Cancer. Kosovo. Homeless families.
Yes, American Idol's audition show is back!
Photo: FOX
And, surprise, the new judge's panel is a vast improvement over last year's disastrous lineup of Ellen, Kara, Randy and a bored Simon. Steven Tyler's unpredictable nature and oft-bleeped comments could be a source of fun this season. Though Jennifer Lopez seems as phony as a $3 bill with her sweet Paula Abdul act ("Why did I sign up for this?!) the blend of personalities worked well on tonight's opening volley from the Jersey auditions.
As for the "talent," the Jersey girls proved Snooki isn't representative of Jersey women. [Note: Some SPOILERS might be sprinkled about:] I enjoyed the spunky Victoria, age 16-3/4. If she doesn't make it on Idol (and I hear she hasn't despite her golden ticket to Hollywood) perhaps Disney could cast her on Hannah Montana: The Next Generation. She's a live wire.
Melinda, the Kosovo refugee, has a great backstory -- her family escaped to America from their war torn country -- and a good voice. Not MY kind of voice, per se, but fine for what this show looks for.
Rachel Zevita (one of two apparently on the shortlist so far) has a warm midrange and a piercing, irritating soprano. Hopefully, she'll lose the histrionics and serve the song in Hollywood. Most of her Hallelujah was decent. J.Lo swears she remembers Rachel's audition from four years ago in Season 6 when she didn't make the cut. I'm not sure I believe anything J.Lo says. She might not be a great actress on the big screen, but she could win an Oscar for tonight's sweet, human quality character she's playing.
Meantime, the 15-year-old Kenzie had an interesting voice but Tyler said he wanted more "pizzazz" from her. Perhaps he should listen to his old Aerosmith albums, Rocks or Toys in the Attic. His rock band could use some pizzazz too after decades of MTV ballads and that soggy Armaggedon tune.
Tiffany Rios went gimmicky at first, almost tragically, when she flashed silver stars on her ta-tas, but she didn't need the prop. She has the requisite big voice Idol used to look for in early seasons. Her teary fawning over J.Lo was another unwanted distraction, though.
As for the guys, it seems Robbie Rosen, tonight's other contestant on the shortlist, was a fan favorite judging from Twitter posts and comments on this Idol Watch blog. The 16-year-old triumphed over an illness that had him wheelchair bound at one time in his life and he can definitely sing. As with Melinda, the other tearjerker, his voice strikes my ears as ordinary, not what I'd seek on CD, but he has purity of tone. Something tells me when he gets a band behind him on the competitive shows in a couple months I could become a fan.
Travis Orlando, 16, whose family had become homeless as a result of the economic climate also sang well. Thankfully. After the tearful video setup, if he hadn't received a golden ticket to Hollywood, all of America might have wept. Perhaps a bit too many vocal affectations in his singing, but with a little training, Travis could record.
Photo: TotallyLooksLike.com
Line of the night: "Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a child?" Tyler asked one of the oddball wannabes. Tyler might know, he probably snorted 'em in the '70s during his band's Draw the Line sessions. Nevertheless, he helped make tonight's audition premiere one of the most watchable and zippiest Idols in seasons. After Season 9, I was dreading Idol's return. Now, maybe not quite so much. Producers missed an opportunity, however. They could have cast Carly Simon as a judge. With Tyler to her left and Simon in the middle, the panel could then be called Randy & the Twins. They could form a new act and take it on the road instead of the summer Idols Tour.
Finally, 51 hopefuls from Jersey earned a golden ticket to Hollywood. American Idol returns Thursday at 8 with a 60-minute audition show. For more Idol chatter, follow me on http://twitter.com/HowardCohen
it is amazing how the new flavor of American idol is brewing up! i totally agree with judges trying to be encouraging rather than harsh!
there is an interesting piece on the premiere and the auditions with a supporting video… thought u guys might enjoy it!
http://www.carbonated.tv/entertainment/steven-tyler-clearly-the-star-as-american-idol-premieres
Posted by: Rachel | January 20, 2011 at 03:26 AM
Steven Tyler clearly the star as American Idol Premieres
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