TeeVee: American Idol, NJ/NY Auditions
American Idol, Season 10 (Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX)
Okay, it’s the first night of American Idol Season 10 auditions. And although they tried to convince us that this season is OURS, the whole first and second segments were all about the new judges. And we got an extra long montage of fist-pumping New Jerseians.
For me, the audition episodes are long, tedious and not nearly as riveting to watch as when the contestants are singing on stage for votes, so I’m going to try and set my distaste for that aside and tell you what I learned about how the new judging panel seems to be shaping up.
Photo Credit - Michael Becker / FOX
1. Steven Tyler is the ring-leader. While J.Lo and Randy seem to never really want to speak up first, S.Ty doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. If he likes you, he likes you; if he doesn’t, he doesn’t; and on the rare occasion he’s not sure, he’s easily swayed.
2. Steven Tyler is taking Paula’s crazy chair. Remember Paula’s out-of-nowhere phrases that don’t quite make sense… well, that’s what Steven Tyler did all night. Randomly using he’s scream voice, hitting on girls way too young for him, and the like.
3. J.Lo is taking Paula’s mother-hen chair. She had a really hard time saying no to people that they even had a montage of it. It’s nice to see her giving pep talks and having a hard time when faced with people that truly believe their talented when they clearly are not. BUT, she was able to give it to them straight most of the time as well, which I appreciate.
4. S.Ty and J.Lo are genuinely excited at the prospect of finding a new American Idol. Remember when Simon Cowell would sit there looking as if he was bored out of his mind and just wanted to leave? Well, S.Ty and J.Lo didn’t possess that at all. Sure they were antsy after a string of bad auditions or at the end of the day, but who wouldn’t be? Just having them show enthusiasm had me more enthusiastic for this season.
5. There’s going to be A LOT more commercial breaks. Apparently having a high-caliber celebrity panel costs some dough, and it seemed to me that there were more commercial breaks than segments.
But let's talk about the Golden Ticket Winners From the NJ/NY Auditions
Rachel Zevita – A 22 year old that auditioned in Season 6 and was cut during the first day of Hollywood week. I remembered her, after they showed the brief clip; she did an opera-esque piece during the audition and could translate it to the realm of AI during Hollywood week. She sang “Halleujah” this time, and cracked a few times. J.Lo remembered her, and told her that this wasn’t the best audition and she remembered her voice being better. BUT, the judges decided to give her a golden ticket because they think she has potential and based on what J.Lo remembered.
Photo Credit - FOX
Caleb Hawley – 25 year old that came in and sang “Hallelujah I Love Her So”; you remember, the one where Steven Tyler really liked the song choice… enough for him to mouth the words and help the kid keep the beat by clapping and banging on the table. I’m not sure if S.Ty was actually listening or was hearing himself sing, but the guy gets through.
Photo Credit - FOX
Kenzie Palmer – 15 year old and won J.Lo’s heart, but S.Ty was "missing the pizzazz” and Randy thought she “could have moved a lot more”… J.Lo stood her ground though and was able to convince the guys she had the goods to get the golden ticket. (She sang Carrie Underwood’s “We’re Young and Beautiful”)
Photo Credit - FOX
Tiffany Rios – She’s the one with stars on her “oo-oo-bes” and taught us how to tease our hair. I thought they were setting her up to fail as she told us she started singing because of J.Lo and the movie Selena… J.Lo even got up from the judging table to give her a hug. She sang an original diddy, as she ripped open her jacket to reveal the stars… she covered up and sang a Celine tune and the judges put her through. She had a decent voice, but her theatrics were much too much.
Photo Credit - FOX
Robbie Rosen – The 16 year old that was wheelchair bound when he was young with Hip synovitis (sounds fake doesn’t it… plus there’s no pictures for proof of any of this). He sings “Yesterday” and Randy says his voice “marinated” in the melody, J.Lo refused to vote, saying “No. Hollywood. Bye.” … why vote when they all dig him? I agree. I agree.
Photo Credit - FOX
Craziest Golden Ticket Winner of the Night - Ashley Sullivan – The 25 year old that carries a picture of Britney Spears around with her in her pocket, and is self-proclaimed “awkward”. She sings a show tune with crazy eyes and J.Lo tries to tell her no. Of course, Ashley starts crying and rambling on about wanting to be AI’s first show tune pop star, like “Liza Minnelli” for this generation… they liked her energy enough to send miss-crazy to Hollywood.
Photo Credit - FOX
Victoria Huggins – The "16 and ¾’s years old" from North Caaaarolina. She’s been documenting her journey on idol via video, and is so sugary-sweet it’s creepy. She sang “Midnight Train to Georgia” and I’m pretty sure she had no idea what the emotion of the song was supposed to be. But the judges seemed to dig it, S.Ty liked the "amount of leg" she was showing, and Randy thought she had the “most personality ever on AI”… she gets a golden ticket.
Photo Credit - FOX
Devyn Rush – The 20 year old the singing waitress, that surprised the judges with her quirky and cool voice. They focused more on her appearance (which I didn’t think was so terrible… she was wearing a t-shirt and jeans); J.Lo, in particular told her she had to start “acting”, “dressing” and "fixing” herself to be the star that her voice is.
Photo Credit - FOX
Melinda Ademi – The 16-year old who’s family moved from Kosovo as war refugees through a green card lottery. She was good, and they sent her through to Hollywood.
Photo Credit - FOX
Brielle Von Hugel – The 16-year old who’s dowapping dad battled throat cancer (and won) and sang “Endless Love”. S.Ty called her voice “beautiful” and also liked the flower she wore in her hair. J.Lo and Randy were hesitant to put her through because they thought she need a bit of work, but they caved and put her through to Hollywood. She was my favorite of the night, she was young, beautiful and talented; but could grow leaps and bounds during the course of the show… which is why I like to watch.
Photo Credit - FOX
Travis Orlando – The 16-year old who’s family has been living in a shelter in the Bronx as he got one of the longest intro-packages of the night. I was rooting for him, but then he sang “Eleanor Rigby”… I was with S.Ty when he asked to hear something else; he then sang “I’m Yours” and I still wasn’t totally convinced the kid had what it takes. I think he needs a lot of work, but I do agree with the judges when they said he had some good spots in there. He gets the last golden ticket of the night.
Photo Credit - FOX
MOST WHACKED PERFORMANCE GOES TO – Yoji “Pop” Asano who sang Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” while combining it with Michael Jackson-esque moves. It was horrifying. (AND yes, I am bringing back the word "whacked")
Photo Credit - FOX
Honorable Mentions – The guy that sang “My Way” (while his mom cried into Seacrest’s bosom and whimpered through her own rendition of the song), The guy who burps when he’s nervous, and Achille Lovle’s awful rendition of Madonna’s “Dress You Up in My Love”…
Photo Credit - FOX
Photo Credit - FOX
Photo Credit - FOX
51 Golden Tickets were handed out, and we get another 2 hours of auditions tonight… are you in?
Here's the list of Golden Ticket Winners (check out videos at americanidol.com) - Aaron Sanders, AJ Melendez, Allesandra Guerci, Alex Ryan, Arnelle Nononm, Ashley Sullivan, Blair Sieber, Brielle Von Hugel, Caitlyn Koch, Caleb Hawley, Carly Brook, Casey Schuber, Chandler Cross, Courtney Salter, Danielle Pease, Devyn Rush, Dominique Porter, Elsie Deesso, Erin Lyder, Erica Colon, James Clark, Janine McElhone, Jenna Schilstra, Jesse Steam, Jessica Cunningham, Jonathan Stills, Kate Anderson, Kenzie Palmer, Kyle Bowers, Leah Laurenti, Luke James, Mathhew Hashimoto, Matthew Suyat, Melanie Donnelly, Nick Talarico, Melinda Ademi, Olivia Rodenbaugh, Pat Via, Pia Toscano, Phoenix Rainbow, Rachel Zevita, Robbie Rosen, Sade Mitchell, Shannon Livewell, Thiago Demelo, Travis Orlando, Tiffany Rios, Tyra Juliette, Victoria Huggins, Zak Resnick
