American Idol 5: Audition Round

Chicago auditions.

Published on January 17, 2006 By Jamie Burnside In Entertainment

Welcome back for what seems to be another exciting year of American Idol. Visit my website to read capsules and commentary. (The website seems to heat-up once the competition does...)

Sadly today, my wife and I are both battling colds. I ended up watching the show myself, interrupted by bouts of coughing. Needless to say, I will probably enjoy this show more the second time I watch it. So considering my basic state-of-health, I will open up with a condensed version of my usual summaries. (Wish me well soon, as another episode will be on tomorrow!)

Watercooler chat points of tonight's premiere. In handy bullet-point format:

No "celebrity guest judge" this time. I was a bit disappointed. I thought that Sugar Ray and Gene Simmons were good in that role last year. Hopefully they'll bring those out for future episodes.
Two sets of twins made it through: the Brittenums, and the Simmonses. Those guys sounded good, but twins don't ever have a chance, do they?
Some kid named David Radford sang a crooner-version of "...I forgot...." I suppose there has to be an "obligatory crooner" passed on to Hollywood each year as well. The girls will love this guy. He's fairly handsome.
One guy, David Hoover was sent on as a kind of inside joke. He is a unique guy. I wonder what his teammates will think of him in the Hollywood group competition (if he makes it that far!) I'd bet that a lot of the washouts would have LOVED to change places with that guy, even if he was sent on for all the wrong reasons.
Some country girls (sisters) from Indiana made it through. (Brooke and Leah Barretsmith.) Does anyone think they'll last? (I am not saying that they won't. I am genuinely curious.) Each of them has an attractive look, and that "Aw Garsh!" attitude that America loves. (The tall one sings well.)
38 minutes after the show, the performance that most clearly stuck with me was that of Ukrainian-national Yulia Mathus. She bellowed out Bohemian Rhapsody (with lyrics that were basically correct) in a strongly-accented voice. Her singing wasn't her main attraction. She had the build and the dance moves of an exotic dancer. Her dance routine was quite interesting, if nothing else.

Let's see what tomorrow has in store. Once again: Wish me well!

Comments

JillUser

on Jan 17, 2006

Here's hoping you feel better for tomorrow! My 9yr old, Alex, and I love to watch American Idol. I think Simon said some totally uncalled for things even for him (like telling that one guy he should become a female impersonator).

I genuinely felt badly for the Ukranian girl. She was obviously trying her best to stay in the states. I hope she finds a way.

I had no idea why they let that one guy come back in an hour for a second chance and didn't let the statue of liberty guy get past "Start spreading...". I thought that was unforgivable considering the guy came from NY to Chicago and waited it out all that time for his shot. They could have at least heard him. I looked ridiculous but may have had real talent.

In all seriousness, if I were a contestant I would be sooo pissed if I got dismissed like statue boy only to have them send David Hoover, or as Alex and I refer to him, seizure boy, on to Hollywood. I was really dissappointed in the judges this time. I think you are right, they really need to bring back the celebrity guest judge. I think that keeps the others on better behaviour.

Drink lots of fluids and get lots of sleep tonight!

Petey

on Jan 17, 2006

JillUser said: unforgivable considering the guy came from NY to Chicago

I think that the judges could smell "lame" as soon as that guy walked in the door. Stunts should be discouraged.

KellyW0498

on Jan 18, 2006

Jamie,
Hope you feel better soon.

We are fighting the crud here too. I made it through the first hour, hopefully I will make it through the whole thing next time.

Glad you back to your summaries.

jennybean

on Jan 18, 2006

Anyone catch the incredibly tasteless 16 year old girl wearing WAY too much makeup and self tanner? Oh, and her mother who was dressed just the same???? That is what disgusts me; at 16 this girl looks like a prostitute, and her mom is condoning it and doing the same!

i agree that encouraging people to come in to the auditions with gimmicks or people who make fools of themselves just to get on T.V. should be stopped. That is so sad to take a chance away for some truely talented kids only to hand it over to some guy who can't sing a note and runs into the audition with no shoes on, jumping up and down like he is higher than a kite. That is irritating. I didn't see the whole episode, but I also saw a clip of a guy wearing a dress. A little frilly tiny dress that barely came to his upper thighs, AND he couldn't sing! Now seriously...what do you think this competition is about? Why waste everyone's time on stupid things like that? But then again, I guess that is half the fun for some people to even watch the show.

JillUser

on Jan 18, 2006

I think that the judges could smell "lame" as soon as that guy walked in the door. Stunts should be discouraged.

So why did they give time to the guy who couldn't sing a note if his life depended on it and was dressed like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz? At least the two words they let the statue guy sing sounded good. There just wasn't any rhyme or reason to who they gave a chance and who they totally dismissed. I was irritated by that.

just john

on Jan 18, 2006

I know the auditions seem silly, challenging and frustrating. The fact is people with gimmicks rarely make it on the show at all (other than the gag clips). The statue guy lacked the personality. He was bland. He might have had a good voice but I could easily see that he was a newcomer to the stage. The guy dressed up as Dorothy was just like a car wreck where everyone is all bloody and messed up; you don't want to look, but you have to.

Does this mean you'll be our resident reporter once again? Even though I watch the show, I always enjoy your comentary.

Jamie Burnside

on Jan 18, 2006

This will be my third year writing about the show. I am glad that you enjoy it.

Quickster1

on Jan 18, 2006

I sure enjoy reading the comentary about the show.
Take good care of your colds!
Drink LOTS of fluids, eat your oranges, get plenty of rest!

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