The Judges
The eighth series of American Idol kicked off in the US last night with the infamous audition stages and some of the weirdest and most shocking auditions ever seen on the show…and of course, more memorable putdowns from the UK’s Mr Nasty Simon Cowell.
The first show saw changes to the format with the introduction of a fourth judge, singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi, who joined Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson – and Cowell - to preside over the thousands of wannabes that auditioned last year in the sweltering heat.
Paula Abdul commented on Simon Cowell: “He’s the bully brother! Sometimes we love each other, and sometimes I try to change seats. He’s annoying sometimes. I have to reel him in. Kara finally sees what it’s like for me – my own private hell.â€
Cowell unleashed his putdowns when a man dressed very much like Axl Rose came in, blew his audition and dropped his tears, with Cowell saying: "You're coming over as a drama queen. I don't think you've got star quality and I don't think you ever will."
Other putdowns in the first show included: “That was like something out of a horror movie.", "It's like a morning when the smoke alarm goes off.", "It's like you were in pain or something."
Highlights from the first show include bikini-clad Katrina Darnell, who was put through by Cowell after hearing just a few bars. The girl delivered a promise she made before she went in to audition – that she would ‘make out’ with host Ryan Seacrest if she was put through, which she promptly made true to Seacrest’s shock!
Other notable auditions included a talented blind 23-year-old named Scott MacIntyre who impressed with a song by Billy Joel, and a boy who taught himself how to sing in a closet – before he got sick when it got mouldy….
The show kicks off in the UK with a four hour season premiere over two days, kicking off on Thursday (15th January) at 8pm and 16th January at 9pm on ITV2. The series will continue every Thursday and Friday in the same slots on ITV2.