That Happened!

Last night, American Idol started off on a high note, reminding viewers that Randy Jackson used to play with Journey. Not only were we told, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, but we also got to see Randy with a LOT of hair and even more spandex. Awesome.

But that’s where the awesomeness ended, because other than a couple of exceptions, Jacksonville, Fla., was just another city with not-so-much talent. Except the judges were letting through loser after loser. And I just didn’t get it.

There was Joshua, who said he gets compared to Justin Guarini… and likes it. He’s all hammy, dropping in some beat-boxing and sound effects like the guy from Police Academy. And not to a Justin Timberlake song; Joshua was auditioning with Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”. I was hoping Simon was going to snark something like, “How about getting off… the stage.” But no, they put him through to Hollywood. Whaaaaaaa!?

There was Sharon, who brought in her overgroomed puppy. Despite her overdoing it, she gets a golden ticket.

And there was “Candidata” Julissa, a pageant girl who wants to be the first Latin-American Idol, who was weird and sang OK, but her audition was more of a Whitney Houston impression, plus she has the worst laugh in laugh history.

Three mediocre, bizarre auditions that actually went through. In the past, Simon would’ve blasted all three and sent them packing, but for some reason, this season is different. If one of the judges like someone, the other three seem to just concede and follow along like little unopinionated puppies. Last season it seemed like Randy was vying for the mean-judge title and Paula finally getting an opinion (Simon was still as mean as ever, bless his heart).

Now Kara has come in and ruined it all.

Which is weird, because she’s shown that she can be a Mean Girl. Perhaps she could’ve been a replacement for Paula if needed, but a fourth judge just seemed so unnecessary; especially when it’s not adding anything to the show. In fact, while I’ve knocked Paula down dozens of times, I actually prefer her to Kara. The flow of the show is no more, and the chemistry between the original three has been ruined. Paula may have the rep of being the nice judge, but the best part of the show is watching Simon make fun of her. Why bring in a female version of Simon (but a poor one, at that), who always seems to be competing with the contestants (Hi Chip, meet Shoulder)?

I’m actually shocked she didn’t try to out-sing Anne Marie last night, the only one who I could see going somewhere. Anne Marie was beautiful, seemed pretty normal, and most importantly, the girl could sing. However, the judges sent her away, but told her to come back with more star power. She did, she worked it (singing “Bubbly” by Colbie Callait) and was given a golden ticket.

Maybe Kara will only be around for the audition stage? Or do you think Kara was a means to an end for Idol producers, a way of eventually phasing the sometimes-troublesome Paula out?