At the top of Wednesday night's Dallas-themed "American Idol" audition episode, guest judge Neil Patrick Harris told Kara DioGuardi that his goal was simple. "If I can make two, three dozen people cry, I feel like I've done my job."
Mission accomplished!
There were lots of tears in Dallas, all mercifully packaged into one quick "bad singers rejected" montage. In fact, out of the ten extended auditions shown Wednesday night, a whopping seven of them featured contestants who advanced to the next round. (Is that a record?) Perhaps that's why this episode was an especially enjoyable one! (Or maybe the joy came from knowing that the end is in sight for these frustrating audition episodes. Yep, I think that might be it.)
As Katy Perry proved on Tuesday night, a guest judge's performance can easily become the real reason to tune in. Neil Patrick Harris was quick-witted and charming. (He critiqued a contestant's sign for not leaving enough space for her last name. That is hilar ... wait for it … ious.) But he also avoided the usual condescension that comes with the judge's panel, particularly around contestants with medical issues. (See NPH's straightforward, "I think you’re crazy brave" reaction to Dave Pittman, the white boy with soul who can suppress his Tourette's syndrome when he sings. Yep, that really happened.)
This episode will most be remembered for dominatrix Erica Rhodes, the former child star who escaped the clutches of the Purple One (Barney the Dinosaur, not Prince). She has given up her plushie ways and is now into sadomasochism! Although, upon further reflection, the children on "Barney and Friends" did scream commands at the viewers a lot. "Dance! Sing! Paddy whack! Do it now!" I will never think of that show the same way, especially after Randy asked Erica to sing the "I Love You" song while dressed like an extra from "Exit to Eden."
Unfortunately, Erica's singing wasn't very good. (In her defense, she cited Janet Jackson as a role model. You can't learn to walk from Stephen Hawking.) I suppose Erica's "Free Your Mind" was on pitch, but it still had an unpleasant, screechy quality that made me wish her getup came with a ball gag. Yet she made it through to Hollywood, mostly due to Simon praising her for "making an effort." Oh, Simon. 99 percent of the time you hate shtick, but because this girl is in space boots, fishnets and a bullwhip, you're all for it?
At the very least, Erica proved that you don't have to be a cancer survivor in order to have an interesting "Idol" hook. (No offense to token sob story Christian Spear or her family, who no doubt watched tonight's show while wearing homemade Christian Spear Snuggies.) Erica's unique story (and charming personality) made for awesome television.
Speaking of charming, I defy anyone who claims they didn't fall madly in love with airline dockworker (and "homegrown homeboy") Lloyd "Big Successy" Thomas, whose sunny personality and plus-sized appearance made me want to leap into my TV screen and give the dude a high five and a massive squeeze. Lloyd's attitude: Amazing. Lloyd's voice: Fair to middling. (He also took some liberties with the lyrics of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed." Tsk tsk.) Even still, Lloyd got a ringing endorsement from the panel. "A billion percent yes," Randy yelped, to which Lloyd questioned, "A billion?" Yep, Lloyd. Randy makes up mathematically troubling percentages. He also makes up ridiculous theories about contestants' careers once they leave the show, so be prepared for that too, should you make it all the way to the Kodak Theater. (You won't.)
There was a fantastic convergence of bright personality and massive talent in Todrick Hall, a theater geek who starred alongside Fantasia in "The Color Purple" before stealing the show on "Idol" Wednesday. Read More...
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