American Idol 4, January 25: Crunk and Loathing In New Orleans

We meet the latest superhero conglomerate known as The Incomprehensibles, featuring ...

Leroy Wells who, with his own Ying Yang Twins, calls to mind the great musical question: Lil’ Jon. Why? Leroy arrives in the audition room and without further ado, stomps into the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s timeless classic "Baby I Got Yo Money." The judges are clapping along, but Randy says Leroy needs to introduce himself. Deeply crunked and cajun gibberish is the response. I got out of it "sandblasting" and "shrimp boat." Do with that what you will. Leroy gives us more ODB, but Randy asks if he can sing. Gene suggests James Brown. Leroy gives a less accomplished "I Feel Good." Simon is not at all amused and says he couldn’t understand anything Leroy said. Leroy says something like he had to keep it crunk (ask your kids), and displays the crunk teeth, and his natural pearly whites for "your mama and daddy." The judges laugh, Simon just looks confused. Leroy says give it to him straight, is he going to Hollywood or not. Not. Randy says this is not the show for him. Leroy was definitely entertaining, in a Lil’ Jon, Flava Flav sort of way. And, call me crazy, but I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.

Ryan says the city of New Orleans is definitely "de-botched." The word is debauched, Ryan. Ugh. Ryan continues that it’s hardly the sort of place where you expect to find...

Jeffrey Johnson is a devout Christian and his ministry is very important to him. He’s seen a lot of strange and heathen things in New Orleans, as you could probably imagine. Jeffrey sings "In The Still of the Night" is a nice pure voice that leaves me less than wowed. The judges send him through (amid Gene’s assertion that Jeffrey should be a country artist because of his ministry and pop music being about sex). I think they were a little hard up for contestants from Nawlins.

One guy who definitely wasn’t graded on a curve was David Brown, who Ryan joins at his church to announce that he has made it to the next round of auditions. The congregation is thrilled and David has tears of joy in his eyes. Watch out for this kid!

We get a brief retrospective of twins auditioning, and it always goes badly. Still, they come. Still, they audition.

Jamar and Lamar Jefferson perform and I feel like I’m at a Jodeci concert! The boys are throwing it down, whatever it is they are singing. Gene says he sees money (and has the glasses to prove it). The other judges agree, and Simon says let’s take both of them! Well, how about that!

Richard and JP Molfetta sing a slightly showy "I’ll Make Love To You," and right as they harmonize, Simon stops them. Paula wants to hear more. Randy likes them. Gene thinks they are too old to be doing Boyz II Men songs. Paula likes them. Simon says he’s worked with Randy and Paula a long time, and he’s saying no. He adds that if they auditioned individually, the judges wouldn’t be nearly as compelled. Paula goes to bat for them. She says she’d be willing to choose one over the other. Simon asks JP to step the right, as they consider Richard. Randy says yes. Gene says no. Paula says no. Simon says that seals that. Now for JP. Randy says yes. Gene says no. Paula says definitely. Simon says no. Sorry. Paula gawks at Simon slack-jawed. "You just did that for sport!" Simon denies it. Randy has flung his hands in the air loudly asking, "what did we just do?" Paula and Randy make a show of walking off the set (to go to the bathroom, I bet). Meanwhile, the Molfetta appeals fall on deaf ears.

Outside, the twins aren’t taking it well. Ryan says ominously, he doubts this will be the last we see of them. Only 14 contestants advanced to Hollywood.

And, that’s a wrap from New Orleans!

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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