Welcome to Utah, the friendliest place on Earth! Where's Mitt Romney when you need him? Tonight "American Idol" invaded the hometown of David Archuleta, and they found a few special singers who might make it just as far. That said, it's time to put these formulaic audition shows to bed - for GOOD! The bad singers aren't as humorous, the post-production gags are all getting stale, and the judges' antics are about as exciting as a night in, well, Utah.
Keep reading for my BEST, WORST, OBAMA WINNER and FINAL VERDICT.....
THE BEST
David "Just What The World Needs, Another" Osmond. David is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, music is a big reason he's keeping himself out of a wheelchair. He sang a song by the Christian Jazz group "Take Six," which the judges really ripped on. This guy is fantastic, people are going to love him, and he'll probably make it far in the competition. Best performance of the night.
Frankie "I'm Mom, Hear Me Roar" Jordan. They were playing her up as the next Amy Winehouse. She does sound pretty similar, but she's a mom, and far less drunk. This girl has some sass to her, which could help or hurt her once America starts to vote.
Megan "Hey, I Sound Like Amy Winehouse, too" Corkey. And she also has a kid! And she's also less drunk! I do find it funny how the "Idol" producers cut a montage of her playing with her kid, like it makes her different to have a baby. Instead, they should have focused on her voice, which truly sets her apart from the rest.
Austin "Senior Class President" Sisneros. He was "so inspired" to be there, he couldn't help but telling you how "inspired" he was, and how the judges didn't want him to fail. My favorite part of his audition was when he said he was singing a song by Train, to which Randy replied, "Oh. Really?" This guy had a good voice and he deserved to get through, but he laid it on way too thick. Turn it down and he could be good.
THE WORST
Tara "The Only Goth in Utah" Matthews. She looked really sad. "One day I'll fly away," she sang. "Hopefully soon," Simon replied. If she had ESP like she said, why did she look so sad leaving the audition room?
Katie "Look At Me, I'm Georgous" Sullivan. She was one of those contestants stuffed into a montage, but man was she bad. I must have watched this back 5 times, but still bad.
THE OBAMA
Rose Flack. Wow, sad to say, but this girl is almost cursed. Both of her parents died suddenly when she was very young, now she's living with an adopted family in Idaho. She tore up a Carol King song, and the judges pretended not to like it for dramatic purposes. She's going to Hollywood, and if "Idol" producers have anything to say about it, she'll be in this competition for quite a while.
THE VERDICT
Salt Lake City brought some of the brightest talent yet this seaon, and some of the most boooooring. Overall, there wasn't too much to remember from this episode. I'm ready to see the yellow tickets in Hollywood.
As stated in the intro, I'm through with these auditions!! I'll have to suffer through both New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico tomorrow night. Let's hope the rest of the season isn't as stale as the first 6 episodes.
Well, I have to get back to the island. See you next week!
