What'll it be, people? It's a yes, so it looks like the baby will be making a road trip to support her momma's dreams. She emerges carrying a guitar that never made it into the audition, but her family seems happy. Her daughter just keeps sleeping. She'll realize how important this is someday... won't she?

Next the judges are very bored with a whole bunch of contestants. They even interrupt one suckfest by bursting out all together with "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Well that's considerate. And professional.

But here comes a ball of energy named Aaron Williamson. He screams "Woo!" repeatedly and then trots in to impress the judges. Right away he blows it and says he's here to be America's Next Top Idol. Oops, wrong reality show. Aaron tells us he's going to sing Creesdon Clearwater's Revival, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." As a Classic Rock fan, I already don't appreciate Aaron's blubbing of Credence Clearwater Revival, but let's see what he's got. Oh dear, he's awful. He just yells the song, but the judges get all into it, clapping along and giving him false hope. Ryan Seacrest busts in to see what all the screaming is about. Please leave, Ryan. Simon advises Aaron to do something with his life that involves a lot of yelling. Like what, Simon? And after all of them telling him how much fun he is they give him the big boot up the butt. Later Aaron. Sad piano music plays as Aaron comes through the curtains with the bad news. Ryan tries to cheer him up by giving him his phone number, but Aaron isn't having any of it.
Now we are introduced to Rebecca Garcia via the Louisville Fox morning news. Apparently Paula had nothing better to do this morning than watch Rebecca on the news, so she recognizes her as she comes through the door.

It turns out Rebecca is wearing some kind of arm band that serves as a cheat sheet with her song lyrics on it. Well, that's classy. She sings "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. I'm predicting bad. And I'm right. She writhes around while singing and New Judge is laughing so hard she leans on Randy for support. So mean. But deserved as well. New Judge notices from Rebecca's form that she was voted "Most Humorous" in high school and says that she gets it - this number was all a big joke! Ha ha ha! Rebecca starts to cry. Way to go, New Judge. Simon tells Rebecca out of the kindness of his huge heart NOT to have a career in music. Aw, poor Rebecca. She comes out sobbing and her mom tells her not to let those silly judges discourage her.
Another happy montage! It looks like there are several more people in Kentucky who can sing well enough to visit Los Angeles. We meet the final contestant of the day, Leneshe from Cincinnati. Leneshe's mother shares that her pastor prophesied that Leneshe would make her rich someday and she's still waiting for Leneshe to cough it up. It turns out that Leneshe and her siblings were raised homeless by their single mother. Doesn't her mother know that the thing to do when you're a poor single mom is to go on American Idol? I guess this one's going to let her daughter do it instead. They are really counting on this endeavor to make them rich. Interesting. If Leneshe doesn't make it through then her family was just highly exploited by Fox. She meets the judges and says she's going to sing a song she wrote called "Natty." Oh wow, she's great. So is the song. The judges are in love and invite her to Hollywood. Well that's a relief for Leneshe's mom. That big fat check might just be on its way.
And that wraps it up for Loo-uh-vull Kentucky. It was an exciting two days on the racetrack, wasn't it?
Thanks for reading!
-Honey Gangsta
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Comments (12)
Joanna Pacitti sings "Watch Me Shine" on the Legally Blonde soundtrack. It's kind of cheesy, but I really like that song. I hope that she goes far - she seems nice.
1 of 12 | Posted by georgiababe | Posted on January 25, 2009 12:39 AM
Apparently Joanna Pacitti is this year's Carly Smithson in that there will be controversy regarding her background. She did sing on two soundtracks and release an album. Critics are saying that Idol should be used to find unknown talent, not talent that tried previously and failed...
On the web there's also a video clip of her from a story that 20/20 did back in the early 90s. Joanna was playing the lead role in "Annie" before the show went back to Broadway but she was fired right before that and replaced with another actress. She was a kid at the time but her interview is the cheesiest thing ever...
2 of 12 | Posted by Anonymous | Posted on January 25, 2009 5:49 AM
there are several contestants this year who have had recording contracts, and songs included on soundtracks. Apparently AI changed the rules a few years ago to let these ringers in...but when I hear they already had a chance (or several) and blew it, I immediately start rooting against them.
I think the whole "did he just threaten us" was completely manufactured. There was no threat, just lame drama.
And I had hoped the guy who drank out of Paula's cup was going to yell, "HEY! THAT isn't water! That's VODKA!" which certainly would have explained a lot.
So far...not impressed with this season. Especially the new judge and all the fake bickering. If that's what this season will be, I'll watch something else.
3 of 12 | Posted by cattyfan | Posted on January 25, 2009 6:49 AM
I still enjoy the audition episodes, but I really don't think I can watch this show once the real competition starts. For one thing, I'm not overly impressed by the "talent" that's gotten through so far this season. Also I think it's ridiculous that people like Joanna have a shot. She released an album a couple of years ago and it failed. As far as I'm concerned she's had her chance. A couple of others on this season--including the Brent Keith Smith person, if I'm not mistaken--were in the finals on Nashville Star. WTF?
I was hoping we'd immediately see some major changes to the show since they promised to mix it up, but so far it's more of the same old same old.
4 of 12 | Posted by Blanketessa | Posted on January 25, 2009 9:25 AM
Uh, regarding Ross - the Chinese Character guy - you know, some people just want to be on TV. I don't get it but they do. I'm assuming it's because they're lonely, sad, friendless, pathetic people with nothing in their lives but TV. Oy.
The "threat" from the George Jones singer didn't sound like a threat to me. If I say to someone, "I'm going to kick your ass all the way to Hell and back." That's a threat. Saying "Be careful." Not a threat.
Though I still think they should erect a bullet proof glass wall between the contestants and the judges. Half the people that show up for the auditions seem "borderline."
5 of 12 | Posted by Mr Dangerous | Posted on January 25, 2009 9:56 AM
I agree with you guys. What is someone who's already released an album doing in this competition? Nuts to that. Later, Joanna Pacitti.
Isn't the fun of this show discovering that Farmer Bob is actually an undiscovered prodigy?
6 of 12 | Posted by Honey Gangsta | Posted on January 25, 2009 10:17 AM
I liked Leneshe's sound and her song was original. I was a bit uncomfortable at her obvious use of "sex appeal". The way she sashayed into the room in her tight jeans seemed a bit inappropriate for someone her age. I kept thinking of the song "Fancy" by Reba McEntire. Her mom is setting her up to whore herself out just to make some money. Sad. I wonder if that's what her pastor had in mind when he said she'd make her mom a whole lot of money...
For some reason, Rebecca Garcia (Fox girl) reminded me of Hannah from America's Next Top Model - Alaska Girl.
7 of 12 | Posted by Thatswhatshesaid | Posted on January 25, 2009 2:26 PM
I totally disagree regarding people having record contracts. Just because you've been signed doesn't mean that you ever had a chance to release an album. It could be that the label changed hands and the new head cans you and send you back to the start.
It's most often not a case of a singer "blowing it" but instead it just not quite being their big break.
I think it's admirable that they keep trying instead of packing their bags and running home.
8 of 12 | Posted by georgiababe | Posted on January 25, 2009 5:52 PM
A also have no problem with the more experienced singers. In fact, I wish they'd raise the age limit.
As to radically changing the formula, why would Fox want to endanger thier golden goose. (If it ain't broke... well, you know).
9 of 12 | Posted by fire@will | Posted on January 25, 2009 8:14 PM
i literally had joanna's cover of dashboard confessional's "screaming infidelities" on in the car on my ipod on the way home to watch the show. and thennnn...there she was. i call b.s.
10 of 12 | Posted by baymenxpac | Posted on January 26, 2009 8:23 AM
Yeah, they should raise the age limit. I'd kick ass over these kids.
It doesn't bother me that they bring pros on there, since everyone should have the right to sing cheesy pop songs in front of millions of people.
What does bother me is all these white people trying to sing like they're Aretha Franklin (or Mariah Carey or whatver). Like they've all been raised in some storefront gospel church. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Well, okay, my nephews (rich white suburban Jewish kids) dress like gangstas and keep grabbing their crotches all the time. Weirdness.
11 of 12 | Posted by itchy | Posted on January 26, 2009 8:52 AM
I have no problem with people who got signed and it didn't work out getting another chance on Idol. I think the problem people had with Carly last season was the seeming lack of candor over her past at first, which is why they went out of their way to give Joanna's history right at the auditions. I just want people who don't make my ears bleed, and she seemed like a sweetheart besides. Good for her I say. Overall, Luuhvul was even more meh than the other cities. Why are they still insisting on not even giving us a few seconds of 80% of the golden ticket-getters? After all these years most of the suck ass delusional people are no longer funny or entertaining, but still they torture us. Funny recap Honey.
12 of 12 | Posted by JasonR | Posted on January 26, 2009 9:20 AM