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And they’re off! “Idol” offers good and bad in Phoenix

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Dale Roe writes about television for the Austin American-Statesman.

He's worked at the American-Statesman for 10 years and has written family movie and video game reviews as well as watched lots of TV. Dale directs, writes and performs with Austin's Gag Reflex comedy ensemble, is a freelance illustrator and has contributed stories and reviews to Macworld magazine. He lives in Round Rock with his wife, two children and a dog named Apollo who barks whenever he hears another dog bark on television.

Available online here.

Dale Roe writes about television for the Austin American-Statesman.

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The entry titled "And they're off! "Idol" offers good and bad in Phoenix."

By Diane Holloway | Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 10:14 AM

“American Idol” opened its eighth season last night with a lovely trip down memory lane. I’m not joking … it really was fun to watch.

We saw snippets of former stars (not all of whom were winners) Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Chris Daughtry, Kellly Pickler, Jordin Sparks, Sanjaya (of the weird hair fame) and last season’s dueling Davids, Cook and Archuletta.

Last night we met fourth judge Kara DioGuardi and learned to pronounce her name (it’s Care-ah, not Car-ah). Kara turned out to be a good addition, sparring with Simon, kissing up Paula and poking Randy in a hopeless attempt to keep him from laughing at the laughable (and sometimes laughably sad) contestants.

The two-hour telecast showcased the Phoenix auditions.

The good: Pink-haired rocker Emily, cute-as-a-button 16-year-old Arianna, Roughneck Michael of Jasper, Texas.

The bad: Frizzy-haired Tuan, weeping drama queen Randy, hyperventilating Michael (who required medical attention in the lobby), wiggly dancer/singer X-Ray, toneless basso Elijah, giggling Pink Cowgirl Lea Marie.

And the truly sad/awful: Bikini Girl, who made it through because Simon and Randy enjoyed her perky little rump and general nakedness; the woefully under-talented Sexual Chocolate (whose tattoo actually read “Sexual Chacolote”); and Will, the pitiful guy with the Voice from Outer Space.

As advertised, “Idol” spent more time with the talented than the talentless, which was a blessing. But the bad ones featured were truly excruciating. At least there was no flipping off or screaming F-words.

Maybe it was temporary, but Ryan Seacrest seemed to have a less invasive role. He did get to make-out with Bikini Girl after her audition and tried to high-five the blind guy. But Ryan mostly stood back and let the contestants, in all their cuteness and weirdness, speak for themselves.

Overnight ratings for the opener were down 10 percent from Season 7’s opener, but “Idol” easily won the night. And ratings generally build as the competition progresses.

Tonight the auditions shift to Kansas City, for another two-hour installment in the You’re-Going-to-Hollywood leg of the journey.

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By gdub

January 14, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this

Diane,

I know Jason Castro wasn't really one of your faves last year (right???), but I read elsewhere that his brother is auditioning on tonight's show. That's either a heads up or warning � take it as you will...

HOLLOWAY REPLIES: Thanks for the warning ... I'll prepare.