Omaha, Nebraska turned out to be as uneventful as could be expected in American Idol 7 Episode 5. Aside from the last audition of the night, Leo Marlowe, there wasn’t much worth discussing, unless you were looking for freaks and weirdos, which, granted, is half the appeal of American Idol.
Tonight we head to Miami, a city that presumably has more promise than the last two did, for the first time since season two.
Accomplished belcher Shannon McGough has won a lot of made up local Idol competitions. She sings Crybaby by Janis Joplin. Simon tells her it was like the Hungarian Janis Joplin and that most people don’t know what they’re talking about, which is why it’s good she’s come to see him.
Robbie Carrico is a former boy bander turned rocker, or so he says. I’m not seeing any rock in this performance, but he’s got a good voice.
Venezuelan Ghaleb thinks he’s Marc Anthony. For some reason, Paula thinks he’s good, and so does Randy. I don’t get it. Just as I was wondering what’s in Paula’s Coke cup, Simon lifted it up and asked for someone to check, thus perpetuating the stereotype that she’s a drunk (oh, like it’s not true).
Best friends Corliss Smith and Brittany Wescott audition together. Corliss wants Randy, while Brittany loves Ryan and/or Simon. Both sing older songs and sound good, and both go through to Hollywood.
Single mom Suzanne Toon hasn’t sung in three years since she got pregnant. She sings I Can’t Make You Love Me, and she does well.
Ramiele Malubay is a Filipino-American looking to follow in Jasmine Trias’ footsteps, who has had a lot of success, particularly in the Philippines. She sings A Natural Woman. Now Simon’s sipping out of Paula’s cup and says no, but the other two say yes.
Syesha Mercado thinks happy thoughts, despite a difficult childhood with her father, who’s recently recovered from drugs and alcohol. She sings Aretha Franklin’s Think. A bit over the top but wow.
While rejecting one of the contestants, Simon says he’s tempted to tell him to come back in a dress. Uh oh. Somebody’s gonna blow that all out of proportion.
Julie Dubela, 16, was in the top 20 in American Juniors (apparently another failed Idol spinoff). Never heard of it, but it suggests she’s talented. Or so I thought anyway. Not bad but not ready either. Simon asks if she’s been called precocious, which doesn’t matter since she doesn’t know what it means. They don’t offer her any constructive criticism, but that’s arguably because with her attitude she couldn’t accept it anyway. I think she was better at age 12.
The very last contestant, Brandon Black, obviously can’t sing. His “unique” entrance doesn’t impress the judges any. He sings I’ll Make Love to You and tries to act sexy. Better off trying to make them laugh instead. Then he sings an original song, I Am the Next American Idol. He follows this with some tricks with his hat and another attempt at being funny. The judges hate him and walk out of the room.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 7 episode 7, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.