2/8/07 – added photos of the contestants who got through to Hollywood

7:01 Birmingham is big with Idol. On the other hand, none of the Birmingham finalists are particular favorites of mine. But still.

7:03 Erica – Hee…speaking of time going by slowly. I thought she was never going through the phrase. Also, people need to learn that singing Simon’s favorite song is not really a good idea. It does not make him MORE likely to like you, but LESS. Her tone-deaf family are not helping the situation. What is Paula doing? Hiding in the wings? Scaredy.

7:07 Katie – Well, her singing voice is definitely different from her talking one. Yet, it’s still rather…odd. I liked some of the notes, but others were just strange. Why are they all down on the floor? This is becoming a very weird show already. Paula, Paula, Paula. She won’t make it through Hollywood.

7:15 Tatiana – Yeah, definitely yeah.

7:17 Diana – Nah, definitely nah. “My Lu-hu-hu-huve!” Heh.

7:22 Bernardo – Wow, Simon said yes and Paula said no? Told you tonight was weird. I would’ve put him through…was he really that off-key? If so, why would Randy say yes? He hates pitchiness.

7:23 Margaret – Okay, that costume is just creepy. Did you see the two people behind her totally embarrassed to be on the camera while she was talking? Hee.

7:31 Jamie – This year’s Kellie Pickler. With a voice about the same quality as hers…sweet and pretty, but not terribly substantive. We’ll see how her sob story goes. I never know what to do with the sob stories. They sort of seem manipulative, yet then again, how mean is it to be cynical about a seventeen-year-old girl’s dad being paralyzed. Although he did shoot hisself, so.

7:34 Chris – I like this guy. He’s funny. And good. And Simon, again, gets away without giving his vote. Hmph.

7:41 Uh-oh, no Paula. That means both guys have to say yes.

7:43 Victoria – Now, that’s some hair. What a nightmare to manage. Her voice isn’t bad–some sweet tones there. But I don’t think she’s got the power to compete.

7:45 Lakia – No no no no no no. She said that in her song. I’m just repeating what she said. Really.

7:47 You know, they were sort of making a joke of all the Birmingham contestants saying “thank you” even when the judges were negative, but I think that sort of gentlefolk-like behavior is what has made the contestants from that part of the country so popular. Certainly Taylor’s fans always pointed to his politeness and good manners.

7:52 Nichole – She’s got a good voice. I probably would’ve let her through, but I do see what they’re saying. As a performance it wasn’t there.

7:54 Brandy – Or…maybe they haven’t saved the best for last. Dude, I can sing “Like a Virgin” better than that. THAT’S IT, IT’S THE FLOOR! Oh my goodness, it was so much better on the carpet! Simon’s cracking me up. “I don’t know anyone’s managed to sing on that floor.” Hee! Simon got caught by the door! That was awesome. This is totally the best audition ever.

7:58 Twenty through from Birmingham. And back to L.A. Isn’t Katharine the only high-finishing contestant from L.A.? Who’s that guest judge?

8:00 YAY HOUSE IS BACK. Oh, but that’s not this post, is it? Bye.