Idol Coffee Talk – Feb. 3 Episode

Ryan Seacrest announced at the beginning of last night’s American Idol that it was their “last stop before Hollywood,” which was funny because there was no particular stop, as the producers decided to do a clip show featuring the “Best of the Rest” during their seven-city audition tour.

Featured last night were a couple of hopefuls who we saw last year. Jessica Furney of Wamego, KS auditioned last season singing “Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin. She came to the Denver auditions with a new look and a more refined and “improved” voice, as Randy put it. Jessica switched it up this year by singing “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis, showing her more softer ballad side and got four yeses from the judges. I’m excited to see how she does during Hollywood week, but I also hope she shows the raw, rock side she displayed last year. She has a likeability factor to her, and she kind of reminds me of Kelly Clarkson.

Now, perhaps the main reason I hate montage/clip shows, especially when Idol does it, is because we never get to see more of the talented hopefuls who we may end up in the Top 24. Last night, they showed a montage of people bringing in instruments into the judging room, some saying that they only bring it “for comfort.” Amongst them was Lee DeWyze of Prospect Heights, IL who sang Bill Withers’ classic, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” It’s always neat to see an Idol hopeful come from your home state, so I’ll be watching for Lee during Hollywood week. He gave a little rock flavor to the soulful “Ain’t No Sunshine” with his cool, raspy voice, and reminded me a little bit of season five alum, Elliott Yamin.

I mentioned yesterday that season nine of Idol is probably going to a female winner, but male contestants like Lee and 16 year-old Aaron Kelly of Sonestown, PA are proving that Idol fans may see another male win. Aaron explained that he grew up in a broken home and was later adopted by his aunt and uncle. He sings Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” which features his rich voice, which sounds very mature for his age. I could see him doing real well with country/ballad songs, and adding his voice to his look, he could be packaged into a teen pop star after Idol is over. I say this because he reminds me a lot of season seven runner-up, David Archuleta, and I could already see the millions of teenage girls that Idol pulls in voting every week for this guy.

Aaron wasn’t the only teenager to do well in last night’s clip show, as 19 year-old Hope Johnson of Arlington, TX also made it through to Hollywood. Call me a cynic, but usually with the sob stories the Idol producers muster up during audition weeks, I find it hard to end up liking the contestant behind the story. But in the video package featuring Hope talking about how she “didn’t know [she] was poor when she was little,” I found her whole demeanor to be unassuming and endearing. Hope sings “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, and her voice was light and breathy, and could use a little work especially when she reached for the high notes, but she definitely fits into the country-pop singer mold that’s really popular right now.

At the end, Ryan announced that a total of 181 contestants were sent through to Hollywood week this season, and that Ellen Degeneres is set to take her permanent place on panel next week. I’m still reluctant as to how Ellen will be as a judge, considering her judging skills (or lack thereof) during her guest judge spot during last year’s So You Think You Can Dance, but the teaser for next week’s show seem promising. I think if anything, Ellen will give the music fan perspective, so I’m hoping she plays up to that role as she takes over Paula’s spot.

Stop by for Coffee Talk next week, as we discuss Idol’s Hollywood rounds.

Idol Coffee Talk – Feb. 2 Episode

First off, welcome to our first blog entry for “American Idol Coffee Talk,” where we’ll be discussing season nine of Fox’s hit reality TV show, American Idol.

A few notes about season nine so far: Paula Abdul is out and Ellen Degeneres is in, this will be Simon Cowell’s last season as a judge on the show as he is set to bring his U.K. hit talent show, “The X Factor,” here in 2011 and NO ONE has really stood out for me as having that “X factor” that Simon and the other judges always talk about.

I mean, it’s kind of sad to say that the only other audition I’ve remembered so far was General Larry Platt’s “Pants on the Ground” audition, but I’ve got to say that one hopeful from last night’s Denver, CO auditions has changed that.

The last time Idol made its rounds in Denver was in season five. Plucked from obscurity from Denver that season was one of Idol’s famous alums, Chris Daughtry, and sadly there weren’t many “Chris Daughtry’s” amongst the crowd.

After two consecutive seasons of male winners, it’s clear that Idol is vying for a female win this year and last night’s audition round proved just that. Five out of the ten auditions last night featured female hopefuls all making it through to Hollywood, while only two out of the five male auditions made it through.

Mark Labriola of Aurora, CO explains that he’s often mistaken for Jack Black and “loves cheese” and that he’s lived his life “on the run,” living in various parts of the country after his mother took him away from his father when he was younger. Mark gets four yeses from Simon, Kara, Randy and guest judge, Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, for his rendition of “Tempted” by Squeeze. Mark’s voice seemed a bit breathy and fell short in some parts, so I’m predicting his time during Hollywood round next week won’t get him that far.

Casey James of Fort Worth, TX sang “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” by John Mayer. His voice reminded me of Caleb Followill’s from Kings of Leon, but as Kara said, he had no charisma and he needed to “work on his personality.” Kara and Posh Spice agreed, however, that he had a “great look,” but things got awkward in the judging room as Kara then asked Casey to take his shirt off. Casey has a good chance in Hollywood week, perhaps only because of his looks, but he needs more stage presence. If he doesn’t work on his charisma, as Kara suggested, Casey could just be one of this season’s good looking cannon fodder.

Perhaps one of last night’s auditions that did it for me was Danelle Hayes of Seattle, WA. Danelle works as a singer for a cover band, and as Simon put it, seemed “broken” after many years of trying to pursue a career in the music industry. She mentioned that the only gigs she’s only been able to secure were at bars, casinos and corporate parties and seemed unassuming as she says the reason she tried out was to support her 3 year-old son. Danelle sings “I’m the Only One” by Melissa Ethridge, showcasing her powerful, rock-tinged voice reminiscent of Ethridge, and even Pink. Danelle gets four yeses from the judges, and methinks that she has quite a good chance during Hollywood week, and I’m pushing for her to be in this year’s Top 24.

It’s a given now that no audition episode of American Idol is ever complete without one or two sob stories, and tonight’s was brought to us by Haeley Vaughn of Fort Collins, CO. Hayley explains that she was born prematurely, only weighing two pounds, and aspires to be the first “black [country pop] singer.” She sings Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name,” and the song and the genre actually fit her voice. Simon pointed out her lisp when she sings, and her voice in the beginning of the song sounded a bit teeny bopper, but became more full and robust at the end. Haeley’s got a good chance during Hollywood week. I predict her meshing well during the group auditions; her voice alone could land her a spot in the Top 24, and the pimp spot from the Idol producers could certainly have a positive influence in that as well.

At the end, the judges pushed 26 hopefuls through to Hollywood from Denver, but the episode will definitely be not one of the most memorable. Last year, viewers met Katrina Darell a.k.a. “Bikini Girl,” and Idol producers decided to end Denver’s episode featuring Ty Hemmerling, who also chose to come into the audition room clad in a bikini. Thankfully, Wednesday night’s show will be the last audition episode because even the gimmicks that the attention whores try to pull are getting old.

Tune in tonight at 7 p.m. on Fox to catch the “Best of the Rest” auditions, and log on tomorrow for our coverage!