Idol Chatter & Voice Views

With Kris Allen and Adam Lambert finishing one-two on season eight of American Idol, you might have thought the auditions would be flooded with contestants of their ilk.

That didn’t happen, Randy Jackson told the media in a conference call interview Friday afternoon.

“There are some really talented girls that showed up this time,” Randy said. “This year, you would have thought there would be a lot more theatrical, a lot more Adam Lambert or Kris Allen types that would have showed up for the auditions.

“But that’s not what happened at all this time. Usually whoever wins, or comes in one or two, that next season’s audition … It’s almost like there was a signal to everyone at home that was like them, ‘Now it’s time to try out for American Idol.’ But it didn’t happen this time.

“I think we have a very interesting, unique cast,” Randy added. “This season, we have some really good, bonafide, stand-in-your-shoes singers. It’ll be interesting to see who stands the test of time.

“Sometimes these contestants that you think are great, once they get actually on the show, and the show is running, and they are on live TV, some of them crumble with the nerves and everything.”

Which audition cities turned out the best talent?

Well, not Orlando, Fla.

“Orlando was really strange in terms of the talent and who came out,” Randy said. “I think Dallas was good. I think, surprisingly, Atlanta was really good. I just say surprisingly because it’s the hometown of Ryan Seacrest.”

Just joking, of course.

And what will Randy Jackson be looking for in the next American Idol?

“I’m looking for the big three,” he said. “The big three to me — you’ve got to have undeniable talent. You’ve got to have something that makes you unique. And you’ve got to have some star persona.”

Of course, Idol returns next week. First up, a show on the Boston auditions on Tuesday.

That will be followed by a look at the Atlanta auditions on Wednesday. Both shows start at 8 p.m.

Check back here to follow along. I’ll be blogging live during both shows, hoping to provide a little more information on the golden ticket recipients than you’ll get by watching the show.