American Idol Week 1: The Premiere

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

American Idol is back for another season. Season five to be exact. Over 35 million people tuned in for Tuesday nights premiere. This week we had auditions in two cities. Last night it was Chicago, and tonight American Idol hit the mile high city of Denver, Colorado! Until competition gets fully underway, I will have weekly recaps. Once we get down to our top ten, I will cover the completion the night the show airs and have a results post that night - like I have been doing for Dancing With The Stars.

This week though we had auditions in those two major cities. We had the good, and we had the bad. Then we also had the bad that were so bad it was just plain ugly. Simon seems to be in rare form this season. His barbs are just a bit rougher. He certainly won't be winning any awards for nice guy this year, but when has he ever? I think he might even be getting on Paula's nerves, and it is only week one.

Here are some of my highlights and low lights from Chicago:

Derek Dupree; Chicago: We have to give it to the guy for trying, and having enough confidence to ask for another shot, but he was just horrible, and I am really shocked he was even given another shot. They don't do that all that often. I'm not sure which of his attempts in front of the judges was worse. Him screaming out Nigel at the end of the first performance made me think he had mixed up shows and he thought he was auditioning for So You Think You Can Dance.

Justin Sticht; Burnville, MN: Meat Loaf he is not. That rendition of the classic love song, I would do anything for love, should have got him shot.

Mandisa; Antioch,TN: This girl can sing. Her size was coming into question with Simon's parting jab. I'm glad he said it AFTER she left the room.

Charles Berry, Darby, PA: I actually liked him. Yes, he had some problems, but Simon was just harsh. He reminded of the young man from So You Think You Can Dance, in which Nigel told him he was not masculine enough. He came back at the end of the series, and he did great. Charles isn't the best, but he wasn't one of the worse either.

Chicago had a lot of other moments since we had a two-hour broadcast. One that comes to mind is the mother giving it to Simon when he doesn't send her son through to Hollywood. I loved Ryan here. He let her say it all because he really couldn't. We had some strange people too; statue of liberty boy comes to mind here. What you have to give it up for when it comes to series of this type: the people that have the guts to try out and audition have to be applauded for TRYING.

Some highlights and low lights from Denver:

Denver was an only an hour-long show, so there are only a few moments that stand out in my mind.

Lisa Tucker; Anaheim, CA: Wow, she's only sixteen years old? I have to thank God Simon didn't bash this young lady because she did amazing, and the song she chose is not easy. She is one of my favorites already! I want to see her make it to the competition aspect of the series.

Brett "Ace" Young, Los Angeles, CA: I liked him, but I don't agree with Randy. I agree with Simon here for once. Ace is good, but not the best they had so far in this competition. I'd like to see more of him.

Chris Daughtry; Mcleansville, NC: I'm a rock and roll girl at heart, and I loved Chris. His wife was also touching, and I loved her trying to listen in at the audition. I'd like to see him go far.

American Idol has only just begun. We have more auditions ahead for next week. We have a long road for season five of American Idol. Keep tuned here for all my thoughts of the weeks ahead.