You're (walking) to Hollywood

Mostly 'live' as American Idol hits LA (or vice versa). And, actually, it's Pasadena. They replay Katharine McPhee's Somewhere Over the Rainbow, as they do their whole LA intro thing. Olivia Newton John is the guest judge; I like her, good voice and seems like a decent person. Oddly enough, no song clip from Grease.

Start with a ridiculous Latino guy, in some weird getup. He can do some really interesting moves, all panther-like; seems violent. Stalks in, throws his clipboard on the stage, does some weird move to start--flings everything off one by one before, shirtless, he crawls up to the judges; then does his crazy quick moves. Simon finally says can we just get on with the singing. He's totally in his own word. Fox should let the public vote on one wildcard entry to Hollywood. Guy's got a dream, shows Ryan at the end his book of songs.

Some Barry White wanna-be; reminds me of those nutty Darrel/Tarrel brothers from last year. Seems a bit nuts, but maybe he can sing; doing if Ever You're in My Arms Again. Can't sing... belts it out. Randy's astounded at how off-key he is. ONJ doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Two bad Asian Americans in a row, then a third (in a banana no less, represent!) Next Marianna Riccio, who they say is talented. Her mom sang with Dean Martin; ugh, I don't really like her much at once. Ugh, I don't like her voice at all--her whole thing is so mannered, too much belly showing, and has weird facial expressions. She seems to think if she begs and really wants it--she keeps repeating I'm on my knees--it's make a difference; totally begs, it's ridiculous. Says please like a million times, it's pathetic; you can't feel bad for her, she's so crazy. So her mom goes back in with her and pleads with the judges, it's so nuts. Simon says he likes Mum, she was foxy.

Segues into a bunch of people begging. Very different vibe than Birmingham; people out here are pushy and demanding and ultimately pathetic. Alaina Alexander, a blonde who I like right away--just more open, vulnerable, and humble-seeming. Definitely not originally from LA; her last shot she says, otherwise will give up. Nice classic green outfit; and although she's nervous, controlled, then powerful voice. Simon says that was really, really, etc. good; Randy says pitchy, but good; they all put her through. And she's polite at the end, have a good rest of the day.

Next, some Asian American chick who's comparing herself to Taylor; she says her mom told her you're not quite tv pretty, let's face it you're no Katharine McPhee. Okay... I mean, she's no Katharine, but Katharine's no--well, anyone of a lot of people. Simon purposely mispronounces her name multiple times; and you wonder how the British lost their empire so quickly. She's horrible--a lot of misguided, sincere energy; then finishes by saying she's sorry. It's painful watching her--she really should go do something else, doesn't seem nuts, just lost. ONJ says do this for yourself, then realize singing's not your thing; impatient Simon cuts her off as she's asking to sing again. Her mom's with her and Ryan afterwards; he's very nice to her, actually, as she says her dream is over--but maybe I'll be back next year. Well done, Ryan.

Brandon Rogers, a good-looking, confident black guy who I like right away, has a gentle vibe to him (reminds me of Denise's husband on the Cosby Show, same sort of slightly rotund affability coupled with a bit of spaciness). Always on My Mind--and wow, what a beautiful tone; slow and soulful and heartfelt. A bit pitchy at times; but overall, very good. And he can hold the notes--Paula is just smiling from ear to ear; OLN sighs at the end. Simon says you're by far the best we've seen today; I can see you making the finals, good likeability (which we share, Simon says). I felt you in my heart, says ONJ.
Next, Brian Miller, who last year lost in Hollywood round. Doing Change is Gonna Come--it sounds familiar for some reason. Big voice--but for some reason I'm not that crazy about him; he looks earnest, seems nice but I feel like his eyes are a bitt too intense. Simon says forgettable voice, Randy and the other say why not. Seems almost perfunctory.

Next, Sherman, who's old--64. His 'lady love of 20 years' died of cancer a couple of days ago; he put together a petition to get on the show, says she used to light up when he came back every day with more signatures. He tears up talking about it. He tells Simon he doesn't want sympathy. He sings You Belong to Me for his lady. Hey, his voice isn't bad--it's nice to listen to, and I'll bet nobody interrupts him. Wish some of the real contestants could be this sincere. Simon gently says thank you very much after an appropriate time; they all shake his hands or hug him; nice. See, this show really isn't mean.

So 21 other people made it out--on day 1 alone. Wow. Why would you audition in LA-- too many good people, less chance of getting airtime. Back, judges are talking up LA. Two contestants who are dating. They seem to have a good relationship, on similar speeds, there's obvious devotion there, seem to have a lot of fun together (and a lot of kissing). They show her--Sparkles--saying they're gonna get married (?). Can't sing, no big surprise. Sincere though. Randy's cracking up as she sings something to Simon, I guess. Ryan's talking to her devoted boyfriend outside, as they show her inside 'flirting' with Simon. Boyfriend goes in; Simon tells her she was flirting with me. He seems more realistic; but can't sing at all either. There's some deep psychology going on here, he sings a song about his girl finding another and going away. More canoodling between the two at the end.

Only 6 minutes left in the hour, apparently not a lot of good people showed up on day 2. Hmm, maybe the good people in LA all hustle? Some idiot guy to close out, blonde and dumbly self-centered. 4 to 5 hours a day, using programs that taught him how to sing, he says. Ugh--high-pitched and ridiculous. But no sense of self-awareness. The kind of guy who sarcastically says 'okay...' when he doesn't get it but thinks it's you. They keep trying to get him to sing lower; he keeps singing crazily, like Bob Dylan in hell. Simon realizes this guy had been teaching himself to sing using Randy and Paula's DVD, so he calls him back in, while Randy and Paula try to shoo him away, it's hilarious. Good attention to detail, Simon.

19 more people made it out, 40 in all. And none of the finalists that they showed were Asian American--wow. Next week, last audition stop, San Antonio.

To amuse myself during the non-forwardable commercials, I did some quick web searches and found out that the LA audition took place on August 8. Here are the other actual 2006 audition dates:
-San Antonio, August 11
-New York (NJ), August 14
-Birmingham, August 21
-Memphis, September 3
-Minneapolis, September 8
-Seattle, September 19

The television broadcast schedule is here; interesting that they switched the broadcast dates for LA/San Antonio, I wonder why.