AI 11: 1-18-12 Savannah

Where were you when it all started? After 10 years, the phenomenon continues as new contestants prepare for the biggest platform to achieve their dreams. This is AMERICAN IDOL!

Cue opening video montage as we see the crowning of last year’s winner (who is he again?) and then we take a journey all the way back in time to Kelly Clarkson’s coronation as the first American Idol. I say thank you to the producers for reminding me how old I am as all these contestants scream they have been watching the show since they were six!

Ryan advises that this year we will be seeing the journey of the contestants through their own eyes via “contestant cam”. I can see all the drama and tears coming our way. I am so excited – NOT!

Our first stop in “Season One One the new beginning” as Randy continuously mentions is Savannah Georgia. This is the first time the American Idol wagon as pulled into this location.

Time to dish the dirt on our new crop of hopeful contestants let the fun begin.

Day One

David Leathers, Jr. (or should I say Mr. Steal Yo Girl) who explains he placed in the top two with last season’s winner in a previous local talent competition is 17 but looks like he is five at the most. I thought he had a nice voice but he has a tendency to fall flat at the end of a note. David is going to Hollywood. Given his “cute factor” and the semblance of a voice, he may make it through to the semi-finals at least.

Gabi Carruba is up next who has been tap dancing since she was one year old and has been waiting to audition her “whole life”. (Mr. Producer I get it that I am old). Gabi’s cam has her imitating Steven’s listening face – wow, I am so impressed. I hope my sarcasm is clear. As Gabi enters the audition room, she requests a hug from Nigel Lythgoe. I am guess she is hedging her bets, if she does not make it through via singing she might have a chance to tap on “So You Think You can Dance”. Gabi auditions with “Sunday Morning” and her voice was okay but nothing special, however, the judges love her. I just do not see her going very far because she is going to crack under the pressure.

Next up is a montage of contestants including Brianna Faulk, Neco Starr, Molly Hunt and Elise Testone. Brianna, Neco and Molly receive golden tickets while Elise is heading home. Of the three going through, I enjoyed the short clip of Neco performing Bruno Marks “Grenade”.

Jessica Whitely is up and I must agree with Randy who explains it was “awful”. This audition was not singing but shouting and the shouting was not even in tune. Steven tells her she has the ball and the groove but it is not going through the net. Jessica asks to sing a song and Steven says no. Jessica’s excuse is she is dehydrated (really?). Jessica says goodbye and advises she will see them again in Texas. The drama of it all as Jennifer asks if they can say no to her coming to Texas.

Our next video montage is about contestants gunning for Ryan’s job, which leads us to contestant Shaun Kraisman who claims everyone tells him he looks like Ryan. Naturally, Ryan enters the audition room so we can continue this boring filler material. Randy asks if Shaun will work for half of Ryan’s salary and he answers, he would do it for free (crazy fool). I guess Shaun is lucky he can fall back on a hosting gig because he would never make it as a singer.

Shannon Magrane who is 15 and a volleyball player explains her dad is Joe Magrane a former Cardinals pitcher. The judges request she bring in her family. Steven greets her father and follows with how the weather is hot “like your daughter”. There is then some silence, which Jennifer breaks by saying “you have a wonderful family”. Shannon performs “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and I was pleasantly surprised about how powerful her voice was. I think she is a little young but with some polishing and time, she could make it. Randy states how he is impressed with her confidence and the judges send her to Hollywood.

Next up is the montage of hopefuls who have their dream shattered and America is thankful.

Amy Brumfield is up next along with her incredibly sad back-story as she explains through “contestant cam” that she is living in a tent in the woods with her boyfriend where they cook over a pit and use the woods as their bathroom. The boyfriend’s mother loaned her the outfit and the jewelry, it is the nicest thing she has ever worn. Amy sings “Super Woman” and has a nice voice with some character but I am not sure it is strong enough to stand out in a crowd. Randy likes the roughness of her tone. Steven tells her the spirits of the woods snuck into her. Jennifer calls her a gypsy/hippie hybrid, a “hypsy”. The judges unanimous say yes to Hollywood. Amy asks if she can set up her tent behind the Idols’ mansion. This cannot end well.

Cue the video montage of how much a variety there is to all the country boys in Georgia, which leads to Joshua Chavis whose biggest dream is to sing the National Anthem at a NASCAR race (I just shake my head). In a surprising moment, Joshua is the first male contestant in 11 seasons allowed to say he has a boyfriend (now this is progress). Joshua is also Jennifer’s number one fan. Joshua compares his voice to Brad Paisley and Chris Daughtry and states he is not leaving without a golden ticket! This means the exact opposite will occur. Joshua does not have the vocal chops for this competition and I do not understand while shouting has become the new norm. Jennifer explains he is sweet and cute which Joshua just eats up but then Joshua ruins it by trying to sing something else. Randy says he is good for singing at birthday parties and bars but that is it. Joshua breaks down, cries, and has a hissy fit in front of the camera.

Stephanie Renae is up next and we have another 15 year old who has been watching the show since she was a kid (enough already). Her favorite Idol is Carrie Underwood, she chooses to audition with “Inside Your Heaven”, and I certainly was not impressed because I thought her voice was too nasally let alone the freaking shouting. Jennifer thinks she sounds great but needs to work on the nasal thing. Randy says no but Stephanie is heading to Hollywood thanks to Jennifer and Steven.

It is now 4:00 p.m. on day one and Schyler Dixon is auditioning again this year. She auditioned with her brother last year and he almost made it to the top 24. Schyler believes this will be her year. Jennifer asks if Colton is auditioning this year and she says no. The judges make her go get him and they demand he sing as well.

Schyler auditions with “Breakeven” and being only 16 I think she has improved from last year and does truly have a unique voice but I am not convinced she can handle the pressure yet. Colton is next with “Permanent” (one of my favorite David Cook songs) and all I can say is he has a great voice. Jennifer believes the pain of being cut last season has made Colton better. The judges send both on to Hollywood. I believe Schyler will crack while Colton is going to make it through this year.

Day one in Savannah is ending so it is time for another montage of those poor deluded souls who up in the reject pile as “I Fall to Pieces” plays in the background.

Lauren Mink is our last contestant of the day and we learn she runs a program for adults with intellectual disabilities and she incorporates music including a choir. Lauren wants to be a role model. Are you running for Miss America or do you want to be an American Idol? Lauren goes with “Country Strong” and surprise, surprise she can sing and has a nice voice. I am not sure she will make it all the way through but she deserves a chance. Jennifer gets goose bumps and admires the confidence she built. Steven loves her passion (I bet) and Randy compares her to Jennifer Nettles. Lauren is heading to Hollywood.

Day 2

9:19 p.m. and we are just starting on day two. I am gathering day two was not as successful as day one. Cue the video montage with the summation that it is HOT in Savannah.

Mawuena Kodjo is from Tongo with Ryan quipping “This doesn’t seem convenient.” I honestly could only understand about every third word out of his mouth. I just have a feeling this audition is not going to end well. Mawuena auditions with a Rascal Flatts' song which again I could not understand a word; however, I could hear how horrible he sounded. Steven likes his confidence, his pitch is off but he threw the ball. Randy says he is awful and challenges him to find someone who disagrees.

Cue the video montage as Ryan accompanies Mawuena as he sings for random people on the street, which is just ridiculous filler because there is no freaking way he is going to Hollywood. There are some little girls and an older man (who all clearly wants to be on TV) returns to tell the judges they should let Mawuena go to Hollywood. Randy and Steven tell them to work on their ears.

Ashlee Altise explains she wants to sound good in her interview and has a dance she calls the “joy hop” which you perform when you are happy. Ashlee believes she can give Jennifer a run for her money in the dance department. Where do these nut cases come from? Ashlee chooses “Come Together” for her audition song and sings or should I say shouts the number. All I can say is I never want to hear this again! The judges like her and send her to Hollywood. Are they freaking nuts? Ashlee performs her “joy hop” as she leaves the audition room with her undeserving golden ticket.

Cue the next montage of people seeing their dreams of Hollywood shatter around them.

W. T. Thompson whose wife is ready to pop out a kid in two-and-a-half months quits his job to audition. (What is wrong with this picture?) Mrs. W.T. tells Ryan this is really his last change because once you have kids, you cannot quit a job to follow your dream. W.T. has an okay voice but there is no way he can get past Hollywood. Steven does not think W.T is ready. Jennifer does and I laugh when she says, “The things that weren’t right about his voice can be fixed.” I wonder if she means by vocal coaching or all that wonderful sound mixing (just look at Taylor Swift who cannot sing live but sounds okay on recordings). Randy is the tiebreaker and gives him a chance although he is sure he will be eaten alive in Hollywood.

Our next video montage is about all the girls auditioning who are in love with Steven along with their moms and grandmothers. Steven eats up all the kissing and dancing. This all leads up to our next contestant Erica Nowak who proudly shouts out that Steven is her “future ex-husband.” Erica thinks he is hot and is over the top because she gets to hug him in the audition room. I am not sure what she sings but it is unimpressive and Erica goes home without a ring from Steven but ends her dream by stating Steven has a great butt.

Brittany Kerr who is an NBA dancer is our next contestant going through to Hollywood by a two to one vote with Jennifer being the realistic one in this case. The male judges are sending her through for reasons other than her weak singing voice. They see other assets she can bring to the table. Jennifer believes she will not survive a week in the competition but Steven thinks she will improve with guidance (wink wink!).

Day 2 is ending and our final contestant is Philip Phillips who works in his father’s pawnshop. Philip Phillips, Sr. is proud of his son and believes this show will change his life. Philip chooses to cover “Superstitious” with a little twist of his own. Philip shows great confidence and power but I think he had trouble with the rhythm. I did enjoy the changes he made to the song.

Randy asks to hear him play the guitar, Philip goes with a country version of “Thriller”, and it was very impressive. The second number shows his potential. I love how his voice has a great growl and the boy showed some soul let alone the creativity with the modifications to the songs. The kid can play the guitar too. Jennifer feels like Philip has electricity in him (is he Billy Elliott?) and is an artist because he will make people stop and watch. Steven thinks people will love him, he is “Casey with a lightning rod”. Randy joins the love fest and Philip is going to Hollywood.

Our time in Savannah ends with 42 contestants getting their golden ticket. It is too soon to know whether I can make it through this season but the first audition episode gives me some hope. I definitely do not believe the “contestant cam” will be worth the filler time but I may be proven wrong as we get into the actual competition.

Pittsburgh is our next audition stop. Let the hope continue!