American Idol, Nights 5 & 6

Yesterday - I had something else to post besides American Idol (AI) - so I will do both nights now.

TUESDAY, NIGHT #5 - JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
25 years ago Randy Jackson made his name with a band called Journey. 12,000 people are auditioning this day.

First up is Joshua Uiloa who says he is often compared to Justin Guarini. He sings Marvin Gaye's "Lets Get It On". His singing is really affected and corny sounding. He uses sounds effects and beats. However, the judges saw something I didn't, because they sent him to Hollywood!

Sharon Wilbur brought her Shi-Tzu dog Sasha whom she gives to Randy to hold for her. She sings "Super Star" by Karen Carpenter. It is a raspy sound, but the judges like her tone and she gets 4 yes's.

Very confident 15 year old Kaneswa W. comes in and sings and Anita Baker song - no one can understand the words she is singing. She is out of tune in a big way. NO, NO, No. She doesn't lose her confidence either and says she will make it anyway.

Jasmin Murray is a shy girl - the baby of her family. She is a really cute gal too. She sings Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie and does a great job. The judges say she is commercial looking and has a nice voice. She gets the approval of all 4 judges.

Dana Moreno sings a Chaka Khan song and does horribly; she is sent packing.

A pretty Latin girl Julissa Veloz arrives bearing a beauty pageant sash which says "Miss Florida Latina USA" When she speaks she has a really weird voice and an even stranger laugh. She sings a Whitney Houston song and blows us all away. Her singing voice is much better. Though the judges seemed a bit reluctant, I thought, they did give her a ticket to Hollywood.

Darin Darnell is really working the holding room, mixing with everybody and full of confidence. However, his friend auditions before he does and bombs. This causes Darin to get a bit depressed and lose confidence - he even cried. He has a terrible time composing himself in front of the judges, but eventually kicks of singing Boyz to Men "It is So Hard to Say Goodbye". I have two words about his audition: TONE DEAF. No way. Goodbye.

Last audition of day one in JAX is Naomi Sykes. She compares herself to Mariah Carey. She has ants in her pants and can not stand still in front of the judges. She brings a friend who really wants to meet Randy. The judges oblige her. Naomi sings "Loving You" by Minnie Riverton. She is just horrendous and is sent away with hurt feelings. Again, the judges thought this was some sort of joke.

At the end of day one in JAX, only 8 golden tickets were handed out. Day two dawns and the judges have high hopes.

An 18 year old guy George Ramirez who has a full beard and studies physics is first up. He says he can live without physics, but not without singing. He does something weird with his head while he sings in a super soft voice. I didn't recognize the song. George gets 4 NO's.

T.K. Hash, who auditioned for AI last season is back. He sings John Lennon's Imagine and really changes up the melody too much. The judges said his voice had improved and they send him to Hollywood.

24 year old Ann Marie Boskovich walks in an immediately sings something of Kara's. The judges say that she was personifying Kara too much and that she should go out and re-thing her audition and come back again in a bit as a star. She does. She changes her clothes and shoes, finds a make-up artist and when she comes back, she is much improved and the judges are ready to hear her sing "Bubbly"by Colbie Colait She does much better and the judges give her the golden ticket.

Michael Perelli plays guitar. All the time. He says he sees himself as a musician forever. Somehow, he does not realize he will be unable to sing and play his guitar and he seriously begins to panic. He cries. He finally gets it together and sings "Jumper" by 3rd Eye Blind. He is a nice looking kid with an okay voice. The judges say he is interesting, but just not right for the parameters of the AI competition. He gets 4 no's and can't believe it.

In all, 16 tickets to Hollywood were given out in Jacksonville. In closing is a crazy montage of terrible singers to the tune of "Walking on Sunshine". Gag me.


WEDNESDAY - NIGHT #6 - SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
Salt Lake City is the home of David Archuleta, and also home to High School Musical 1, 2 and 3. Ryan says that they are looking for the next generation of the Osmond Family. And guess what? He gets his wish!

David Osmond is the son Alan Osmond. Alan Osmond has multiple sclerosis and actually, so does David, though David is in remission currently. David sang in barbershop quartets at the age of 4. He sings a Take 6 song Something Within Me. He does a very nice job and he has the great Osmond teeth. The judges criticized him for singing something that is multi-part harmony type stuff and wished he had sung something by a solo artist. He needs to show he can be a front man. None the less - he gets a Golden Ticket and I think David will be one to watch in Hollywood!

Tara Matthews is dressed all in black with a head of red/black hair. Short skirt, boots, garters, gloves. She is just a little strange. She chooses "One Day I'll Fly Away" from the Moulon Rouge soundtrack. My husband blurted out "Make her stop!" Simon says her outfit and her singing are horrendous.

Next is a montage of terrible singers including Rich Kegal who has weird eyes, curly long hair and red glass in his glasses.

Next comes in a Big Pink Bunny "Greg the Rabbit" - but he is not our auditioner - his friend Chris Kirkham is auditioning. My hubby says "He sings like an elf - or like a munchkin from the Wizard of Oz". The judges stop him. I will end the pain here and just say - he didn't make it.

Frankie Jordan a 24 year old stay at home mom, says she was born to entertain and has a true passion for it. She does well, has a very good voice and a cute face. She gets through to Hollywood.

Here is another one to watch in the coming weeks: Megan Corkrey. She is 23 years old, the mother of a 2 year old Ryder, and she is getting divorced. She is a really cute girl and she is auditioning on her birthday. She sings "Can't Help Loving the Man". She is very interesting. Randy and the girls like her. Simon says this is one of his favorite auditions! 4 yes's.

A quick montage of 4 people who got golden tickets, but we don't get to hear them sing.

Andrew Gipson - deep voice, soul or gospel sound. It was not good. He does not get a golden ticket.

Austin Sisneros, class president of his senior high school class wants to inspire people to follow their dreams. He sings "When I Look to the Sky" by Train. Randy says it was a weird song choice for him, so he tries a 2nd song "It Takes a Village". The judges still do not like his song choice - but they like his perseverance and they give him a golden ticket.

Next up, a video of a bunch of crying auditioners followed by a mixed group if singers I can only say sounded something like yodeling.

Next up is 16 year old, 5 foot 11 inch tall Taylor Vaifanua who sings "Joyful, Joyful" She is another person I think we should all watch. She has a very pleasant voice. The judges say she has natural potential and Randy goes so far as to say she is the best of season 8 thus far. We will see her in Hollywood!

The final contestant in Salt Lake is Rose Flack. She is a 17 year old orphan raised by a hippy father who died when she was only 13. She says she is wild and crazy. She also goes on to explain that her mother died in a car wreck when she was 15 leaving she and her brother alone. When she enters, Simon asks her to tell them something about herself and rather than telling her sad tale she simply says "I am charming." The judges agree. She sings "I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet" by Carol King. The judges say they didn't really like her song choice - but Simon tells her that 'he will remember her'. She has a cool vibe, and the judges send her to Hollywood.

In the end, 13 people from Salt Lake made it. I was surprised to learn that we get a bonus night of AI tomorrow night! My DVR will really be getting a work out as I have ER, Grays Anatomy and Private Practice to watch also. Tomorrow night is one hour that will visit both San Juan Puerto Rico and New York City. Ryan says it will be the most dramatic episode ever.

Next week is hell week in Hollywood. It is being billed as being the worst hell week ever. By worst - I mean to say that I think this is going to be a really hard week. I think the judges expectations are going to be really high this season.

See you tomorrow!