Looking for gold in the ATL

Watching this a day after it aired on Super Tuesday; they're in Atlanta, last stop on the audition tour--and Ryan's home town. His folks show up, his dad seems like a game show host.

Josh Jones first, works at a glass company. Seems like he'll be good; nice vibe, and speaking voice. He's really into glass, good-natured. A bit cheesy, and pitchy; but pretty controlled. Simon tells him to end the crazy eyes thing. He can't, they wind up telling him to sing with his back to them; he's not that swift. Gets super-cheesy after a while, Simon calls it karaoke, Paula says yes, as does Randy.

Some dorky guy, moaning after missing his shot with Carrie Underwood. He claims people tell him he's got star quality. Is unintelligible, and very bad. He says he really wants this, doesn't wanna go to school. Majoring in singing no less; Simon says his pen has more charisma.

They run clips of Paula, claiming she just can't say no--which is totally untrue, she's generally pretty spot-in; I feel like Randy wavers a lot more. Simon keeps asking her yes or no, it's annoying. At some point she asks if it's legal to strangle a Brit.

Asia'h Epperson, who seems pretty down to earth, her dad died a couple of days ago right after she talked to him. What is she doing here?! Good smile, as Simon says; decides to sing something for her dad. How Do I Live; wow, a great tone, bit breathy but very strong, and obviously passionate. I can totally see her doing wells, except for the breathing. Simon likes her, she's crying at the end. Paula says she's very brave to do this, Randy says excellent. Big, long hug with her friend afterwards; Paula's crying, Simon and Randy comfort her, she goes off to compose herself.

Some chick in line, wearing a crown, some sort of beauty queen. She's attractive, but in a plastic way. Keeps talking about prayer and god; she's actually a little too done up to be attractive I think. Brooke Helvie; hey, she can actually sing, has a pretty interesting voice. Big but also not just loud. They put her through, Randy says you have a good pop voice; she actually asks him if he likes her a lot lot. She hugs Simon, then Paula, then Randy, loves them all. She looks a lot like her mom; dad is just doting. Simon says maybe the most annoying person he's ever seen.

Montage of ridiculously bad people, rapping to some song. Ugh. Back from break, some clips of people with attitude. Some deluded chick, who says she loves to entertain, and loves Simon. Just arrogant, and dumb. Likely tone deaf too; slips on her audition paper,falls on the ground. Sings like an on/off pitch has been hit. Simon asks her if this is a joke; she thinks he's talking about falling. Simon wants her to look him in the eyes, tell him it was a serious audition. She starts crying; they back pedal. He hugs her anyway.... She leaves angry.

Alexandrea Lushinton brings her great grandmother, 93, who seems to be in good shape. I like her, she's very cute, elbows Ryan in a joking way. Whoah, and Alexandrea can sing, only 16; Randy says he was really impressed. Her family is loud and proud, I like them a lot, actually. Wow, she might be my fave of the audition round so far....

They flash back to Season 2 and Clay showing up here; everyone looks so weird. A bunch of guys who can't sing but look dumb. Some guy with orange hair is strangely hypnotic, actually; as is some guy in a kilt. Then some ridiculous high-pitched, operaish guy, but again, pretty interesting to listen to.

Some jerk kid, who's repeating 9th grade. Picks some crazy song, he's not horrible actually--but just not right for this thing, and stops singing abruptly. Simon asks him if wants to listen or be a smart ass; he chooses to listen. The kid then does this drawn-out pretend thing, Simon says how about not funny, can't sing, mouthing off the whole way. His parents apologetically say he's a little lippy.

Hmm, an interesting-looking rocker who's a nurse; and rides a Harley or something. Amanda Overmyer. has a very interesting singing voice; sounds and even looks a bit like Jodi Foster. I like her, actually; says it depends on whether they dig it or not. Chooses Janis Joplin, very believable. Not exactly pleasantly to listen to, a bit too screaming. Simon stops her, says sing something else, less of a put on. Paula says she loves her, so does Randy--a trillion percent yes, I love this girl, I believe it. Simon too... Her folks seem like nice people.

It's wrapping up; a lot of people I really like here. Quick montage of a bunch of people who made it, including some funny fat guy. Last guy--wow, who's been living in his car, for like a year. He says he loves it; lots of pillows, says his family doesn't know. He says it's scary and it's lonely, cause you don't have anybody, then starts crying. Wow, I really like him--he says it's the biggest day of his life so far, he comes from nothing, and to be handed an opportunity like this.... Josiah Leming, says to the judges he has more ambition and motivation than any other 18-year-old. Wrote his song, To Run; it's actually pretty good as a song, and his voice is perfect for it, so genuine. You sound English when you sing, Simon says; he says he's listened to a lot of British songs. Sings another song at Simon's request, all say it's weird the accent. Paula likes him, Randy says maybe a band, usually don't like people from Tennessee singing with a British accent, Paula says I think you're holding back, a lot of personality. Randy says yes, Paula of course, Simon too; he's emotionl; Simon calls him Joshua again. Nobody to show his golden ticket to but Ryan and the other contestants.

20 in all out of Atlanta, really I don't remember another show where I saw so many people I really liked. Ah, what a great show this is when it all works....

More than 100,000 auditioned this year, Ryan says. Glad they found the likes of Josiah, Alexandrea, Asia'h....

Josiah Leming, living in car
Alexandrea Lushinton, great-grandmother
Asia'h Epperson, whose dad died
Amanda Overmyer, rocker nurse
Brooke Helvie, beauty queen
Josh Jones, crazy eyes