PUBLIC MARKS from vacelts with tag "american idol"

Wednesday night American Idol closed the 7th season auditions with one more look at the good, the bad and the ugly. At first, I was dreading yet one more night of auditions. But then I started thinking about what kind of changes would entice me to tune back in next season. Here's my Top 9 Ways to Improve American Idol auditions.

Much to my relief, we’ve finally reached the last of the American Idol audition cities. While the parade of misfits (at least concerning the auditions aired) seems to have waned, the talent hasn’t? Golden tickets were issued to 20 hopefuls, but is one of them a real contender for the crown?

Already on a ratings high during the writers strike with its schedule of reality TV programs, Fox spared no expense to promote itself during the Super Bowl.

In Miami tonight, the American Idol auditions were all about the ladies. In fact, we saw the auditions of seven lucky ladies end with a golden ticket.

We still have two cities of auditions to go before we even get to Hollywood, but it appears that the identities of the Top 24 contenders for American Idol Season 7 have already been leaked.

For years I’ve heard that you’ve got to watch the audition phase of American Idol, that it was the best part of the show. Either I’ve been misled or Idol is losing its touch.

More than 10,000 hopefuls turned up in the city voted friendliest in America to audition for American Idol. But even that title couldn’t help Charleston send more than 23 contestants on to Hollywood.

Maybe it’s because we started the show tonight on a high note with the first three contestants all getting golden tickets or maybe it was a result of the sunny weather, but Simon seemed to really enjoy the American Idol San Diego auditions.

American Idol headed to its second audition city Wednesday night. Dallas might have found Idol its first star seven years ago, but the pickings were pretty slim this time around.

I watched American Idol for the very first time last year. I didn’t start watching until it was down to the final 24. So tonight was my first glimpse at the auditions. I had no idea what I was in for. Tonight had to be two of the most painful hours of television I’ve ever watched. I’m not saying that there weren’t some talented people that showed up for auditions in Philadelphia. There were several in fact and I’m looking forward to watching them in Hollywood. But it’s going to be a long road to Hollywood.

After 100,000 auditions in seven cities, 49 hours of television, 609 million votes and two hours of fluff, America finally learned that the 17-year-old from Glendale, Arizona with the golden voice is the 2007 American Idol. Jordin Sparks now takes her place among the elite known as Idols.

Going into the first half of the American Idol season finale, I thought the finale was going to be like comparing apples and oranges. Songstress Jordin Sparks has the vocals while beatboxing Blake Lewis has won the crowd over with performances. However, Jordin, as Simon Cowell put it, wiped the floor with Blake with the final song and, unless the voters are deaf, dumb and blind, sealed her victory.

Simon Cowell was visibly disappointed when results of the semifinals were announced on American Idol Wednesday. Melinda Doolittle, the most consistent and versatile contestant this season, has been sent home.

The competition remains close as the Top 3 head into the final weeks of American Idol. Although all three put in outstanding performances Tuesday night, I think Melinda Doolittle edged out her fellow contenders slightly with her versatility and consistency. Down to just three finalists, American Idol altered the format of Tuesday’s competition slightly. Each competitor sang three songs this week — a song selected for them by one of the judges, a song picked by the producers and finally, a song of their choice. This variation offered an interesting twist to Week 11.

After Wednesday, American Idol is down to the final three contestants. The Bee Gees and Disco night weren’t kind to most of the contestants, but LaKisha Jones’ rendition of “Staying Alive” wasn’t enough to keep her alive in the competition. She now heads home.

Tuesday night was Disco night on American Idol and guest mentor, Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees, showed the final four contestants how to dust off their disco ball and get down with it.

On Wednesday American Idol say goodbye to two of the male contenders. Phil Stacy and Chris Richardson performed their final encore as American Idol contestants.

Tonight’s theme is Bon Jovi songs and Jon Bon Jovi is on hand to mentor the contestants. One of my favorite genres, tonight’s American Idol really seemed to cause difficulty for some of the contestants. Where is former contestant and rocker Gina Glocksen when you need her? Unfortunately, her only appearance was in the studio audience.

What can I say about Jordan's performance Tuesday night, but wow! She really did bring down the house with her rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone." And at the end of Wednesday's "Idol Gives Back" two-hour special all six contestants are safe.

Following up country night, tonight’s American Idol’s result show was full of surprises. Not only did Fergie joined Martina McBride as guest performers for the hour-long show, but Blake Lewis, LaKisha Jones and Sanjaya Malakar showed up in the bottom three. But the best surprise of all was that Sanjaya’s run on American Idol is finally over. Now let the real competition begin.

Tonight, I will remember Phil Stacy’s name. It’s country night on American Idol and Stacey has found his niche. His rendition of “Where the Blacktop Ends” finally showcased his vocal talent and his performance skills. Not only was Stacey entertaining, but he really looked like he was truly enjoying himself. Apparently, country music is Stacy’s genre.

Melinda Doolittle continues to be the reason why I watch American Idol. If she doesn't win, I will be sorely disappointed. Melinda personifies a true performer. She not only has great vocals, but she understands and interprets the song. You feel the meaning when you hear her sing.

Although I hated to see Gina Glocksen go tonight (you know who I thought should say goodbye), my biggest disappointed was that I didn’t get to hear Tony Bennett sing!

Instead of creating a singing sensation, American Idol voters have created an arrogant brat in Sanjaya Malakar.

Here's a show with 11 talented singers that spend every week trying to improve their vocal quality, strengthen their performance presence and impress America with their passion for singing. Malakar, on the other hand, spends his time coming up with the weirdest hairdos.