The Best of the Rest
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Sorry for the delayed post. We had a VERY long band rehearsal tonight - ugh. But my trusty DVR caught all the action and I'm going to recap the last audition show. I doubt I'm alone in being relieved that we move on to actual singers next week.
We open with Ryan's teasers, which let us know that "best" is a relative term. They show us a lot of the crowd scenes, the massive throngs of people who showed up. We start with THE LOOK. We go through a montage of "snappy outfits".
Christa Fazzino. She's feeling bright, vibrant, happy and excited. Her fashion reflects that, she thinks. Simon says today she must be feeling like the inside of a dustbin. I don't know the song. She sings like a sick, off-key Cher. Paula stops her - she can't recognize the song. Simon says the whole audition is just ridiculous. It's a no across the board. As she walks out, Paula says she likes her shoes. And now Christa cries. Paula changes to yes, but it's a no for Randy and Simon. Still. Highly appropriate choice. Click to go to the extended entry for the rest of the show.
Tammy Gosnell - she's very plain, except for the lip piercing. She's a pedi-cab driver. I think that means that she bikes people around. She's going to sing Whipping Post. I immediately like her - she's a natural. A little shaky in the bridge, but overall very good. Very unique. Simon really really likes her. She's definitely channeling a bit of Janice Joplin. All three love her. They are 100% yes, except Simon, who is 1000%. She's one of the best I've seen this season, frankly. Sure wish they had shown her during the actual Memphis audition round.
The going to commercial teasers show acrobatics, a girl crawling on a table, a good guy singer, and two bad guy singers side-by-side.
Paul Kim is inspired by William Hung in some odd way - in a way that he wants to shatter the image of Hung as the quintessential "Asian Singer". If I Ever Fall in Love is his choice. He rolls right into it. He's got a smooth smoky voice. When he hits his high register he's pleasingly strong. I like this guy. A lot. They go straight to yes or nos. Randy's in - Olivia NJ is definitely in. Paula's in and is explaining why she's in, and Simon's cutting her off. Paula's mad. Simon says yes as well, and Paul's through. Another great voice we missed duirng the auditions, and he definitely shattered the Hung Principle.
Jack O'Donovitch - he's channeling the a capella Bo, apparently. They show Bo during season 4, switch to Jack - really awfully bad. Squeaky, off-pitch. OW!!! Painful time!! He holds a painfully bad note!! Ears everywhere start to bleed!! Simon says he's "incredibly deluded" and Jack leaves.
We are now going to a montage of repeat auditioners - this season saw more repeats than ever before. We stop on:
Gina Glockson. She's still in love with Simon. Paula basically says Gina's kissing Simon's ass. She's singing Black Velvet. She's not bad - it's a rocker version. Simon thought it was a good audition. He also says she's got taste. Randy likes her voice but doesn't like the fact that she likes Simon. But it's a yes from Randy despite this. Paula is a no-frills yes. And Gina's dying to hug Simon, and she does - big hug. She's almost sitting in his lap. Wow. This is her second time going to Hollywood.
Going to commercial teaser shows car-hoppy dressed girls on roller skates, and we are apparently going to see Christie "You can't understand me" Sanchez again. Two nights in a row. Whee.
We are now to the "women who love Simon" montage. Now we're at the "diss Randy" montage. And finally the "we love Paula" montage.
Edward Sanchez loves Paula, too. That's why he's there, apparently. And Paula hugs him and he hugs her back. He's going to sing Donna. I know that song. I don't know it, though, when Edward starts singing it. Simon says to sing it to Paula, so Edward does. And it's really bad, though he doesn't forget the words. Paula maintains eye-contact, which should garner her an award. Paula says Edward's a sweetheart - BUT - and he made her day - BUT... Simon and Randy make it a no. Even Paula's a no, but it's a pleasure meeting him. He's thrilled when he walks out because he met Paula!! Tells her to "stay hot".
We now go to the "auditioner's day job" montage. We see flashbacks to Ace, Chris D., and Kellie P.
Heather, Ashley, and Ebony - Heather Rennie's up first. She's ok. Ashley Cleland is up second. Singing Angel, and she's better than Heather was. Ebony Jointer is up third. She's far away the best of the three. Ashley was second-best, and Heather the worst, but none were bad. They love Ebony, say she's in a different league from the other two. Heather's a no from all judges. Ashley's choices - Randy says yes. Olivia says yes. Paula tells her to use the makeup (it is rather thick). Ashley calls it "motherly advice" - WRONG THING TO SAY!! OMG. Paula says yes. Randy and all says definitely yes. Ashley and Ebony are on their way. They love also how beautiful Ebony is.
The going to commercial teaser promises some bad with a little bit of good. Coming back, we get to review the first singles of the five Idols. We laud their huge success. We learn that this year there will be a songwriting contest to go with the singing!! Neat.
Faithon Gooding - one of the bad people. He's happy as he's bad, though. Melissa Ferlaak sings like my grandmother in church. Brandon Reid beat boxes and does the robot. Yawn.
And now we get to William Emil Samland (WES). Singing expresses his feelings. He's been working on an album. His shirt is shiny. And yellow. He's going to give an honest, soulful performance that's entertaining. And he's in with the judges. He's going to sing his own song, Don't Worry Don't Hurry. He starts - it sounds like - what - like a bad sixth grade composition. And he's clapping stomping. And Simon stops him. Wants to know how Wes thought he did, and Wes thought he did great. What he was singing was real. Randy's happy he got it all out. It's straight nos across the board. And THEN they freakin' compare Wes to Taylor. Jesus Christ.
Now we go to the "dancing" montage. People are flinging themselves around - shaking their butts - grooving - crawling on the judge's table - spinning - doing the snake - twirling - krunking - fist pumping. It's happy dance time!! Everyone should get up and dance!! Now we cut to Paula dancing during her MTV salad days. She inspired the following contestant.
Alexander Zazario - he's flexible and learned his dance moves from Paula. He's singing Making Love Out of Nothing At All. It's highly weird in a screechy, feminine falsetto. But he dances. His pitch was good in that he didn't sing off-key, but his voice doesn't sound good. The tone is unappealing. Simon says he's not a good singer and he needs a reality check. He really wants to know if he has the voice to sing. Simon says no. And all three give a no to Hollywood. Randy honestly looks kind of upset that they just crushed this guy's dreams. I mean - honestly. Because that kid's question was honest and he got an honest answer and you could pretty much see it on everyone's face. Sad.
We return with "name that song", which is apparently going to show people singing songs so badly that the songs are unrecognizable. We go through Let's Stay Together, You Fill Up My Senses, and Chantilly Lace. Could ID the first two - eventually. But still not the third.
Lakesha Jones - she's singing Think and starts it band-off right out of the gang. She's got a HUGE voice and sings very very well. I thought she was GREAT. Simon LOVED her - she's a good old-fashioned belter. It was on the money. Paula thought she was brilliant, and it's yes' across the board. I gotta say - she's the absolute best legitimate Aretha-style diva I heard all through the audition shows. Her daughter is very cute, and Lakisha is admirably humble.
And the auditions are OVER. And they thank the thousands who auditioned so valiantly. And now we recap the "memorable" moments. We see the good and the bad, the golden ticket holders and the rejects. We see Paula spit her gum at Simon. We see the Taylor-pretenders again - THAT annoys me. Simon's out talking to someone and he has really big pit stains. THAT'S why he usually wears black shirts!! He's a flop sweater. Who knew?
And we foreshadow next week... Show all the cities they auditioned... We see a few of the ticket holders - 172 people heard the words "Welcome to Hollywood". We see the lucky ones arriving in Hollywood, and foreshadow that they're about to be broken down. We see Simon dismiss an entire group and tell them that none of them were any good. They talk about the competition being brutal. The show the drama of wannabe Idols not getting alone. They show the tears. They show the heartbreak. They show the excitement - and they show... TAYLOR!! As he won last season. Hah!!
So next week we're on to the GOOD stuff. Whee!!
Oh - and tonight? Three total standouts: Tammy Gosnell, Paul Kim, and Lakesha Jones. All three were some of the best I've heard. BUT - I still have my eye on Sundance Head and Chris Sligh.
Labels: American Idol, Auditions
posted by RenaRF @ 10:08 PM,
