By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, filed January 22, 2015
Harry Connick Jr.'s hometown only earned one hour of auditions because there wasn't the depth of talent as he had hoped.
But there was enough to fill the time without too much pain. By the time Hollywood rolls around in a couple of weeks, I will likely remember Greyson, Adam and Erica but probably not much else although 13 were given airtime who made it through. And it's funny that we have a Rickey Dale!
Up first is some dude named Drew Pleasance who is like a prototypical old-school season 2 or 3 joke contestant we rarely see anymore. He twirls. He psuedo sings Michael Jackson. He acts weird.
Jelly Joseph, 26, singer, New Orleans. ("Rolling in the Deep" Adele) Honestly, I only liked her marginally. But at this point, the judges were hungry for anyone who could sing with any verve. "I was hoping someone like you could represent New Orleans," HCJ said.
Tiffany Stringer, student, Southlake, TX ("Want You Back," Cher Lloyd) She is chipper as all get out. She is goofy and does a nice imitation but I have no clue if she is anything more than a fun karaoke singer. "It felt really drill team to me," HCJ said. "Not the type of entertainment American Idol is looking for." Keith said it was entertaining. JLo loves her peppiness. Do I want her back? Not really. I smell Hollywood fodder.
Greyson Turner. This dude has style! "You have a great voice!" Keith said.
Sarah Quintana, yoga instructor. She is sweet and jazz infused that HCJ enjoyed but doesn't think she's is right for the show. "I'm not so sure Idol is the way you should be going,' he said. JLo agreed so surprise! She doesn't get through.
Quentin Alexander, retail associate, New Orleans ("Royals" Lorde) - He is great fun though he stuck close to the original to the point the judges actually wanted more. "You have a great voice and style," HCJ said. "You take risks... I want you to sing weird and be quirky." JLo: "You can push further." Comparisons: Sly Stone, Terrence Trent D'Arby, Andre 3000.
Mikey Duran, New Orleans ("My Demise" - original song) - I really like this guy's song and his voice. I'm not sure he is more than a great street performer but he earns a trip to Hollywood. "I love that song!" Keith said. "You surprised me with your voice," JLo. "So unique!"
Montage ladies: Nalani Quintello ("Stars") , Tori Martin, Hope Windle, tell from Arkansas.
Alexis Chappa was given the pre-commercial -did she make it or not? She made it. But I presume she's fodder.
Rickey Dale Hendricks, 17, Cook ("Thunder Rolls," Garth Brooks) - He is charming, raw and very young. He is potentially moldable. "It's flying all over the place. You can rein in and focus it," Keith said. "You have a phenomenal car and you don't know how to drive it." HCJ: "You sound like a young man. Only a couple of things can remedy. Time and put you in an arena with the big dogs."
Dakota Suarez, drag queen. He has the stereotypical 'tude of a drag queen but just merely an okay voice. He has a long way to go to make it to the top 24. In other words, he probably won't make it there. But we'll probably see him again.
Adam Lasher ("These Shoes" original song) He is diabetic like me! He is the nephew of Carlos Santana. And he does a wonderful new song. He has the personality and the chops and musical skills. "I love your voice and your artistry," Keith. He is an easy in.
Erica Washington, student, Mobile ("Halo" Beyonce) - I love this single mom's lower register. She can belt! HCJ liked her "thick sound." JLo liked her style. Keith said people will do a cover song but she moved beyond it.
In other "Idol" news:
- "American Idol" hit a season high of 11.8 million viewers last night and a 3.4 18-49 rating. The fact the show has stabilized its ratings in the 10 to 12 million range has to be a relief to Fox executives. Last year, the show started at 15.1 million and was down to 12.7 million by episode 5. The gap between last year's episodes and this year's episodes is shrinking. (Just 7.6% differential vs. 20% week one.) The fact "Empire" is becoming a huge hit is helping, too. That show has seen ratings increase in its second and third episodes, a rare feat for any drama. And it is eclipsing "Idol" among younger viewers (4.4 vs. 3.4)
- Paula Abdul, the original female judge for "Idol," will join her old boss Nigel Lythgoe as a full-time judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," effectively replacing Mary Murphy. Jason DeRulo, Jordin Sparks' ex, will be a full-time judge in the third slot, which in the past has generally been a rotating spot.
- The reviews are in for that awful-looking "Boy Next Door" stalker film that J. Lo stars in and surprise! The critics hate it. The RottenTomatoes rating is 15%. Choice quotes: "A bottom-of-the-barrel endangered woman thriller that even executives over at Lifetime might have dismissed as too hackneyed to be aired." - Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion. "We're not exactly talking high art here but, even as fun, trashy entertainment, The Boy Next Door falls short of the mark." - David Noh, Film Journal International. "Even on Cinemax with Shannon Tweed in the lead in 1994, The Boy Next Door would still feel laughably overheated and histrionic, low-budget and unhinged." - Nathan Rabin, The Dissolve. You get the idea.
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