those two that made it from last night are good as done...they sucked!!

So I've been watching this tonight. Enjoying it enough, but I just don't understand why Simon likes John Stevens so much. I gotta say, I almost always agree with what Simon says, even if he is a little harsh about it. But every time this guy sings, I just don't feel anything. Tonight's theme was soul music, and the song he sang was nowhere near what my definition of soul music is.

Obviously he's not as comfortable singing songs like Latoya, but even in his own genre his voice doesn't do a lot for me. On top of that, he seemed terrifed to be on stage tonight, and I'm pretty sure he forgot some of his words at the beginning of the song. These are all the things Simon would normally point out in a heartbeat. Why does he like this kid so damn much? How is he in the top 12?

I'm reviving this thread for the new season.

1) I saw Seacrest on a talk show where he explained about the obviously bad singers getting through to the judges. The initial screeners purposefully pick some bad singers because it makes good TV. However, they only select the bad singers who aren't trying to be bad just to get on TV; those are easy to weed out. He said they go for bad singers who honestly believe they're good. This means that these poor misguided folks actually believe they're appearing in front of Randy, Paula, and Simon because they're good; they don't realize they're comic relief. That makes it a little sad for me.

2) I don't know how the rest of the celebrity judges will pan out, but Mark McGrath was pretty damned good.

3) Whatever happened to Dunkleman? I'm sure he must have fired his moronic agent (whoever he was) and is probably an alcoholic somewhere.

4) Whatever happened to the American Juniors? Did they ever do anything?

5) This season's show seems to be focusing on a couple of important points in an attempt to boost ratings. First, they're letting average male singers pass through to Hollywood because they're afraid the ratings might suffer if it's an all-diva finale again. Second, only one Southern city is represented (New Orleans). The final two performers in each of the previous three seasons have all been from Dixie, so maybe they believe America is tired of watching Southerners who can out-sing everybody else.

Well Southerners CAN out sing everybody else.

I watched every episode of this show prior to this season and frankly...it's just old. Didn't watch it last night at all and I'm debating whether or not I'll be bothering to watch it at all this season. I might start when the finals get going but the joke of "Hey that guy can't sing! hahaha!" It's old and it's over. Please stop.

The last chick to go on, Mary was the best. That just rocked. Can we say mental patient? Then to sing to the camera afterwards even better. How about the supposed Toni Braxton family member.... dude wtf!

And his soon-to-be coming 8 platinum albums! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, I guess. Oh, yeah, he was a guy. Right. Nudge nudge wink wink say no more.

And I really got a kick out of the rock singer breaking up with his band. How stupid do they think we are? When Seacrest walked into their rehearsal supposedly "unannounced," the camera was already inside the room filming Seacrest walk in. Do they expect us to believe nobody in the band noticed the camera crew standing with them in the room while they rehearsed? Or do they expect us to believe they NOTICED the camera crew but didn't ask what they were doing there?

It is pretty sad that the bad ones they put on TV really don't know that they are not in tune with anything but a fart. If they had ever taken the time to listed to what the real note in tune sounded like, then listed to what they sang, they would know why ears bleed around them.

What I never understood.....why is it that once the truth comes out that someone can't sing, suddenly the judges are mean, washed up and never did anything besides produce a couple albums (Simon, Paula, Randy)? Yup, it's everyone elses fault that you can't sing. Grow up and get over it!

I don't normally watch the show. Well, I've never watched a full episode and never made it a point to watch it. That aside, my friends came over last night, and with nothing better to do, we made a half-assed drinking game out of it. Then at the end of the show, the very last girl to come on was from our home town, Manassas. Now we just looked at each other and said, "Of course she's gonna suck, she's from our shithole town." And lo and behold, not only was she one of the worst singers Simon ever heard, but she's a nutjob as well. Way to represent my hometown, Mary Roach....

Uh, that would be Mary Guilbeaux, I believe. Or was it Sybil?

Im waiting to see who this seasons "william hung" is gonna be

There's a column on MSNBC on whether many of these contestants are delusional or paid actors. After all, they are so gawdawful that it's hard to believe so many geniuenly think that they are talented. I hate to admit that watching people make a fool of themselves entertains me but it does. Another day of "dressing in the dark" and crying after forgetting your lines is on tonight!

The dressing in the dark bit was hysterical... man was she bad and fat!

Dude mary was from your home town!? Do you know her!!! What beauty school is she going to? I want to make sure I don't go near there. Was it me or was she kinda like 'Carrie'. "They're all gonna laugh at you!"

I thank God I don't know her... Manassas isn't a small town, around 5,000 or something, so you can live here for years and not know half the people that live here. There are a lot of beauty schools and small colleges here, so I have no clue which one she goes to. So if you're ever in the Northern VA/DC Metro area, stay away from Manassas. Sadly enough, she's nowhere near the craziest person here. (Remember Lorena Bobbit? That happened here...)

EDIT: Apparently one of my friends got a BJ from her a while ago. I just looked at him with the most "WTF" face I could make.

Hmm you mean it already started up again? Wow well I guess I'll have to check it out. I never watched the first season and only started watching the second when it came down to the final 3...after that by the next season I was hooked I watched it every day. Being a vocalist myself I guess I got drawn into it. I think it's so funny how at the beginning of the show you're rooting for them then by the end you hate their guts like Jasmine and John the redhead from last season. It almost enfuriated me that they were still there for so long. To be honest last year I was rooting for George above everyone else then Jennifer. Is that sad? I guess I'll have to keep an eye out for the next time it's on then if it started already. Did anyone else notice that last years wildcard special had people on there who were BETTER singers than some of the people who ACTUALLY made it to the competition?

Asta!!

The fact that some of thse horrible sings truly believe that they are gifted reminds me of the show "WB superstar" where they TRIED to find the worst singers. Not only would they kick out the actually talented singers(in a rather rude, mean why like this show) but they would hype up the bad singers just to reinforce their delusion that they were good singers. God I loved that show.

It is those stupid people that can't sing but they are serious as can be because their friends and family think they can sing. That is why the music industry is so messed up people like Britney Spears is considered a good sing and that is just wrong.

its funny and sad. Some people have awful fans because their friends tell them they sound good and they are pretty tone deaf. I am pretty sure i would sound that bad singing or even worse but i know my limations, and know that if i don't win at something i am not good at not to freak out and cry. Its a shame to see a grown man cry on tv because he got cut, and not with a sword

I don't know anyone in or out of the industry that's ever accused Britney Spears of being a good singer. Her voice is not why she's successful. I'm always amazed at how badly a lot of people misunderstand the entertainment industry.

If the only people who were successful were always the most talented performers, we'd all be listening to classical and jazz.

I wish my wife would have auditioned because she would have had a chance to make to at least round 2. She sang "At Last" at our wedding reception for our first dance. Wow it was great!!

it looks like crazy mary is gonna be the "one" this year. I saw her on one of those entertainment shows last nite (mark mcgrath was on too) getting a makeover and voice lessons

I find that the auditioning part to be the best cause its so freaking funny and entertaining

All right, in Tuesday's episode who saw the guy from Red Bay, Alabama? And more importantly, who UNDERSTOOD the guy from Red Bay, Alabama?

I'm both happy and dismayed to report that I understood every single thing he said. "Happy" because it's fun to understand a foreign laguage that other people have trouble with, and "dismayed" because of the fact that I hear so damn many people in Alabama who talk that way, which is what allows me to understand it.

For those of you from outside of the South, imagine the guy on the intercom at McDonald's, the students in your classes, the cashier at the grocery store, and practically everybody else you encounter during the day talking gibberish at you like that. THAT'S what it's like, every day, all day, everywhere...

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050128/D87T9HRO1.html

Well, another Alabama boy bites the dust. Can't say I'm surprised.......
Don't get me wrong, I love this state. But geez......

can I just say I was REALLY impressed with the blue haired goth chick....and I hate that kind of opera voice :)

Definitely not the kind of voice for American Idol, but she was awesome (if painful). How about Clay Jr.?

No, her voice wanst "american idol" BUT it takes talent to be able to sing opera so I cant wait to see how she handles other genre's of music.

Clay Jr was ok, personally I think they will milk the trach story, but I liked the "farm boy" better than him.

That first girl up, Sue I think, the overweight girl....I was disappointed they didnt let her go....she did that song amazingly well...its sad the ONLY reason she didnt make it was because she was bigger. Hell look at Rueben, he was fucking HUGE

I'm just waiting to see if those guys can actually deliver when it comes time to have to sing behind music and when they don't get a choice of what style either. It kinda pisses me off a little bit because basically to win the competition you have to be a soul/R&B singer...I'da thought it would have been painfully obvious by now...Why even let people like goth girl and Clay Jr in in the first place? Thats all America is gonna vote for. They might as well just turn away everyone else who isn't a gospel, soul, r&B singer. It pisses me off how close minded the show really is. Because American Idols aren't always Mariah Careys and Whitney Houstons...They're Kurt Kobains, Eddie Vedders, John Lennons, Josh Grobans, Jim Croces, Freddie Mercury's, Jimi Hendrix's, etc.

The show is so inexclusive...A scooter girl could never be American Idol, nor can the Goth girl, or more than likely not even mr. Clay Jr if ya sing theatre at all they may as well hand you a need not apply sign. Whens the last time they had a rocker on the show? A REAL rocker? They need a real competition. Star Search was more exclusive...ya did have yer Britneys on the show (literally) but they let through a lot more than just one kind of artist...Eh pff!

Asta!!

well they let that heavy metal guy in....wonder how long he'll last?

Prolly hollywood and no further...unless they feel he'll develop a small fan base in the final competition. Never got to see that one was he good? What did he sing? Did he sing it well?

Asta!!

He sang an Aerosmith song....I dont remember which "power ballad" it was...his name is Constantine.....he wasnt totally bad....just done know how far he'll actually get

i'm trying to remember which one she was... what did she sing?

i'm with you - it'd be nice if they'd let folks through who could sing regardless of how they looked... but you know when they say "American Idol material", that's what they mean - a young, attractive person who hopefully can sing a little. that's what pop music is all about, too, and that's why that type will always win when it comes to the call-in voting. incidentally, that's also why i lose interest significantly as the show progresses towards the final - most of the really interesting folks are weeded out by then.

speaking of age... how about that guy (from last week?) that tried to say he was 28 when he was in his 40s? i guess he figured he'd try to at least make himself fit that part of the AI mold.

grendel she was the one that sang I could have danced all nite...from my fair lady....and Im sorry but Rueben was NOT "idol" material in my opinion,(lol neither was red headed John from last season for that matter) they let him and his bigness in...they should have let her

i agree that reuben, clay and john were all kinda odd choices for the whole AI image. i'm still a little surprised that those three went as far as they did.

not that i'm a fan of any of them, mind you.

i remember the girl you're talking about, and i didn't think she sang the song all that well, honestly. but i agree that even if she had sung the song better than audrey herself, there's no way they would have let her through to the next round. wasn't she the one that made the barbie doll comment? i agree that that's exactly what they're looking for, at least when it comes to female singers.

i don't want to suggest necessarily that the male singers are judged differently, but when you look at the reuben, clay and john factor...

Who's John?

The red headed guy who made it so far last season even though basically all he could sing was frank sinatra kind of stuff....he was voted off the week before "rat pack" week

ok....what did we think of fishnet girl?

this is the first season i watched the first round auditions, and i am hooked. i agree some of the people that made it to hollywood are not that great, but most are pretty good, some really impressive. so twice a week, i tune in faithfully.

Next week is the second round in Hollywood.

See they let through John Stevens who sung Crooner stuff pretty well and swinger stuff pretty well but even at that he wasn't that great. But then comes time for everyone to sing a different style and those who had to sing in the style John prefers DON'T sing that way they sing the same songs he would sing but they sing them like they would an R&B song or a gospel song and they of course still sound Grrrrrreat! But John can't do this when the roles are reversed so he sounds terrible. It's not really all that fair to be honest. I'd say they should have never let him in and I'm probably right. Because even though he may have developed a following and may have people knocking on his door now due to the exposure he got he also signed a contract before he went on that says he can't sing for anybody else.

Thats what they did to the Scooter Girl last year. She got offered a chance to be the spokesperson for Razor scooters for one and couldn't do it because she was bound by contract and also got offered a chance to sing I think.."Hair" on broadway as well but couldn't do that either because she was bound by contract. I mean what kind of bullshit is that? She's not good enough for American Idol so she can't be good enough for anyone else either? See thats why I think they shouldn't even try out at all. They aren't gonna win but they think they're gonna get exposure on the show which they do but when they don't win they still can't do anything because they won't let them. At least not for a while. Poor people have no idea what they get themselves into.

Asta!!

Fishnet girl had a huge voice, and I agree with the judges about being surprised at the voice that came out of her. But I was not that crazy about her. Now her appearance, that's a different discussion.

And the Freddy Mercury wanabee.......I was not very impressed.

^ I wasn't paying attention to that part they did NOT let him through right?

Asta!!