I have gone through several seasons of Idol where I almost gave up at one point or another, but I just might do it this year. These auditions are beyond boring. It’s almost like the show is on prozac…the lows aren’t as low, but man, the highs aren’t that high. [All of this is second-hand info, btw. Just sayin’…]
Take Tuesday’s episode in San Francisco. I remember two performance out of the entire hour, and one of them wasn’t for the singing. That one would be Jesus Venezuela, who has a mediocre voice, but got through on the charm of his kids. These feel SOOOO staged! Another mediocre one that got through was Tatiana Del Toro, who I barely even remember when I think about it. Even Kai Kalama, who got a lot of face time for his mom, just doesn’t measure up. I think this is going to slap the producers in the face later, as they create these bonds with contestants that just aren’t good enough to make it through.
The sole memorable performance goes to Adam Lambert (right), whose “Bohemian Rhapsody” indeed was a bit musical-ish, but wow. Not bombastic like Von Smith, not overly campy like Danny Noriega, but impressive none the less. Granted, a talent like that is going to need a little refining for mainstream audiences, but I like my Idols distinctive, and Adam seems to have that special something.
Night two brought us to Louisville, Kentucky, and while it was actually better, I don’t know that millimeters count on network TV shows. Three singers stood out to me: Matt Giraud, who hails from Kalamazoo (and who I’m surprised I never saw out at a certain bar in Grand Rapids); Brent Keith Smith (left), who had a great presence as he belted Bad Company; and Joanna Pacitti, who had my favorite performance of the night with “We Belong”. My DVR cut out at 8, so I missed the final performance. Please don’t be offended if they were amazing.
So another week of auditions, and then it’s time for Hollywood. Rumors are already leaking out about how things went there, but I’m avoiding them. Despite my big talk, I am pretty sure I will watch the final auditions, just so there’s no chance I miss something. What’d y’all think?
Stumble It!
Pop Music Notes 
I hear ya! It’s a snoozefest this season. I can’t recall anyone’s names this week. And the dad/kids thing was very staged, it seemed. Hollywood week bettah be bettah!
hmmm, i think then, that i definitely will wait until the whole live show thing is whittled down to about 10 people…
Joanna Pacitti could get through at least a few rounds of American Idol on looks alone
I gave up years ago. What did you think of Kara D as the new judge?
brent keith smith was on nashville star or whatever the name of that show is
Yuri, no kidding. I have a feeling Hollywood week will be killer, but these auditions may chase the viewers off in the process.
Paul, that’s an EXCELLENT idea. The only thing that keeps me from following your lead is the chance that someone really starts to shine, and Hollywood week is a good time for that.
coffee, she definitely has some talent going on. You can see here in action on YouTube.
ww_adh, I like Kara. She’s going to need a little time to find her voice, but I think she’s shaking things up a bit.
dan, I didn’t know that, but I can completely see that.