The best thing about Thursday's "American Idol" episode? It was only one hour.
The episode, which featured auditions in Pittsburgh, featured a bunch of mediocre singers. I really doubt we saw a potential champion, but I might be wrong. Make no mistake: The singers weren't bad...they just weren't "wow."
Also, the show gave us a life lesson, rather than a musical lesson: Don't drop out of high school, kids. Confused? Read this recap:
Heejun Han kicks off the show. He has all the trappings of a joke contestant...strange comments and friends/family who claim they have never heard him sing. Nonetheless, he pulls out a decent version of Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You." The judges love it. He gets a three-way "yes" for Hollywood.
Reed Grimm, 26: His mom and dad met in a band and he's performed with his parents on stage since he was 2. He sings the "Family Matters" theme song. Yes, really. It's a little...odd. Half of the performance consists of him making indecipherable sounds. I'm not entirely convinced, but he deserves a shot. He gets a unanimous "yes" for Hollywood.
We get rapid-fire footage of successful contestants, including Aaron Marcellus and Chase Likens.
Samantha Novacek has a good luck charm. Her sister, Patricia Bell, "planks" while Samantha sings "Like We Never Loved at All." She's a pretty good singer and doesn't need the gimmick. Either way, it certainly helps for the sake of good TV. She unanimously advances to Hollywood.
Creighton Fraker is a struggling musician in New York. He's also, um, a little flamboyant. He sings an original song he wrote on his ride to the audition. It's about the "Idol" judges. Or something. Not sure how I feel about it...some notes are good, but a lot of it is over the top.
The judges like it and ask to hear a cover. He sings "Who's Loving You." Again...kind of good, kind of over the top. The judges go crazy and unanimously send him to Hollywood.
Evan Franckewitz, 15, is a Justin Bieber in training. Or so the producers hope. He pulls out an average rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine." I think this kid will be EATEN ALIVE in the competition. Nonetheless, he gets a unanimous "yes" for Hollywood.
You might remember Travis Orlando, 17, from last year's auditions. He had a long, involved back story about living in homeless shelters.
Update: Now, his mom walked out on the family. His family got evicted. They live in a shelter. His dad is on dialysis. Whoa. Oh yeah...Travis dropped out of high school to pursue music.
So...I feel a little bad saying his version of "Isn't She Lovely" is just mediocre, but that's true. He pleads his case, but the judges say he needs more experience. Still, they can't shatter his dreams. He gets a three-way "yes" for Hollywood.
Erika Van Pelt, 25, is a wedding singer and mobile DJ from Rhode Island. She has a nice deep voice and delivers a fairly strong performance of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." I think she deserves a shot. The judges agree and she unanimously advances.
Shane Bruce, 19 is a coal miner from West Virginia. He sings to the guys in the coal mine, but he wants to go big time with his music. He sings "Hallelujah," which he calls the song from "Shrek." True, but...the performance is OK. Some glaring problems, not a complete disaster. The judges don't think he's ready. Three-way no.
Baltimore singer Hallie Day, 24, has a long, involved back story. She dropped out of high school, moved to New York, joined a girl group, became an addict, left New York, attempted suicide, met her husband and turned her life around. Got it? She sings "I Will Survive" -- bad choice, IMHO -- and basically shouts her way through most of the song. I'm not sold, but the judges think she's a powerhouse. Three-way "yes" for Hollywood.
And...we're done!
source: ledger-enquirer
