Denver Idol auditions
Victoria Beckham actually provided some entertaining insight at times tonight in Denver. The producers frontloaded the best talent in Denver into day one and packed day two with more of the wackies. The final total going to Hollywood was a respectable 26 contestants. This is the last of the seven cities. (Tomorrow will be a mish mash from the seven cities).
Ryan notes that Denver has twice as many people auditioning as 2005, making it “twice as hard to get to Hollywood.” I don’t know if that’s actually the case but it sounds good.
First up: The man who thinks he looks like Jack Black and likes cheese named Mark Labriola is sometimes offkey and has poor breath control doing “Tempted” by Squeeze. But it’s not half bad. “That was a nice surprise,” said Beckham. I’m surpised they liked him that much.
Mario Galvan, the nervous giggler (imitated by Simon), tries to imitate Elvis and he’s loud and annoying. (giggle).
Single mom Kimberly Kerbow is charming in an old-school, sexy way and sings “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson. She sings the Rogaine line to Simon, although he has plenty of hair. The judges think she’s wearing a wig. (It sure looks like one.)
Lots of tickets to Hollywood. Then arrives Seattle karaoke hostess and cover band singer Danelle Hayes does a good imitation of Melissa Etheridge (which to me is not pleasant.) “I like you,” Simon said. “You’re almost broken. You may have gotten here just in time to rescue you from corporate hell.”
Casey James from Fort Worth is a cute guy in a ponytail survived a motorcycle accident that hurt his arm but he keeps playing guitar. He’s okay but a bit too lowkey. “I like Casey,” Kara said. “No charisma,” Simon said. “Cute,” Posh said. “He looks like a model.” He starts stripping thanks to Kara’s push. “This isn’t Project Runway,” Simon said.
Cute 16-year-old Tori Kelly has a decent voice and a bright smile. Her sister brought adorable drawings of the judges. “Almost annoying,” Simon said. “Quite the opposite,” Posh said. “It’s about star quality. You look classy.” “You’re like a human orange,” Simon said, mocking her tan.
An overconfident football player Austin Paul from DC has poor tone. He really does think he’s amazing. “The whole grabbing his pecs – you come off as a bit cocky,” Kara said. “You can be very annoying,” Simon said. “It felt a little arrogant,” Posh said. “I got a bit itchy from it.” An even worse singer comes next: a deluded Kenny Everett. “Sounds like you’re being punched and just screaming,” Simon said.
In the homestretch, we see a bunch of forgettably bad singers, including scat man. Then we get Nicci Nix, who lives in Florence, Italy. She sounds like she’s sucked helium with her talking voice – like Paris Bennett season five. (Hey, Simon, stop stealing my lines!). I hate this song. She seems a little offkey to me. She’s cute. “You sing so much deeper than you talk,” Simon said. “You’re a funny little thing, aren’t you?” “I thought you sounded great,” Posh said, who notes her “beautiful skin.” Huh? I didn’t get her at all.
The final (real) singer is unique: a black country singer Haeley Vaughn. She’s beautiful and a decent singer to boot. She’s not quite as good as Carrie Underwood but she has a great look. “Cute little thing,” Simon said. “You have a slight lisp when you sing. You’re different. You’re infectious. You have a great smile.”
But they throw in Mr. Mankini singing “Achy Breaky Heart.” Ty Hemmering barely gets through two verses before the judges leave. “This is kind of rude,” he said, before my DVR ended the taping, thankfully.
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159 comments Add your comment
JTesla
February 2nd, 2010
6:34 pm
There goes Rodney living the life of a high roller still! Enjoy the party and everyone else enjoy the live blogging. It’s the final audition city!
Highlander
February 2nd, 2010
6:52 pm
Placeholder? …Is that like a reserved sign on a restaurant table?
Highlander
February 2nd, 2010
7:02 pm
Just saw a promo clip of the new ‘We Are The World’ on the evening news. Celine Dion was standing next to one of the Jonas brothers (who knows which one?… who cares?), She puts her hand up to her ear to hear herself better (as singers commonly do when singing harmony) but I wonder if perhaps it’s also a sign that Jonas has the same vocal problems as Taylor Swift!
JTesla
February 2nd, 2010
7:10 pm
I’m willing to bet the Taylor could out sing an army of Jonas brothers. That should tell you what my opinion is of their abilities. I wonder if someone had to tell the JoBro who he was standing next to.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
7:54 pm
Good evening all. Posh again? What have we done to deserve a double dose of Posh?
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
7:57 pm
Hello everyone.
Here we go to Danver. Hope the auditions are better and we see more of the ones whe received the gold pass to Hollywood.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:01 pm
Denver – maybe I should have encouraged youngest son, the musician, who lives there, to try out. On the other hand, he can’t sing, just play instruments and compose music. On the other hand, that hasn’t stopped other non-singers from winning Grammys…
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:02 pm
Well hoo ray, he can sing.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:03 pm
I thought Posh did a pretty good job on her first go round.
Lar
February 2nd, 2010
8:05 pm
Once they let him sing, he sounded great!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:06 pm
One of Harriett’s posts today jumped in front of mine. That’s ok, I was jumping in front of people last week.
I liked the first guy a lot!
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:07 pm
D – Did you notice that my post of 8:02 jumped infront of yours that was already there when I posted? Crazy things happening again.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:10 pm
Oops…I just jumped in front of you, Nana! Weird!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:10 pm
First commercial break – 14 ads.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:11 pm
I already like this show better. They seem calm today. They seem really relaxed with Victoria, too.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:11 pm
That is so funny, but weird. 1,2,3, jump!
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:12 pm
hello every1. doesnt her skin look a bit more real?
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:12 pm
Elvis he wasn’t.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:13 pm
Who’s skin?
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:13 pm
Posh does look better tonight.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:15 pm
Little girl voice from this one…but what’s all that about the hair.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:15 pm
posh
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:16 pm
Greater rocker voice from this girl!
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:17 pm
Wig.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:18 pm
Another goes through, and she has a cutie of a daughter.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:18 pm
They just told me I am posting too fast. I’ve posted 2 times and 3 minutes apart. I bet JT is the pacman.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:19 pm
She had a rocker’s voice and I liked the sound.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:20 pm
Wow! I jumped back about 4 posts!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:20 pm
Judges are easy touches today
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:20 pm
she could definitely scream a bit less, but they like that she wears her heart on her sleeve.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:20 pm
I just jumped 4 places as well, D.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:20 pm
She could scream less and be OK.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:22 pm
The weird thing going on with the posts is frustrating!
Candler Boyz
February 2nd, 2010
8:22 pm
I liked her “throaty” voice, but agreed could use a little less screaming
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:23 pm
Is this really the last audition city?
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:23 pm
The weird thing going on with the posts is very frustrating!
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:24 pm
Guess i will try again. I agreed with EN statement about the scream less, then it jumped ahead of his. crazy.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:24 pm
Second break, 10 commercials
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:24 pm
I think she was just trying extra hard. She reminded me of th Frankenstein Bride rocker chick but she was better.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:24 pm
See what I mean?!
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:24 pm
Now, I’m posting to fast! As EN said, this is frustrating.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:27 pm
Just realized that pacman ate my comment about the next singer. I was hoping for a back story of a divorced devil worshipper with real horns. no more parents!!!
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:27 pm
He can put his shirt back on.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:27 pm
yep!!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:28 pm
Have y’all noticed they’re showing singers tonight?
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:28 pm
Yummy!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:28 pm
A great look? Unbutton his shirt? Casting couch next?
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:29 pm
Okay this IS weird! I see what everybody means,
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:29 pm
She looks older than 16.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:30 pm
yep and since it jumped ahead of who i was really agreeing with… Mercedes
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:31 pm
Nice voice – didn’t need the kid.
Candler Boyz
February 2nd, 2010
8:31 pm
Simon is surprisingly good with children
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:31 pm
We are seeing more talent. Hopefully, the second half will be as good.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:31 pm
Tori Kelly… minus melisma, maybe
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:32 pm
I’m amazed! Do you suppose the Idol gods have been reading out blog? Finally, the first half of Denver has been ALL about the singers who got a ticket to Hollywood! Thank you, Idol gods!!!!
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:32 pm
Have you noticed that more and more the other judges are disagreeing with and confronting Simon’s opinions? Can you say lame duck judge? Intentional?
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:33 pm
I’m on a mission – 3rd break, 10 ads
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:33 pm
I think we may be going downhill from here.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:35 pm
I just totally got kicked out/off of the blog. Sooooo frustrating!
Capri K.
February 2nd, 2010
8:35 pm
Well word be down! Denver is the best city so far IMO.
JTesla
February 2nd, 2010
8:37 pm
I am the Pacman!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:37 pm
Austin Paul – stick to football
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:39 pm
I knew JT was pacman!
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:39 pm
Didn’t like him at all!
Capri K.
February 2nd, 2010
8:39 pm
Highlander…gfrien’…..nobody has it worse than Taylor Swift. Dat gurl cain’t sang!!
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:40 pm
What’s on Victoria’s head?
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:40 pm
JT…I thought you were the Walrus!
austin…nah!
Candler Boyz
February 2nd, 2010
8:41 pm
that dude is a total weenie!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:41 pm
“A male Mary J Blige” LOL!!!!!!!!
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
Give him a laxative!
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
Clarification – Taylor Swift can’t sing well LIVE. But come to think of it neither can a certain trainwreck with the last name of Spears. who is totally manufactured. Plus Miss Spears writes zero of her own material as opposed to Taylor Swift.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
OMG! Is he in pain or what!
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
And what about Jamie Fox winning a Grammy? Lord…..
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
Where is the person they covered with a blob last week?
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:45 pm
It would be nice if they showed more auditions and less ads.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:46 pm
Proof positive JT is pacman. That post mysterioulsy disappeared when I typed it. I knew he was the pacman!! take that
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:46 pm
Break 4 – 10 commercials
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:46 pm
So do u think she flew from Florence each time or she has been in the states for a month waiting for the whole process?
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:46 pm
The blog is falling apart and Rodney is at a par-tay.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
This blog has gone crazy. I hit enter to get rid of “Enter Your Comments Here” and instead, it showed on of my comments again, even though I could still see it on the blog! We’re going to need to have a long talk with the tech people again.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
Miss Florence , Helium Girl, a funny little thing with beautiful skin… this is what they want?
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:48 pm
The Italian Minnie Mouse
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:49 pm
Getting to the weirdos.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:50 pm
IMO, she is the best tonight!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:50 pm
The Italian Minnie Mouse can sing! (Paris Bennett anyone?)
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:51 pm
Hope her singing voice is better than her speaking voice.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:51 pm
I guess being a preemie is a back story now.
Andi
February 2nd, 2010
8:52 pm
Think I’m in the minority but I didn’t care that much for her singing voice either. Not bad but a little off for me.
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
so is the girl coming up our last one and didnt we see a secret/hidden contestant last week for this show?
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
well being divorced and a single parent has been very popular back stories this year, may as well add a preemie. i was looking for something a bit more unusual. I guess 15 and in jail for robbing a bank will be it this season.
Harm
February 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
It’s time for the last audition, right after the commercial breakl, hope it’s a good one! Then LOST!!!
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:55 pm
Oh goody, next week we get to see Ellen.
ashley
February 2nd, 2010
8:55 pm
just wanted to see what everyone else thought on the whole avrile and mj blige thing bc all the people i have tt said that they had ruined the show for them i definatlery thought they did not suite it very well.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
Totally got kicked off for the second time. What the?
Judy
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
they said it before the commercial break.
Nana
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
Hey harm – Jake needs to loose Vienna.
Harm
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
Nana, yes he does!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
Fifth commercial break, 10 ads
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2010
8:58 pm
Good show tonight. I thought Posh contributed a lot to the auditions.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2010
8:58 pm
D – how did you know she was a preemie before she said she was one?