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The microphone is on! American Idol premieres tonight.
Being a huge fan of David Foster’s I really liked the quote at the beginning of the show tonight. “In life, the microphone passes your lips but once…you had better be ready to sing.”
Tonight, we will begin to see the wonderful, delusional, sometimes talented, but all braver than I, Idol wanna be’s take the microphone into their hand and roll die.
Sometimes I dread the little montages they do to fill time on Idol but I really enjoyed this one set to Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World highlighting some of the more memorable moments over the past seven seasons. As a fan who has watched every season but the first one, I recognized most of them and got that little rush of excitement that I do when the lights go down in a movie theatre right before a movie I’m super excited to see begins.
We start the season in beautiful Arizona with the introduction of the new and fourth judge Kara DioGuardi. If she is as feisty as it looks in this clip, I’m excited at the addition. The first contestant Twan and his “kicked up” fro, marches around much like a, well, scary drum major/bad Michael Jackson impressionist. It’s a no dude.
The committed and tattooed Emily Wynne-Hugh is abandoning her band (and the European tour they cannot go on without her) to move on to Hollywood and as far away from an office job as her many tattoos intended. She sang Heart’s Barracuda and I agree with Simon, that’s not an easy song. Paula sees her in the top five. Come on Paula, already? But Emily was pretty good but Hollywood can bring out the worst in people.
We also have our first cry-baby of the season, 28-year-old Randy Madden, is a sales rep that looks like an Axel Rose wanna be. The next kid, J.B., is a little stiff but delivers a solid performance of Ruben Studdard’s Flying Without Wings. He is also an emotional one, but unlike Randy Madden, J.B.’s on to Hollywood.
Michael Gurr is frightened of the judges…and he had good reason. Oh my goodness, I’m not sure that can classify as signing. Honestly, I had to hit pause, stop typing and laugh. I didn’t realize the unintelligible sound that came out of his mouth was an attempt at a Carrie Underwood song. Poor kid was so sick that he had to sit down and have a banana after.
This was followed by a trio of those people who you have to seriously question their mental health. The kind that really breaks my heart.
Aundre Caraway, aka X-ray, is just a bouncy, goofy, not entirely bad looking guy…well, until the spittle started forming at the sides of his mouth. The judges tell him no pretty quickly and he insists on singing until he is escorted off by a big bald guy.
Karaoke singing Arianna Afsar is a sweet 16-year-old who founded a senior’s program called Adopt a Grand-friend. I kind expected she would be good, but I didn’t expect her to be that good at 16. Specially with a difficult song by Corinne Bailey Rae’s Put Your Records On. She had an easy, authentic confidence that most performers twice her age never get. I’m a fan already. Nice way to end Day 1.
Day 2 begins with a young man, Elijah Scarlett, with a serious bass voice. It almost sounds fake and singing just isn’t in the cards for this poor guy. Elijah was followed by Kara’s biggest fan, Lea Marie Golde, a singer-song writer adorned in a pink cowboy hat who has penned over 100 songs but needs to work on her singing. She didn’t really want to take no for an answer but even her idol, Kara, told her no with the rest of the judges.
Fresh faced 16-year-old Stevie Wright has girl next door great looks with a fabulous voice to match…but wait, on her way to Hollywood, Simon wants her to “grow some teeth.” You know how Simon feels about people who are too nice. Don’t listen to Simon, sweetie, just stay the way you are.
“Sweet, sensitive roughneck” Michael Sarver has one of the most dangerous jobs in the world working on an oil rig. But despite the fact that the voice doesn’t look like it should come out of that body, the judges are all pleasantly surprised by his version of Boyz II Men’s Thank You and he quickly gets his ticket to Hollywood. Cool. I love it that nice guys and gals seem to abound so far this year.
Oops. I’ve spoken too soon. After another montage of bad auditions, we see Katrina Darrell, the Bikini Girl, they have been promo-ing all hour. Since her goal with the bikini was to get attention, I’ve half a mind to not write about her but the fun that ensues with the judges is just too delicious to gloss over. I hate to say it but her voice wasn’t bad but it was a little robotic. After an instant yes from both Randy and Simon, Kara attempted to demonstrate the missing element of “swing” by singing a bit of the song herself (much, much better than Bikini Girl by the way) but she was rudely interrupted by Katrina singing over her followed by a comment about Kara not being any better. Them is fightin’ words girlfriend! Paula jumps out of her seat screaming “that was not the right thing to say” quickly followed judge’s papers flying in the air and Kara exclaiming “hold on for a minute bitch.” Tune in for the continuing saga of “Bikini Girl” in Hollywood. Yes, she made it, if only to prove to the girls that she can sing and to prove to the guys that she can’t.
Next is Sexual Chocolate Eric Thomas who doesn’t do so hot singing Stevie Wonder, but don’t feel too bad for Sexual, before the show his mother promises him she will buy him a car if he doesn’t get to Hollywood. Poor guy.
Singing Let’s Hear It for the Boy, Brianna Quijada struggles but gets a second chance with Killing Me Softly With His Song. But despite the nerves, her sweet nature wins over Simon and goes on to Hollywood with the aid of Paula’s vote. She won’t go far I fear.
Deanna Brown’s “quiet confidence” takes her easily through Otis Redding’s Sittin’ On (The Dock of the Bay) and it also easily gets her to Hollywood. Cody Sheldon is a 17-year-old horror-film maker who I expected to have a frightening voice but what a pleasant surprise. The judges seem tentative but also supportive as they send him off to Hollywood.
Another goofy and innocent teenager Alex Wagner makes it to the finals. The three other judges override Simon’s no…but I have to agree with Simon. I don’t think this kid can make if far in Hollywood but he was sweet and sang in tune, so…
One last bad-song montage to Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead or Alive this time. Yeehaw! Seriously, I know lots of folks like this part, but I could do without it most of the time.
Thanks goodness they don’t end the show that way. I much prefer the warm and fuzzy story of Scott McIntyre, the 23-year-old blind pianist, and singer-songwriter who entered college at 14 and graduated at 19. And he sings! Boy does he sing. A little known ballad by Jennifer Warnes’ And So It Goes. It’s clear why they saved Scott for last!! As Ryan gives him a high five, I can’t deny the goose bumps crawling up my arms.
So that’s night one of American Idol Season 8. I have to say I enjoyed the show more than I anticipated. I like the fact that it seemed like they spent more time on the singers with potential than the delusional ones who actually think they can sing. Okay, there were a few, but they do need ratings I guess.
What did you think? How did it measure up to your expectations tonight? How did you like Kara? Now I can’t wait until tomorrow…
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Comments
By :P
January 26, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
American Idol sucks….
By Kelle
January 14, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this
I agree with most that Kara is a nice addition. She may be a bit pushy for a while as she tries to find her place OR maybe she’s just pushy. As far as two votes and you still get through, I’ve heard that throughout this portion that Simon is the tie breaker. We will have to see if that’s true. Can’t wait for tonight!
By Hillary
January 14, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
I liked the show. Just the right amount of laughs and fun with a good amount of decent singers (some pretty good! I really liked Stevie and the oil rig guy). I’m not so crazy about Kara though. She’s got way too much ‘tude for the newbie. I don’t like the extra chatter of a 4th judge and she sometimes seemed like she was above the whole thing or always one-upping the others (“150% yes!). I respect her for fighting back against bikini girl (who I found a bit trashy, but has an OK voice - for karaoke) but calling her a b***h was maybe a little much. We’ll see how tonight goes.
By Kim
January 14, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
I was concerned about Kara fitting in too - but I thought she was great and I loved her. She is a nice mix of the factual and sensitive. And I thought it was funny about how Ryan said that Simon would say her name - I knew that too - ha! I missed a few bits & pieces because I was multi-tasking and I don’t have a DVR (I know - GASP - right?), but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to tonight. I loved Arianna & can’t help but root for Stevie to find her voice. I was surprised to like the goth kid - can’t find remember his name - but I thought he was fun - like a brunette Hanson brother. The bikini girl sequence was a hoot - I wondered what they would do in the event of a tie - apparently it gets you through! I guess it took 2 votes before and it still only takes two votes. She will so far be the contestant that I love to hate - and obviously isn’t too smart to be smarting off to a judge like that! I would like to see her crash and burn in Hollywood. Ahh - the drama of it all -ha! On to the next city!
By Michael
January 14, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this
I had fun with the show and the new judge, Kara. I think she’s pretty tough on them. The thing that bothered me was 2 votes still got you through. Seems like that should be 3 votes now. What do others think about that?
By Heather
January 14, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
I really enjoyed the show last night. I was expected to want to fast forward through some parts, but I watched the whole thing. There were some definite surprises with good voices coming out of “odd” bodies. LOL Arianna was definitely my favorite last night. And I do like Kara. She seemed to fit in nicely with the rest of the judges, which is what I was concerned about. And wow - she does have a voice on her!
By Heather
January 14, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
I really enjoyed the show last night. I was expected to want to fast forward through some parts, but I watched the whole thing. There were some definite surprises with good voices coming out of “odd” bodies. LOL Arianna was definitely my favorite last night. And I do like Kara. She seemed to fit in nicely with the rest of the judges, which is what I was concerned about. And wow - she does have a voice on her!
By Alysson
January 14, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this
Actually loved it last night! Entertaining with some heartfelt moments. I do have to say…Bikini Girl inspired me to kick start my workouts again ;)