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Only one more audition show left before the show moves to Hollywood.  Watching tonight's show from Austin, Texas, I was struck by the number of "bad" auditions that have been aired this season, as well as a spike in country singers.  (I think that neither is a good thing.)

Tonight's show was once again interesting, although a little skimpy on the "highlights".

Tonight's "Highlights"

• Simon Cowell has license to say a lot of things on television that noone else would dare say.  Criticizing one lady on her braces (which I thought to be overly mean-spirited), and one other on her weight (mean, but with a clever potato sack analogy), are things that no other American TV talent could get away with.
• Funeral director Jason Horn gave the first good audition of the show -over fifteen minutes into the program.  Handsome and a good singer.  I'm not sold on whether he'll make it very far, but I'm sure that he could be guardedly optimistic.  (A lot of the better singers seem to be among the better-looking contestants as well.  There aren't many Christopher Crosses in the world for some reason.)
• Speaking of pretty, one young girl named Cierra Johnson had an interesting audition.  By the looks of her, it seemed that she'd be sure to stun.  Simon said what millions of viewers (and me)were probably thinking, he was expecting her to be really good just on appearance.  I'd think that this young lady could turn to fashion modeling (if she hasn't already).
• Collegiate music student Ricky Hays had a nice sounding audition.  It looks like he'll have to work on making himself more lovable on interviews and vignettes in order to get people to vote for him however.
• Fit model Ashley Johnson was an above average singer, with a fantastic look and personality.  She is one of the few contestants who passed through on "power of personality".  If America gets the chance, I think they'll like her.  (I am not particularily convinced that they'll get the chance.)
• Flirtatious waiter RJ Norman didn't come across so well prior to his audition.  I'd imagine that his apparent ego attack on national television may come back to haunt him in his everyday life.  Regardless of all that, he sang well enough to pass on to the next round.  I am sure that the judges had extra incentive to pass him along, as he is certain to draw a bit of "heel heat" from the viewing audience.  (Excuse the pro wrestling jargon.)  Every show needs a villian or two.
• I really liked 16-year-old William Makar.  Handsome, a seemingly nice boy, and a good singer.  I think that the "clean-cut all-American boy" is a good image for a pop star.

Well, that's all for this week.  Let's see how the Boston auditions turn out!