Talent out of Miami

So Idol's back in Miami; they start with a retro, Miami Viceish intro--more than 10,000 waiting, Ryan says. I'm totally looking forward to this city, expect to see over-the-top talent and fools.

The show is so much slicker than when they were here in season 2; first up is some chick who works at her family's meat market. They seem like good people, but then she belches (loudly!) for the camera--it's ridiculous. She sings like a woman possessed--super-loud and totally unlady-like. Ugh... she could've been good, but isn't. She's floored that they don't like her, says nobody's every told her she's bad; Simon says most people don't know what they're talking about. Her mom's shocked.

Some guy with a good singing voice, Robbie Carrico--yeah, he's very smooth, mellow; bit of an edge. Former boy band member Ryan said; Simon likes him, Randy too; Simon says yes, Paula too, and Randy three. Man, Paula is sitting oddly close to Simon; ugh, afterwards his peeps spray him with silly string, it's dumb. Who's gonna clean it up?

Some guy with pan flutes, who can't even play them; a bunch of bad guys in a row. A Venezuelan who plays gypsy music, he has this big goofy smile but could be good. Ghaleb Emachah, does a husky version of You Sang to Me, which is a great song but he's not amazing. Simon says drunk he'd like him; Paula likes his voice, but the accent is too strong; Simon keeps hounding her to say yes or no; Randy says yes, Paula winds up deciding to put him through despite the accent. He has a really good personality, hope he doesn't just fade away--he kisses literally everyone on the way out.

Two big girls, hilarious shots of them squashing Ryan. They go in together, just good-natured chicks; they're hilarious, bantering with the judges, one likes Ryan the other Randy. Oooh, Corliss Smith can sing--a classic great jazzy tone, very pleasant to listen to, and when she sings it's no nonsense. I like her. Next, Brittany Wescott, very pure, more poppy voice, also pleasant and fun to listen too. Everybody likes everybody, Paula calls them her ladies, invites them to come over and kiss Randy and Simon, it's like a kiss and hug fest, hilarious. They celebrate with their peeps, it's great.

Oh, and during the commercial break--an Obama ad! It's pretty powerful, shots of him over one of his speeches. Smart ad buy.

Suzanne Toon, interesting look; had a baby as a teen, in tears talking about what this shot means to her. And wow, what a voice... sultry, slow, strong; very compelling, emotional. Paula calls it sexy, sultry, Simon says you become (even) more attractive singing; Randy says watch the pitchiness, but go on through.

Man, Miami is blowing the other cities away. Hey, they flash back to Jasmine Tries; another Filipino wants to be the first Asian American Idol, she's small and cute as Simon points out. Ramiele Malubay; a no-nonsense voice, belts out Natural Woman--totally in command, a bit screechy at times, and she's not amazing, but not bad. Paula likes her, Simon says you're good but more like a hotel singer; Paula calls her phenomenal; Randy is impressed, she keeps saying 'thank you' in a singsong way. Simon says no, Paula and Randy put her through. Her dad's really happy.

Day two, Syesha Mercado, nice speaking voice, seems well-put-together. Dysfunctional dad, just out of a rehab program, it's pretty touching to hear him talk to her; it really is a very family-oriented show. Belts out Think, good but really like any one of a dozens of past good singers. Simon finds her ordinary; Randy likes her, Paula too; Simon comes around as well.

Clip of Natashia Blach, beautiful tone to her voice, nice smile--old-school as Randy says. Ilsy Lorena Pinot, quick clip as well; big smile, seemed to be good.

And now a Clinton commercial; basically quotes from the Times endorsement, pretty boring and flat.

Back with some really bad guys, then some chick who made top 20 on American Juniors, whatever that was. She's changed quite a lot, hooched up now. Totally full of herself, Simon says you're very confident, aren't you. Talks like a packaged candidate, I really don't like her at all; not a bad voice, actually, just totally into herself, totally acts out the song, makes the judges crack up. Simon wants her to sing it again without all the acting, she says she's just acting like herself, Simon says that's the problem. Randy no, Simon no, she keeps trying to sing on the way out. She gets a bit hostile at the end, Simon tells her to go to L.A. and become an actress. Over-indulged says Simon at the end. She gets angrier as she talks it out, the sad thing is I don't think she was acting, she's just a bit rotten.

Day two is nearly over, last guy is clearly a fool. Pretty energetic though. Does some crazy introduction of himself, dumb. He's horrible, keeps acting the fool well after the judges have lost interest.

17 people made it out--hmm, I'd have thought a lot more; the ones we saw were pretty good. Next week the slog continues in Atlanta.

Suzanne Toon, single mom
Corliss Smith, big girl
Brittany Wescott, big girl #2
Syesha Mercado, druggie dad
Ilsy Lorena Pinot, big smile
Ghaleb Emachah, accent
Ramiele Malubay, filipino
Robbie Carrico, boy bander