American IdolKansas City Auditions
Original Air Date: Jan 14, 2009
PMB - TwoCents Reviewer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
No, it wasn’t a dream. Last night’s American Idol did show more talented singers than the crazies who believe that just because they can sing, there might be someone, somewhere who wants to hear them.
But you know what? Last night was, well, a little bland. Complain as we may (and I surely do) about the crazies, they do spice up a section of the show that is rather staid. Once we get into the real competition, the tension gets ratcheted up and we don’t need as much amusement.
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American Idol
ReplyDeleteKansas City Auditions
Original Air Date: Jan. 14, 2009
PMB - TwoCents Reviewer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
No, it wasn’t a dream. Last night’s American Idol did show more talented singers than the crazies who believe that just because they can sing, there might be someone, somewhere who wants to hear them.
But you know what? Last night was, well, a little bland. Complain as we may (and I surely do) about the crazies, they do spice up a section of the show that is rather staid. Once we get into the real competition, the tension gets ratcheted up and we don’t need as much amusement.
But in this section, where contestants sing for 30 seconds without any background music, a little crazy may really be the secret ingredient. Just add crazy and you’ve got entertainment (and hasn’t that always been the recipe for reality TV?).
Maybe that’s why they added Michael Nicewonder (what a name!), who wore a blond bowl cut hairdo and looked like he may be a bit mentally challenged. Still made me cringe, though.
So what really stood out in Kansas City? Here are a few highlights:
• David Cook, David Cook, David Cook. How many times did we have to hear that Season 7 winner was from Kansas City? I guess not enough times because here comes Cook’s parents to talk to Ryan Seacrest.
• Kansas City is in Missouri — not Kansas. You could have turned the number of people who got that wrong into a drinking game!
• The heartfelt stories are the ones that really stood out. Lil Rounds, the mother who lost her home to a tornado, bowled over all four judges over with her powerhouse voice. Danny Gorky, who lost his wife four weeks before the audition, impressed me the most with his raspy yet melodic tone. Matt Breitzke, a wielder with a young family, sang like a real pop star.
• I came and went on Von Smith’s (great name, BTW) shouted version of “Over the Rainbow.” He has a really good voice in there – just no control over his instrument or a sense of what makes a good singer. That may be his Achilles heel in Hollywood week.
• Loved that Anoop Desair came dressed in shorts and a buttoned down shirt — then opened his mouth to show he may be a real contender. I expect him to make it past Hollywood week with ease. And that’s good, because then he’ll get a stylist and start looking like a singer as well.
• And since we started with David Cook, let’s end with Season 7’s fourth runner up and resident hippie, Jason Castro. Jason always played it a little dumb on the air, but he showed great smarts by accompanying his brother Michael to the audition. Just for that, Michael got plenty of airtime, plus, even though the judges seemed on the fence about him, he passed through to Hollywood. Personally, I think he’s got a better voice than Jason and a more rock sensibility. But we will see, won’t we?
Did you like a show with less crazies and more heart? Did you spot anyone to watch and root for in the coming weeks? And don’t you think it’s time the producers lay off on those unfortunate, albeit delusional, contestants who seem to have a mental handicap?