American Idol Season 6 Episode 4 New York

Yes I know I am a day late but what can I say. I really had to review my thoughts about the New York auditions. Apparently the talent was better in New York because 35 people got golden tickets to the Hollywood.
The New York auditions were beyond strange and given some of the clip montages we didn't even see some of the worst.
In New York we had guest judge Carol Bayer Sager who actually wasn't too bad.
Our first contestant was Ian Benardo, someone who is a second rate diva to say the least. Apparently he tried out for "So You Think You Can Dance 2" and didn't make it. Ian somehow believes he is a superstar. Ian is wearing a chinchilla stole. Unbelievably, Ian chooses 'Gloria" for his audition song. Naturally he sucks the big one and he wasn't exactly singing but almost acting the song. It was totally surreal. Ian was told know and he went off on his tirade to the point security had to escort him out. We got the usual bleep, bleep, bleep words. He did throw out one amazing comments though, he indicated Hollywood is just New Jersey with celebrities. Unfortunately Ian is getting more then his 15 minutes of fame because there have been stories about him on ET, Hollywood Insider, Access Hollywood, etc.
Sarah Burgess was next. We had a long clip about her and the facet that she is seeking approval from her father because he always says he is disappointed in her. She skipped school in Ohio to come audition. This is one emotional person who cries at the drop of a hat. She does manage to pull it together and sings "Call Me". I liked her voice but she doesn't have the strength to pull this off. If she is crying at the auditions what is she going to do in Hollywood and if a miracle happens and she makes it to the top 12 she will break under the pressure. Personally I think all the judges felt sorry for her but she got her ticket to Hollywood. We then had to see her crying again and what a shameless ploy the producers did in having Ryan call her dad on his cell phone so she could confess. I wasn't moved at all.
Next up was Fania who tried miserably to sing Africa's "Toto". She was bad and her dancing movements were even worst. Fania went home empty handed with 4 nos from the judges.
Ashanti Johnson was next who apparently has been to Hollywood twice before. I did not remember her at all so she must not have had much air time because I normally recognize people who have try out before. Ashanti went with "Loving You", a pretty risky song if you ask me. Her voice was pleasant enough but I didn't think she should be passed through and luckily the judges agreed and sent her home although we had to have almost 5 minutes of her begging to get passed through again. I was over her right away.
Our next contestants are best friends Amanda and Antonella and the producers spent a lot of time following them around and great shots of them in bikini's at the beach. Amanda is first to audition but clearly the producers could see footage because the judges asked for her best friend to come in as well. Amanda and Antonella sang together (which was totally bad) and then the judges had them sing separately. Amanda chose "Crazy" and Patsy is turning over in her grave, even I could have sang the song better but somehow the judges give her that golden ticket. Then Antonella is up with "Free" and this girl can sing. I really enjoyed her voice. It was spot on. The judges also give Antonella a golden ticket but tell her she is much better then Amanda. I can imagine all the Hollywood clips we will have of these two.
Simon did throw out a line that I will remember and use in the future, he tells Antonella that in show business when someone is on the floor, kick them. I laughed out loud on that one.
We were then show Clifton who indicates he loves being the center of attention and to hear people screaming. Clifton tried to perform ZZ Top's "Tush". Well he had me screaming for relief. He simply yelled and stomped through the whole thing. It was beyond bad.
Kia Thornton was next and she went with Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way" and as far as I am concerned she was truly remarkable, her performance was very controlled and everything worked. The judges give Kia the golden ticket.
Jenry Bejarano was next up. He is 16. I am telling you the younger singers have got it going on. Jenry sang "I'd Give Anything" and I can't even put in words how great his voice was. We will skip Paula's clearly turned on looks (jail bait Paula). Jenry has talent and I was happy that he got his chance in Hollywood.
Nakia Claiborne is next. She was just a bit manic for me. She went with "Dancing in the Street" which was not very good. The judge's asked her to sing another song and quite frankly I couldn't really understand what she was saying or singing. It also wasn't very good. The judges tell her no and of course we get another contestant begging for a chance. Take the no and move on folks.
Sarah Goldberg is next. She had on a stupid red cowboy hot. Her audition was horrible, it was very flat and grating on the ears. Then we get the long tirade that she can't sing but the judges can teach her to sing, she can be the first American Idol who can't sing. Please......! She was a train wreck ready to happen and it crashed in New York.
Jory Steinberg is the next and she tries "Chains". Her performance was actually pretty good. I would praise her like the judges did but I felt she deserved her shot at Hollywood which she got.
We then got Porcelana and her back story about training like boot camp for her audition. She goes with "Love No Limit" which was barely okay as far I am concerned but the judges let her through to Hollywood.
We then get Christopher Henry who auditions with Kelly Clarkson's "Before Your Love". He definitely has a very high voice. Paula and Simon get into it for some reason and in the end poor Chris is sent home empty handed.
We then are subjected to Rachel Zebita who sings "Eternal Life" first and then "Get Here". I didn't like either song but somehow the judges see something I don't and gives her a trip to Hollywood. The producers probably can see the crazy train wreck about to happen.
Chris Richardson is next with "A Song for You". Chris is going to be this season's Elliot Yamin. He had a great voice. He got 4 yes votes from the judges.
We next see Nicholas Pedro who I did remember who bailed out during Hollywood week last season. Nicholas goes for "Fly Me to the Moon" and it was excellent. He gets another shot at Hollywood.
Isadora is the final contestant we get to see. Isadora attempts "Lady Marmalade" or at least I think it was that because I couldn't really understand her. She was crazy. She gets nada and is sent home to cry.
Next week we are in Birmingham. Next week we are back to just one hour for each night.
Until next week!