By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Wednesday, January 13, 2016
With "Idol" cut back to one hour week two, we can only be glad. This was a fairly forgettable episode though two of the spoiler 24 do show up. If you miss an episode of "Idol," this one is certainly one you can get away with.
Clay Aiken is the guest this hour and he's amusing in brief appearances. And his Twitter feed tonight has been far more restrained than last week. No judge dissing this time around. He posted a single time during the hour:
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
First up: Gianna Isabella, 15, Jackson, N.J. ("House of the Rising Sun") Brenda K. Starr's daughter, who knew J. Lo. back in the day, just barely qualifies age wise. She is pretty good but she seems a little green. J.Lo brings Brenda in and they hug. She's very emotional and said her daughter works so hard. HCJ hands the ticket for her to hand to her daughter. It's sweet. Three votes, of course.
Derek Huffman, 21, Coventry, R.I. ("Angel" Shaggy) - Why is this guy here? He is basically doing karaoke and even creates the back up. "It's yes for the boombox," Keith said. Afterwards, he takes off his shirt. Huh? Three no's.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Isaac Cole, 15, Emlenton, student ("Love Like Crazy" Lee Brice) "Idol" can't go an episode without offering the small-town farm boy trope. Like Brenda K. Starr's kid, this guy sound very young vocally. He is promising but not top 24 material. JLo: "You have the blues." HCJ: "You seem like a really smart guy. I have to point out country is associated with the Southern United States... I would say stop singing with a twang." Keith: "A work in progress." Three yesses.
Sarah Sturn, 17, Centreville, VA, student. More braces. A very young 17 year old who has a good voice but feel very green. A good audition but I'm not seeing her lasting long in Hollywood. But they did find her adorable and promising. Three yesses.
Ellis Banks, 25, Indianapolis, janitor ("Born This Way" Lady Gaga) - Really? Why? Three no's
Jenn Blosil, 23, Brooklyn, child care ("Radioactive" Imagine Dragons) - Flaky McFlakerson is a passable singer but a little too scratchy for my taste. JLo: "Compelling almost." Keith: "Good storytelling quality about your voice. You got this easy presence about you. You're very present." Three yesses.
Harrison Cohen, 17, New City, N.Y., student ("No Time" original) - A self-described ladies man with what HCJ says has laser beam eyes - at least in JLo's direction. I actually like this dude's original. JLo: I like the Latin undertones. I could hear it on the radio." HCJ: "Here's what scares me. Are you the powerhouse we're looking for. That's my concern." Three yesses.
In advance, Idol provided John Arthur Greene, whose brother died when he was a kid after he accidentally shot and killed him. Dark! "Music was the way I coped with everything," he said. He is a 27 year old Broadway actor from Raleigh, N.C. He does a decent audition of a classic Urban song "Somebody Like You." He has some pitch issues but brings some good energy. HCJ: "You have a very strong voice but what else is there?" He says no. JLo: "I feel like you have something." She says yes. Keith says yes. Two yesses, one no.
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