<p>jmmom, yes Angie was an interesting one. The first song was from the musical, The Producers, which is sung by a Swedish character that was the secretary hired by the producers. She was over the top, and she definitely could belt, but her second song helped showcase her voice and not just her whackiness.</p>
<p>As I said, I’m depending on you guys to give me the scoop until I start watching once the top 20 are in place. By that time, I envision that contestants will be known as “the depressed boy from Aspen,” “the depressed girl who is not blonde,” “the homeless boy with the drug addicted mother,” “the homeless mother with the drug addicted son,” “the boy with 6 toes,” and “the girl with the dragon tattoo.”</p>
<p>I also thought Aspen was just so so. And the funny thing is that AI makes such a big deal about coming to Aspen to find talent then all the people they choose are from somewhere else!</p>
<p>Angie Zeiderman also amazed me. I didn’t appreciate Randy being condescending once again because he doesn’t like musical theatre songs. Something about how he hates the vibrato. I think he just doesn’t like to give people who really know how to sing a chance.</p>
<p>^And then again, it might just be part of the “theatrics” that AI wants to script into the show. If Simon was still one of the judges, I’m not sure he would have put her through…</p>
<p>Any thoughts on Shelby Twetan, the bipolar h.s. girl from Minnesota that sand “Temporary Home”?
I was surprised at how the judges were raving about her after the audition.</p>
<p>Thursday night’s auditions from Houston seemed to show more bad performances than good, starting with the first guy who reminded me of William Hung… only worse. That definitely set the “tone” for the whole night. I liked Skylar, the country singer from Mississippi (who reminded me of Kellie Pickler), and the 21 year old female country singer who last made it through to Hollywood Week when she was 16 years old (her name escapes me but I remembered her “meltdown” when they played back an old clip from that season). I would have liked to have seen those ladies that J Lo liked, but that Steven and Randy didn’t, sent to Hollywood. Up until now some marginal voices have gotten a golden ticket but tonight some pretty good singers were sent home.</p>
<p>I was disappointed that they showed so many bad acts, after setting such a positive tone in the first two shows. Hard to believe the pickings were so slim in Texas.</p>
<p>I read that the ratings had fallen so far for the first episodes this season, they decided to go back to showing the terrible/laughable/weird auditioners in hopes of boosting viewership. It had nothing to do with the amount of talent in Texas, but, as always, just the producers’ decision about what portions to air. I doubt the downward trend can be reversed. The current judges are awful and the format is tired.</p>
<p>^The show desperately needs Simon back and in retrospect he probably would have never left to start XFactor, if he had to do it all over again, since their ratings were less than they had hoped for. If season 2 of XFactor falls in the ratings, maybe they scratch a third season and Simon returns to AI?</p>
<p>Last spring,a young lady was hired to work where I do. She missed work frequently and after just a few months, she quit. Her reason for quitting was that her bf was in a band and that he wanted to try out for AI and she was going “on the road” with him.<br>
We were all “yeah, good luck with that”. This morning as I’m heading to work, the radio DJ is interviewing a singer. It’s that girl’s bf. He made it through to Hollywood…unbelievable.</p>
<p>This just in at X-Factor…</p>
<p>[FIRING</a> SQUAD ON X-FACTOR And HE DID IT!](<a href=“Audacy Inc: An Audio Universe of Discovery & Connection”>Audacy Inc: An Audio Universe of Discovery & Connection)</p>
<p>Not surprised that Steve Jones is now referred to as “former” emcee Steve Jones, but basically starting over with both female judges? And what about the glitzy, glossy, overproduced show itself?</p>
<p>Had heard about Steve Jones and Nicole getting the boot. Glad to hear about Steve, he was just so wooden.</p>
<p>Hadn’t heard about Paula. Simon definitely needs to take a look in the mirror, but he thinks he can start over by just changing out a few people.</p>
<p>By the way, I heard that Jim Carrey’s child was selected on AI to go through to Hollywood. When was he/she on? Hard to believe he has a child old enough for AI.</p>
<p>Jim Carrey’s daughter was on, I forget which city it was. He’s 50 and she’s 24. How old did you think he was? :)</p>
<p>She was put through during the San Diego auditions.</p>
<p>Jim Carey’s daughter was good … definitely not a star yet, but has potential. </p>
<p>On the X factor, I’m glad to see an emcee replacement. Steve Jones just had a few mis-steps on the human front, so the chemistry was off. Nicole is sweet, but sometimes too sweet and not deep enough technically with her comments. She is beautiful, but I think she would have gained more respect by viewers like me if she could articulate more technical aspects of the music or song. I didn’t learn anything from her comments. Now who they should get is someone that can articulate and break down great music like Ben Folds.</p>
<p>Simon, an admitted “friend” of Paula, had his attorney deliver the news that she was being fired via a letter. It’s one thing being arrogant and egocentric, but gutless as well?</p>
<p>[Simon</a> Cowell & Paula Abdul: It?s Complicated | Reality Rocks (New) - Yahoo! Music](<a href=“Simon Cowell & Paula Abdul: It’s Complicated”>Simon Cowell & Paula Abdul: It’s Complicated)</p>
<p>Well, Paula is being very gracious in public about her firing. Maybe she is just grateful to have been given a way off the Titanic before it hits the iceberg for real…</p>
<p>I think Paula is one of those that people either love or hate. I actually didn’t mind her, and thought she added some humanity to the shows. It does seem like Simon has acted pretty badly in the way he fired her. But he doesn’t seem to have much of a conscience, so no surprise.</p>
<p>As far as Jim Carrey, he’s really 50? Just saw him in Mr Poppers Penguins and I guess he still looks around 40, or maybe I’m just not looking very closely!</p>
<p>I fell asleep through most of last night’s auditions in Portland. Was it the lack of talent or just me? I did manage to see Britnee Kellogg perform. She looks just like the other Britney… Spears. The only difference is this girl can sing.</p>
<p>^You’re not alone. It was an hour of my life that I’ll never get back. The show was terrible.
They seem to think it’s entertainment to allow obviously untalented emotionally/mentally challenged people fill in air time during the auditions.</p>