‘American Idol’ is back

I watched the premiere of "American Idol (Season 11)" on Jan. 19 with some apprehension. It's hard to put a fresh spin on a talent show that's been around for 10 years. At least, with a drama series or sitcom, the writers can always come up with stories or situations that will surprise viewers. With "AI," the unexpected developments usually come when the contestants perform live and the audience decides who should go home.

I was afraid that the first phase when auditions are conducted nationwide would be a repeat of the previous 10 seasons. I was right. Thousands of aspirants in Nashville, "AI's" first stop, are shown on cam to prove that the show still has a wide following when Randy Jackson shouts "You're going to Hollywood" a zillion times to contestants who passed. Both excellent singers and godawful ones are featured. The lucky ones run all over the place screaming that they made it and display their golden ticket to the cameras. Many of the rejects shed copious tears, others shout expletives (which are bleeped) accompanied by the dirty finger which are blurred on the screen. At least, no one got violent and had to be forcefully evicted by security. Not yet, anyway.

Human interest stories

Thank goodness for the contestants' human interest stories and their audition pieces—the showstoppers as well as the excruciatingly bad ones, there are reasons to keep watching the show.

"AI" opened with a really good singer. David Leathers Jr. is 17 but he looks like a 12-year-old. David claims he won over 2011 "AI" champion Scott McCreery in a singing contest. He blew returning judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler away with his interpretation of "Remember the Rain" by Century 21. Because he reminded J Lo of a young Michael Jackson, she asked him to do an MJ number. He obliged with "Never Can Say Goodbye." The decision was unanimous. He was going to the next round in Hollywood.

The two-hour show ended with an even stronger number from Phillip Phillips who did an extraordinary a capella version of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" as required by the rules. Having impressed the judges, he was prevailed upon to do another number, this time, accompanying himself on his guitar. He sang Michael Jackson's "Thriller", prodding Jennifer to remark that he sounded like there was electricity going through his body. Of course, he passed and I have a strong feeling he will be one the 12 finalists.

Other interesting contestants

In between, there were other interesting contestants, some of whom didn't even move on to the next round. There was Shaun Kreisman who arrived in a limousine and looked and sounded very much like the host, Ryan Seacrest. He was not as impressive as a singer.

Amy Brumfeld caught the judge's attention because she and her boyfriend had pitched a tent in the forest. They couldn't afford to stay in a hotel. A West African native from Nashville, Tennessee, Mauwena Kodjo, looked and sounded confident but was a disappointment with his country number. There was a short feature on groupies, including a grandma who adored Tyler and got to hug and kiss him. Erica Nowak was the most forward member. She said Tyler was her future ex-husband and added that if it's allowed she would kiss his feet or anything else, for that matter. Then she got to hug the rock singer and went further by pinching his butt.

In all, the audition netted 42 contestants who will proceed to the Hollywood round. The judges seemed more relaxed than they were last year and Seacrest was his usual likeable self as "AI" host. J Lo had more things to say about the auditionees and was not afraid to say no to an aspirant. One decision that the judges that didn't sit well with me was one involving an employee of a federal prison who quit his job to join "AI" and had a pregnant girl friend. He didn't do that well and Tyler said no, but J Lo commented that he and his girl were expecting a baby. I believe talent and not personal circumstances should be the sole basis for judging.

"AI" now airs on ETC (RPN 9 on free TV and Channel 14 on Sky Cable) on Thursdays and Fridays via satellite at 6 pm. with a primetime replay at 9 p.m.