exciting entertainer on planet earth” opened the show and let’s just say, David Copperfield he is not. Martik Manoukin, aka Xcentric, was perhaps the strangest of the lot in L.A. The sound effects as he tossed off his glasses, vest and shirt were probably the best part of his show. But wait, there was the panther crawl up to the judges table – priceless. Oh, yes, and there was the song he obviously wrote. And then there was the purring, or was it growling? Who could tell?
Olivia Newton-John, aka Sandy from Grease and the singer behind such hits as “Physical” and "Xanadu" was around to learn firsthand what an American Idol audition is really like. I think she may have been a bit shocked. She looks pretty darned fantastic for a woman of a certain age. She only said nice things. Frankly, I think Courtney Love would be a welcome change. Give Simon a run for his money.
Some other really bad examples of what people pass off as talent in this world: Sholandric Stallwork, who aspires to be Julio Inglesias but whose voice was unbelievably horrendous. He butchered “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again.” Marianna Riccio, who possibly had the look of an American Idol and whose mother was one of Dean Martin’s Gold Diggers (like that is such a good thing), was astonishing. My notes read, “Wow, that’s bad!” Need I say more? Well, yes, Simon and Randy did find her mom “foxy.”
There was the woman dressed as a cowgirl. No actually, she was dressed as the entire cow. Also, the banana. There may have been other fruits and vegetables, but we were not privy to them. Once again, I ask, what are these people thinking? They cannot really believe they are going to make it to Hollywood. And how cruel are the people who pre-judge the contestants before sending them on to Simon, Paula and Randy? They obviously see way too many terrible acts not to pass a few on to the judges.
Then there were the kneelers, beggars, criers and those who have no sense of self-respect. Not to mention Phuong Pham, aka the female Taylor Hicks. Not even close. She was completely and without a doubt talentless in both singing and dancing. Although I felt a little sad for her since her mom said she wasn’t “TV pretty.” Taylor is unusual, but he can actually sing a tune and, though his moves are not JT’s, still, he can dance.
Finally, after so much crap, we saw Alaina Alexander, and you can always tell the ones who are going to make it through. I knew it the second I saw her. She was a pretty girl and sang a song quite appropriate for her voice, “Feelin’ Good” by Michael Buble. She reminded me of Buffy, (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and that’s a good thing. Simon thought she was really times-three great. He quite liked her.
Close behind Alaina was Brandon Rogers — not only cute, but way talented. Another background singer (remember Melinda Doolittle), Brandon has been on tour with Anastasia and Christina, not bad for a kid from North Hollywood. When he announced he was going to sing “Always on My Mind,” I wasn’t so sure about the choice, but wow, did he pull it off. He may just be moving into my No. 1 position. He’s going to give Thomas Daniels and Sundance Head a run for their money.
The touching moment of the night came when Sherman Pore, a 64-year-old gentleman, brought in his petition to sing. His girlfriend of 20 years had just passed away, and he sang “You Belong to Me.” It made Paula cry and Olivia a little misty.
The couple — Sparkles and Darryl, of the shiny grill — was unaware that they both were terrible. Have these people no true friends to tell them the truth? Sparkles flirted with Simon during the audition and then cursed him out after not making it through. Charming.
The rest were just awful, but some 40-odd people were sent through to Hollywood.
Notable mention: Eric Mueller sang a Hillary Duff song in a high voice, not even really a falsetto, just an uncomfortable place to be. He had learned how to sing through Paula and Randy’s DVD, Learn to Sing Like the Stars. Though it was a resounding NO from the judges, he almost made it through because Simon was so amused once he found that out. He went running after the poor kid, as did Paul and Randy, only to completely confuse the odd boy who said he was leaving.
We only have to put up with one more night of auditions in San Antonio, and we’re home free. Let’s hope Texas has something to offer that's worth waiting for.
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Feb 1, 2007 3:29 AM
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Odd night. They didn't show very many of the good singers tonight. The panther guy was just weird. I truly think some of these people know they are bad and just want to get on TV. No other explaination for it.
Alaina and Brandon. Brandon was really good. I do think he will go far. Once again there was another Hollywood vet in here who made it to Hollywood again. Not sure if I like that. He had his chance. Why should he get another one? I can understand it if you didn't get to Hollywood at all, but getting a second bite at the apple just seems pointless and possibly unfair. I didn't think he was that great anyway. A bit too polished and shiny to me.
It was touching for the old guy to sing his song. Not a bad singer. I didn't realize that he wasn't married to the woman. I thought they were married. Maybe I didn't hear that right.
I am ready for Hollywood. Only so much of these freak shows that I can take.
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Feb 1, 2007 3:51 AM
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Brandon was great. Sherman stole my heart. That was a nice touch to let him sing. Can't wait for the top 24 to start.
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Feb 1, 2007 8:53 AM
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Sherman was great although he didn't look like a hippie. Why else would he be with someone for 20 years and not get married? Oh, that's right this is Hollywood. Here's an idea Simon. You do not want to dilute Idol by repeating it during the year so a cottage industry of Idol wannabes has popped up. After hearing Sherman's pipes why not have a Senior Idol for people over say 45. They would sing music from their era. I think people would eat it up because instead of 5-10 years of hard luck you would now have 20-30 years. Think how many people they could know who shot themselves in the neck or did something else stupid. Can you say ratings success?
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Feb 1, 2007 9:02 AM
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Um, those sound effects on the panther guy were courtesy of American Idol Producers, not the Idol wannabe himself.
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Feb 1, 2007 9:42 AM
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Martik Manoukin aka Xcentric, after the judge's rejection, explaining to Ryan why he will still be "bigger than Michael Jackson", says that he has a ton of songs that cause people to shed tears upon hearing them.
Ryan: "Have you asked them why?"
LOLOLOLOL!
Alaina Alexander: Beautiful, but didn't think she was that great, actually. Just an average voice, but you could tell that she was going to make it through before she even opened her mouth, just by the way Simon looked at her.
Simon: I thought you were really, really, really great.
Translation: I thought you were really, really, really HOT.
Sherman Pore: Made me cry a little too. Very sweet older man, with a voice much better than most of the younger ones featured on this show.
Marianna Riccio: Shame on her mother (who was a backup singer for Dean Martin) for never gently letting her daughter know that she absolutely does not have the pipes to make it in the music business. We can assume that the mother isn't tone-deaf, so she should have handed the bad news to little Marianna years ago.
Eric Mueller: Last singer of the day. Said, "I want to break out of the mold. I want to take what other people have done, and then multiply it. And then raise it to higher heights. And then basically I want to fluctuate it, and reverberate it, and make the vocals blend in with the music, and then also stand out from the contrast."
Wha??? I have no idea what all that means, but maybe he was repeating some kind of mantra he learned off of Randy and Paula's DVD. 
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Feb 1, 2007 11:00 AM
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for the first time this season I completely disagreed with Simon's opinion on an audition. Whoever the first girl to get through to hollywood, (i think it was Alaina Alexander you mentioned) i didn't think she was very good at all. I was glad to hear Randy agree somewhat when he said it was pitchy all over the place but... he still gave her a yes. Really surprised about that one. Also the background singer, he was ok-good. that high note he "tried" to hit i thought was going to end it for him but i dunno... i guess last night was just a weird night... wasn't that the most amount of people they ended up sending to Hollywood this season? and they showed like... 2-3 good singers??? at least we only have 1 more crappy audition day before we can watch the real talent... or most of it 
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Feb 1, 2007 11:07 AM
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I wish the producers would at least let us hear a small clip of those singers that are going to Hollywood. We get the back story on some of those going to the next round and they become familiar faces and we know their names. I think it puts the others who are as equally or more talented going to Hollywood at a disadvantage
I think too much time was spent on those singers (cough, cough) who had zero chance of making it, i.e. Bananaman, Cowgirl and Tone-deaf couple with man with shiny grill. Although I thought that Pantherman was amusing. I nearly fell off of my bed laughing. I also agree. The sound effects were priceless!
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Feb 1, 2007 11:48 AM
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Hey, findmebaby.com, I think you need to start writing the blogs for American Idol. Loved what you wrote!
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Feb 1, 2007 12:42 PM
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IMHO, background singers Brandon Rogers and Melinda Doolittle are by far head and shoulders above the rest of the people who we've seen audition thus far. It's not even a close race right now.
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Feb 1, 2007 12:55 PM
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i also liked brandon. i hope he makes it to the finals.
im still confused on the rules and regluations. that one guy got to try out once again after he went to hollywood. he is like the 3rd person that we've seen in the audtions phase to audition after they made it to hollywood.
that panther guy or what ever his name is, is defianlty off of his meds. where are they guys straight jacket for this nut?
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Feb 1, 2007 1:44 PM
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I, too, think that Alaina wasn't as good as Simon said, so I was more shocked that he was so vocal about it. I mean, she was good, but not "REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GREAT."
Brandon ("You Were Always On My Mind")-
When he said this was the song, I actually groaned. I've never like this song. But, there was something about the way he sounded. I absolutely believe the true measure of a performer is someone who can make you want to hear more of a song you have always hated. I kept singing it to myself well into the commercials...lol.
Sherman - Reduced me to tears. I'm grateful that they allowed him to sing. It was a touching story and I was so moved by it all. I think it makes up for some of the meaness exhibited so far this season (even if, in my opinion, it wasn't any more or less than any other season). Yet, I'm surprised by the posters who mentioned that maybe he was a hippie or wondered whether or not he was married to his "sweetheart." WHO CARES? He LOVED her. That's more important than whether or not they were married. I know a lot of married couples who don't have the love this man had for her... You don't need a piece of paper to validate the intensity of your feelings toward another person. Whether they were married or not... these two people shared something many of us never have... and some of us never will. We should all be so lucky to be loved like that...
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Feb 1, 2007 1:50 PM
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i totally forgotten about sherman. he also brought me to tears. for once i can see why paula was brought to tears.
i would just love to see courtney love and simon together sitting at the same table. can you imagine whats going to come out of her mouth? simon and paula's riff would be like childs play compare if courtney love and simon got together.
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Feb 1, 2007 1:59 PM
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Sherman made me cry! He sounded good too, and I wanted them to send him through!
BTW - I live in Wisconsin, am not a hippie and have been with my guy - not married for 19 years this month! There are many reasons people choose not to get the piece of paper - find out a story before you judge someone!
My honey feels they don't show most of the singers that get through 'cuz they're only mediocre and what fun is that to see? I'd still rather see more good singers thou.
I did love Ryan asking panther man if he asked why people cried after hearing his songs. Loved his answer, "'cuz they're brilliant" too!
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Feb 1, 2007 2:12 PM
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i just wanted to make another quick comment... for those of you like me wishing that they showed more people who are going to hollywood we might be getting our wish... i looked at the description for IDOL in the guide on my TV for next Wednesday and it said that it will basically be about the best singers from the auditions this season so far... hopefully this means we'll get more than the ones they've already shown but you never know... i think this a great idea for some of the previous finalists that didn't do as well due in part to their lack of exposure before the finals started.
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Feb 1, 2007 3:55 PM
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