ROSADO'S RECAP-AMERICAN IDOL (1-25-11) - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

ROSADO'S RECAP-AMERICAN IDOL (1-25-11)

Posted: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 0:11:02 PST

SEASON 10, EPISODE 3

“We don't have an accent here...We just like our cheese and beer.

”-Unknown Milwaukee hopeful

 

It's amazing (Aerosmith pun not intended) that American Idol has never set up shop in the land of the Fonz and home run king Hank Aaron, not to mention Idol Season 8 favorite/Top 3 finisher Danny “Like My Glasses?” Gokey (just don't try and hit that high note on Dream On again, brother). So to say the town of the fictional Schlotz Brewery and Arnold's Restaurant was a little excited is like saying not a single female at a Justin Beiber gig wet their pants...and the Milwaukee media was equally giddy treating Steven, Jen, Ryan and Rans like royalty.

No spelling mistake folks..Rans...I'm officially giving a new nick to the Dawg...like Barney Fife calling Andy, Ands...In other words, I wanna put my name in the hat to be Rans' Deputy Dawg...Not only for the fringe benefits and the coolness factor, but also because I need a job.

So, Rans?...or Randall Darius Jackson? Can you help a fellow music lovin' brother out? Promise not to butcher any Mariah or Journey in your presence, sir....

Okay, tiny cover letter time is a wrap....Let's talk Milwaukee Idol, kiddies!

DAY ONE

Scott McCreary, 16, Garner, NC One might expect our first hopeful to be a blue collar rock kind of guy, but this high school kid's voice was “Deeper Than The Holler”..and almost a vocal dead ringer for the singer of that song, former Nashville dishwasher Randy Travis, with a little Alan Jackson poured in for taste. Jen and Steven's reactions were surprising; I guess they dig a little bit of country alongside their rock and hip hop....and long time Idol brethren knows Randy loves and records all kinds of music, so he was over the moon (or Neon Moon, you might say...and I was so happy to hear the judges concurring my thoughts that Scott could be a real find given the right material. Even his name would look pretty on a CD or record label....that is, if they keep makin' 'em.

Note: Hey music industry...don't kill hard copies yet...there's some of us out there who dig the liners, lyrics and purty pictures. Just sayin', dig?

Joe Repka, 19, Swanton, OH, is next to hop onto the A.I. Logo, a heavy set, but charming Dee-jay wanna be who becomes Seacrest's instant protegee. Instilling such confidence in the lad, he tries his station I.D. Voice on the judge trio. Randy and Steven look like they've seen the ghost of radio pioneer Alan Freed. Either that,.or going, oh, God, this is gonna be awful...and you know what, it was....Not unlike a warbuuuuuulinnnggg turntable in need of serious repair (if you can even find techs to do such things in this day and age). Don't know if Joe's equally pitch challenged rendition of Can't Help Falling In Love was a second chance bid or a closer just like the King used to do, but whatever, at least he got to harmonize with Stevie T. for a bit and got a Seacrest Seminar (there's a potential biz idea for ya, Ry...that is if we can ever come up with 28 hour days or Eight Days A Week...but I get a cut for thinking of the title right? Also, if Randy disses me, I could use a job...and I actually have experience to boot).

Yeah, part of me says cut the resume shenanigans, but one never knows who's a peep-in at these overviews.

Emily Henry, 15, Littleton, CO – A sweet looking kid with a way cool mix of blond and black hair is none the worse for wear after a 16 hour drive (mostly by her, practicing for that license) . But, her voice is a bit on the raw side belting out Cyndi Lauper's True Colors. However, it's a voice which could be developed with a little nurturing, along with getting over a cold (poor kid). Complete agreement with Steven and Jennifer on Emma's quality and character as the Colorado kid promises to work real hard winning a hesitant Randy in the end.

What a cool moment for a young girl who Idol-ized Kelly Clarkson ten years ago when she as a small tyke....and look where she's headed now. Here's to better health, Em.

But darn,the afterglow of a magic moment had to be catapulted back to inanity with a round of bad, bad, non-Michael Jackson Bad group of singers whose so-called friends and relatives should have called the producers on Intervention to save them.....and US!

Like the editors, I'm gonna condense this batch of baddies into a single paragraph...First off, what was Juanita thinking wearing an outfit that made her look like a cross between a rejected harem girl and a pregnant Cher (evidently not designed by the late great Bob Mackie)....and man, what in the everlovin' world was the deal with the male reject who not only wanted a hug from Rans, but also, a sip of his Coke? I spell W, T, F, kids! Like the liquid entering his system would transform his vocal chords into that of a Josh Groban just because the Coke had previously touched Randy's lips.

The look from the last original Idol judge left standing? Utterly priceless.

Naima Adedapo, 25, -Why is it that single mothers sometimes have the best voices during auditions? Is it desperation for better things or the character that comes out of such voices after surviving the tough time, While I thought her hairstyle could use a makeover, Naima's voice captured me the second she started ripping. Terrific voice control that reminded me of Bonnie Raitt, who's long been one of my heroes and fave ambassadors to the blues...and if this hopeful can follow up on a terrific audition, she might earn such a title, too.

Jerome Bell, NY, 27, Do you guys reading ever find yourself completely at odds with the judges?That's what I was thinking about this likeable guy who did a slightly over the top version of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On, but hey babe, you “only get one shot” as Kenny Loggins would say (Heaven Helps The Man). But in fairness, I dug the David Ruffin (Temptations) glasses and Sinatra by way of Motown fancy hat he donned...and how cool was it that after having Motown on my mind, the producers crank up a little Uptight by (not so Little anymore) Stevie Wonder. Anyway, we'll see if improves in H-land.

Thea Magea, Mountain House, CA, 15, An adorable, black haired sweetie that had me on her side saying she flew rather than drove to the audition; saving her money, etc.- Now, that's what I call preparation. Despite a case of so called-star struck feelings, her audition (Chasing Pavements by Adelle) brimmed with attractive confidence and a soulful delivery....Not to mention she's as cute as a button (I said that before differently, didn't I? Oh, if I were just 10 minutes younger). Potential teen-pop star in the making, here; she's in.....

And now (drum roll)....

(REVERB VOICE) SURREAL IDOL MOMENT OF THE WEEK!

Nathaniel Jones, Milwaukee, WI, -My jaw never ceases to drop for hopefuls who come in donning threads that would be awesome for a themed/and or Halloween bash, but NOT for an audition for a top rated television show, man? Come on! But I have to give some props to an obviously dedicated Civil War devotee who must own every Time-Life Home Video, DVD and 8 track devoted to the battle of brother against brother.

But, dear Lord, Nathaniel looked more like a guy auditioning for a re-formed Gary Puckett and the Union Gap! Bless Steven's heart; he was very kind...and Jen and Rans gave our singing soldier an honorable discharge.

Instead of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, maybe Oh! Susanna might've been a better choice, huh troops?

Molly DeWolf Swenson, 25, Seattle WA, A gorgeous intern for the White House (settle down, William Jefferson Clinton) who got accidentally cold cocked by Randy earlier in the day when he was high five-ing the Idol hopefuls in the hallway...and I think the producers showed this moment equal to the replays of that texting water fountain drenched soul in Mallrat land. Although Molly didn't exactly nail the words correctly (Yeah, I know; I'm like Crash in Bull Durham, right?) Steven had a Davy Jones look cross pollinated with Simon Cowell “lost in the afterglow” of Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent audition look.

Honest to God, I thought Steven was gonna need an Elvis scarf to dry off what looked like perspiration from his forehead (and when do you classic rock peeps think the last time that occurred?)...

DAY TWO

Hayley Reinhardt, 18, -Like a glass of orange juice during early morn, this ray of a sunshine charmer is a returnee from last year's Chicago audition..and unlike some rejectsho moan, gripe and threaten brave videographers, she worked on herself....and her version of Oh Darlin' from (drum roll, Ringo),....THE BEATLES (!) was quite impressive, despite (I know) a few discrepancies here and there, albeit forgivable to me because of her passion and commitment to the song....and those of you cats who read my Idol dispatches last week know what that means....I'm at Hayley's beck and call forever (“and I Love Her”...No, no, no not in that way....but in an Uncle kind of way, you know?...but perhaps “I Should Have Known Better” and picked a different song to express admiration).

Underage girls + older guys = Bye, bye revenue, Jerry Lee Lewis....

Tiwan Strong, -My only complaint about this gent? A letter perfect rendition of Sam Cooke's Twisting The Night Away..perhaps too perfect in a biopic soundtrack kind of way, you know? Nothing wrong with being faithful, but it's always a better idea to put one's self into a song; don't be afraid to veer off course...but don't run of the tracks, of course.

Steve Beghun, 27, Chicago, According to Seacrest (or the voice over writers of the show), we have our first accountant in the history of the show...Which should spell instant doom, right. Pleasant surprise time, instead. Along with having the last name of the week (and a bad, nervous joke to go along with it), this down time wedding and funeral singer sold himself and his song choice quite well. Pipes aren't great, yet, but I agreed with Steven who said something along the lines of “disturbingly great.”

Vernika Patterson 20, Milwaukee, WI, -Trying to nail Minnie Ripperton's Lovin' You, this lady with a nice first name missed the center of the target. Badly. Unfortunately, the judge's kind parting words remarks resulted in our first temperamental brat of the season; completely uncalled for. Thus, the wicked, mischievous side of me got a real kick of the producers slipping in a slice of legendary Lesley Gore's peppy and undeservedly obscure Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows as this terrible twit's playout music.

Albert Rogers III, 24, Ogelthorpe, GA-Opening with not half bad Barrack impression, this gentleman looked like he could be Randy's little brother from his Journey days...or at least a distant cousin of Ruuuuuueben Stoddard....and I was rooting for him because he was such a charmer..But my god, he took Ben E. King's Stand By Me at the pace of a New Orleans Jazz Funeral.

Minus the jazz.

Scott Dangerfield, Milwaukee, WI-Didn't blow me away, but Jen's over the blue moon (don't be jealous, Marc). But with a little finesse to his voice in the future and a Clay Aiken makeover, hey, who knows, I might just give him some respect like another Dangerfield (we miss you, Rodney).

NOW, MAY WE PRESENT: FAME WHORE AUDITION OF THE WEEK!

Megan Frazier ,Sadly, nobody told this bordering on annoying kid that Jeanette McDonald (legendary MGM operetta star in Hollywood's golden age) isn't in vogue any more..and even though I'm not a huge Justin Beiber fan, I cringed at this girl's inappropriate take on his “Baby, baby, baby, oohhhh").

So you Bee-lee-bier's out there reading, instead of picking on sweet little Selena Gomez and other Justin dates? Target this girl instead, okay? Milwaukee are the salt of the earth, so you should have no problem finding her house to roll the toilet paper with shaving cream supplements.

Side Note: Randy should keep his day job & not play pigskin prognosticator like Frank Caliendo.

(GO PACKERS!)

Alyson Jados, Chicago-Now, here was my favorite audition of the night...from the moment she walked in with an oh, so kai-yuute (!) case of star struck (or Steven struck) fever, I was charmed; huge thumbs up for her being a member of the female contingent of the infamous Aerosmith blue jean brigade, too.

But the icing on an already scrumptious cake? Yep, another BEATLES sooooong...and one of my all time faves in Come Together...slapping her thighs to keep time...getting the words right (yes!), good tempo, etc.-and it looks like she's gonna make it through because Steven (a huge fan of the Fabs like me) looks beguiled. Her take on an impromptu Dream On is even better to me.

Without warning, though, Tyler does a 180 on her like something out of the climax of a Hitchcock movie, taking the infamous “pitchy” road. Needless to say, Alyson's crushed....and with Randy being on the thumbs down side, too. Then for the first time in the series as per my recollections, Jennifer plays the defensive card (GO, my fellow Latina girl!); she's in Allie's corner for keeps...and after a slight bit of puppy eyes, Steven decides to take a chance...

Bonus points to Tyler man for referencing a line from a deep cut Beatles track: “Do you know anymore? From Hey Bulldog and the Yellow Submarine soundtrack.

Bill Murray Voice: I love this guy! We gotta jam sometime over incense and peppermints, pal.

As nighttime arrives and the crowing of 61 hopefuls have been awarded, one last Brewer town hopeful gets his shot in the ring: 26 year old Chicago based Chris Medina, thus leading into another obligatory pre-audition look back.

Several years earlier, Medina became engaged to a heart stopping beauty named Julianne...and accompanying photos display a vibrant, handsome, happy couple. Then, two months before the ceremony, tragedy struck when Julianne was seriously injured in an automobile crash, resulting in a traumatic brain injury...subsequent photos post accident reveal a woman looking nothing like she did before fate intervened...and it's a heartbreaking thing to watch.

But just like a man named Mark Kelly we've all come to know, Chris has never left Julianne's side...and promises he never will...for she,one might say, is his Gabrielle Gifford's...a love for a lifetime.

In the wake of this emotionally charged story, Chris' audition comes off as a bit anti-climatic, yet, he possesses a lovely voice while rendering Break Even by The Script...and instead of the usual post-audition judge tally, all three want to meet Julianne instead...and it's a wonderfully sweet moment as Jennifer, Randy and Steven introduce themselves in such a way that's refreshingly non celebrity-ish; like their names hadn't been heard before...like just plain folks, you know? But the clincher of this sequence was Steven tenderly caressing Julianne's face with his back to the camera...and to be completely honest, I just lost it...

Needless to say, Chris is Hollywood bound...and are you with me in his corner? I hope so.

Next Stop: A town that feels like a second home to me being just 100 miles away:

Music City USA a.k.a. Nashville, Tennessee....thanks for readin', folks...and bookmark, come back and read a spell, won't you?

-J.R.

Jeffrey Rosado is a writer, performer, pop culture historian and all around nice guy. But like Crash in Bull Durham, he hates it when people get the words wrong to songs close to his soul...and don't get him started on bad karaoke singers butchering Neil Diamond tunes. 

Follow Jeff On Twitter: marquee_man