Tonight’s American Idol featured the last audition episode before the show moves to Hollywood. Apparently the second round has been titled “The Road Ahead.” (Was it named that before?) Simon, Paula, Randy and special guest judge Brandi took the show on the road to see what San Francisco had to offer. (I might be wrong about this but, weren’t there supposed to be Alaska auditions this year too?)

The five most memorable items on tonight’s show:

1) Big haired Nadia Turner sang a splendid version of an Aretha Franklin song. Nadia has the word “Star” tattooed on her forehead. I am nearly certain that we’ll be seeing her on television around May Sweeps time.

My wife and I had a slight disagreement about Nadia. My wife raved about how beautiful Nadia was. I thought that she was reasonably pretty, but I wasn’t blown away. Maybe I was distracted by her hairstyle. I actually think that she’d look fantastic with a smart little bun on the top of her head.

2) A fellow named Ivan Ganders sang “We are the Champions” by Queen. During the audition I thought: “Well, at least his voice didn’t crack.” My wife said that he’d be a wonderful karaoke singer, and then we heard the same thing from Simon on the television.

The judges' verdict was that he sounded like the second-coming of Freddie Mercury. I was a bit puzzled by that. Maybe it is yet another one of those occasions where the person sounds better in the room than over the television.

3) Elizabeth Pha entered with a nearly all-fishnet outfit, light blue contacts, and braces. She had a bizarre style that the judges (and my wife) didn’t care for, but I kind of liked it. Maybe I appreciated her enthusiasm.

I liked Elizabeth’s audition, and Simon and Paula passed her through. Good for her. (After watching the teasers for next week’s show however, I am not liking her chances. I’d bet that things fall apart for her in the group song round. I am getting the feeling that Elizabeth may be the type that men really like, but women tend to go after.)

4) Next on my list is “The Attack of the Crooners” starring Jamie Koehler and Ross Williams.

These two guys came in, sang an old style, and were passed on to Hollywood. I suppose that they probably had okay auditions, but I am a little skeptical that America has any appetite left for old-fashioned “crooners.”

5) Finally, a guy who my friend Ngan liked in his first audition reappeared in San Francisco. J.P. Molfetta hoped that like his twin brother, the second audition would be a charm. Sadly for J.P., things didn’t work out.

This guy sang a song by Babyface, and he looked like he fell off of N’SYNCH’s tour bus. J.P. can sing, but his image and song choice just don’t seem to fit him. Since the guy can basically sing, it would probably be a good thing if J.P. would find another style of music to fall in love with.

**********Other notables: ************

* This guy named Mathew Miller sang a Kelly Clarkson song with a high-pitched woman’s voice. Poor Mathew looked like a cross between Martin Short’s Ed Grimley and Jm J Bullock. His audition wasn't fantastic (or good for that matter.)

* One young man named Justin Clark (with the mother who was beside herself after he passed) sang a fantastic Stevie Wonder song. Listening to Justin’s audition, I was a little suspicious that it was post-produced. I am wondering whether he is being “pushed” a little bit by the show's producers.

* Ryan Seacrest had a funny comment after Christopher Noll’s failed audition resulted in him letting loose with a string of expletives. Going to break, Ryan said, “I’m sure he’s great with the kids.”

That is it for tonight’s show. I am looking forward to the first Hollywood show next week! Bye for now!