Idol Hollywood Day 3

Last night the first of two final Hollywood episodes took place with what I’d say were a lot more beautiful people than when I was on the show. We were like the starving kids from a Sally Struthers commercial in comparison. It’s almost as if they decided to spend more money on the audition episodes by bringing hair stylists and make-up artists for the auditioners--but that doesn’t sound like the Idol I know. However, American Idol is the Holy Savior incarnate for the Fox network and I guess like all aging Hollywood dynasties their motto is “when in doubt, throw money at it and see what happens.”

Anyway, I sped through the show thanks to Tivo and wished for most of the episode that there was a preset to skip any section that that girl, Tatiana, was a part of. Every time I see her I hide my face in embarrassment, but I do have to give her credit for something. I remember her name. Generally I don’t get too emotionally invested this early in the competition and names are a total waste of time to chase after, but I haven’t forgotten hers. So, bravo. I can’t say it’ll be a tactic that’ll work forever, but it’s kept the seconds ticking in her 15 minutes so far.

Some of my early favorites, who I think might have a shot at being around a while, however, are the piano bar guy, the church music teacher/best friend guy and the cute little emotional girl who forgot her lyrics. I don’t really care what she sings, I like her.

So, now this being the second year of permissible self-accompaniment we’re already starting to see some really dynamic musicians on the stage. It’ll be really interesting to watch what kind of affect that has on the credibility of idol artistry going forward. Still, not only is there the giant hurdle of jumping from cover songs to originals, but also there’s just so much show left. This is the political primary and does anyone remember how Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton were supposed to be their party nominees? Yeah, we all totally called that one.

So, tomorrow night we find out who the top 36 are…yep, this year it’s 36. I’m waiting to hear the story on that and while I’m pondering that I’ll sit and wonder what in God’s green earth were they thinking when they made a “Judge’s Mansion”. I’m sure we’ll find out more tomorrow. See you then