We were then introduced to Michael Liuzza through the story of how his parents met while working on opposite street corners in the French Quarter. His mother quit her job singing in a band at one bar, walked across the street to the bar where his father played piano looking for work, at the rest was history. Of all the contestants featured from the Crescent City, he easily represented the best that the city has to offer. His song choice, appropriately enough, was "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?" Michael had a fantastic voice, but he almost didn't make it on to the next round. Simon, showing a rare compassion, decided to give Michael a "second chance," and ended up giving him the yes vote he needed to get through.
Lastly, Dallas youth pastor Jeffrey Johnson showed off both his country stylings and his clean-cut good looks. While the judges pointed the fact that, unlike country music, pop lyrics might conflict with church teachings, Simon immediately saw that teenage girls are going to go absolutely nuts for Jeff. We'll definitely be seeing lots more of him in the next round.
Overall, the showing from New Orleans was disappointing. It seems that, in the end, the freaks had a much better turnout than the talent. But, novelty acts and outright lunatics aside, it's safe to say that any one of these four great singers could very easily make a big splash in Hollywood and, perhaps, turn out to be the next American Idol.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
thanks Scott, we had it on but I was coming and going - I certainly had the impression that the ep most primarily a freak show, the very reason I dont' pay all tha much attention to the audition rounds because the producers positively revel in the crappy and the damaged. From what I heard, I agree Simmons was rational and judicious - he seemed to be making a concerted effort to alter his image a bit.
2 - Scott Pepper
While the freaks certainly make for great TV, I'm still hoping that the producers make good on their promise to follow more of the truly talented contestants' stories in-depth. So far, we've seen a little more background on the few folks who are likely to make it on to Hollywood, but nothing extensive yet. I'm trying to focus my commentary less on the losers and more on those singers who we'll be seeing in the next round.
3 - michelle poole
Watching the crappy singers is the best part for me. And I didn't like the background info. They'll be enough of that once the real competition begins ad naseum.
I thought Gene Simmons was an ass. He didn't come off as a nice person and seemed like he wanted to be in charge of the show instead of being a guest. But I don't really know anything about him, so maybe as Eric says, this was him making an effort.
4 - Eric Olsen
Michelle, Simmon's past includes being literally tossed off of talk shows for being an appalling chauvinistic ass so this was a step in the right direction.
5 - noneya
Daron Beck from Denton Rocks
6 - Mandy
Daron Beck from Denton was sooooo cool.
7 - SCOTT
I WANTED TO CORRECT PEOPLE ON LINDSEY CARDINALE, SHE IS FROM PONCHATOULA, LA NOT PONCHATRAIN.
8 - Susan Williams
David Brown is very talented. I was sorry to see him leave AI. His talent will be missed from the show but not from the world, when he sign a great record deal.