:) Yeppers our new season of American Idol has begun and frankly after viewing this first episode I am really excited for a number of reasons which I will discuss as we go along. Let's begin, shall we?
Our show begins with several news stories about who will be the new judges on American Idol. Ryan Seacrest then starts introducing the new panel. Randy Jackson is first introduce followed by Steven Tyler and then of course our female of the bunch Jennifer Lopez. The audience seems very excited by this new panel. The new opening has a different look with several idols being shown including those who actually did not win the title. I was excited to see our Taylor in the mix.
Over a scene of an early morning, Ryan tells us it is the dawn of a new season. It is a new era and over 125,000 contestants show up for this event and to hopefully win the title of American Idol. We then see short clips from prior winners. Ryan also tells us new dream makers will carve out our destiny on this show which is the lead-in for the new judges.
Steven Tyler who as the lead singer of Aerosmith has sold over 150 million albums worldwide. Steven adds in his short clip "that American idol is about someone who sings so good that they have won over the hearts of 40 million people". Steven took this gig because he loves music and he has certainly shown how talented he is in his career.
Jennifer Lopez can hold her own in the business. She has sold over 55 million albums to prove it and has rack up over a half a billion at the box office for her acting chops. Jennifer hopes to be compassionate as a judge.
Randy Jackson is a top producer and has worked with some of the best artists around. Keep in mind our "top dawg" was once part of the group Journey. He feels that both Steven and Jennifer will bring alot of fun and excitement to the new season.
Okay I know I am putting the cart before the horse but I have to comment on what I felt about the judging prowness of the new panel. For some odd reason I thought Steven Tyler might be laid back and not say much. Boy was I wrong! Not only did he give his opinion but he did it with humor plus even helped out some of the contestants by singing with them and accompanying them by banging on the desk like a drum. Jennifer Lopez turned out to be short of restraint in the beginning about hurting anyone's feelings and actually had a hard time saying no to anyone. However by the second day she got into the swing of things. Randy of course was Randy but he seemed more at ease this time around and I barely heard any of his past phrases. Looks like the judges seemed to be having a ball with many of the scenes we saw.
Our next bit of business shows us a blond girl who can not sing and will not be going to Hollywood. This leads us into our introduction to Jimmy Iovine who is the chairman of Interscope Records and will be signing the new winner. He has done albums with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Dire Straits and U2. He has shaped the careers of such notables as No Doubt, Black-Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga to name a few. He believes in working with the artists by helping them develop their talent.
Now that we have the new team, let's get to the auditions.
Our first city auditions happen on August 3rd, 2010 in the state of New Jersey. We see massive people who have come out to audition and our very own Ryan Seacrest is introduced to the crowd by our very own Constantine Maroulis of season 4. The usual pep talk to the audience and some chit-chat with the new judges. We have a new set for the auditions. Several give comments which include the contestants and the judges. Season 6 alum Rachel Zevita from New York is now 22 years old and has decided to try out again (she did make it to Hollywood that season but was cut the first day). Jennifer remembers her from that season. Singing the song "Hallelujah" in a deeper voice than her original try-out does impress the judges and she is the first off to Hollywood once again.
25 year old Caleb Hawley from New York gets some extra help from Steven as he sings (sorry I just could not think of the name of the song). He does sound good and Steven accompanies him by drumming on the desk and clapping along. I think this guy has potential and with some clean-up could do quite well. He of course is on his way west as all the judges give him his golden ticket.
Next up is 15 year old Kenzie Palmer who does musical theatre. Again I was not sure of the song but the judges seemed to like her as they give her the gold although Steven and Randy did have some reservations. For myself I found this girl to be just average overall.
No names were given as we see two girls and a guy get the yes votes.
Coming in next was Achille Lovle who is from the ivory coast. She is barely understandable as her accent is very heavy. She attempts to sing "Dress You Up In My Love" by Madonna. Sadly it is a bust and all three judges say no.
Our next contestant is a dance teacher who really likes Jennifer Lopez. This Puerto Rican girl gives us some instruction of how to dress and tease your hair to have the New Jersey look. Her name is Tiffany Rios and gets emotional looking at Jennifer which prompts Jennifer to give her a hug before she opens her jacket to show us stars on her bra-like top. She sings an original song that sounds dumb but the girl can sing. She than gets more subdued and performs "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion. As I said this girl can sing but her look leaves alot to be desired as she is not very attractive. However she impresses the judges and gets the gold.
Up next some bad singers who do not make it through. Seems Jennifer is having difficulty saying no to some of the contestants. She finally gets into the groove once she hears Melkia Wheatfall sing who reminded me so much of Butterfly McQueen from the movie "Gone With The Wind".
Our first sob story as we meet Robbie Rosen who is from Merrick, New York. He was in a wheelchair from a disease as a young child but managed to overcome this and now is healthy. He is 16 and kind of cute. Singing "Yesterday" by The Beatles he makes the judges love him and gets the gold. This kid does have potential.
Welcome back to mid-afternoon of day 1 as several tell who they want to meet the most of the judges. Steven is a big hit with the ladies. He gives several some extra love before they audition. We next see a past boy scout who has done promos for good causes. His name is Chris Cordiero who looks dressed up to go fishing as Jennifer mentions. He gives an awful rendition to the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra. The judges are not pleased with him and he does not get the gold. I got a kick out of the way he kept snapping his fingers while he sang.
Several no's from the judges before the next contestant comes in who turns out to be Michael Perotto who burps when he is nervous. He demonstrates this before he enters the audition room to give us a bad rendition to the song "Proud Mary" by Ike and Tina Turner. Steven wants to know if Michael ate alot of paint chips when he was a child. He then wants a higher standard but Michael just starts yelling the next song. I love the failure to communicate comment from Steven. Michael directs his next comment to Randy saying he wants the truth and of course Randy tells it like it is before Michael emerges from the room saying "Ouch". Evidently Michael is not going to listen and will continue to sing.
Ashley Sullivan is a big Britney Spears fan and even carries a picture of her. She is nervous and rambles before the judges before she sings "Gimme, gimme" from the Thoroughly Modern Millie show. She does have personality but not much of a voice. She begs and cries for a chance to go to Hollywood. The judges relent and give her the gold. This girl would be great in a musical as she does have acting ability I think.
Day 2 dawns with several bad performances. Next to be shown is 16 year old Victoria Huggins from North Carolina who would be great as a commentator but as a singer she is a wash-out in my book. She slaughters the song "Midnight Train To Georgia". I really hate that song and she made me hate it more. The judges give her the gold mainly because of her sugarery sweet personality. Take it from me folks this girl will go home quickly in Hollywood.
From Kosovo our next contestant is Melinda Ademi who tells of the struggle of her family leaving that country. She is a pretty girl and does have a sweet voice. She has potential as mentioned by the judges and gets the gold.
More from day two as we see that several people spent the night waiting to get a turn. The focus then shifts to a singing waitress who works in Times Square at Ellen's Stardust Diner. Devyn Rush sings "God Bless The Child". She does a different arrangement of the song and you can tell the judges like her. Steven calls it delicious, Jennifer loves it and Randy talks about her dress first but likes her voice. They want her to work on her image as the judges vote her through to Hollywood. Was Devyn kidding when she told Ryan that she did not know who he was? Hmmm....I wonder.
Jimmy Kennedy looks odd and totally can not sing as he is rejected next.
Genise Deal has the panel singing with her on "I'm A Believer" before she too is rejected.
Yoji "pop" Asano has a unique talent as he imitates Michael Jackson. He is from Tokyo and has a heavy accent plus an odd personality to boot. He decides to perform the song he hates which is Miley Cyrus's "Party In The USA". His singing is not so good but as a dancer he is very much like Michael Jackson. He does not make it and we have to endure hearing many of the contestants singing Miley's song as a group and individually.
More baddies as we see Jaclyn Blythe, Ima Abasumoh and Rob Palmay go down in flames.
Next up is 16 year old Brielle Von Hugel who's dad overcame throat Cancer. She performs "Endless Love" and judges like her enough to send her through. However they do mention she needs work.
We see many dreams turning to tears before we meet our final contestant of this show. His name is Travis Orlando and he is a twin. He tells us of the hard life his family had to endure in the Bronx living in a shelter. Seems his dad got sick and because of that and the economy they lost their home. They are finally out of the shelter but do live paycheck to paycheck. I think this 16 year old is one cute kid. He performs "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles and you can tell how nervous he is. Steven wants to hear another song so he then sings "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. It is obvious the judges like him and he gets the gold. I was glad on this one.
Final thoughts from me. I think a few of these contestants have some potential however I can not say I was wowed by any of them. I sort of feel that Hollywood brings out the best and the worst so time will tell who will become our new top 12.
Tomorrow we go to New Orleans, Lousiana. Judging from the clips looks like we are in for some craziness. So until then I must now say goodnight and wish you a great day ahead.
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Subject: Season 10 Gets Started - 1/19/11 
Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:47 am
