AI:5 - The San Francisco Auditions

January 26, 2006 · Filed Under popmedia

Well. Now. That was, shall we say, a rather blah way to package up an hour’s worth of tryouts.

The bad/mutant contestants weren’t all that bizarre, and even the blow-up of Mt. St. Simon was neither that volcanic, nor that interesting. While it seemed that Simon was a little off his game (though I did like his phoning Shalicia Carlisle’s ex-boss to help Shalicia get her job back - it was rather a sweet gesture on his part…), it in no way warranted the constant picking that Randy did. I can’t really say that I blame Simon all that much for blowing of the final few contestants.

I think Randy & Paula were a bit more off their game (if not their rockers!) by virtue of their putting someone like John Williams (he of the so-so voice, way over-the-top dancing, & horrifically shiny t-shirt) through to Hollywood. I cannot fathom what they were thinking…
The only glimpse we were given of true talent was the audition of Catherine McPhee. While I found myself a little put off by her vocal coach/”stage-mother” mom (folks who push & live through their kids that much always make me more than a little uneasy…), Catherine herself seemed very sweet & reasonably well adjusted. She’s also cute as a button. And, most importantly, the girl can sing! Barring an unfortunate meltdown in Hollywood or the semi-finals, or the emergence of someone that we’ve yet to see (ala Bo last season) in the auditions, I’m thinking that Catherine is right up there with Kellie Pickler, Paris Bennett, & Lisa Tucker as my current picks to make the finals (I’d like to add Brooke Barrett Smith as well, but as much as I liked her audition, I’m not quite sure that she’ll develop the fan base necessary for a long run…).

There were one or two others who were ok (like Jane Santayana & Shawna White), and a couple who were not ok (like “Wolfie”, the “All Terrain” performer, & Janis Joplin/Molly Shannon wannabe Deborah Dawn Tilley), but nothing to really WOW!!! me one way or the other.

So, 18 more kids made it through to Hollywood, bringing our total up to 103.

Next: Pretty Vegas!

-ghp

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