AI 10 1-20-11 New Orleans

The opening begins with a black screen and a name in white letters – Blake Patterson – auditioning October 17, 2010 as we cue video of Blake at the piano attempting to sing and then words floating across the screen, which indicates he will not be going to Hollywood. Can someone explain what the point of that was? This has to be one of the strangest openings ever of American Idol!

Cue the intro video and music. I did forget to mention in yesterday’s blog about how I do like the new graphics for the intro and the new arrangement of the American Idol theme.

Cue video introduction as Ryan explains New Orleans is like no place on earth and we are here to unearth the talent. Welcome to the Crescent City, which pulses with Mardi Gras intensity. We then get to see blooper reels from the prior visit from Season Six where apparently Mr. Seacrest is unable to pronounce certain French phrases. Let the good times roll!

We now need to move onto our discussion of the contestants from last night’s program.

Our first contestant Jordan Dorsey receives the big video story. He is 21 and is a piano and vocal instructor. We get to see him with one of his 6-year-old students who tells us Jordan is an excellent teacher. Jordan is here to demonstrate to his students that the harder you strive; the more successful you will be come.

Jordan chooses “Somewhere over the Rainbow” for his audition. Wow, he demonstrates some fantastic vocal ability and creativity during his audition. The tone of his voice was beautiful to hear. My only critic is he does need to lay off some of the vocal gymnastics all of those runs he put in were not necessary.

Jennifer stops the audition indicating, “I have goose bumps all over my body.” Steven and Randy have no comments and Jordan gets his golden ticket through unanimous vote.

Cue more video, which is a welcome back to Gator Country where we learn how to pronounce New Orleans correctly as well as information about alligators. This leads into a short montage of at least named contestants who are definitely not going to Hollywood. Najsha Palmer, Jarrell Brewer, David LaRocca and Kiana Cardona had sad faces as they were leaving.

Sarah Sellers who is a marketing analyst as well as a music/food blogger enters the room and Steven asks her “Where did you get those lips?” Sarah chooses “Make You Feel My Love” and while she has a pleasant voice, there was nothing saying wow to me.

The judges on the other hand were gushing praise. Jennifer states it is the best voice we have heard so far. Randy also praised her voice while Steven states, “You had me sold from the second you laid eyes on me,” and further indicates he likes her smile, attitude and voice. Sarah receives her golden ticket to Hollywood.

Jovany Barreto is a ship-builder and first-generation American as his parents are from Cuba. He wants to bring his flavor to Jennifer (Yuck!); she is a goddess because she married his idol Marc Anthony. He also made a bet with his co-workers he would take his shirt off for Jennifer. Please save me now.

Jovany sings a song in Spanish and his voice is also pleasant but there was not anything in the vocal performance, which told me he could be the next American Idol. I certainly would not vote for him based on this audition.

Jennifer praises his powerful voice and indicates that his whisper is just as beautiful as his belting voice. Steven says it was delicious and Jovany gets his golden ticket to Hollywood. We are then stuck with having to see him take his shirt off and worse Steven and Randy join in. Ronald just shakes his head!

Cue next video montage about Louisiana where we learn additional fun facts about the state including the fact that it is Randy Jackson’s birthplace.

Jacquelyn Dupree comes into audition with pictures of Randy from high school and gracious her uncle was Randy’s high school football coach an just happens to be there. What a wonderful, warm reunion it was – NOT! Give me a break we are here to listen to the contestants.

Jacquelyn goes with “I’ll Stand by you” and she has a very good voice but there is no pizzazz, nothing crying out Idol contender. Randy loves her powerful voice while Jennifer thought the soft part was beautiful and the jumps between were seamless. Steven enjoyed the wonderful ups and downs. We get three yeses and Jacquelyn is on her way to Hollywood.

Brett Loewenstern is a 16-year-old who tells us he considers himself a red apple in a bunch of green apples. Brett has been bullied since the third grade, does not receive invitation to parties and we have clips of his parents explaining growing up has been hard for their son but they support him. Brett explains he had an epiphany about just being happy in his own shell and this is his message to others. Given the large number of recent teenage suicides it is a lesson many should learn and kudos to his parents.

Brett auditions with “Bohemian Rhapsody” and color me surprised because I thought it was a beautiful rendition of the song. I think he has a great voice. I am not sure he will be able to deal with the pressure of the competition but given his attitude, I hope he goes far though.

Jennifer indicates he has true soul and simply cannot stop smiling, Steven indicates he was fabulous, and Randy felt he could connect to the audience. Brett is definitely going to Hollywood!

Cue our next video montage where we learn about jazz and the fantastic music of New Orleans.

Gabriel Franks who is a pizza maker/dishwasher proudly claiming his voice and personality will win over the judges. Ronald is thinking the exact opposite will occur. We learn that Gabriel once won a Steven Tyler radio lookalike contest. Gabriel chooses “Bad Romance” and provides the perfect definition of “bad”. It was a ridiculous choice and he butchered the song. Gabriel is going home to Baton Rouge.

Next up is video montage to “I Put a Spell on You” where we hear ten unnamed contestants murdering their audition songs. Ryan explains that perhaps some New Orleans voodoo may be involved. Ronald just shakes his head at the filler material.

This leads to another video clip of how contestants prepare for their moment with the judges and we learn our next contestant attended Idol Camp three years ago. Alex Attardo has been preparing for this moment since his Idol camp days and will impress the judges with “Proud Mary”. Naturally, Alex totally sucks. Steven tells him he was off the melody the entire time and Randy simply says it was terrible. Alex is going home empty-handed.

Jacee Badeaux another 15-year-old is the next contestant. Jacee looks and sounds much younger though. He looks a little like Justin Bieber only pudgier. On the other hand when Jacee sang Ronald sat up and really listened. This kid has a phenomenal voice. The tone and richness is completely different when he is singing versus talking. Jacee sang “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” and he brought conviction and power to the performance. To borrow from Randy it was a crazy mad vocal. I am concerned about his age and ability to handle the pressure, if he can then this kid will go far.

The judges definitely adore him. Steven indicates, “A double helping of ooh yeah” and “the sparkle in your eye is like…forget about it.” Jennifer indicates, “You are so sweet and cute. You have a really great voice.” Jacee is going to Hollywood.

Our final contestant of tonight’s program comes with a big sob back-story. Paris Tassin is a 23-year old who became pregnant at age 18 and her doctor explains the baby will have hydrocephalus and recommends terminating the pregnancy. Although she knows she was not ready, she proceeds with the pregnancy. Her daughter Kiera is now five years old and suffers hearing loss and requires hearing aids but is otherwise healthy. Paris sings to her daughter and wants to follow her dreams of singing professionally.

Paris sings “Temporary Home” for her daughter. I thought the beginning was a little rough but when she hit the bridge, she must have conquered her nerves because the rest of the audition was flawless. I loved the raw power and emotion. Paris sold the meaning of the song. She has excellent enunciation.

Jennifer was crying, “I could feel what you were singing, and that is what music is all about.” There were no other comments and Paris is heading to Hollywood with her golden ticket.

There were only 37 golden tickets given in New Orleans and we have a montage of the other contestants unidentified jumping up and down with their prize.

The final shot is Jennifer leaving and running into Paris and Kiera. Jennifer hugs them and wishes her luck and the final image is Paris holding her daughter and the tears are flowing. This naturally makes Ronald tear up as well. Damn you producers with your trickery to wrestle the emotion from me, I hate you!

It appears while things change they remain the same. The episode last night did not differ from any of the other audition programs from prior seasons. The one constant though is there is fantastic chemistry with this panel of judges. There was real fun, excitement, and joy, which has not been seen since, season one. I am really warming up to the new panel. Steven was bleeped twice and outside of the cheesy chest-baring scene, I found this to be a fun episode to watch and the talent looks promising.

Next week our first stop is Milwaukie, WI. Until then…