Idol auditions in Los Angeles with Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry
Welcome to Los Angeles! The city in the past hasn’t always given us great talent, surprisingly enough. This time, 22 made it through and we heard some potential top 12ers.
The first person is usually a joke. And yes, they start with the man with an odd animal on top of his head. Neil Goldstein is his name. He tries to do Meat Loaf but freezes on his first try. He’s not godawful as a singer but he is so ridiculously dorky. “I don’t think you’re suited for this business,” Simon said. (He is not really working very hard with the insults this year, is he?)
Jim Ranger, a worship leader, takes a chance with an original song called “Drive.” He has a little Bo Bice in him. “Authentic,” Simon said. Avril Lavigne keeps grinning absurdly and eventually says no. “I don’t know how you could be dedicated to your church” and do Idol, Kara said. But she and Randy must say yes because he gets through.
Damien LeFavor, who makes sandwiches and likes to do martial arts, tortures us with a bit of Righteous Brothers, choked and left without complaint. Thank goodness.
After commercial break #2, Mary Powers (with an eight-year-old daughter who likes Simon) goes the Pat Benatar route. With her rocker chick look, it works. Avril is quite taken. “Everything about you is cliched,” Simon said. “But I do like your voice.” “You do have a character to your voice,” Avril said. “It’s raspy and it is punk rock.” She might make an impression in Hollywood. (I’m avoiding Joe’s Place right now so I haven’t peeked at the spoilers yet.)
Adam Lambert lookalike is next. A.J. Mendoza is basically an awful Adam Lambert soundalike, too. The judges were not impressed.
Part two, with Katy Perry as guest judge. She promises to be brutally honest.
Austin Fullmer is first up. Katy looks aghast while the man is doing a bad Mick Jagger imitation singing Cheap Trick “Surrender.” B-bye.
Crying jags to another Cheap Trick song. Then Andrew Garcia, who had gang-connected parents from Compton, gets the back-story treatment. What’s that neck tattoo? He’s charming and has a soulful way about him. I really like this guy. “The only person who has walked through today who I genuinely believe is a good singer,” Simon said. “I’m glad I met you.” I hope he can hold up in Hollywood.
Hmm… a ProActiv ad with… Katy Perry! Coincidence? Think not.
Tasha Layton, a pastor/personal assistant (great combo!), does a lovely version of Joss Stone’s “Baby Baby Baby.” She’s in for sure.
Jason Greene opts for the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself.” He’s entertaining but not a good singer. You’ll soon see him at your favorite cross-dressing convention.
Katy is indeed tough and gets on Kara’s nerves. (Good for her!). Final singer up is a foster kid with a mini-Justin Guarini do. “Music is where I can feel secure,” he said. Chris Golightly, a shoe salesman, has a fine tenor voice doing “Stand By Me.” Another winner, for sure. Simon was not that impressed but gives him a small y. Katy agrees. Kara and Randy? Big y’s!
And since I’m happy to suck the remaining embers from “Pants on the Ground,” here’s a funny video from TMZ of a Canadian politician using Larry Platt’s song:
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165 comments Add your comment
JTesla
January 26th, 2010
5:20 pm
Pants on the ground!
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
5:26 pm
See everybody…this is how you make a holding spot! That wasn’t hard, was it!?
JTesla
January 26th, 2010
5:39 pm
That is why Rodney makes the big bucks.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
7:45 pm
Is this the place holder for tonight?
Justin
January 26th, 2010
7:47 pm
Is there a “live” stream for this tonight ?
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
7:54 pm
Here and ready. Hey, EN!
Justin
January 26th, 2010
7:57 pm
ONLINE STREAM!!!??????? ahhhhh
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
7:57 pm
Hello! Boy I haven’t been able to get into the audition shows this year! Is it just me?
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
7:59 pm
This is entirely off subject, but I just heard a local news anchor sign off, saying “We’ve ran out of time.” Eeeek.
Meant to say hi to Justin, too.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
7:59 pm
The Boston and Atlanta shows were good but then Chicago and Orlando put a damper on things. Hope Los Angeles is good!
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:02 pm
Avril….hmmm
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:04 pm
Poor Neil…nerves are dangerous things.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:08 pm
I hope that somebody in LA can sing. And that we get to see them.
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:09 pm
Nine minutes gone and one dufus contestant.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:10 pm
Could it be after all these years we have reached the bottom of the talent pool? Should the show be shelved for 10 years and brought back after another generation has matured a bit? Just wondering….
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:12 pm
I like Jim!
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:14 pm
The ONLY reason that Kara hesitated was because Avril said no.
WTF?
January 26th, 2010
8:14 pm
what the hell, after one contestant and a long commerical break, Ryan comments that “still no golden tickets”????
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:16 pm
Is EVERYBODY in LA weird(and yes, my kid is still out there)
WTF?
January 26th, 2010
8:17 pm
what the hell is that on avril’s head and why?
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:17 pm
Badly is an understatement.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:18 pm
Avril looks stupid and is living up to her look.
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:18 pm
Eighteen mins. and counting…
I do hope we get to see more of the talent tonight. Grrr.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:18 pm
Not a fan of Avril. Just sayin’….. I will probably disagree with everything that comes out of her mouth.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:21 pm
Can we get to day 2 and Katy Perry…she’s bound to be better than Avril.
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:22 pm
I waited three mins. between posting attempts, and it is telling me I am posting too rapidly. I see others posting in less time. What gives?
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:22 pm
Is anyone else anticipating the return of Glee as much as I am??
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
avril told the Pastor no, what about the mom? she got an enthusiastic yes!!
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
Harriett, last Idol time (just got back from a pretty good movie)I was told I posted too fast too
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
oh thank you…a little Adam fix!
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
EN, count me as a Glee fan.
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
I have never watched an episode. Okay is this guy good? so not a fan of that.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
EN…I love Glee!
Sorry kiddo but you ain’t Adam!
Lar
January 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
Tuned in late but it does not look like I missed anything.
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
you guys who didnt care for Mary J as a judge; no way can u like Avril. She is more caustic to me than Mary J was.
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
That Bo Bice meal looks like 5000 calories
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:29 pm
oops
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:29 pm
Believe the Glee hype. Check it out when it come back in April. Very original and dare I say…..campy.
Enough of whats-her-name-as-a-judge already. Can we move on? GOD, I miss Paula!
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
Can someone explain the meaning or purpose behind his last statement on the Moe’s commercial? I am not getting it. Who is keeping him from being himself?
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
I didn’t like Mary J and I don’t like Avril. I don’t mind caustic when it’s based on truth but when it’s just plain rude, it annoys the heck out of me. Mary J was rude. Avril is just stupid!
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
I totally agree Judy!
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
me too EN!!!
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
Halfway through the show. Thoughts? Seems pretty typical to me.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:31 pm
I also agree with your statement Deirdre!
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:31 pm
lol Deidre. I am so not liking Avril. I want her gone now. Will she be there for day 2?
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:33 pm
Thank goodness
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:33 pm
Katy Perry. Let’s see how this goes.
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:34 pm
New Guest judge – thank goodness. NOT impressed with the blond in the mouse hoodie.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:34 pm
Is Austin wearing a plastic shirt?
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:34 pm
I began watching just as the first guy was talking after his audition. do you think Simon actually hit him with the door without really stopping to apologize or was it just another editing job for AI drama?
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:35 pm
I hate this constant focus on the absurd.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
A real man?????????? LOL!!!!
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:37 pm
tell me she didnt try to sing
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:37 pm
I just realized that Katy is dating Russell Brand. That makes some sort of statement about her I think. : P
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:38 pm
Oh, here we go with the story now. ZZZZZ.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:38 pm
So far, only parents have been good.
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
The Adam imitator wasn’t all that bad – maybe he should have used his own voice
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:40 pm
Nicely done, Andrew!
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:40 pm
Dated? They’re officially engaged!
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:41 pm
loved his voice!!
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:42 pm
Really liked Andrew Garcia, the man with the neck tattoo. I like Katy as a guest judge over Avril.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
At least Katy is giggling and making faces at the singers. She’s direct and she isn’t waering horns on her hoodie.
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
“Are these people frisked before they come in here?” I often wonder myself
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
Hey Rodney, did you hear that? Scott McIntyre is in Atlanta. You don’t have to interview him if you don’t want to.
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
did the Pastor remind anyone of Danny Gokey and does he have a record deal?
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:45 pm
where is the southern belle from? i missed that
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:46 pm
Scott was in town last week. I would have interviewed him if I had been around…
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:46 pm
Love Tasha!!!!
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
Andrew Garcia…better get a ticket
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
now i am scared!!!
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
Oh Happy Day for Tasha! Another likable personality.
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Katy feels dirrrrty.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Weirdness abounds!
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Katy thought Jason was a girl.
ewwwwww! This guy is icky.
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Empasize, Kara?
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
LOL!!!
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:52 pm
“Three snaps and a deformation”? Is that what Katy said? What does that mean?
Lar
January 26th, 2010
8:52 pm
That was disturbing!
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
Is everyone prepared to be blown away.
The kid up next already reminds me of the kid…what was his name….the one who was living out of his car, had a great voice but wouldn’t do what the judges asked.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
Rodney…”3 snaps in a z formation”
Judy
January 26th, 2010
8:54 pm
She thought he was a girl? did he notice it? If so what was his response.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:54 pm
Josiah Leming! Check out the song Arctic Outcry Wind on Youtube. Very nice!
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:55 pm
Sob!
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:55 pm
Randy just emphasized the “he” in his next sentence.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:56 pm
OK…Katy isn’t following Kara like a puppy. I LIKE her!
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
I think we have a top 12er in Chris.
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
Just 22 from LA? Is that what Ryan said?
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
Foster kid is in!
Harriett
January 26th, 2010
8:59 pm
Just got a text from linny. She is dvr-ing, not watching right now. Told her we missed her.
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
9:00 pm
Josiah is a great singer and maybe he has grown up by now.
Mercedes S.
January 26th, 2010
9:02 pm
Anybody else got the feeling that Katy doesn’t LIKE Kara?
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
9:03 pm
Neil Patrick Harris is a guest Judge tomorrow night?? Be still my heart! Who knew Doogie Howser would grow up to be so talented and….HOT!
Judy
January 26th, 2010
9:03 pm
was on the phone. had he tried out b4? who was josiah?
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
9:04 pm
Why are so many hot guys gay? WHY!!!???
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
9:05 pm
Trust me Deirdre there are just as many gay guys that are average and below average – check out any Friday night at Friends on Ponce or Model Ts. LOL!!!
Rodney Ho
January 26th, 2010
9:05 pm
Thank you Deirdre. Never heard that phrase before! You’re hipper than I am!
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
9:05 pm
Enter your comments here
Deirdre
January 26th, 2010
9:05 pm
That’s me, Rodney!!!! “hip” Or should that be “hippy”!
Exit Now
January 26th, 2010
9:09 pm
“See” you guys tomorrow night.
jade smith
January 26th, 2010
9:29 pm
OK single moms who are very busy with a lot to do get to go to California. Men who have children and jobs get to go. A man who happens to work at a church is told he has too much to do? Sounds like anti-religious discrimination. Personal not professional decision making. Let’s keep it professional please.