Smallscreen Features
Recap: American Idol, San Diegons stay classy
By April MacIntyre Jan 24, 2008, 2:25 GMT
10/29/2007 - Randy Jackson - © Tom Walck / PR Photos
The "American Idol" auditions next stop was my favorite southern California town, San Diego.
The city is stunning and full of completely chilled-out people who wear flip-flops and cargo shorts to the nicest restaurants, and are all in disgustingly good shape due to the unrelentlng sunny day factor which shames even the most hard-core sedentary to go out and do something.
This episode was only one hour, perfect. Thank you, AI producers, for not finding any freaks with bags of fingernails or hairball collections, it meant a lot to me.
First up was a stunning girl with a Slavic name: Tetiana Ostapwych, who rubbed Simon the wrong way yet charmed the heck out of Randy and Paula.
"Obnoxious" was the withering parting shot Simon took at her.
Perrie Cataldo, another San Diego looker, was a pony-tailed Howard Hewitt type; a sexy soulful voiced single father who takes care of his three year old son. He was a delight, humble and I hope he makes it through to the final 12.
Michael Johns was another home-run. The transplanted Australian to Los Angeles is a sexy, white soul-singer who reminded me of Paul Young.
Another flat-out beautiful talent was Samantha Musa. Simon likes her, really and truly. If I were Terri Seymour I would keep my eye on this one. This girl is so comfortable in her skin, stunning on camera and a great singer, she will go on to higher places.
The once vocally paralyzed 16 year-old David Archuleta blew all the judges away. He is adorable and will make it far too.
Tattoo loving Irish lass, Carly Smithson, is an Idol "do-over." She was good, and made it this time again after a Visa paperwork snafu hamstrung her last effort. I like her.
Her husband had Jim Rose Circus potential, festooned with tattoos all over his face and body. I don't get this fad, but all you Kat D fans please explain to me why someone covers their entire face with tattoos, especially good looking guys?
The trainwreck part of the hour included a motley crew of the delusional, who get self-righteous and nasty when you point out the fact that they can't hold a tune.
Zaftig Monique Gibson and fey Christopher Baker were a classic case of two friends who possess tin ears and lie to each other.
Young Blake Boshnak was not too bad, but his OCD comes straight from dear old Mom, who has pushed this kid to enter 11 Idol tryouts. Hopefully she is this driven when it comes to his college grant applications.
The crazy closer was eye-candilicious Alberto Hurtado. Hippie guy with Lee press on nails; I think he is a flower arranger by vocation. No one showed him the love except for his mom posse. He sang a sad song about his sad life.
Next stop South Carolina.
See you then.
