Not quite, but it was pretty good. This episode of American Idol showed us a lot more good than bad and it was nice to not have to sit through excruciatingly bad auditions . And hey Dallas is also where Kelly Clarkson was discovered, so who knows, this year's Idol could come from here.
Neil Patrick Harris is guest judge for Day 1 in Dallas. You'll remember him as Doogie from Doogie Howser MD and more recently as Barney, the star of hit sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother'. LOL, but Randy and Simon would have preferred to have Richard Simmons (the exercise guy? seriously?) or Clint Eastwood as guest judges - fat hopes guys.
"My goal today is to shatter the dreams of thousands. If I can make two or three dozen people cry, I'll feel like I've done my job." Snarky snarky NPH. But I likey.
Kara looked gorgeous in red today and back to normal (not fake-tanned like yesterday), producers should NOT sit her next to something as white as Katy Perry ever again. I'm hoping Katy Perry comes back as a judge - maybe next year when Simon's not around, she can take Simon's chair? Some people say that chair needs a Gene Simmons - I say nay. Not the tongue guy from KISS. Veteran yes, but I don't think I can spend an entire season watching/listening to him - not charming enough imo. Sir Paul McCartney perhaps?
Who would YOU like to see take over Simon's role?
Midway through the show, they had this funny segment. Ah, life as Simon Cowell IS tough isn't it?
And before I head on to the other auditionees, guest judge for Day 2 is heartthrob Joe Jonas. The middle Jonas Bro was just total eye candy. He was mostly polite and smiley, but he wasn't given very much airtime. Oh well, dun matter, whatever face time we got of him was lovely! :)
Ok, on to the auditionees...
BAD....
Julie Kevelighan
7 years ago, Simon told her to get a lawyer to sue her singing teacher. She has since taken more singing lessons, acting lessons, makeup lessons (and I'm guessing styling lessons). Not willing to give up, she kept singing even as she was escorted out by security. Taking a leaf from Simon, I say hire a team of lawyers and sue all them teachers.
Dexter Ward
Declared to cam that he would be "I am. The Next. America's Idol". LOL. Did he try out for Next Top Model before this or been to so many auditions he's forgotten which reality show he's on? OMG and the winking! You guys have to watch this again...
But laughter aside, so poor thing la watching him cry outside.
Vanessa Johnston
If there's anything called OVERpositivity I think this girl would be it. Dressed head (big flowerball AND pink eyeshadow) to toe in fuchsia (not regular pink), she shouted, no, yelled out 'At Last' totally offkey - Etta James was probably doing flips in her grave. It was seriously painful to watch (and hear).
Iffy for me.
Erica Rhodes
Yesterday producers trailed that Barney was in the audition room. Chey! No one came in dressed up as Barney. Erica was one of the kids on Barney & Friends and OMG my kids watch Barney and I actually recognise her! She came in dressed as a dominatrix to make an impression, she kept saying she wants to show people that Barney kids do grow up (to which NPH said "to be dirty little girls!" LOL!). Her voice was just okay to me, and I think she got in more on her personality. I think our girls did a better rendition of En Vogue's 'Free Your Mind', minus the whip ;)
Good
Dockworker Lloyd Thomas impressed with Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed". He has a personality but it didn't really come through when he sang, but he has a good voice and can sing. I don't know if he'll make it through Hollywood week. He was Simon's favourite audition of the day.
Kimberley Carver
Impressed with an original song and managed to win over everyone except Simon. She reminded me a little of Kelly Clarkson, but her vocals are nowhere near Kelly's.
Dave Pittman
He has Tourette's Syndrome. I thought he was gonna spew obscenities at any moment, but luckily his Tourettes's ticks are more of facial ticks and clearing of the throat. Miraculously, the Tourette's doesn't affect him when he's singing and he has a great clear voice. He's very likeable and genuine. NPH says he's "crazy brave". Definitely one of my favourites, and Simon thought he was 'terrific' and that 'people are gonna like him'.
Todrick Hall
Interesting name, interesting original song. He wrote it specifically for the show and it was kinda cute. Spoilers on the net say he's made it to the Top 24. Lets see if thats true, but he does have that 'seh' (quality) about him. His style reminded me of Craig David.
Maegan Wright
Blondie who bursts with sunshine with a heartwarming story about the bond between her and little brother Dawson after their parents divorced. She looked like she wasn't gonna be able to sing, but she surprised me (and the judges) with her touching rendition of Adele's 'Make You Feel My Love'. The girl is good, she doesn't try too hard and she's going to Hollywood.
Christian Spear
Last audition for Dallas and its a sob story comin' up (hrm do I see a pattern?). At 16, Christian is an 8-year cancer survivor. She got leukimia at 4 yrs old and went into remission at 8. She was pretty good. Her voice reminded me a lot of Tabitha's. :)
31 from Dallas are going to Hollywood. My favourites are Maegan Wright and Todrick Hall.
Next week, it's the last audition city - Denver. Guest judge : Victoria Beckham...again. I'm hoping to see a little less nerves and a little more personality from her (and ixnay the acelay*). Hopefully we'll be done with Denver on Wednesday and go straight to Hollywood on Thursday and see Ellen in action! Then again, with a title like 'Road To Hollywood', I'm kinda expecting Thursday's show to be a recap of the audition cities with just a teaser for actual Hollywood week at the end - fingers crossed I'm wrong.
Ok, off to check on my son! (yes folks, I'm camped out at my son's school, keeping an eye on him, while writing this review)
xoxo, s.
*nix the lace.
