American Idol Season 9 Boston
The season’s off to a great start as Ryan’s looking really fine! I love these early episodes with Ryan’s voiceovers but it’s a shame he didn’t follow through with his thought of streaking across the field …
Janet McNamara
The first contestant started her singing career on the American Idol game. While she was singing ‘Take me Away’, the only thing going through the judges’ minds could be ‘please, someone…’. After getting a resounding no, she left the room swearing as a smirking Ryan reminded her that kids are watching … she apologised and swore again. Ryan was looking at her as if she’s a particularly curious exhibit, then tried to keep a straight face as Janet told him what Paula had said. Ryan wanted to know “what audition were you in!” then gave her a man hug … and nearly collected her friend with his arm.
Maddy Curtis
16-year-old Maddy was slightly overawed to meet the judges, but made a decent job of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Ryan initially stood back when she left the judging room but gave her brother a hug, saying “there’s some power behind that!”
Ryan said guest judge Victoria Beckham was settling in nicely, and the first golden ticket had everyone in the holding room buzzing … except a miserable-looking guy who’s already fed up of waiting.
Pat Ford
Pat sang Britney’s Womanizer with feeling, but Simon wasn’t feeling it. In fact, he looked vaguely ill. Randy asked Pat how he thought he did, but Pat wanted to tell Simon that he is even sassier in person than on TV. I think Simon has a fan! Randy told him to stop singing forever but wanted to hang out.
Ryan told us in his commentary that it wasn’t going too well for the boys, but there were some hopefuls amongst the girls. We saw brief clips of Jennifer Hirsch, Claire Fuller and Jess Wolfe going through and Ryan came running out of the judges’ room just ahead of a golden ticket-wielding contestant.
Amedeo DiRocco
Larger than life Amadeo’s Italian passion came through in his powerful voice; the judges liked him and it was Simon’s favourite audition of the day. With four yeses and a golden ticket, Amadeo ran out and was swamped by his family. Ryan got caught up in the first scrum but turned and made a run for it when it looked as though they were going for a rematch, saying on the voiceover that ‘the testosterone level may be a little much at this point’, adding that Boston needed to mellow out a bit … showing that it’s important to be careful what you wish for as they cut to the next contestant.
Derek Hilton
Derek thinks he sounds like Chris Brown, but after listening to his nasal tone and odd affectations, the judges didn’t agree. Simon thought Derek was channeling 20 different people; every one of them horrible … but it’s okay as Derek knows he’s amazing.
Mere Doyle
Anime freak Mere felt good shouting her way through the audition, but the judges certainly didn’t. She came out of the room crying and was comforted by her family with no Ryan in sight … probably didn’t want to get dubious substances on his shoulder.
Next up, Luke Shaffer and Benjamin Bright both went through. I liked Benjamin quite a lot, he has a sweet voice and a nice face.
Andrew Fenlan
Nobody had told Andrew Fenlan that pleasantries, personality and patience were part of the audition process, so he was just pissed — at waiting around, interviews, the judges … everything, really. He perked up a little when Ryan pointed him in the direction of the judges’ room, but managed to rub the judges up the wrong way from the outset. Simon was clearly amused but pointed out that Andrew was sulky and aggressive from the moment he walked in, and Kara told him straight that she doesn’t like him at all. Victoria pointed out the important part: that he doesn’t have the voice to back up the attitude. Obviously the judges are wrong, so Andrew set them straight but still left with a no, telling Ryan that Simon and Randy liked him before looking astounded at Kara’s reaction after Ryan quipped about their connection.
Bill Bloom and Michael Ryan also made an impression, though not the one they hoped for, but fortunately the same couldn’t be said of the next contestant.
Ashley Rodriguez
Beautiful Ashley has a great voice, and the stage personality to match. The judges loved her and Simon thought she had the elusive ‘it’. Ashley looks like one to watch! It looked like Ryan was going for a hug after she’d greeted her relatives, but she wasn’t paying attention and missed out. Girl! Where are your priorities? Ticket to Hollywood or a hug from Ryan … I know which I’d rather have!
Tyler Grady
Drummer Tyler said he’d busted his wrists falling out of a tree before heading into his audition with a shoulder bump from Ryan. He charmed Kara and Victoria, and even Randy and Simon thought he was cool. Tyler was stoked to get through and hadn’t expected a yes from Simon. Ryan said there were 17 others through from the first day in Boston.
At the start of Day Two, Randy blamed their late arrival on Simon looking for the Boston Tea Party. Simon joked about knowing the history “they didn’t like us and threw us out!” then Ryan voiced over a blaggers’ guide to the history of Boston and the revolution before moving on to the first contestant of the day.
Lisa Olivero
Ryan asked Lisa about her singing background. She’s self-taught but thinks she’s good enough to be on the show … but unfortunately she couldn’t carry a tune. Randy told her she was terrible, but Kara told her to practice. Simon’s first impression of her was positive, but he told her he couldn’t sit through that again … until she swung her hips on the way out and Randy and Simon looked as though they were about to have a change of heart!
Ryan Keane’s Ring of Fire didn’t set the judges alight and Ryan was concerned about Anglo-American relations as Simon couldn’t understand the people of Boston.
Mike Davis
Mike from Codzilla had a nice voice but sounded a bit off in parts. Kara really liked him so he started making a move … Simon said yes and bailed but Randy didn’t think he was good enough. Ryan, waiting outside with the family, said that no-one had got through — then Mike burst out with his golden ticket. He joked to his mother that he’d got a date with Kara too, so Ryan took him to one side for a little man-to-man chat …
Katie Stevens
The judges loved 16-year-old Katie’s natural talent and Ryan got a little emotional outside as Katie phoned her sick grandmother to let her know the good news.
Joshua Blaylock
Joshua is 28 and was taking his last opportunity to audition for American Idol. He was a little ordinary but fairly inoffensive. Simon found it forgettable and Victoria asked if he was holding back. Joshua admitted he was perhaps a little too nice, so the judges gave him some assertiveness training, then put him through to with instructions to bring a little positive mental attitude to Hollywood.
Ryan introduced a quick look behind-the-scenes shot to explain why some contestants lose it when they get in front of the judges, before introducing a few contestants they perhaps wish had got lost.
Justin Williams
27-year-old Justin told Ryan about beating cancer and sang Feeling Good. The guy can certainly sing but it was a little M.O.R. Randy wanted to know if that was the type of singer he wanted to be and the judges put him through. Is this the same Justin Williams who made it to Hollywood Round 2 (Kris Allen and Matt Giraud’s group) last year?
Norberto Guerroro
My first thought was that Norberto looked like a cross between an Eastern European drag queen and an Eurovision Song Contest contestant. After Norberto sang a tortured version of Cascada, a bemused-looking Simon told him he sings like a three year old girl and dresses like LaToya Jackson. Unsurprisingly it was a resounding ‘no’.
Bosa Mora
Ryan joked with Bosa’s family about no-one wanting to sit behind his mom if he got through because they wouldn’t be able to see over her headwear. Simon thought Bosa was good but boring (a fair assessment). Victoria didn’t agree, and called Simon out for rolling his eyes because he disagreed with her! Simon said no but the other three put Bosa through, telling him he has a lot of work to do. Bosa walked out of the room looking vaguely stunned and Ryan got caught up in his mom’s enthusiasm.
Leah Laurenti
It didn’t sound as though Leah’s family had encouraged her to pursue a career as a singer, but fortunately her personality is as powerful as her voice and she pursued her dream anyway. Randy liked the jazzy thing she had going on and all four judges put her through.
Ryan said that a total of 32 contestants made it through to Hollywood before the show closed with a montage of happy contestants through to the next round.
I enjoyed the premiere and I’m really happy to have Ryan back on my TV! I didn’t miss Paula and thought Victoria did a decent job; she looked a little hesitant at times but I enjoyed seeing her put Simon in his place. I wasn’t blown away by any of the talent, but Ashley Rodriguez, Justin Williams and Benjamin Bright are the ones I’m interested to see more of.
If the video doesn’t load, view it here: Boston Auditions Recap
