Charleston auditions

This week's second hour of audition footage -- from the lovely city of Charleston, South Carolina -- offered some interesting contestants. I'll start by moving backward. Oliver, the new dad who's wife went into labor while he was in line to audition...should have been put through. And not because the baby was totally adorable, nor because Mom looked absolutely fantabulous despite delivering her first baby not 24 hours before (a week before? Whatever!...honestly!) But because despite the judge's comments about his vocal affectations, I thought he was actually pretty good, and I wanted to see more of him....but, 'tis not to be. Best of luck with all those diapers and sleepless nights and college funds and preschool applications, Oliver...

Moving backward, I'll skip past Aretha (who bore only a slight resemblance to her namesake, and it's not necessarily a good one)..and past Lindsay Goodman, the USAF pilot who I really, really (in a Phil kinda way) wanted to be good....but alas, the judges took a pass. Hats off to you, my dear, in more ways than one.

I'll blitz past London, whom despite losing a father tragically to cancer at a young age, was quite poised and confident. Will reserve judgment here. I don't believe that Randy gave her a thumbs up on vocals alone, tho....yeah, right, dawg! Haven't had a chance to Google her, but I'm thinking she's already out there somewhere for something...Meanwhile, Amy the chaste Catholic schoolgirl didn't impress Simon (again, he found her to be not as good as she thinks she is), and again, I say that 16 year olds don't (typically) hold out very well in Hollywood (aren't they holding auditions for HSM3 somewhere?) but I am looking forward to seeing her again! And like my idol Micheal Slezak says at EW, heck, she might even go all the way! LOLOLOLOL

On to the Lampkins, who as a duo seemed a VERY unlikely bundle for Hollywood, but surprise! They both made it. Can't wait to see if brother takes his assignment from Simon seriously to work with sis, she needs it.

We (almost) opened with the all-u-can-eat waitress from Ablemarle, NC...honestly, Simon's comment after she finished singing that she sounded angry because of "all those Sunday people who eat all that lunch" followed by his announcement that should he eat there, he would only "eat one portion" just cracked me up. To Kelly Pickler's relief, there is still only one notable Idol from her hometown.

Finally, ending with the opening, the "Black Clay Aiken", while totally adorable, should not quit his day job...loved the pick, tho.

Are you tired of auditions yet? More importantly, have we met our new American Idol in these first 2 weeks?