Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol concludes its Season 12 auditions tonight when it returns to Okalahoma City.

Could the show find another Carrie Underwood?

If so, she’ll face pretty daunting odds, as do all the female contestants this year.

Not only hasn’t a female won Idol in six years, but a large majority of the contestants sent to Hollywood so far have been gals.

At the conclusion of last night’s episode, Ryan Seacrest told us that 48 golden tickets were awarded in Long Beach.

What he didn’t add is that 29 — or about 60 percent — went to ladies. In some city’s the margin has been closer to two girls advancing for every male contestant who makes it to Hollywood.

Well, there’s one guy we know won’t be competing for the limelight in Season 12. At least not if this FoxNews report is correct.

Matt Farmer has reportedly confirmed he’s no longer part of the show in a response to complaints that he embellished his military service during Wednesday’s episode. That doesn’t mean he was removed as a result of the complaints, but more likely that he was eliminated during one of the pre-taped phases of the competition.

Anyway, check the story out.

Meanwhile, it’s time to meet a new group of contestants with hopefully un-embellished back-stories.

* Karl Skinner, 26, Joplin, Missouri: Here’s a guy who says he had no excuse not to audition when the Idol bus tour came through his town. My, my, we start off Oklahoma City with quite a character. Karl says he has to move around during his audition. Otherwise, it would be stale. He’s singing “I Feel Good,” determined to show that gingers (aka redheads) have talent. After an over-the-top version of that song, he picks up a guitar and sings an original. And that, of course, was much better. Karl says he wants to be uncomparable. Nicki said she feels the guitar restricted his “monster.” Randy congratulates him for lighting up the room. And Karl is off to Hollywood.

* Nate Tao, 24, Reston, Va.: Next up is a sign language teacher. He had to learn sign language because both his parents are deaf. He says his parents weren’t thrilled that he pursued music; they had no idea if he was talented or not. He’s hoping a golden ticket will prove to them that he is. He sings “For Once in My Life.” Keith calls his performance “effortless,” and Tate manages to impress all the judges. That’s two guys off to Hollywood already tonight.

* Halie Hilburn, 27, Vernon, Texas: OK, she’s a horse trainer and a ventriloquist, she’s got her partner Oscar on stage with her and she’s singing “Cowboy Sweetheart,” accompanied by special effects from Oscar. Well, Halie’s cute. And Oscar yodels pretty darn well for a puppet. Now Halie is going to sing without Oscar. And she’s really good. Though the judges are suggesting Halie cut her ties with Oscar if she wants to pursue a singing career. Randy isn’t convinced Halie is deserving of Hollywood, but the other three judges are. Oh, and look, we end the segment with Oscar begging for money, then winding up in a trash can. Poor Oscar. But, hey, Idol is making me smile tonight.

* Zoanette Johnson, 19, Tulsa, Okla.: OK, Idol has thrown some twists at us this year, with contestants with all the earmarks of a train-wreak audition turning out to be legitimate singers. Somehow, I don’t think that’s where we’re heading with flamboyant Zoanette, even if she really needs that golden ticket to match her outfit. About the 50th clue that this isn’t a serious audition: She’s singing the national anthem. The 51st: Mariah has to help her out with the words. The 52nd: Her singing jolts Keith right out of his chair. Hold it. Did she get a golden ticket? Really? You’re kidding me, right? Apparently so. Wow. It was still a train wreck and certainly the should-have-been-left-on-the-cutting-room-floor segment of the night.

Anastacia Freeman, 25, Ardmore, Okla.: She’s going to sing “Unbreak My Heart.” I’m not sure we need to remember anything else. The only thing humorous about this was the dramatization where the spirits said she shouldn’t try out for The Voice, and definitely shouldn’t try out for The X Factor, but absolutely should try out for Idol. Hmm, what does it say that spirits know she’s not qualified for The Voice, but would be just fine for Idol. Anastacia doesn’t make the cut. Oh, well, try X Factor. If the guys with Emblem 3 are superstars, Anastacia should certainly make it to boot camp at the very least.

* Kayden Stephenson, 16, Tulsa, Okla.: Here’s a young guy who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis early in his life, says the disease is terminal and made him want to audition for Idol as soon as he was old enough. He’s going to sing “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder. Nicki says she’s inspired by Kayden. Mariah says she thinks girls will “fall on the floor when you walk in the door.” So he’s off to Hollywood despite a very so-so audition.

And we close the auditions with a cameo appearance by Steven Tyler in drag. The guy who said Idol wasn’t his cup of tea?