Season 8 Kicks Off - 1/13/09

:) Hello all. Yeppers the new season of American Idol has begun with some new changes as this year not only do we have a 4th judge but the format will be different. Also a new set is behind our judges with pictures of our idols displayed behind the contestants. I am not happy that our wonderful Taylor seems to have a small picture displayed but am glad with how the camera shows that adorable face the whole time during the contestants audition. So that aside let the journey for the new American Idol begin.

The show begins with a much younger Simon giving a pep talk to the first contestants of this show which began June 12, 2002. Then we get to see many highlights of past auditions, finales, performances, hugs, tears and wins of some of our idols. The best part for me of course was seeing our wonderful Taylor on the night he won. Ryan Seacrest then says his famous line "This is American Idol". Then an over the top moment as we once again see Season 7's David Cook win his moment. Frustrated teens are crying and screaming as David Archuleta has come in second. So Ryan asks us "who will be next" as we see the new crop of contestants claim they are the next american idol.

Thousands have auditioned and we see our judges plus Ryan looking quite good with the Grand Canyon displayed. Our first stop is hot, hot, hot Phoenix, Arizona. Many swelter in the heat to audition for this famous show. A few scenes follow introducing our 4th judge Kara DioGuardi who has worked with many well-known artists as well as some of our idols. We see pictures of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook. Guess they forgot that this judge also worked with Taylor. Boo on them. As far as the 4th judge goes I was not all that impressed and can tell already after viewing this show I do not care for her at all. So 10,000 people have shown up for this first audition. Without further ado let's get started.


THE CONTESTANTS:

Our first contestant is Tuan Nguyen who has a massive fro on his head. He starts out singing fairly well with Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" but as the audition progresses he adds some dance movements which distract from the singing and he loses my interest as well as the judges. It is a no to Hollywood and sadly with huge disappointment he leaves.

OMG next is Emily Hughes a rocker chick who has massive tattoos and pink and blonde hair. I gag just looking at this pretty girl who has messed up her body so badly. However she does a nice job singing Heart's "Barracuda". It appears she is deserting her band but hopes to help them later should she do well in this contest. The judges like her and she gets her golden ticket. Her look for me is definitely a turn-off.

Now comes a truly weepy rockstar in a box in the form of Randy Madden. He attempts to sing Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer" and it is not good. He begs for the chance to go to Hollywood but the judges are a no. More weeping as clicks his way off into the sunset.

The judges like J. B. Ahfua who does have a nice tone to his voice but overall I was not that impressed. The judges feel he is somewhat uptight and maybe I will like him better if he loosens up but for now blah on my part but he gets the ticket.

Next we see several scenes of the frightened Michael Gurr who slaughters two songs in his quest for the ticket. I did not even recognize what he was singing but later it is revealed one was a Carrie Underwood song. The judges are a definite no and this causes our boy to need a doctor's help however it appears a banana soothes this wannabe.

Will Kinick murders a Tears For Fears song, D. J. Bradley slaughters a song sung by Celine Dion and we end with Shawn Vasquez who kills a song by Dionne Warwick.

Aundre Caraway is definitely entertaining as he tries to get his ticket. A fun personality but the voice is just so-so. He attempts to sing a song called "Cactus" but the judges do not care for it at all. I was with them all the way on this one. He keeps trying even after the no which involves getting security escorting him out of the room.

A cute 16 year old who has a program called "Adopt A Gram" enters next in the form of Adrianna Afsar. She does well with her rendition of "Put Your Records On". The judges are a big yes for this teen. I was not so impressed with the voice but do applaud her program for the elderly however she may have potential.

Day 2 in Phoenix starts off with our judges arriving in good moods in spite of the heat. We see 3 men singing like females first followed by a very deep-voiced contestant named Elijah Scarlett singing "My First, My Last, My Everything". It is not good and the judges send him off without a golden ticket.

Lea Marie Golde is a huge fan of Kara's and has written many songs which she carries in her songwriting book that she gives to Kara as she enters the room. Bubbling bouncing Lea attempts to sing a dance song called
"Everytime We Touch" which is just so-so to the ear. This giggly girl does not impress the judges and practically begs for the chance to go to Hollywood but the judges say no. She giggles her way out of the room.

Next is a cutie named Stevie Wright who does a nice job singing Etta James's "At Last". Finally I see a true potential contestant who may become one of my favorites but for now I am reserved. The judges really like her and she gets her golden ticket as Simon tells her to grow teeth for the competition.

Wow roughneck Michael Sarver sings very good in spite of his tough guy look. The judges like him. Simon feels he has the likeability factor and it is 4 yeses across the board as he strikes gold with his ticket.

Next are several bad singers. Let's move on:

Good grief in walks a bikini clad Katrina Darrell who adores Ryan. Both Simon and Randy are impressed with this look in spite of her just so-so rendition of Mariah Carey's "Vision of Love". Get real guys, this girl is terrible. The claws come out from both Kara and Paula as Katrina puts down Kara. However Paula adds a yes for the ticket but I feel her moments are going to be short-lived in Hollywood. She ends her spectacle by giving Ryan a big kiss and jumps in the pool.

Okay, let's talk alot about how to pronouce Kara's first name. Stupid filler I say.

Eric Thomas aka "Sexual Chocolate" comes in to give us a not very good rendition of Stevie Wonder. It is a no from the judges and I agree. The good news is his mom is giving him a car to soothe his disappointment. Enjoy your wheels dude!

Brianna Quijada is so excited to be in the presence of the judges. She sings "Let's Hear It For The Boy" and has a good personality as mentioned by Simon. She gets all flustered by "Simie" but attempts another song "Killing Me Softly With His Song". Both Randy and Kara are a no but Paula and Simie send her through. Oh yuck!

We see lots of family support but boo-hoo Deanna Brown has no one to support her as they could not come to the auditions. This blonde southern belle from Kentucky sings "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay" in a very unusual voice which impresses the judges. It was just okay for me but loved how Ryan acts out being her family when she gets her ticket.

Lots of family is there for the next contestant. Cody Sheldon is a "horror" fan who uses his camera to support this habit. I swear I felt like I was seeing the next Sanjaya Malakar or Danny Noriega as he sings "Wonderful World". The judges are a yes and after much drama he gets his ticket.

Simon asks the question what 3 countries of the world would the next set of contestants be popular in. After much ado geeky Alex Wagner-Trugman has come out of a moldy closet to sing "Baby Come To Me" with Randy doing background. He does have a nice tone to his voice and has potential. Off to Hollywood for him in spite of Simon's no.

Lots of bad moments with several rotten singers attempting "Wanted Dead or Alive".

Our last contestant is a very brave and talented man who is blind. His name is Scott MacIntyre who does a nice rendition of a Billy Joel song. I am interested in seeing more of this young man as are the judges and he is going to Hollywood.

In all 27 lucky hopefuls get their tickets and tomorrow will find us in Kansas City, home of David Cook for the next round of auditions.

I wish each good luck but so far I am only seeing a few potentials but no one really "wowed" me. Let's see what follows on Wednesday's show. Until then take care and I welcome your comments.

Great review CC, I so agree with almost everything you wrote..

For me the stand out so far is Scott, I thought he did very well, he might be the best but for this round I really liked him..

Did not care for the Bikni girl, I thought she was rude and had terrible manners, I think Simon said yes to Hollywood before she even opened her mouth and poor Ryan he looked so uncomfortable when she was hanging all over him. I'd bet money she is gone sooner than anyone else.

That Cody reminds me a whole lot of Danny from season 7, he looks a lot like him and kind of sounds like him as well. should be interesting to see how this plays out.

The tatooed rocker girl, doesn't have a bad voice but I agree with you on the tatoo's, not being a prude or anything but that as a bit over the top, and it makes me wonder if they are putting these through to justify Carly last year, not that either of them don't deserve to be given the chance but the way Simon is so different on apperances one would think this would be something he'd be so against..

All in all a pretty intersting night, can't wait to see tonight..

hehehe
CC, I had to agree with you on many of the comments you made about our newest American Idol contestants. The one that cracked me up the most...Katrina Darrell. Where in the world did she come from anyway? On my notes I wrote a big NO...NO...NO but the judges voted her through despite my mentally transported message saying.....STOP HER!'

I'm reserved this year too. So many times I'd get excited about a contestant only to have that same one shot down. My favorite picks from the Phoenix auditions are Emily Huges, Stevie Wright, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre. We'll see how it goes.

I think miss Bikni will be voted off very soon once they get to Hollywood, Like I said I think Simon said YES before she even opened her mouth. Guys gee anyway. Honestly if she was my daughter I'd be so embarrased that she pulled that..

You got that right! Simon and Randy, both, were looking at the bikini. Jeesh!