American Idol 2, January 21: It’s Back!

From Miami, we were treated to:

Tara Daddona, who bears a hint of a resemblance to her own idol, Mariah Carey. That’s where the similarities ended for Tara, who warbled an almost unrecognizable “Against All Odds,” which defines her chances of advancing. “One of the worst voices I’ve ever heard,” was Simon’s critique. Randy said her vocal coach “is doing her wrong.” Simon suggested Tara demand a refund.

Heidi Hall is a stunning 17-year-old who performed a reasonable “When I Fall In Love.” The judges were smitten. Simon said she may be the future of pop music, look-wise. The opposite of “dirty” Christina Aguilera (which Simon pronounced “argue-leeria”). Personally, I thought she was very pretty but the voice didn’t get it for me. But I was out-voted, she goes to Hollywood.

Natalie Galan, who has a smoking-hot Mom, delivered a tuneful “Angel” and, for the first time that I can recall, Randy and Simon said yes, but Paula said no! “She’s not ready yet, but next season she will come back and dazzle us.” But she is out-voted and Natlie moved on.

Sean Campos is determined to be the first successful Asian in R&B. He did a nice version of Earth Wind & Fire’s “Together” and got the nod, though Simon proclaimed that R&B is not Sean’s genre, he’s just a nice looking boy with a good voice.

Then came my personal favorite. Edgar Nova. Good-looking, but a bit strange. He claimed he had dreams “before he was born” (that’s some trick!) that he would be famous. First, an awful Al Pacino impersonation from Scarface. Then, an even more awful impersonation of singing Enrique Iglesias’ “Escape.” If you know the song, you know Enrique hits some testicle-tightening high notes. Edgar’s sounded like a cat stuck in a rat trap! (and he got the lyrics wrong! What should have been “you can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape my love” was sung as “you can run, you can DIE.” I wanted to!). By then, Edgar was on the floor in what appeared to be mental distress! Sorry, he just gets so into it! Randy asked, no, demanded, “don’t sing anymore. Ever.” Edgar fluffed that off. Paula tried to be nice (so Paula) by saying she has never seen such “commitment.” I think she wanted him to be committed. Edgar missed it, he was anxious to hear from Simon, who “is the inspiration for all this!” (so, those pre-birth dreams were about Simon?). Simon’s feeling was that it was “one of the worst singers I’ve ever heard in my life!” Me, too. Edgar disagrees, of course, and takes his leaves.

But, outside, he told everyone he would “see them in Hollywood.” Only if he buys a ticket. Eventually, he tried to sneak in another audition, claiming the judges wanted to see him again. The ruse is soon discovered and he was escorted from the building! Still claiming that we would see him in Hollywood! Creeeepy!

Victoria Mayers ran through (well, more like collided with) the scales, not hitting any of the keys successfully, before singing the lyrics to Vanessa Williams’ “Save The Best For Last.” It was mind-numbing bad! Randy said he will need medication.

Bashir (missed the last name) did a pretty cool beat-box and some sharp choreography before delivering a so-so vocal on “If I Fall I Love.” Randy says no, but Simon challenges Randy on this one. Simon’s feeling is that Bashir is offering something more than vocals that could work. “This isn’t vocal coach idol!” Randy caves and Bashir goes on.

Miami only netted 20 contestants moving on.

Austin brought us:

Dana Clark, a stylish 23-year-old who already looks like a star (and her mother called her Diva Deluxe!) and sang a soulful “Let’s Stay Together.” Randy is the sole no vote, (Randy always seems to have a problem with contestants doing a well-known, well-loved song. If they aren’t spot on, yet original, he’s not going to like it!) but she moves on!

Kimberly Caldwell, hot blonde, sang the stuffing out of “Superstition” and she advanced. Slam dunk!

Cedric Hunt came pimped-out from Kansas in a lemon yellow suit that smacked of Dick Tracy, with a hat to match, by-god. Cedric came in the door singing and did a nice version of “Reach Out” but the judges were not feeling him at all. This was the only time I really disagreed. “You’re not a good singer, man.” Randy slammed. Cedric expressed the agony of defeat with his eyes welling up with tears to Ryan Seacrest. As a single, poetic tear rolled down his cheek, Cedric could only sigh, “you win some, you lose some, I guess.” Poor guy.

Coffey Anderson (that’s pronounced “café” somehow), good-looking guy with a baby due any nanosecond, performed an overly stylized “Lately” (RJ Helton’s was better), which impressed Randy and Paula, but left Simon cold (“Okay. Heard better.” Surely, he doesn’t mean RJ’s!) Southern gentleman to the end, Coffey left with his Hollywood invitation and a “nice to have met… two of you!” That could come back to haunt him.

Jacob John Smalley, fresh from Oklahoma, has an okay voice and a heartthrob’s smile. He sang “If I Fall In Love” (just as Bashir did), but holds more to the boy band style. Positive comments from all the judges, Paula said she sees the “X-factor.” That is a good sign.

Katherine (missed the last name) performed a theatrical “Fever,” which dazzled the judges in its authenticity. “She’s Doris!” Simon enthused. Randy was going to vote no, even though he dug the time flashback it gave him, because he has no idea how it would work in today’s music scene. But he was swayed. Katherine claimed to have more weapons, we’ll see in Hollywood!

Patsy Charles closed out the show with “Unchained Melody” sung in passages so long, the crew edited in footage of summer turning to winter and babies yawning. Randy, stopping her, said she was “on par to have the longest song in history!” If she made it to the next round, we wouldn’t crown an American Idol until 2007! No worries, she’s out.

There were 36 contestants from Austin moving on.

And so ends night one. My favorites from tonight were Julia DeMato, Kimberly Caldwell, Frenchie Davis, and Tirrell Anthony. Will one of the be the new American Idol? First we have more auditions to go through as the show continues with another 90 minutes Wednesday night at 8:30/7:30 Central. But these first 90 minutes were followed by a look at where the first AI’s Top 10 are up to now -- be sure to check out Sting7’s recap of that portion of the show on Foxes On Idol.

Sting7 can be reached at stingseven@yahoo.com.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of our recent AI2 articles at the American Idol 2 page -- and don’t forget to check out The Foxes On Idol Website for more great coverage!

For more news about reality TV, be sure to check out RealityTVFans.com and SirLinksALot!