Idol came back home to Los Angeles in their quest to find the best of the best for Season 9, and as the mecca of entertainment one might assume that they would find so much talent they wouldn't have enough golden tickets for them all.EHHHHH. Think again.
Of the 10,000 or so people that came to audition, only a handful got the ticket that short jump over the hill to Hollywood.To find those needles in the haystack, they enlisted the help of guest judges Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry, both of whom took their duties as judge very seriously, as we'll get to a bit later. If she didn't already have a big career of her own, I'd seriously campaign for Katy to take Cranky Cowell's spot when he jumps ship after this season. That girl definitely says what's on her mind.
N' I like it.
Unlike Chicago, where even the non-talents were ho-hum and dullsville, the freaks of L.A. were at least entertaining - and I'd bet money that we're going to see at least one of these folks at the finale.
Remember the name Jason Greene, that's all I'm sayin'.
He contributed significantly to the new segment: "What We Learned Not to Do on American Idol":
1. If you have an IQ of 168, wouldn't you be smart enough to know you can't sing?
2. If you learned your music skills from the same person who taught you martial arts... demand a refund.
3. (and I can't emphasize this one enough) The reason Adam Lambert was cool was because he was an original. Being Adam Lambert-like, then, defeats the purpose.
4. Only Mick Jagger can pull off Mick Jagger without it appearing like some sort of physical disorder.
5. The Trifecta of No: Hitting on Simon while singing a Divinyls tune about masturbation while on your knees... especially if your name is Jason Greene.
In fact, I almost enjoyed the non-talents more than the talents this particular show, as there was no one who really stood out as a real contender to make it all the way.
The one I remembered most after the show was over was the 23 year old musician from Moreno Valley. Andrew Garcia had the tear jerker back story, complete with a crying daddy that is sure to win over the heart of many soft-hearted females (myself included). This kid barely escaped the mean streets of Compton and a violent gang life, and now is trying to make it for his young family. Not only that, he can sing in a way that stands out from all the other crooners and Pop Tarts making their way to Hollywood this season.
In fact, I definitely got a Danny Gokey vibe from this kid. I believe he's semi-finals bound.
Another girl breaking through the army of blond that is making it through this year was 28 year old Mary Powers, a singer from Burbank, California. She hits the rocker chick vibe pretty hard, and I'm not sure I totally buy it yet, but she can sing (taking on Pat Benetar is no easy feat, believe you me). She's either going to win everyone over or turn into a predictable one trick pony - and her longevity in this contest just may depend on the appeal of her being the mother to her little girl, giving her much needed layers.
Otherwise she'll end up like that gal a few seasons ago who was simply a one dimensional performer. What was her name again?
Exactly my point.
Another lady who is outside the box is Tasha Layton, whose resume is totally L.A. doing double duty as a personal assistant during the day and a minister at night. She's got what Mary might be missing - a total sense of self that is unique only to her, which makes her immediately likable.
The other two contestants that were featured who made it through actually got our celebrity judges involved in some unexpected ways.
Jim Ranger, a worship pastor from Bakersfield, California, has the sound, and the desire, but Avril was quick to deliver a reality check to the married father of three. The music business is a hard place to have a family and to do the things he's already committed to do. She voted no not because he couldn't sing, but because that might be best for him as a person.
Katy, on the other hand, gave Chris Golightly a "small y", advising Kara - who loved Chris's story - that everyone there had amazing stories. "This isn't a Lifetime movie," quipped the singer to a very annoyed Kara. I actually think Simon hit this audition on the head by saying that it wasn't all that spectacular. Whether we're going by talent or going by the strength of the sob story, there are others in this competition that outshine the 25 year old shoe salesman in both areas.
For me, the jury's still out. He falls on the list of those I'll need to see more of in Hollywood.
Tomorrow Idol rolls into Dallas, Texas, in my home state. My sons tell me that one of their friends got to audition but didn't get through.
I'm scared. I'm very scared.
See y'all tomorrow, direct from the Lone Star State.
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