American Idol auditions from Wisconsin: Sing me to sleep

 
American Idol promised big changes this season, but in its second week, we're seeing the same old. Weeks and weeks of dull auditions. Even the good auditions are boring because we've heard and seen it all before. Same tired old songs. Same mix of good, bad and rotten. The only plus? No bored-looking Simon and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler's kind of likable. Always wonder what he's going to say. Otherwise, producers should have combined all of the auditions footage into one two-hour premiere and just get to the competition part. 

One story to tell tonight and that's Chris Medina's. Seems Chris' fiancee Juliana Ramos was in a car accident and suffered brain damage. The couple, already together for some eight years and engaged for two were to finally wed two months after the Oct. 2009 accident. “What kind of guy would I be if I walked out when she needed me the most?” Chris said in his audition video.

It's old hat for Idol producers to play up human tragedies during auditions and throughout the season (remember the mileage meager talent Danny Gokey got from his late wife?) But Chris' story resonated. "A really big man loves a really good scar," singer-songwriter Carly Simon once sang about a man who stood by her when she had breast cancer. Chris is that kind of man, apparently. A really big man. After he sang The Scripts' Breakeven -- decently -- new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, along with Randy Jackson, asked that Chris bring Juliana in to the audition room to meet them.

Tyler seemed especially moved when he met the young woman in her wheelchair. “I just heard your fiancee sing, and he sings so good,” the Aerosoftie  said while caressing her head. "’cause he sings to you all the time."

SPOILER ALERT: Chris makes it into the first round of Top 40 finalists. My one wish: Please don't exploit Juliana. We met her. We know the story. Chris, 26, seems a plum. Now let him get by or get lost on his vocal ability alone. No more season-long Gokeys, please. And Idol: Danny Gokey did not put Milwaukee on the map. Beer and Laverne & Shirley did.

For live running commentary on American Idol follow me on Twitter @HowardCohen

 

 

 

Comments

[MrsEvans]

Anybody home tonight?

[MrsEvans]

Can they drag these auditions out any longer? Twenty minutes in and we have only seen 3 people. Poor.

[Lane]

we're in the other thread before this

[HoCo]

I really wish Idol had made the promised changes and eliminated this month-long boring run of auditions. Same old songs, same format. Really haven't any interest in this until the finals now that we've met the judges.

[linda]

I love the new judges and randy continuing. I never thought I woul continue to watch American idol after simon left. I am glue and acually staying awake through the beginning stage. I enjoy the moving stories. I hope that 15 year old girl makes it long enough to sing a duet with Steven. Steven you are what makes the show come alive again.