American Idol in Austin and City of Angels

Ending this week, American Idol barged in Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, for Hollywood hunting.  There were bad and good finds; some were crazy and funny. But, what I'd focus now is only the good finds, particularly, power duos.

With the Hollywood auditions coming up, I observe a kind of trend that AI is getting into, unknowingly. What am I talking about?

First, there were Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks. Remember, the ex-boyfriend-girlfriend tandem? After a week, AI found again another interesting and talented partners: Jacqueline Dunfold and Nick Fink, who auditioned in Austin, Texas, and the Gutierrezes -- Mark and Aaron, in Los Angeles.

Unlike Rob and Chelsee, Jacqueline and Nick are very much together. Surely, the AI producers purposely made their introduction during the airtime as bordering on funny and contemptuous, as they make a slow-motion-very-much-in-love-run against the "hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music" backdrop.

Looking at them on the boob tube, it's like seeing Hansel and Gretel in the set of The Sound of Music. But, mind you, they can sing really ... good, worthy enough for that H-wood golden ticket. 

Our next twosome are brothers Mark and Aaron Gutierrez. Definitely, there's no sibling rivalry here, because these two harmonize very well.  As brothers, they are depicted as unlike poles, but attract tremendously in the area of singing.  With their rendition of "Lean on Me", brushed-up with the perfect blending, the judges were humbly blown off, enough to give the brothers the aimed pass to Hollywood.

Last stop for AI is going to be in San Francisco, before the ultimate Hollywood screening. Perhaps, AI will be able to find more remarkable duos in the city of St. Francis to match with the other "power of twos" who were able to get in for the next round.

--- Ireen ---

American Idol in Nashville, Next Stop: Austin, TX

Let me think. (Pause). Frankly, I did not seem to enjoy the audition in Nashville, Tennessee, for the fourth leg of American Idol search. It is supposed to be the Music City, but I see that Milwaukee was better off, especially with the entry of Fil-Am Thia Megia.

Former couple Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks:
Will they find love again in AI?

The audition, according to Randy Jackson, was full of highs and lows. I believe it was lows althroughout. The city is definitely swiped clean of all its talented residents, and that it will take some time for it to replenish.  Nashville's next Carrie Underwood is definitely not yet born here, and I guess, we have to wait for the next seasons to come.  

In my humble judgment, I believe the worthy Hollywood "packers" should only be the ex-es Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks, and Jackie Wilson. 

As feedback, Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks are former girlfriend-boyfriend who used to sing together publicly in a band. They happened to sign up for AI and ended up rendering a duet number for the judges, while Chelsee's current boyfriend waits outside the door. Seems painful for Rob because no one is at the door to hug and congratulate him for his coveted golden ticket, except, of course, for Ryan Seacrest. The trio judges were truly impressed with them individually and as a duo; J.Lo kinda bet that this couple will soon find themselves in each other's arms, back again.

Well, the judges have called on the next batch for Hollywood from Nashville, which included Jackie Wilson, Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks, Paul McDonald, Matt Dillard and Lauren Alaina. 

Next stop: Austin, Texas

--- Ireen ---

American Idol in Milwaukee, WI

For this week, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Ryan Seacrest are in the Land of Cheese (and Beer) Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the continuation of the search for the next American Idol. 

Overall, the entire audition was, as expected, a minus-and-plus undertaking. Without mentioning those who were subtracted from the competition, some of the latest additions to batch Hollywood are:

1. Scott Dangerfield, the backroom kisser who can pass up for a young Clark Kent except for his bony legs. And he can substitute Shaggy, too, in Scooby Doo. As to the voice, hmmm, I’m not that impressed, unlike J. Lo, who branded him as her “favorite”.

2. Steve Beghun, whose last name is pronounced as “big goon,” can easily take the role as a real big goon because of his height and size. He is considered to be AI’s first certified public accountant. And when he is not pushing the calculator, he is enjoying his time singing at weddings and funerals. The performance was not okay for me, though.

3. Emma Henry, the 15-year old Cyndi Lauper wanna-be. Randy Jackson was not really carried away saying that although she has a voice, it needs to be honed. Randy  was almost ready to say “no” with concerns that the girl might get swallowed by the Hollywood auditions if he would say "yes". But, with the crying that Emma made plus Steven Tyler’s kitty lobbying, Randy Jackson put her through for another shot.

4. Jerome Bell, the Bar Mitzvah singer. I say, this boy has the talent and he is definitely should go to Hollywood.

5. Naima Adedapo, the janitor and toilet cleaner mom. I agree with the judges, she has the package to compete in Hollywood.

6. Thia Megia is my ultimate choice! So young at 15 years old but with a powerful voice, I am reminded of her of Charice, not to mention her Asian looks. With talent and good attitude she has, I say, Thia will surely make it through the top 12.

7. Molly DeWolf Swensen, the Harvard graduate, White House intern who “platonically” loves Barack Obama. She's now marked as the contestant that the Dawg accidentally hit on the face at one time during the audition. Well, Randy let her in for Hollywood, not because he hurt her, but, really, she has the voice, and er, the height. Perhaps, Pres. Obama will soon start watching AI if she gets further in the competition.

8. Scotty McCreery is one exceptional character because of his unique voice. The first kind I’ve heard in AI; so low and deep for a 16-year year old, a comment, which he gets a lot.

9. Chris Medina – the boy with a good voice, alright; but, he also has a great heart-breaking story to tell: a very pretty fiancée, who, after they were engaged to get married, met a near-death accident and ended up with a broken face and on a wheel chair. Though they are not yet married, he made a commitment to take care of his girl.

The entrance of Scotty McCreery, Emma Henry and Thia Megia came after AI reduced the age requirement for participants. According to Ryan Seacrest, AI is highly influenced by the Justin Bieber fever that producers decided to lower the age qualification to 15 years old. The new generation is indeed so talented that the Milwaukee audition was able to haul up many 15-year old contenders.

Next stop for AI is in Nashville, Tennessee.  

--- Ireen ---

American Idol Audition in New Jersey and New Orleans

The American Idol is up and running again, now, on its tenth season.

Several quarters have expressed a low-tone excitement for this year's season because of various reasons including the non-renewal of famous celeb-judges Paula Abdul, Kara Dio Guardi and the undaunted Simon Cowell, and the seemingly fading interests of fans and followers of the show.

Opinion makers, like myself, believe that, indeed, the disappearance of those judges, who viewers have long been accustomed to, left a profound void quite uneasy for the producers to fill. Good thing, there is still, "The Dawg" Randy Jackson, and Ryan Seacrest, whose face is definitely AI- stamped.

But, as I watched the first two auditions in New Jersey and New Orleans in Louisiana with the new judges, rock star legend Steven Tyler and "Jenny on the Block" Jennifer Lopez, I may say, that it was not bad at all.  

With Tyler and J.Lo at the judging table, I sensed a bit of freshness. Steven Tyler, for me, was all true in the way he graded the performances, throwing in the right comments with proper timing.  I saw J. Lo. as the heart and soul of the panel. But, she can be a heavy gavel who can bring down a verdict without mercy, if the decision calls for it.  

As of the moment, I assume that the neophyte-judges are just taking their time and would soon heat up the contest to reveal something worth watching.  

The judges picked 51 hopefuls in New Jersey and 37 in New Orleans to become part of the pack that will be  sent to Hollywood for further auditioning.  

Home of the Jazz, New Orleans, is special, because the place happens to be the birthplace of resident judge, Randy Jackson. Among the contestants picked for Hollywood was a niece of Randy Jackson's former school coach. 

AI's next stop will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Until next time.  

--- Ireen ---