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Brookie L. Crawford

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Idol Jonesing for Talent in Jacksonville

Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:32 PM EST

By vacelts

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I'm starting to get a bad feeling about Season 8 of American Idol after watching the slim pickings at the Jacksonville auditions. Only 16 tickets were given out tonight.

Let's face it the judges were more entertaining than the Day 1 contenders. First they mixed it up with Simon sitting next to Kara and Randy to the right of Paula. They really mixed up the seating arrangements later when Paula sat on Simon's lap and Ryan sat on Kara's because the friend of an auditioner sat on Randy's lap.

We were also treated to a weird scene were Paula pretended to give Kara a kiss for what seemed no apparent reason. And during another audition, Paula got up and walked out when no one asked her opinion on the singer. Anyone else see foreshadowing there?

Due to some technical difficulties with my local Fox station, I didn't get to see the first few minutes and judging by what the judges let through that first day I'm not sure I'm missing anything.

I tuned in in time to see Joshua Ulloa add a few sound effects to Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On" to win a spot in Hollywood. Personally I just thought it was weird.

Next up Sharon Wilbur asked Simon to hold her dog Sasha while she sang "Superstar" by Karen Carpenter. Simon must have gotten really attached to that dog, because I still can't figure out what the judges saw in that performance.

But the judges were definitely seeing or at least hearing something I wasn't because then they put through beauty queen Julissa Veloz whose performance was anything but flattering to Whitney Houston.

Even the rejects were boring for Day 1, but things were looking up the next day when we met three real contenders.

Accompanied by her adoring sisters, Jasmine Murray showed us that "Big Girls Don't Cry." Not only did she have a nice voice, but as Simon put it, she was cute and commercial.

Also winning a ticket was two-time auditioner T.K. Hash. I don't remember having seen T.K. audition before, but I liked him tonight. Randy thought his version of John Lennon's "Imagine" was over the top. I was more impressed with it that I was with Archuleta's last year.

And the last golden ticket winner we saw was Anne Marie Boskovich. The judges actually made her come back twice. I don't know why since she obviously had strong enough voice to be a real contender. They told her she need to show her inner star and she did with Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly.

The second day was much better than the first in Jacksonville, but overall the talent was pretty thin. Tomorrow Idol heads to the home of last year's runner up David Archuleta - Salt Lake City.

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Public Discussion (31)

vacelts

I thought that Michael Perrelli -- the guy who sang Third Eye Blind's "Jumper" -- was better than anyone they let through the first day. But I have to agree with Simon when he started to beg it got annoying.

1 vote

#1 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:38 PM EST

Elizabeth2

I was disappointed that they didn't let him through. However, I do believe we will see him again...whether on 'Idol' or on his own.

2 votes

#1.1 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:43 AM EST

Robin Delaney

I wasn't that impressed with Michael Perrelli. Without his guitar, he wasn't anything special. And the begging was desperate. I did like Anne Marie B. I thought she sounded "grown up". I don't know if she'll make it to the top but she'll give the other contestants a run for their money.

1 vote

#1.2 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:24 AM EST

vacelts

I don't think that Perrelli would be a top contender, but I definitely thought he was better than those they let through the first day. But the begging was definitely a big turn off and a sign that he really wasn't ready for this competition.

Robin, I don't know about Anne Marie. She probably doesn't have it on talent alone to win, but she proved she was willing to listen to their advice and to change which can go a long way in this competition.

1 vote

#1.3 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:51 AM EST

biggerthebetter-620467

I thought Perrelli was awful! And why are so many male contenders so overly emotional?

1 vote

#1.4 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:34 PM EST

teresa-498430

uhm, guess.

1 vote

#1.5 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:51 PM EST

vacelts

biggerthebetter, you are right there are a lot of the male contenders that are really, really emotional.

1 vote

#1.6 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:25 PM EST

Omega in Colorado

I think Michael really showed he was not ready for the audtion. He came with no back up plan and crumbled without being able to be behind his guitar.

He completely ignored the constructive and some what supportive criticism from Simon who told him to get a regular job and then start a band. Sounded good to me, but all he wanted to do was throw a little pity party for himself.

2 votes

#1.7 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:38 PM EST

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Dang you're fast. So by the time I was done watching Fringe, and figuring out what angle to use and such, you're done with this program from exactly 60 minutes ago?

You know that guy with the beard? that's how i'd sound if i tried to sing on the show. Except that I know i'm bad.

And yes I liked that guy's version of "Jumper" but that made me wonder - how can they not know until they get there that they can't play during the audition? I've not watched all seasons but hasnt it always been so that it has to be without an instrument?

2 votes

#2 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:02 PM EST

vacelts

They let them play instruments during the auditions last year (for the first time I think), but obviously changed the rules this year. And the kid was 18, I don't he read the rules.

2 votes

#2.1 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:15 PM EST

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I didn't read the rules either but I know from watching the show that a) they judge you based on your singing and you only get to sing one song but how many seem to think they get to sing more than one? it's a bit mind boggling.

1 vote

#2.2 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:40 PM EST

Elizabeth2

They actually have most of the contestants (who make it to see Paula, Randy, Simon and Kara) come prepared to sing multiple songs. But, the magic of editing makes you think they all only get one chance, one song. Have you ever noticed that when they do the montage of several singers badly belting out one song, it's almost never the song you saw that person perform for their audition?

3 votes

#2.3 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:27 AM EST

vacelts

That's true Elizabeth. I could never decide if they were singing those songs in front of the judges or in front of the Idol logo or some combination of the two. The montage songs always seem very staged.

1 vote

#2.4 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:53 AM EST

Dave1326

Those montages are indeed staged. The singers are not in front of the judges, they just edit in some random reaction shots to make it appear that they are.

#2.5 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:42 AM EST

Scott (Scoop) Butki

Ah, that explains it.

They make it look like someone, often Simon, demands they only do one song and acts like they should know they only get to do one song.

This kind of editing is what drives me crazy about shows like this.

1 vote

#2.6 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:08 PM EST

biggerthebetter-620467

I think the montage IS staged...I think they give a particular song to a bunch of people and have them all sing it to be put together later. IN my opinion, they aren't in front of the judges, even when you see them in the audition room, b/c if you watch the judges' comments carefully, they are recycled from earlier footage. They just want you to think they are sitting there watching that extra song. Frankly, I think they should do away with the stupid montages and let us see an extra audition or two.

2 votes

#2.7 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:38 PM EST

Dr Know

I must have had a real problem with my Fox station. You are done, while I have not seen the program yet. OH wait... it does not air for another 20 minutes on the Left Coast.

1 vote

#3 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:39 PM EST

Scott (Scoop) Butki

I don't know about where Vacelts is at (she's in VA, I'm in MD) but up here we're having a snow storm and we had static a few times during Am Idol and during Fringe. It was ironic for the latter because it fit with a plot line involving a computer virus and for a second I thought it was intentional.. it was coming to get me!

1 vote

#3.1 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:42 PM EST

Dr Know

I finally got to "see" what I had missed. Unfortunately I also had to "hear" it!!!

2 votes

#3.2 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:38 AM EST

vacelts

No post Dr. Know? I lost the first few minutes totally because of whatever issue the local Fox station was having. I just wished I could have picked where I wanted the television to go all static.

1 vote

#3.3 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:00 AM EST

Omega in Colorado

to answer the montage question. they make most if not all the contestants perform one song chosen by the producers to sing in front of a look alike back drop as the audition room in front of the judges. Then edit them all together with reactions from the judges from other audtions. that is why you see all the never runs sing the same song poorly.

As for insturments, they have never let insturments to be played during the auditions. Only last year did they let the singers accompany themselves starting in Hollywood week.

I have to say that was one of the funniest AI shows I have seen in years, the judges were acting like they had all lost their minds and were just having a helluva time and enjoying themselves.

1 vote

#4 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:16 AM EST

vacelts

Thanks for clearing that up. And yes the judges were definitely more entertaining than the contestants last night.

1 vote

#4.1 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:37 AM EST

biggerthebetter-620467

Thanks for clearing that up. I wish I had read all the comments before I put in my two cents above. lol

1 vote

#4.2 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:39 PM EST

crash-533213

Did anyone else notice that Randy Jackson had on yellow eyeshadow? When he looked down at the table towards the end, you could see it behind his glasses. Can't see it straight on, however. Maybe some concealer put on to highlight his eyes behind the glasses.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the auditions this year - they have made some subtle changes that keep the amusing parts without the true nastiness.

1 vote

#5 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:48 AM EST

vacelts

No, I missed the yellow eyeshadow.

Yes, I'm enjoying it without the nastiness. But I'm disappointed in some of the picks to go to Hollywood.

1 vote

#5.1 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:30 PM EST

angelface0821

He's got charcoal eye shadow on now...

1 vote

#5.2 - Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:21 PM EST

vacelts

I forgot to look at his eyes. I can never get past the wild shoes he wears.

1 vote

#5.3 - Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:06 PM EST

B. Coutant

I think the addition of the new judge was a bad idea. She goes from mean, to curlish to arrogant to cutsey at the speed of light. What the show needed was one less judge. Could you imagine just Paula and Simon? Delicious. Besides I think I've heard "dawg" enough to last me the rest of my life. Really, Randy, there are lots more words in the English language, pick another, please?

1 vote

#6 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:46 PM EST

teresa-498430

B. Coutant-I think the addition was a bad idea as well. It almost seems like Paua and Kara together seem like they trying to outdo one another in all the ways you used to describe the new judge. The 2 of them with their"teenage girl routine" annoy me. I also hate it when they pretend to kiss, is this supposed to turn on the guys?Really it is a family show.

Too much focus on judges not enough on the auditioners. I would like to see more of the contestants performances.

3 votes

#6.1 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:15 PM EST

vacelts

I actually like Kara as a judge. But that said, I don't think they really need four. And I do think that they have spent a lot of time on the judges this season. I'm worried that all this time spent on the judges mean that they haven't found a lot of contenders with talent.

1 vote

#6.2 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:34 PM EST

Omega in Colorado

I don't think Kara adds anything to the show, they could have dropped Paula and just kept Simon and Randy and the show would have only been better for it.

2 votes

#6.3 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:35 PM EST

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