In hindsight, American Idol deserves kudos for a very good first episode to Season 11.
Oh, there were a few silly moments. Like the guy from West Africa who thought he should be the next Scotty McCreery. Like the gal who went away without a golden ticket, but satisfied because she got to squeeze Steven Tyler’s behind.
But Wednesday’s episode also featured several talented singers and a couple of potential heart-throbs who could have young girls texting like mad a few weeks from now. (And, no, I don’t mean you, David “Mr. Steal the Girl” Leathers Jr.)
Unlike some bloggers, I’m not about to proclaim a potential winner at this point. Ten years of watching this show has taught me the folly of getting too enamored with a contestant after a single performance.
Remember Andrew Garcia and his acoustic “Straight Up” back in Season 9? If you do, you know what I mean.
Tonight Idol features the Pittsburgh auditions. Sorry to be joining in a little late. But better late than never, right.
Heejun Han, 22, Flushing, N.Y., nonprofit organizer: We open up with a guy who had lots of confidence until he showed up at the Pittsburgh auditions. Then he realized he was in a crowd with lots of singers who are “crazy good.” And he’s no longer certain he’s very good at all. He likes to sing soul, but decides to sing “How am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton. And, surprise, the guy actually has a good voice. Especially when he hits the chorus. I doubt he’s our Season 11 Idol, but he’s Hollywood bound. Jennifer calls him “adorable.” Just don’t hold notes as long as that Hollywood Heejun, or your time in Hollywood might be short-lived.
Reed Grimm, 26, Ellsworth, Wis., nanny: Next up is a guy who’s been on stage since 2 years old, touring with his family. And he’s going to audition with the theme song from “Family Matters.” He’s a little wacky, and you can tell he’s been performing forever. Not sure the voice matched the antics, but he has the judges enthralled, and he’s heading to Hollywood too.
Aaron Marcellus, Teaneck, N.J., 27, voice teacher: No back-story, but I’m pretty sure this guy is returning from Season 10. He wows the judges with “A Change is Gonna Come.”
Chase Likens, 20, Point Pleasant, W.Va., student: He’s more of a country singer, and he’s heading to Hollywood too.
Samantha Novachek: OK, I never heard of planking, which apparently is a yoga position. But we’re going to learn all about it because Samantha’s sister (Patricia Bell, 23, of Sutersville, Pa.) is going to plank on stage while Samantha auditions with Faith Hill’s “Like We Never Loved at All.” And for the second time tonight, the weirdness turns out OK, because Samantha can really sing, though it occurs to me that we’re hearing from an awful lot of female country singers already, just two episodes into the auditions. Jennifer is pleased because Samantha “has guts behind the voice.” Randy says she has a “very pure” sound to her voice. And Samantha is Hollywood-bound. No word whether the planker gets to go along.
Creighton Fraker, 28, Queens, N.Y., starving artist: Now we hear from a starving artist who wears bunny ears and funny glasses, writes music and is hoping “something gets him to the next level.” He apparently wrote a song on the 9-hour bus ride from New York to Pittsburgh, and that’s what he’s going to sing for the judges. Of course, he works the judges into his song. Randy calls it “wild,” but says it “intrigues him.” Steven requests another song. Creighton responds with an overdone rendition of something. He’s impressing the judges a heck of a lot more than he’s impressing me. Steven calls him “sweetly insane.”
Eben Franckewitz, 15, Milford, Ohio, student: You know it had to happen. Idol goes young again with another 15-year-old contestant. He seems like a well-mannered young guy. Oh, and he says people think he looks like Justin Bieber. Gee, great. He’ll sing “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Surprised to say this, but his voice is one of the most impressive we’ve heard so far. Randy says he has a “god-given gift.” And he’s going to Hollywood, of course.
Travis Orlando, 17, Bronx, N.Y., unemployed: Another returnee from Season 10, I’m pretty sure this is the guy who was homeless at one point. I’ll have to look it up after the show. He’s singing “Isn’t She Lovely.” Another guy with a fine voice, though I’m not sure he’s unique enough to stand out given the quality of this year’s field. Since last year, Travis’ mom has left the family, his family has been evcited from its apartment and he’s dropped out of high school. The judges send him to Hollywood.
Erika Van Pelt, 25, South Kingston, Rhode Island, mobile deejay/wedding singer: First contestant up on day two is a wedding singer and mobile deejay named Erika. She’s auditioning with “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Another impressive female voice, clearly capable of singing with some blues. Steven calls her “very sexy and very sure of yourself.” Guess what? Another contestant is heading to Hollywood.
Shane Bruce, 19, Moundsville, W.Va., coal miner: Hey, if it’s the Pittsburgh auditions, we just have to have a coal miner audition. And one who sings to his former coal miners at that. Shane decides to sing a song from Shrek, and it turns out to be “Hallelujah?” Wow, it’s time to ban this song from Idol. Great song. Just done way too often. And done way better than Shane just did it. He’s sent away without a golden ticket, but encouraged to try out again.
Hallie Day, 24, Baltimore, Md., waitress: Look at this, Idol is featuring an older contestant. She dropped out of high school at 15, went to New York and joined a girl band called Plum Crazy, became an addict, moved back home, swallowed a bottle of pills, then found a guy who helped turn her life around. And after that story, she’s singing “I Will Survive.” Tell me that wasn’t scripted. And, of course, she has a very good voice, though I’m not sure she showed the control we’ve seen from some of the singers so far this season. Jennifer says she can see Hallie “stealing the show” and “on an album cover.” And Hallie is Hollywood bound.
Turns out 38 contestants in Pittsburgh advanced to Hollywood.
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