Late last week, I spent a little time updating a photo gallery called "Idol Flashback! Our First Impressions of 14 Series Standouts." The article looked back at the very first words that EW.com’s Idol correspondents wrote about the show’s biggest stars — from Kelly Clarkson in season 1 to Carrie Underwood in season 4 (my first year covering the show) to the dueling Davids of season 7. The bad news is, we weren’t always right (sorry Jordin!). But the good news, for those of us wondering where the heck this season’s world-class singers are hiding, is that, well, we weren’t always right. Sometimes, mid-level auditioners can blossom into superstars during Hollywood Week, or even later, on the live Idol stage. Which has me wondering: Which season 8 contestant (if any) do you think is most likely to be showered in confetti come May? While tonight’s Jacksonville auditions were more promising than last week’s San Francisco debacle, I’ve still got my money on episode 1’s Deanna Brown — blonde chick with the raspy "(Sittin on) The Dock of the Bay" — as my favorite to date. On that note, I’m off to bang out my full TV Watch episode recap (it’s live on the site now, so ch-ch-check it out!). In the interim, watch our two latest episodes of Idolatry (the regular weekly kvetch session, as well as a Melinda Doolittle performance!!!) and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
More ‘American Idol’:
‘American Idol’ Recap: Kentucky Blues
‘American Idol’ recap: Finding Hacks in Cali
EW’s ‘American Idol’ HQ
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I hate the girl Joanna! She sucks! If she couldnt make it with her record label, what makes her think shes gonna make it now?
I think that the good 16 year old girl was amazing but I can’t remember her name.
“, I’ve still got my money on episode 1’s Deanna Brown — blonde chick with the raspy “(Sittin on) The Dock of the Bay” — as my favorite to date.”
Oh — gosh, no. Not even at all.
After seeing Simon and Paula’s faces when they were cuddling… I decided that they have def had sex.
Can I also add, somewhat off topic, that if they didn’t do Ryan’s disorienting little interludes, they could probably fit in another audition, whether it be good or bad?
I liked the chick that went & “changed” her appearance. I think she looks the part, and the 2 songs she was gonna sing–Umbrella, Rihanna & Bubbly, Colbie Callait–shows that she’s not stuck to just 1 genre of music.
Mark my words: Laneshe Young.
“I’ve still got my money on episode 1’s Deanna Brown — blonde chick with the raspy voice”
You mean like you had your money on that god awful biker nurse from last season who sounded like she had been smoking five packs a day for the last 10 years? Right now, I say Emily Hughes from Episode 1 or the brunette tonight from Jacksonville who auditioned twice.
There were contestants? Oh, sorry, I was too distracted by all the “hilarious” and “zany” antics of the judges to notice.
Is this season over yet?
Lil Rounds, my little ‘Tasia 2.0, still has my heart. Leneshe, also, made Simon get the “money eyes” and that’s when you know you’ve got a good thing. Throw in the cutie pie 16 year old from Jacksonville tonight (not in the same league vocally as the first two, but wow is she commercial) and you have the makings of another three divas season. Is America truly post-racial in the age of Obama or will we all be taken to task again by Sir Elton as Prom Dress girl and Miss Candidate from tonight skate through to the Top 5?
What I really want to know is are you as over the new judge as I am? Slezak, you gave her much more rope than I think she deserved, but even you have got to concede that tonight, rocking Ryan on her lap and fondling him in ways that were not safe for the family hour, she went all the way over the edge. When will she learn that the show is not about her?
Maddeningly disappointing night. As in nearly every other audition show so far, I’m most disappointed by the marginal (at best) talent that they’re putting through this season. Egads, they put through the Julissa “contestant” and the Justin Guarini wannabe. The girl who auditioned twice (who BTW has an outstanding youtube version of God Bless America) was good. But the one who piqued my interest was the kid who lost it because he couldn’t play his guitar. Granted, he needs to get those emotions in check, but he was really the only one I felt like I WANTED to hear more of. Sad…..
Stevie Wright FTW thus far.
im really aspired i wanna go on american idol won im a very good singer…
Goooo Danny! (wife died) Looks, quirky personality and a pretty darn good voice. He’s like an older Archuleta.
Adam is still my frontrunner, but I think Leneshe is the producers’ choice… ahem… leading contender.