Idol Chatter & Voice Views

We made it. Tonight’s the sixth and final audition episode for American Idol season nine. It couldn’t come a moment too soon for me.

OK, I know not everyone agrees. Apparently, lots of folks out there like to see “the crazy people” who audition on the show.

As for me, I got drawn into Idol back in season one because it was a singing competition. The audition episodes have always been my least favorite part of the show. Too many people acting crazy. Not enough time spent on the best singers.

Take last night. Twenty-one singers got golden tickets to Hollywood. We got to hear five of them. Among those we didn’t see — Rose Flack and Frankie Jordan — prominent players on the show just a year ago. Go here for a blog about them.

While I’m ranting, why did we need the guest judges this year? I mean, three judges were always plenty for Idol.

At least last night Avril Lavigne wasn’t afraid to vote ‘no’ on tickets to Hollywood. And watching Katy Perrry cut down Kara was fun, even if it seemed, as a co-worker pointed out, a bit contrived.

But I’d swap the time wasted introducing those two for a chance to meet another golden ticket recipient in a heartbeat.

And tonight we get introduced to Neil Patrick Harris and Joe Jonas. Please, spare me. Unless you’re going to introduce them by explaining how in the world they’re qualified to judge this competition (especially, Joe).

As if to prove my point, tonight’s show starts off with a gal named Julie, who bombed way back in season one. Seems to be a trend. Every guest judge gets a dud of a performer to start things off.

By the way, here’s a blog on my favorite Hollywood-bound contestant we didn’t get to meet during these audition shows.

Oh, well, judging from the promos, we’ll get to see some very talented performers tonight.

And we start with an airport dock worker named Lloyd Thomas, a big guy with a big voice who just earned four yes votes from the judges.

So, last night, we have Katy and Kara at odds. Tonight, producers play up dissension between Neil and Simon.

Gotta say, I agree with Neil on Kimberly Carver, a 26-year-old school teacher who just became the second contestant in two nights to wow judges with an original song. Love contestants talented enough to write their own music.

OK, now this is a different twist for Idol. A former child actress from Barney and Friends shows up in the Idol audition room in black leather with a whip. The contestant is a 23-year-old grad student / actress named Erica Rhodes. Here, you’ll see Erica looking a bit sweeter.

Next we get to hear from Dave Pittman, who suffers from Tourette’s syndrome. The 27-year-old just earned a golden ticket with a fine performance of Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me.”

Wow, look at that. Idol managed to squeeze segments on four golden ticket winners into the first half of tonight’s show. Way to go, guys.

A young guy named Todrick Hall just turned in one of the best auditions of season nine. Loved that audition. Loved that song. A well-deserved four votes to head to Hollywood.

And now we hear from a fine female singer named Maegan Wright. Now this is what I call a good Idol audition episode. We’re hearing from the best, not the freaks with cooked-up antics to get on the show.

Check back later for more information on some of tonight’s top Idol hopefuls.

Now we have the audition ender. We get to hear Christian Spear, a 16-year-old student, sing “All I Could Do Was Cry.” She’s a cancer survivor at her young age, and she’s heading to Hollywood.

My, my, Dallas sent 31 contestants to Hollywood. No wonder we saw so many good singers tonight.

Oh, no. I was wrong. Are you kidding?

There’s at least one more audition episode left.

Well, check back Tuesday for live blogging during the Denver auditions.