AMERICAN IDOL Season 8 Recap — NYC and San Juan

For the first time, auditions from two cities were combined in one hour. I’d read producers were disappointed with the Puerto Rico outing (only 9 singers got golden tickets versus 26 in NYC) so they probably didn’t get enough good material there for a show by itself. But, combined with New York City, tonight’s segment was still surprisingly lackluster. No one really stood out as a potential frontrunner. Let’s break it down:

Most Promising:

• Jorge Nunez from Puerto Rico, who sang a Spanish song called “My Way” with Marc Anthony-like intensity. The judges asked for a song in English and he sang “What a Wonderful World” with less passion but enough talent to get through to Hollywood. He’s cute, too.
• From NYC, Melinda Camille, a barefoot (what’s with the trend this year?), close-shaven girl with a great smile who likes to dance naked and wants to “uplift humanity” with her voice. She sang “Feeling Good,” the perfect song for her, in a nice, strong voice and Kara called her “a vitamin boost.” Four yeses.
• Also from New York, Jackie Tohn, a singer/songwriter/guitar player who gave off a brunette Sheryl Crow vibe. Her voice had a cool, husky quality and she was much better when she sang as herself than when she tried to sing like Jason Mraz.
• A Puerto Rico find, Kendall Beard appeared for only about 30 seconds but she sounded good and is a very pretty blonde so she’ll probably do well. 

Nicest Simon Moment:

• After Adeola Adegoke’s audition didn’t go well, Simon got on the phone with her boss at the job she had just quit the day before and asked if she could have her job back. The boss said yes. What choice did he have when Simon’s asking?

Most Annoying Person to Ever Get a Ticket:

• “Norman Gentle,” aka Nick Mitchell, who came dressed like a tacky tourist in a shiny shirt, head- and wristbands, and shorts with dark dress socks. His voice wasn’t bad when he sang “Amazing Grace” but he kept doing annoying shticky stuff, believing he was funny (which he wasn’t). Surprisingly, the judges were entertained and shockingly, Mitchell made it through to Hollywood. That disgusted me. He’s not going to take the competition seriously and will just be a waste of plane fare and everyone’s time.

People Who Made My Eyeballs Roll Back the Farthest:

• Joel Contreras, from Puerto Rico. Here’s another guy who wasn’t a bad singer if he’d just commit and take the singing seriously. He came in with a giant iPod cutout, called himself a guyPod, tried to sing “Circle of Life” with a lion puppet, screamed excitedly when he was rejected, then flipped into a pool while dressed in blue superhero tights. Whatever, guy. Lay off the Red Bull.
• Alexis Cohen, who’d already been rejected last year when she auditioned with glitter all over her face and a faux rock/punk ‘tude. She’d let loose a string of profanities and double-fingered everyone. (She admitted later her tirade was an act.) This year, she appeared all cleaned up and made nice with other hopefuls in the waiting area. It was SO fake. She then sang “Like a Prayer,” poorly, and flipped Simon off when she was denied again. She tried to get all indignant outside with Ryan but it was so obvious she was once again putting on an act. Producers, please retire this girl if she ever shows up again. 

So, we had some freaks tonight but they weren’t the entertaining type, just obnoxious. Did you think the jokesters were funny? Did you like anyone I didn’t include here? I can’t wait for next week when the competition gets serious in Hollywood and all the clowns will be weeded out.

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