The Idol Blog is Back

Yes, it is true, the Idol blog is back. After being fired from The Detroit News two years ago for being too insulting and then running the blog on my own last year for my few dear readers, I am wasting valuable time once again (at least tonight...Jill, you're welcome).

I will start out by admitting that I thought Idol jumped the shark years ago.  Now, with Simon gone, I thought that Idol would not only have jumped the shark, but leaped over it like Mike Powell (the all-time long jumper).  Dare I say I was surprised when I haven't actually hated the new Idol?  That Idol might have life left with Simon gone?  That Idol might not get swallowed whole when Simon's anxiously awaited X Factor starts in the fall?  Well, after the audition and Hollywood rounds, I am amazed to say that it is possible that Idol has its best talent yet. 

Yes, we had to deal with some hiccups along the way like Steven Tyler literally salivating over contestants as young as 15 and having to watch Jennifer Lopez shed tears like she was a strung out Paula Abdul, I have to admit that they have actually had some good feedback for the contestants.  Simon is definitely missed with the absence of his pithy comments and the show lacks much of its humor as a result, but Idol seems serious about wanting to find a real singer by adding top talent judges.

Which leads us to tonight, the first of two nights of taped auditions (translation: we do not get to see how good these folks really are). 

Clint Jun Gamboa, a four foot tall mutt who reminds me of Where's Waldo made me feel as if I boarded a cruise line and the only way to escape his performance was to jump overboard.  Perhaps it was this kid's doucheness when he kicked the young fat kid out in the Hollywood rounds, but I simply hate this little f-ck. The judges may have liked him, but I hope this little douche gets his a-- sent back home.

Jovany Barreto, a guy who hopes to boot Marc Anthony to the curve to get a piece of J Lo's big a-- failed to capitalize on his strength which was imitating Latin stars like Marc Anthony and Luis Miguel by singing out the cheesy "I'll Be".  The guy has an amazing voice and should stick with what he does best which is Latin-like music. 

Jordan Dorsey proved he never deserved to make the top 12 with a horrendous version of Usher's "Oh My Gosh".  To copy someone as talented as Usher, both the voice and the moves, you've got to bring it...Jordan definitely failed at that.  Exit stage left Mr. Dorsey.

Tim Halperin, a guy who did not get much screen time in the early rounds showed why...he sucks.  Taking on Rob Thomas' "Come on Over", I felt like I was watching that kid from last year who escaped elimination each week last year...can't remember that kid's name and I won't remember this kid's name either.

Carrot Top Kathy Griffin look alike Brett Loewenstern may actually have succeeded...in bringing Jim Morrison out of hiding with the most awful and painful rendition of The Door's "Light My Fire".  If Morrison is actually dead, he just turned over in grave and prayed for his ears to be eaten by maggots.  The judges disagreed, but they did have one thing right...that he was on fire (not that there is anything wrong with that). 

Over-exposed James Durbin and Adam Lambert wannabe went bold and took on Judas Priest's "You Got Another Thing Coming".  While the guitar playing overtook his voice at times, Durbin can definitely sing.  I do fear that he is going to fall into the Lambert problem of screaming every song.  If Durbin can reign it in, he will go very far in this talent show.

Robbie Rosen and his schnoz put me to sleep with a very boring "Angel" originally done so wonderfully by Sarah McLachlan.  Rosen has one of the best voices on the show this year and he may have blown his chances with this very poor rendition.  In honor of his Jewishness, perhaps Sunrise, Sunset for Mr. Rosen?

One of my favorite contestants shockingly enough is Scott McCreery who regardless of his success on Idol will find big success in the world of country.  Taking on John Michael Montgomery's "Letters From Home", McCreery knows who he is, what he is good at, and as a result, always chooses the right song.  Tonight's performance will easily find him in the Top 12 and if the country voters turn out, this kid has a chance at the title.  Again, either way, this kid will be big in country...perhaps even selling more albums than whoever ends up winning Idol.  I can already see a duet with former Idol winner Carrie Underwood in the future.

Stefano Langone can sing but Idol contestants should know better than to take on a current top 40 song like "Just the Way You Are".  With that said, Langone was better than most of the guys and choosing a current song may actually find him getting more votes than those who chose less noticeable songs. As for Randy's comment about this kid being on the radio, it is still way too early in the competition for comments like that.  And can Ryan Seacrest just be truthful and name himself as the person wondering who Stefano was singing the song to?  There is no reason to mask it as "a lot of people here in the studio and at home" wanting to know.  Alas, Stefano set poor Ryan straight by letting him know that it was for all the ladies out there.

Paul McDonald, one of my favorite contestants, was outstanding taking on Rod Stewart's "Maggie May".  McDonald and Casey Abrams are great additions to the show this year; unfortunately I don't know if America will agree.  McDonald is atypical from what you hear on the radio today and let's be honest...the people voting for their favorite Idol are also people who watch The Kardashians, Jersey Shore, and Real Housewives...it's not like these people actually have taste.

Gospel singer Jacob Lusk channeled his best Dionne Warwick by successfully taking on "A House is Not a Home".  Lusk has one of the best voices but with the lack of success by former winner Ruben Studdard, it is doubtful that Lusk will win.  Mark my words that he will be a resounding success on the gospel charts.

Casey Abrams finished the night strong with a powerful "I Put a Spell on You". For a guy who was in the hospital all week, Abrams hopefully earned a spot in the top 12.  Unfortunately, like McDonald, he is a bit too odd to find his way to the Idol crown.  In a way, Abrams reminds me of  past winner Taylor Hicks and unfortunately, once again, with the lack of success of Hicks, it is doubtful Abrams can win the big enchilada.

In summary, who ever thought that Randy would actually bring the best feedback amongst the judges? Honest and almost spot on.  Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez bring legitimacy to the judge's panel, but they have to learn not to just stick withe the niceties and to also provide valuable feedback...telling people that they have seen better by the contestant isn't helpful, tell them what they need to do better.  Isn't that the reason for successful singers as judges?

Overall, not an awful night of music, but definitely not the top talent I thought going into these rounds.  Perhaps the ladies will make me change my mind.