Auditions - Night Two: Living It Up in KC

Welcome to night two of American Idol. Tonight, we are auditioning potential Idols in Kansas City, the home of our last Idol, David Cook. The following is a list of the folks who made it through and some initial thoughts of their auditions and sometimes their chances at success.


Ashley Anderson – Leona Lewis – despite the footsteps/footprints mess up – this girl has a very, very good voice.

Casey Carlson – Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” – Wonderfully fresh performance

Von Smith - Somewhere Over The Rainbow – BRILLS! If he can tone it down a touch he definitely has the pipes to stick around for a long while.

Michael Castro - the brother of The Cuteness . . . Gavin DeGraw “I’m in love with the girl” Kara called him ballsy . . . I call him the Cuteness II . . . nice voice. He'll be around for a while.

Matt B. – Welder - Aint no sunshine. Another big boy with an unexpected voice. I think he is iffy to make it through Hollywood.

Jessica Verne – Cry Baby Janice Joplin - Nice tone to her voice. I think she could be around for a while.

India/Asia – The look nothing alike sisters. They were very sweet and supportive of each other, but I'm not sure that India should have made it through. I don't think she'll be around for very long.

Jamar Rogers – Screamed but good solid chops. His problem might be adjusting his voice to a bunch of different styles of music.

Daniel Gokey - This is the performance Idol has been building up to all night long. They have seriously pimped this one out. And . . . . it was very much worth it. Daniel's wife died four weeks before auditions. His story is great, and is voice is beautiful. I think Mr. Gokey could be headed to the Top 12.

Anoop Desai - AKA "Anoop Dogg" - This guy has a bit of a Clay Aiken vibe to him. I'll be curious to see what he's like after a good makeover.

Andrew Lang - My Girl – Big Ole voice from a little bitty body – the introductory cheerleaders may have done him in . . . the said no to him . . . which makes it all the more confusing as to why the saidy yes to . . . .Dennis - did they seriously just let this guy through and reject Andrew????

Asa – Band leader – Another sweet story, and they let him through on his rendition of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" . . . I felt . . . underwhelmed.

Lil – Great Voice – I didn't quite get the other part of her name. She was the last performer of the night. And they seriously saved one of the best for last. They compared her to Fantasia and Mary J Blige . . . I would compare her to Season 3's best singer, Latoya London. I think this girl is a contender.

I know the review came a little late, but what did y'all think???

My "ones to watch" from Arizona

Look out for Scott McIntyre. He has got a great story and once he is in front of the piano, I think he will be a lock to make it to the Top 36. (That sounds wierd, but no Top 24 this year.)

I also think that Michael S. could be tough in Hollywood. He has got a different look and a solid voice.

I love the 16 year old guy who talked about how much the Idol experience could help his family. Josh -- What was his name?

Emily - the first girl with the funky hair - is great. I think she will be in the Top36.

Girl Stevie also sang really well and has a unique look. I expect to see a lot of her in Hollywood Week with a real chance to make it to Top 36.

Bikini girl. Seriously. I will give the girl a lot of credit because she made it to Hollywood, but I think that Hollywood will be the end of the road for her.

I know there were several others with great voices, but these are the folks who stood out to me. Looking forward to more from all of the singers who made it to Hollywood!

Good start to Idol! Welcome back readers and posters! Hope to hear from K and L soon. Rubbertoe is on vaction, lucky guy!

IDOL RETURNS!

Hey Y'all! Idol is back! And all I can say is, "Finally!". I forget how much I miss it until it is back. I am so thankful they only run the show once a year, otherwise, I might get burned out.

So, overall, I have to say, the first episode of the new season wowwed me! We are finally back to showing an equal number of good and bad auditions. I must say, that new judge, Kara Diogaurdi, hit it out of the park. I was a little worried about how she would fit in to the established idol mix. I need not have worried . . . . the transition was seemless.

I'm going to forego the complete wrap up, and only concentrate on the legitimate contenders.

1. Emily Hughes - Oooooooooh Barracuda! Wow! This girl has the unique look and the amazing voice to match! Hooray for Emily!

2. J D Ahfu - Absolutely beautiful voice. Probably won't translate to all of the different genres of the Idol Top 12, but, nevertheless, an amazing voice. Kind of reminds me of AJ Gill from Season One.

3. Arianna - 16 year old with a great voice and a better heart. She had a nice soulful edge to her voice.

4. Stevie Wright - The girl named after Stevie Nicks presented herself very well. She's got a nice soulful edge to her voice, and a precious "grandfriend" program to boot.

5. Michael Sarver - Big, hulking guy with a sweet soft voice. Very, very nice.

6. Bikini Girl - You just knew that Paula and Kara were going to hate this girl. The reality was that she didn't really need the bikini. Not the best voice in the whole world, but good enough to get her through without the gimmick. It cracked me up that she showed Kara attitude, and that Kara felt the need to sing, not once but twice.

7. Brianna - I only have "yes" written next to her name, otherwise, I have nothing. Does not bode well that I could not really remember her.

8. Deanna Brown - Aside from the aforementioned Emily, this girl was the only other person to really stand out for me. She's got something about her that I think could go far in this competition - not necessarily win - but go far. Nice soul to her voice.

9. Dork boy - I could not remember his name, but the unique and in tune tone to his voice sold me. Anyone can get a makeover, I hope he sticks around for a bit.

10. Scott McIntyre - What a great story. I worried that they were going to send someone through only because of his (dis) ability. However, the boy has got a very nice tone to his voice. I have a feeling that if he gets through the Hollywood round, and gets a chance to sit at his piano, he could be a threat.

I look forward to hearing about the talent in Kansas City.

What did y'all think of the return of Idol?!

Changes to the Idol Format

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/when-idol-becomes-idle--77

Some rumored changes to the idol format.

Personally I believe that extending Hollywood week back to two weeks and showing less train wrecks are welcome changes.

Shortening the results show to 30 minutes? Bad Bad Bad....I don't get enough idol as it is (even with Idol Tonight on TVGuide Channel)....don't shorten one of the nights.

As for less Theme Nights.....that's questionable. I was really hoping for Englebert Humpdink night this year.

A Sneak Peek at Season 8

USA Today has posted a story about Season 8 of American Idol. The very informative piece includes information about "format tweaks", and the predictions about this year's ratings. Of note, is the re-formatting of the "Top 24" weeks. It appears that this season, we will have a "Top 36", and each week the top male, top female, and next highest vote getter will move through to the "Top 12". At the end of three weeks, nine performers will have moved through, and we will be treated to a wild card show where the judges will pick the final three performers to move through to the finals. Which means that there will not necessarily be 6 guys and 6 girls in the Top 12. I kind of like this tweaking to the format. What do y'all think?

Carrie Underwood has a new boyfriend

....and all I can say is OOOOOOOOO Baby!

You go girl!

(Click title for the link)

The Dream Begins again

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?cat=548

Little David v. Rocker David - the CD's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZZ3-T7nAPU


OK....I have to say that I think Lil' David's CD is far superior to Rocker David's. Although Rocker David's is a decent CD, there really isn't much that is outstanding on it. I think the best track is "Declaration". Little David hit a good one with "crush" and here is the next single "A little too not over you".

Kelly Clarkson Is Back!

Ms. Clarkson is back with the first single off her upcoming, as yet titled, fourth album. Her new single, "My Life Would Suck Without You" drops January 19th, 2009. As yet, no date has been posted for the full album. Early word on the CD is that Kelly is returning to the sound of "Breakaway" that catapulted her to international success. So, what do y'all think of the artwork for the single?

Season 8 is approaching

Are you all ready?

Been seeing the previews and I am soooooo ready for the season to start. BTW....I have David Cook's CD...its good, I wouldn't say great. Certainly no Daughtrey. Still waiting to get Little David's, although I do love "crush".

Anyway...just checkin in....are you guys out there?

You can also hit me up on facebook. I'm new to this thing...but people at my work talked me into setting up a page....

Peace and Happy Holidays to all....
Rubbertoe

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=info&edit_info=all

A more painful night?

http://www.goldstar.com/events/santa-clarita-ca/go-country-105fm-acoustic-holiday-concert.html


I cannot imagine a more painful experience. I don't know who would be worse....but I would have to say Phil....no definitely......Phil.

Blake Lewis Rips Idol A New One

The Daily News out of Philadelphia has written a story about American Idol VI runner up, Blake Lewis. Blake was performing a show in the city of brotherly love to promote his album, "Audio DayDream". What resulted was a very frank, slightly tell-sort of all, interview about his American Idol experience. Lewis sounds off about his treatment by the show, the executives, and Sanjya Malakar. Take some time to read this one folks, it's a humdinger of an interview. Click the link to check it out.

David Cook "Sizzles"

Entertainment Weekly has listed David Cook's debut single, "Light On" as one of the songs that "sizzles" for the fall. Although they did not list an official review of the song, I think being one of the songs that sizzles for the fall is quite a hefty recommendation. Below is the youtube clip of the song, click it to check it out for yourself.

New York Starting A War of Words With J-Hud

Reality TV World is reporting that Tiffany Pollard, aka Ms. New York, from the VH1 reality series, "I Love New York" and "New York Goes to Hollywood" is lashing out with American Idol alum and academy award winner, Jennifer Hudson. It seems that J-Hud is not engaged to David Otunga . . . who just happened to be one of the finalists for Ms. New York's heart on "I Love New York 2". . . . he was referred to as "Punk". La Hudson and Punk have been dating for less than one year, but a few weeks back, they announced their engagement. It seems that Ms. New York is none to happy with "Punk", and think he is just trying to be "Mr. Jennifer Hudson" and that he will just play "Al Reynolds to her Starr Jones". Click the link to read the rest of the article.

Clay Aiken Is Gay!

So, in news that is a little bit, well, not breaking, Clay Aiken has come out of the closet. He has confirmed what most people already thought . . . on the cover of People Magazine. Click the link to read just one of the many stories.

Clay Aiken is Gay

Kristy Lee Puts Out A CD

Kristy Lee Cook is the first Idol 7er out the gate with a new CD entitled "Why Wait". Her first single, "Fifteen Minutes of Shame" hit the air waves this week. Below, I am posting the link to a recent interview with KLC regarding her wedding and the release of her new CD. Click the link to check it out.

Kristy Lee Cook interview

David Archuleta and Jennifer Hudson Are Featured In This Fall's Top Releases

Former American Idol's, David Archuleta and Jennifer Hudson are featured as two main players in this fall's major CD releases. Holla for our Idol peeps in being featured as major players in the CD scene of Fall '08. Click the link the read the story.

Jordin Sparks Rips Russell Brand On The VMA's

Our little American Idol 6 Champion, Jordin Sparks, had quite the sharp tongue when addressing the audience at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. All evening, the show's host, British comedian Russell Brand, had been making light of the Jonas Brothers' choice to wear purity rings as a symbol of their choice to remain virgins until marriage. . . . Does anyone remember Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears' similar promise . . . er, um . . . anyway . . . When La Sparks appeared on stage to announce an award, she grabbed the microphone and said, "I have just one thing to say about promise rings . . . its not bad to wear promise rings . . . not everyone - guy or girl - wants to be a slut". Whether I agree or disagree, I have to say that our little Jordin has much more hutzpah than I ever gave her credit for . . . click the link to read the entire article.

Jordin Sparks Becomes Bitchy At The VMA'S

Is Republican VP Pick Palin An American Idol?

A very interesting article surfaced today in my email box. Roger Ebert, for some reason, was interviewed about Republican VP Nominee, Sarah Palin, and he used American Idol to explain her popularity. Ebert says that it's easy to explain Palin's popularity . . . she's like an American Idol contestant. Explanation = American Idol contestants are attractive, likable, and inspire Americans to think that "hey, that could be me up there". Very interesting article . . . Click the link to check it out.

The American Idol Candidate

Archuleta: I'm Afraid To Disuss Romance

Yahoo News is reporting that David Archuleta is upset. Apparently, our little David had a "romantic interest" during the American Idol 7 season, and apparently she received some interesting mail. Who knows how "they" got her address, but anyway. Apparently, Lil David's lil girlfriend got letters telling her that she was "not good enough" and "ugly". Yikes! Click the link to read the story.