Sunny Idol

They open with some old guys in San Diego, which they're visiting for the first time; 12,000 showed up says Ryan. Maybe we'll see some Hispanics and Asian Americans?

Some Russian chick first, Tetian Ostapowych; she looks a bit and sounds a bit like that Food Network host, Giada De Laurentiis. She's not bad, a classic voice; Simon says right off you're not as good as you think you are, you'll never be great. Goes through; obnoxious says Simon. Just Russian, I think.

Next a cool single dad with his son (?!), mom died a few years ago. Good guy; says he had to grow up as a result. Perrie Cataldo can totally sing--Ryan's holding his kid up to the door. Boys to Men; man, he could really get a following, very nice, mellow voice. A bit pitchy at parts; Simon says you have a really good voice, and he's through easily. His son runs in, Simon tries to lie to him, kid says bye-bye.

Some Australian next, Michael Johns; big voice, controlled--good look to him, pretty sincere. Simon likes him, calls him a white soul singer; Paula ditto, Randy impressed.

Of course, bad people next--this being Cali, it's a diverse group. Another in the endless list of Mariah-wannabes; oh jeez. She's totally un-self-aware, of course, even talks about watching the bad auditions. Totally oversings, cracks; at the end is just going for dog register. Simon says oh my god, she thinks he's awed. She says afterwards oh no, I'm gonna be on the rejects now.

Some guy in a sombrero paired with an interpretative mime; then two more arrogant idiots--Simon tells the chick it looks like three different people dressed you today. She's doing Whitney, immediately a bad sign; she suddenly starts crying, walks off. Her friend is just as bad, has that wide-open oblivious look, won't stop singing, as if he can force the issue, is finally escorted out.

Last person of day 1 thinks Simon's really hot, she's definitely got the crazy eyes. Her sis wants to meet Simon, Oprah, and, as Simon reads it, Oberman. Hey wait, Samantha Musa can actually sing; she has kindof a fun personality, a decent look, big smile, very emotive face; and an easy self-confidence. Her sister, who's sitting in as a judge, says it was good; Randy says he's impressed, Paula thought it was naturally good, Simon says it was a great audition.

Day 2 starts with an idiot, who says he's auditioned in at least 10 cities. Says he's lucky his mom is so supportive and takes him everywhere; she says it's the main part of her life. If he wasn't so weak, he doesn't have a horrible voice, does Stand By Me.

Bunch more bad people, then some fatty fan who talks like he's from a fantasy novel. He wrote his own song, Live; the whole thing is a waste of time. He's comforted by his family afterwards.

Some guy keeps singing Leave Me Alone in a dirge, while snapping his fingers, it's actually hypnotic; Paula asks for 10 seconds of something else, Simon says don't be ridiculous as Randy cracks up. Next some kid with a once-paralyzed vocal chord, but a good attitude. Randy's laughing as Paula asks how he got vocal paralysis. David Archuleta; not bad voice, even if he forgets part of the lyrics; nothing special though from my viewpoint even if he's a sweet kid. Randy likes his voice, Paula likes his tone and says he's a sweetheart, Simon loved the song choice and the kid too; Randy actually says he loves him.

We're wrapping it up; Carly Smithson last, originally Irish, big-time tattoos (husband even more, she says he was afraid to go on camera because he's not sure people will like him). She made it to Hollywood in Season 5, disqualified because her visa paperwork didn't come through. I like her immediately--nice quality to her, good tone even when she's just speaking. Has a good voice, but a bit over-the-top, like she cares too much and it isn't just flowing. Paula obviously likes her, Simon says it wasn't as good as two years ago; Randy says yes--Simon too at the end. She breaks down crying talking to Ryan, her husband is obviously a really good guy. She's very genuine talking to the camera afterwards.

30 others (!) made it out of San Diego, we get clips of the 24 others (hey, some Asian Americans among them!) South Carolina next.

Carly Smithson, tattoo woman
Perrie Cataldo, single dad
Samantha Musa, Simon fan
Michael Johns, Australian
David Archuleta, vocal paralysis
Tetian Ostapowych, Russian