The infamous Larry Platt and "Pants On The Ground"
This is a new show but it spans all of the audition cities featuring great talent. In the past, IDOL has been criticized for not doing enough to promote some of the folks who make it to Hollywood. Therefore, this show is aptly titled “The Best For Last.” Here’s hoping.
MINI-RECAP
*Name to Remember: DIDI BENAMI, inspired by her friend who died 4 years ago, she proves she has the chops.
*The One You Hope To Forget: SHADDAII HARIS, gives new meaning to the term “tone deaf.”
*Most Heart Warming Story: HOPE JOHNSON, the poor girl with a heart of gold and a miracle voice.
*Quote of the Night: Kara to 6’8” ADRIAN CHANDTCHI: “Adrian it’s like there is a small school boy trapped in you.” Simon: “Either that or you’ve eaten one.”
The show starts off tonight with a tribute to “Pants on the Ground.” I readily admit that I dropped the ball on this one. I just don’t get the phenomenon it caused, but clearly I was in the wrong b/c everyone has been talking about “Pants…” My apologies to all you “Pants” lovers. Although it makes a nice segue b/c song choice is important and singing a song that is memorable, like “Pants on the Ground,” is just as important.
JESSICA FURNEY, 20, Wamego, KS – Jessica knows the importance of song choice. In Season 8, she sang a Janice Joplin tune that really didn’t work. So this year she auditions with a song co-written by Simon Cowell called “Footprints in The Sand.” Simon says “It’s a beautiful song, so good luck.” He’s waiting for Jessica to bomb. She doesn’t. Her voice is soft and sweet and she knows how to carry a tune. Four YES votes sends her to Hollywood.
FULL SHOW RECAP AFTER THE BREAK
COMMERCIAL BREAK
AMANDA SCHECTMAN, 19, Roslyn, NY – Amanda does a pretty dead-on Brittany Spears imitation. She can also talk with her mouth closed, but ultimately she wants her real voice heard and she is ready to do that on IDOL. Amanda’s voice is good, but she lacks personality when she sings and the judges quickly pick up on it. She blames her theater background and they agree. She swears she can change though (don’t they all?). Simon calls her dramatic and badly, but dramatically, acts out his struggle to ultimately give Amanda her YES answer. She gets three others from the judges and moves on. Of course, she cries non-stop when she walks out. DRAMA QUEEN!
LEE DEWYZE, 23, Mount Prospect, IL – Lee belts out “Aint No Sunshine” and does a really nice job. He has a nice raspiness to his voice. Four YES votes for Lee.
CRYSTAL BOWERSON, 23, Elliston, OH – She sings the Joplin classic, “Another Piece of My Heart” and does a kick butt job. Awesome voice. Four YES votes.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
We come back from the break with people who have auditioned for IDOL more than once, some of them a lot more. Clearly being told that you can’t sing doesn’t always sink in the first time. Although, admittedly, some people do have good voices, they just need some work or it’s just not their time.
LACEY BROWN, 23, Amarillo, TX made top 50 last year, but was booted for Meagan Joy Corkrey. Remember the girl who flapped her arms all the time? Anyway, Lacey is back for another show with her rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” She nails it and with four YES votes she gets another shot at Hollywood.
STEPHANIE FISHER, 23, Jamestown, NY — This is Stephanie’s 7th attempt auditioning for Idol. That’s not shocking. What is shocking is that she looks 40! Sweety, stay out of the tanning bed. She sings “Fever” for her 7th audition. She doesn’t do it well, but she sings it, nonetheless. Simon tells her she has a horrible voice. Victoria Beckham gives her a huge hug b/c Stephanie is a big fan and that ends Stephanie’s Idol dreams…until next year.
Three 16-year-olds and three fantastic singers…
RACHEL HUBBARD, 16, Boerne, TX –
THADDEUS JOHNSON, 16, Oklahoma City, OK –
GENESIS MOORE, 16, McDonough, GA –
They all go to Hollywood.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
We come back to a montage with athletes and that’s when we meet…
ADRIAN CHANDTCHI, 17, Apopka, FL — He’s 6’8”. That’s not a typo. But he has the voice of kid. Something tells me Adrian isn’t cut out for this. He says he is going to sing Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.” I was right. YIKES. He’s awful, but at 6’8”, I’m glad I don’t have to tell him. They politely tell them singing isn’t cut out for him, but he reminds them that they have his number if they change their minds. Don’t wait by the phone, Adrian.
MICHAEL LYNCH, 26, Astoria, NY — Michael is a personal trainer and he has the guns to prove it. He also just found out that he is about to be a dad. He sings a Simon favorite, “Unchained Melody” and he does it very well. With 4 YES votes, he muscles his way into Hollywood (yes, I stole that line from the IDOL writers).
DIDI BENAMI, 22, Hollywood, CA – Didi is singing for her friend who died 4 years ago. She says she is her inspiration and she sings “Hey Jude” for her audition. She sings it BRILLIANTLY. When she is done, she breaks down in tears. The judges console her with 4 YES votes, although Simon’s was a small yes. DiDi is going home to Hollywood!!!
COMMERCIAL BREAK
AARON KELLY, 16, Sonestown, PA — Aaron was adopted by his aunt when he was a child b/c his biological parents couldn’t take care of him. You can tell this is a kid with his heart in the right place and I bet his voice will be too. He sings Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.” Aaron has a great voice for a 16-year-old. He could be a great county singer. You would never know this shy kid can belt it out like that. With 4 YES votes, he goes to Hollywood.
KIMBERLY BISHOP — Kimberly is a tad bit odd. It’s like not all of the dots are connecting upstairs. She tells Randy, “You’ve lost weight. I’ve seen you on television before.” So have millions of other people. In any case, she is singing Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl.” For her sake, I hope that girl is on the American Idol stage b/c that’s the only way she is making it to Hollywood. VERY BAD! There isn’t even a tune there. Two NOs. Simon jokingly says he would have said Yes. Jerk.
SHADDAII HARIS, 22, Arlington, TX – We hear the emotional story of Shaddaii and how important it is for mom to be there with her for this audition. Mom says she had a vision before Shaddaii was born that she was going to be a singer when she grew up. Well, mom, get your vision checked cause baby girl can’t carry a tune in a bucket. She gives new meaning to the phrase “tone deaf.” The judges tell her that she can’t sing, but she starts singing another song (Why do people do that???). With 4 NOs, Shaddaii’s dream ends.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
HOPE JOHNSON, 19, Arlington, TX – Hope didn’t know she was poor when she was growing up. She assumed you just didn’t eat dinner every day. She would bring home food from her school lunch to share with her brother. That’s sad, but music is her escape and since she is the last audition, I know she is about to blow me away. She sings “The Dance.” Her voice is as absolutely as lovely as she is. The judges rave over her and send her to Hollywood to hopefully complete her dream.
Speaking of Hollywood… NEXT WEEK IS HOLLYWOOD WEEK! The drama, the excitement, and best of all, ELLEN DEGENERES!!! I can’t wait. Until then… MENDHEIM OUT!