Wandering around in Omaha

Idol is, oddly enough, in Omaha... where Ryan says 10,000 showed. Some fat chick is wearing a shirt that says "I beat anorexia", and everyone's talking about corn. Paula's plane has been delayed, leaving Randy and Simon to make small talk.

They start with an idiot, with no self-awareness; I wonder if he's a little mentally challenged; brings gifts for Randy/Simon, seems like a nice guy. I'm thinking until Paula gets here they can't show any real contestants; the guy starts crying about how long he's waited. He's horrible, and really seems to be oblivious to the impression he's making. He then auditions, essentially for Ryan's job, in a robotic voice; Simon tells him he'll get him in to report for the local FOX station on the finals.

Jason Rich, from a small town; seems totally normal, but with a nice, non-grasping confidence. He restarts, has a husky voice; starts for the third time, can't remember the words. Simon says one more shot; he stops again. Simon feeds him the next lines, he still can't go on; starts for the fourth time. Pretty genuine; trying very hard. Randy says good voice, Simon says not bad; he gets through--Simon tells him this is it for you.

Paula rolls in, they string together a bunch of people who forgot words. It's pretty boring television tonight so far, so they turn to Rachael Wicker, who's strong enough to defeat a bunch of girls at arm wrestling. She has a really classic country voice; I like her, has this interesting open kooky quality to her (reminds me of Julia Roberts). Simon says you're singing like a broken-down old-timer; Randy doesn't quite like her half-yodel but puts her through, as does Paula, despite Simon's no.

Back with a bunch of nuts; some crazy goth chick who claims she used to be a pro wrestler. She hits Ryan a few times, sings like a banshee. Simon says it's like the soundtrack to Omaha. Has this totally crazy laugh. Ryan comes in to argue for her, sortof; Paula steps out, he takes over her chair, she hangs out in the hall.

Cute little girl goes in, Samantha Sidley; she's very sweet, takes their teasing well. Oooooh... perfect song choice, flows out like velvet. So nice to listen to; Ryan likes her voice, tells her to stop moving around, Paula busts in to say that doesn't matter, Simon agrees with her; she's very becoming, the way she beams at the judges; they heckle Ryan out of the room.

Some more good people, very briefly; Elizabeth Erkert, Denise Jackson, Michael Sanfilipo. Erkert tells the camera she can't wait to be America's Next Top Model.

Angelica Puente next, who has a messed up family life, lives with her grandparents after moving out from her parents, she still wants to make her dad proud. Does Power of Love through her tears; a pretty standard voice, but some real power. Randy says you're just mimicking; no performance skills for Paula but promising voice; they both say yes, Simon says with a bit of effort you could be really good, just be yourself. They talk about her afterwards, like her. Ryan calls her dad; she tells him she's going to Hollywood. We've seen this happen a few times on Idol, this one isn't as emotional as the others for some reason, but I'm glad she made it.

A bunch of rockers next, not necessarily all from Omaha. David Cook, who physically and the way he holds himself reminds me a bit more of Blake Lewis than Chris Daughtry. Sings Living on a Prayer; he has a really interesting, different voice; rough, but his cadence is so deliberate. Simon says not bad, Randy says perform or something, Paula agrees. He could do really well.

Another self-proclaimed weirdo. He's a full-time student, and volunteers at a zoo; wears this crazy gold shirt, and does a nutty, speedy version of Shout. Simons says that was just everything I hate.

And like that the episode wraps with its final contestant, after stringing together some really bad (and scary) people. They're just bad and boring; they should just play more of We're Brothers Forever. Leo Marlowe, who I don't like right away--he talks too loudly, and is oblivious and arrogant. Ugh, he's not horrible; Simon likes his voice, and that he's open and not defensive; Paula likes him, Randy too. He breaks down, which makes me like him a bit more, and has a goofy smile on his face with his family, which is good too; Paula gushes about him afterwards.

19 people made it out, just about all women it seems. Miami is next, it'll be very different I'm thinking.

Samantha Sidley, shy girl
David Cook, rocker
Angelica Puente, crying girl
Rachael Wicker, arm wrestler
Leo Marlowe, queen
Jason Rich, forgot the words
Elizabeth Erkert, heard it through the grapevine
Denise Jackson, big earrings
Michael Sanfilipo, guy