Was Harry Connick, Jr. Auditioning for Simon's Job Last Night?

I don't know about you, but I thought last night looked like it might be a trial run for putting HCJ at the grumpy end of the judges panel. Here's why:

• He wasn't afraid to slag contestants (see Casey)
• He proved he could take what Ellen dished out
• He showed that he would add value by taking a hands-on approach to the contestants (and not necessarily in a dirty way)
• He certainly can be easy on the eyes if you don't look directly at him (just like Simon).
• He'll give Ryan a run for his spray tan supplies.
• And his accent is cute.
  

Note for the future AI: It might be nice to rotate the people who sit in the grumpy chair every season. Here's my list for the next 7 seasons:

• Sue Sylvester


• Cyndi Lauper


• Meatloaf


• Coaster Punchman


• Alf


• Weird Al

Thank God No One Sang "Imagine"!

I was worried when I saw Casey in a white jacket. That song is played, dawg! It's so played, it has entered the realm of Ziggy. But all worry was for naught.

Actually, if you subtract one digereedoo, one piper and Aaron, this is the best Idol has ever been. And Glass Blower was my favorite. I thought her "Across the Universe" was like a vocal ballet: feminine, restrained and beautiful.

Filling Paula's shoes

After another week of singing, I remain committed to my top twelve picks.

Thus far, the most interesting part of this season is the judging dynamic. Ellen may be Paula's replacement, but Kara is sure doing everything she can to take her place. She cuddles up to Simon. She flirts desperately with contestants. She talks crazy talk apropos of nothing. Tonight, she couldn't speak because she was weeping after Mike Lynche's performance, and she couldn't even collect herself before the credits rolled.

Keep trying, Kara. Paula's crazy is patented, and you look even sillier than normal trying to replicate it.

Danny Gokey appears on Idol! And his new single is either:

a) a slap in the face to his dead wife (I loved you but you died so I'm going to go find something better!)

b) a blatant pander to his Christian Cougar voting base in hopes of beating Adam and Kris on the Billboard charts (seriously, dude...you're not even 30 yet so why are you singing about how age is just a number?)

c) a happy combination of both.

Danny Gokey. All class. All the time. Oh. And guess what you're getting for you next birthday, CP.

Committed, part 2

Wow. The girls pose a problem for me. Although Simon has said he thinks it's a girl's contest this year I definitely disagree. I can't give you three, let alone six, that I like.

I'm on board with my two faves - Crystal Bowersox and Katelyn Epperly.

Beyond that, hmmm.

I guess I'll say yes to Siobhan Magnus after all. And I still don't hate Paige Miles so much that I fast forward the Tivo when she sings, so she can stay.

Two more. Yikes.

Which is worse? Crapping your pants or puking on your shirt?

Lilly Scott lived in her car. Let's keep her so she has a bed and a shower for a few weeks before she goes back to busking.

The rest I think I'll throw to the gods. If they toss it back and make me pick a sixth, I guess I'll take that waitress with the blonde hair, but I'm hoping I'll figure out that the gods are calling and screen the call.

I'm ready to commit

Mike Lynche. Casey James. Andrew Garcia. Lee Dewyze. Four square fan.

Alex Lambert needs a haircut, but if he ditches the mullet I am tentatively on board.

Aaron Kelly, I've decided to support you even though you sang, "My Girl." I have to pick six boys so you can be one of them. You should say a little prayer of thanks for Jermaine and Todrick.

And then there were 20

One for four. Boy, am I off this year. All in all, both of these show sucked and there are maybe 5 contestants I'd actually like to hear sing again. God help us.

Twelve handsome gents

Kara badly wants Simon to want her. She's fawning. But she's no Paula. Suffer, Kara.

Todrick Hall: This guy likes his v-neck sweaters. He's singing Kelly Clarkson lyrics but I have no idea what this is. I love the song this is based on, so maybe I like it? He punches the air a lot. Enthusiasm? Truly no idea what to make of him. None. Oh. Randy just started with, "You know I'm a fan of yours, right?" which is code for, "I'm about to trash you, dawg."

Special note to AI judges: After your Adam-fawning last season when he sang things like "Ring of Fire," you are asking for this sort of thing. See what I told you?!

Aaron Kelly: Why is he here? What about how you don't get through if you forget your words? I thought that was a rule? He must have gotten stuck in traffic because he's still in his street clothes. The song is dull, he is nothing special and a chorus of "here comes goodbye" seems a bad choice. His voice didn't suck, but he kind of did.

Jermaine Sellers: Please put the bill of your hat on straight. I don't care for this kind of singing. At all. What kind, you ask? Wailing off key oversinging. Ellen agreed, but she's a judge so she had to start with, "you know I'm a fan..." I can just say, "Jermaine, that totally sucked."

Tim Urban: Can't your cousin Keith get you a record deal? He looks like an extra on "That 70's Show" and his official photo has sweat stains in the pits (the one where he's leaping in the air and wearing an orange t-shirt.) I don't love his voice and the song is too high for him (and not a great song, either,) but I like that he got kicked off and asked back, and I love the fact that he kept it a secret from his family until they saw him on tv last night. Keep him.

Joe Munoz: He's adorable but I don't like his wussy speaking voice. I also don't love his singing voice, which is probably more relevant. Oh! He's sitting on a stool. Gutsy for the first show. What about the fist pumping and mic pulling? You know what? I'm taking it back. I do kind of like his singing voice. And I think he's charming. I vote yes for Joe Munoz. I'm going to have to find the tilde on my keyboard.

Tyler Grady: Another guy from "That 70's Show." And that's a GIANT mouth. And he's singing "American Woman". When he opens it fully he looks like that man-eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors. Tuneless song under the best of circumstances, abysmal song with his creative vision. For the first time ever am going to evoke the phrase, "This is a singing competition." Get off the stage, hack.

Halfway through, and this show is all about people coming at songs with their own "style." Again, it's your fault, judges.

Lee Dewyze: A Chicago boy who sells paint. I think he sounds like Hootie. I'm in. And then he sings that ridiculous Snow Patrol song and he's lost me. He's flat, and he's not adding anything with his "interpretation." Curse you, AI judges! This season is going to be unwatchable, what with all your demands that contestants show you who they are and not imitate other artists. Ellen says, "I really like that song choice for you until you (sang it.)"

John Park: Another Chicago kid. And he's proposing to Shania Twain. What's not to like about a handsome kid that likes the older ladies? I hate the song he's singing, and it has nothing to do with him. I just think it's kind of a dull and annoying song. Don't love him, but don't hate him either. I'd kick out Tyler Grady and Jermaine first, and then I'll make up my mind.

Michael Lynche: He's on the backfoot with me, what with the whole better-life-for-my-kids thing. I liked him in auditions, though, and I like him now, too. Big boy, nice moves but I don't think he's actually playing the guitar and that should incur a penalty - no instrument props allowed. He's charming. Delightful. Likeable. Lovely voice. Stylish without annoying me. Favorite so far. Maybe even over my two messy hair girls from last night.

Alex Lambert: (no relation) He's a 19 year old high school student. Wha? And he's got some weird flippy curls at his neck. Vaguely mullety. I can't get past it. I don't like this song, but I hate his hair. His jacket is to short and it makes his ass look huge. HUGE. But that HAIR!?! WTF?

And now my two favorites pre-favorites.

Casey James: Handsome. Would love to have him on all season, but I cannot watch this whole Kara love fest thing with him. It's nasty. Actually playing his guitar, so I'm happy with that. And this is a good performance. I am vindicated. Perhaps he will stay, Kara will be completely inappropriate, he'll file a harassment lawsuit and she'll be cast off the show. A blessing multi-pack.

Jesus, she is SO nasty. Nasty Nasty Nasty. I can't take this. Yuck. Kara is going to ruin him for me.

Andrew Garcia: Another "support my kids guy." Annoying. I don't love this song, but I do like him. He's kind of a one trick pony, though. I would like him to stay, but he's going to have to get out from behind that guitar and do something a little different pretty soon or I'm going to get sick of him.

Verdict: Jermaine, Tyler are out.

Twelve beautiful flowers

It's finally here! We get to start voting!

I am pretty new to the season...I only watched one audition show and one day of Hollywood Week, so I have only a couple of opinions. I like that guy who sang Paula's song with a guitar, I like the long-haired blues singer, I like the little girl from Iowa who wants to make up for her dad abandoning the family and I like the girl with the dreds from the Chicago auditions. In fact, both of these girls have atrocious hair, which means the makeovers will be fun to watch, too. But I like the look of that girl with the short red hair, and I like that Big Mike. And may I say I also like Ellen? I think she's a delightful addition to the team.

And now it's time to judge these bitches. YeeeHa!

Paige Miles: Interesting song choice! I'm not a fan of that scoopy stuff, but any chick that picks "All Right Now" by Free is a winner in my book. Kick the breathy baby talk and I'm on board. And mark my words. Hats are going to be her "thing".

Ashley Rodriguez: Pretty girl. I think she's kind of forgettable, but that could just be that off-pitch warbling performance of an already lame Leona Lewis song.

Janell Wheeler: She's a wine sales rep, and she's obviously not much of a speller. My ear must be off, because she sounds almost as flat as that Ashley right before her. And my, her pants are tight. That should be bringing her pitch up, shouldn't it? Randy introduces a new phrase..."I've got vibes for you." Hmmm.

Lilly Scott: She's been living out of her car and living for her art. I'm pleased she trying to be the next American Idol because she wants to be a star and not because she wants to provide for her children. Honesty rates. That said, she's murdering a Beatles song and I think she's going to throw her shoulder out from the strumming and shrugging. The judges like it but I thought it sucked. And that it was sharp, which I guess is a nice change. It really must be my ear tonight. And I like her hair.

Katelyn Epperly: Here's my bad-haired Iowa babe! I hate what she's wearing, that lipstick looks cheap, and it was a weird song choice. But I like her. I like her quite a bit. I'm voting for the home state!

Haeley Vaughn: She's adorable, but MAN she's got a big mouth. Wow. It seems everyone is Corrine Bailey Rae tonight, except oversinging. Meh. She's fine. Take her. Leave her. No opinion.

Lacey Brown: She works at a church. Beware, haters. Don't let the hair fool you. But she's not a youth minister so I won't damn her yet. Oops. First line of that song could have made her, but it didn't. And now she's trying to prove she can interpret, and instead she just sounds behind the beat. She's pulling the mike back and forth, and I hate that. She's over-stylizing and I'd prefer she just sing. She is doing some weirdtonevibrato thing that is totally weird. Yuck. Jury's in. Damned.

Michelle Delamor: Another super pretty one. And she's really likeable. Thumbs up to the backstory, Michelle. Oh. Alicia Keys. That's a big task. And she's okay. Not great, but better than most tonight. I say she could be impressive in a few shows. Though that run at the end was a bit anti-climatic.

Didi Benami: She's a waitress and she sang a Kara song and made it sound ok, so she's gifted. Of the fake indie girls tonight, she's the best so far. That said, my sturdy Chicago single mom with stinky hair is coming up, and I know she'll kick her sorry ass. So she can stay, but only for awhile.

Siobhan Magnus: Chris Isaak songs should be left to Chris Isaak. And you don't know what it means to be, "a dark horse." There's nothing to like about you, except maybe the flower in the hair that matches your lipstick.

Crystal Bowersox: Okay. Nasty hair. Pierced lip. Disses Idol. Plus 3 points. Trying to support her kid. Minus 2. Singing Alanis Morrisette. Plus 1. Strumming a guitar. Tonight, that's a dime a dozen. Playing the harmonica on American Idol. Priceless. I love her. LOVE HER.

Katie Stevens: Grandma has Alzheimer's. Quick. Make me famous while she'll still know. Katie's resting face looks like a smacked ass. So she sings a Nina Simone song. Really? You're 17. What do you know of Nina Simone? You might as well have sung Four Women. (Ellen agrees.) My name is PEACHES!

Verdict: Lacey go boom, followed quickly by Siobhan.

Magic Moments

How wonderful was it to see NPH and Ryan in the same room chatting? I think they should run for President and Vice President respectively. It could be the Sparkle Ticket.

Think about it.

Obviously the crack Idol editing team hasn't been to the midwest

This totally slipped past me.

What a bunch of idiots.

Audition shows suck

There was nothing, not one thing, interesting about the Chicago audition show. Nada. Zip.

Pretty girl from Iowa trying to make her mom feel better since her dad walked out on the family. Let me guess. For a younger woman? New family starting? Quick, honey. Get to Hollywood before they ask you to babysit. And trust me. Even if you win American Idol, your mom isn't going to stop being angry and sad anytime soon. The real question is will she eat or drink her feelings? Though I suppose it's possible she may start exercising obsessively. That happens, too.

Girl who almost died from an asthma attack thinks that qualifies her for American Idol. Wha???? Last I checked, television did not cure breathing problems, but nice try.

And the real tragedy of the night...talented girl who had to leave Hollywood week last year because of unpaid parking tickets. Oh, the humanity! Take that, Blind Scott.

Another sign of the apocalypse

How is it possible that Kara sucks more at the beginning of this season than she did at the end of last?

You'd think that, after listening to her banging on about, "feelin' it" and vapidly suggesting that every contestant who has just finished singing, "can Really SING," my contempt at the end of last season would have abated and I'd find her merely silly and a bit stupid. But the power of Kara is abiding....it's like the finale was just last week, and I want to climb in the television and beat her senseless all over again.

There's Something About Paula

I'm a big fan of MommaContin, so I'm sorry she won't be participating this season. It'll be interesting to see how that dynamic flies. Ellen's okay, I suppose, but her fake sunshiney happiness makes me see blood.

Should we start a Paula Petition, or something? I'm too lazy.

Grrrr!

Hey, another season of Idol starts tonight! Who's in?

Panel Kerfluffle

There's been a lot of talk about the staffing of American Idol. Seacrest got a sweet deal, which he totally deserves. Meanwhile, Paula hasn't gotten a contract yet. I'm sure it's because the producers are absolutely exhausted having forked over a ton of cash to our sparkling boy.

It's caused me to wonder, who would my ideal Idol panel include? Here they are:

• Simon Cowell
• Sharon Osborne
• Gladys Night

What about yours?

My brush with potential Season 9 greatness

Oh. My. GOD. I know one of the people that made it to Hollywood in upcoming Season 9.

She works at Bloomingdales and she waxes my eyebrows and she's a riot...truly one of my favorite stylists ever. But even better...VFTW has now identified her as a plant, which means that she might actually make it to the Top 36. How cool would that be? Then you haters are going to have to embrace her or die...I'll be rooting for her all the way.

The industry vindicates us!

I love this article, which shows that Kris, Adam and Allison have record deals and careers, and Gokey has thus far been left hanging.

Kris won after all

I know. Damn that Kris and the Kristians that voted for him. The no-talent hack only won because people hate Adam because he's gay.

Sorry. I disagree. I think people LOVED Adam, gay or not. Even Kristians loved him, and voted for him. And I think Kris is going to surprise all you haters and be a stand up guy AND a success. And on a completely separate issue, so will Adam. I plan to follow both of their careers closely.

This year I win!

I must admit, I'm really happy this year. I loved Kris pretty much as soon as I actually saw him perform, I have come to love Adam even though I don't always love his performances, and though I really loved Allison, too, I don't have that horrible rage of injustice I often get when we get down to this. I mean, can we say Katherine McPhee/Taylor Hicks or Diana DeGarmo? Give me a break. This year, I think both Idol possibles are talented and deserving, and I thoroughly enjoyed their performances last night.

When Adam sang "Mad World" I felt like he might have read this blog and taken my advice to heart. His version last night was less screamer and a lot more emotive than his last one, and I think that song is more evocative this way. I thought his version of "A Change Is Gonna Come" was magical, and his version of that Kara DioGuardi mess of a song was as good as it could be considering the material.

Kris performed two of my favorite songs ever...I loved Kris' original version of "Ain't No Sunshine," and I thought last night he was pretty much perfect with it. Really beautiful. And though the judges seemed to think he should have made some spectacle of "What's Goin' On," I thought his version was really nice...much like "Mad World," I think that song is better when you lay back and let it flow, which Kris did. And I thought it was hysterical that Kara flat out acknowledged her stupid song was in the wrong key for Kris - shows she didn't actually care whether or not he could sing it, because she wrote it for Adam. Which was made even funnier by Randy's comment that Kris' voice was a better fit for it. (As if anyone should sing that kind of dreck.)

I get that most people think that Kris has already won his version of the title simply by beating Danny, and that Adam is the only true candidate for AI winner. I get that everyone is positive that Adam is the "talent" here, that he's the performer and the superstar. But I really don't understand why pretty much every compliment to Kris has the tone of praise you give to some retarded kid who manages to correctly identify the square hole for the block in his hand.

This is not to detract from Adam. He is amazing and deserves all the success he gets. But flashy showmanship and the ability to "perform" isn't the only hallmark of talent. Adam has the better voice, he's a bigger stage presence and has a theatrical knack for nailing the emotions in a song. Kris, on the other hand, plays a bunch of instruments, has some pretty uncanny pitch even though his voice isn't perfect, and interprets a song with an innocent, raw emotion that is compelling. You can be talented and relevant and a huge international success with glamour and wardrobe and dry ice if you want to, but you can also be one WITHOUT being Cher.

People dismiss Kris as John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson or any number of singer-songwriter types who do acoustic guitar music heavy on lyrics and emotion. But why exactly is it a BAD thing to be like these guys? Must everyone be Celine Dion to be considered talented?

I LIKE John Mayer. (It took a mixed cd from CP with pretty much the entire contents of Mayer's first album to convert me, but I got over the whole bubblegum toes thing and learned to enjoy him.) It's a hot sunny day and I'm listening to a mix of Josh Rouse, Jack Johnson and Ryan Adams on my iPod. I'm singing along and even repeating some of the songs I like. None of these guys do elaborate stage shows, they don't have the most amazing voices and they can be pretty understated. But I like them. I buy their music. I think they're great artists.

If someone offered me free tickets to an Elton John concert, I would beg off and suggest they find someone else. I would, however, stand in line in the rain to sit in the second balcony to hear Bob Dylan.  I think Springsteen puts on a killer show, but Nebraska and Devils & Dust are my favorites of his albums. And while Led Zeppelin is unquestionably great, I think Robert Plant is pure genius when he's collaborating with Allison Krauss.

I guess what I'm saying is that there are lots of ways to be a great musician.  Kris and Adam each have their own charm. Either one of them deserves to win. They're very different, but they're both big "finds" for the music industry, and they both deserve successful careers. And I'm sick and tired of the Adam folks insinuating that it is some huge travesty of justice if their guy doesn't win.  

To use an overused analogy, some people like the Stones, some people prefer the Beatles, and while Keith Richards is a much more compelling train wreck than Paul McCartney, there's still room on the iPod for both. 

And, of course, some people like Josh Groban and Michael Buble, but there's no accounting for taste.