Author: Michele Amabile Angermiller

Michael Becker/FOX

Quentin Alexander

It was a homecoming night for Harry Connick Jr. in New Orleans, and the affable American Idol judge admitted to being a little nervous about whether or not the hometown crowd would bring the talent.

After Wednesday night’s  debacle in Minneapolis, viewers were hoping to find singers to root for, as well. Connick promised that New Orleans was brimming with “potential superstars,” but for a minute it felt like New Orleans had discovered a new crop of William Hungs, beginning with yet another ludicrous version of a Michael Jackson song and a montage of bad singers.

Inexplicably, the panel sent perky Texas drill team teenager Tiffany Stringer to Hollywood after sort of singing Cher Lloyd’s “Want You Back.” Stringer’s “yes” was questionable, considering the panel later summarily rejected 28-year old torch song singer Sarah Quintana, who had great vocals and was aided by Connick on piano. 

Read more ‘American Idol’: Talent Fizzles in Minneapolis

Thursday night’s  auditions, shortened to an hour from last week, had its share of light moments and shades of the Idol viewers know and love. Even the old bit about potential contestants getting confused exiting the room resurfaced (in a cute touch, Jennifer Lopez made her very own exit sign, but initially put it on the wrong door). Connick was especially charming, giving viewers a tour of the Ninth Ward and the homes he and Branford Marsalis constructed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

What New Orleans did deliver was potential songwriters. There was Mikey Duran, who went to the same high school as Connick and was super proud of his 2. 8 GPA (that’s a high “C”). Connick said he had a 0.8 average. Duran’s intelligence is in his songwriting, and his original song earned major praise from Keith Urban, who took the time to focus on the lyrics. If Duran doesn’t make it in Hollywood, expect to see his name in some song credits in the future. Greyson Turner, who auditioned in flip flops a la Phillip Phillips, also earned a trip to Los Angeles with his original song “Chasing Shadows.”

Read more TV Pilots 2015: The Complete Guide

There were great singers and fun characters to choose from—Jelly Joseph rocked some Adele, Nalini Quintello did a nice acoustic version of “Counting Stars,”  big voiced Erica Washington’s  showed range on Beyonce’s “Halo,” and drag queen Dakota Suarez brought the sass. Who else stood out?

Quentin Alexander: The New Orleans native’s silky smooth audition of “Royals” by Lorde was unique enough to get him a golden ticket. He’s a diamond in the rough, for sure, but let’s see if Hollywood will make him shine like a star.

Adam Lasher: He has a great musical pedigree, being the nephew Carlos Santana. He’s an impressive musician as well, playing guitar despite a broken thumb. His vocals are soulful and lush, and he’s a captivating performer and tight songwriter.

Ricky Dale Hendricks: He’s unpolished, but brought great energy to Garth Brooks’ “The Thunder Rolls.” He’s young and cute, too. Urban rightly told him to “rein in and focus,” but he has potential. 

Twitter: @MicheleAmabile, @Idol_Worship

Michael Becker/FOX

American Idol may have spoiled viewers last Thursday. 

Not only did fans have Adam Lambert sitting in at the judge’s table,  but the talent was so amazing that if the live shows began next week there would be a serious competition.

So what happened in Minnesota-a state that gave us Prince, The Replacements and Brenda and Brandon Walsh? While there were a few contenders that certainly deserve a go at the top 24, the talent pool didn’t feel as deep as it did in New York last week.

Read more ‘American Idol’ Considering Cross-Promotion With ‘Empire’

Case in point—Zach Johnson—a guy who came into the audition room who sang with a twang but didn’t speak with one—looked like he just woke up.  Sure, he got a ticket and a golden opportunity to join ever-so-gracious judge Keith Urban on stage at a concert two weeks later, but if he doesn’t care how he presents himself, why should viewers? Another guy came in wearing a bear suit. Yikes.

The Minneapolis auditions had its fair share of hijinx complements of Harry Connick Jr., who amped up the jokes and goofiness while sneaking in stinging critiques with a smile. Perhaps the best Connick moment came early in the episode when he offered his impression of a 14-year old girl trying to give a back handed complement after joke auditioner Kamil Casey ruined Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” aided by a gold microphone.

Read more TV Pilots 2015: The Complete Guide                

Later on, Jennifer Lopez became the “butt” of the joke when overzealous singer Vanessa Andrea complemented her most famous asset. Truth be told, Andrea was not a bad singer at all. Her take on “Some Kind of Wonderful” had a nice, country rock feel to it, but her fan girling of the panel (particularly Urban) made it hard to take her seriously. Hopefully she will tone that down in Hollywood.

Here’s hoping that Connick’s hometown of New Orleans produces some potential winners, because last night’s crop included a guy that plays Jerry Lee Lewis In Vegas, and auditioned as if he were trying out for that show and not Idol (bonus points to Connick for calling him out on that one) and a girl that got a ticket because she killed a bear. Seriously.

So who stood out?

Shannon Berthiaume: Despite never having sung in front of  people before, the 17-year old singer delivered a gut-wrenching version of The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” and sang it like she means it. It will be interesting to see how she develops when she gets in front of an audience for real.

Hannah Mozrak: She’s only 16, but Mozrak has an old soul, and gave a believable rendition of Etta James’ “Something’s Got A Hold On Me.”

Mark Andrew: You’ve seen him before on The Voice, but it seems like he has been busy with his landscaping business and being a first time father. His choice of “Soulshine” by the Allman Brothers was soulful and strong, but his second selection from The Jungle Book prompted the cutest Connick response of the night that he wanted to critique him “on the beat.” Andrew has a lot of potential, and hopefully will go further than he did in the Battle Rounds.

Twitter: @MicheleAmabile, @Idol_Worship

Michael Becker/FOX

I have seen the future of American Idol-and her name is Jax.

The 18-year old East Brunswick, New Jersey singer is exactly the kind of artist the Fox competition needs. The second she sat at the piano and delivered a compelling, intricate version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles, it almost felt like we were watching her winning journey begin.

And how fitting that one of this season’s best moments thus far was performed for one of most celebrated artists of the show’s past- a man she voted for- Adam Lambert.

“I was drawn in immediately,” he said. “You have the thing.”

That said: it is too early be calling a winner, and the New York auditions were loaded with talent.

Read more Adam Lambert Signs With Warner Bros.; Max Martin, Shellback Producing New Album

Lambert – subbing for a grieving Keith Urban – was a revelation making history as the first contestant to sit behind the judge table.. Lambert was tough-turning people down for being “cookie cutter” or not having the “wow” factor. He brought his wealth of experience as a performer and a former contestant, calming nerves, offering advice and questioning if early favorites like jazzy model Shi Scott are ready for the rigors of Idol.

“This competition puts you through the ringer, and it takes a strong, polished performer to pull it off,” he told one hopeful.

As if to demonstrate, Harry Connick Jr. coaxed Lambert into recreating his own audition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, and even though he has grown since that first time Paula Abdul told him he was a “good singer,” Lambert’s presence serves as a reminder that viewers can sense greatness from the very first note – like Jax.

 And score one for Lambert: he had Chris Sligh lookalike Adam Ezegalian do another song to show he is more than a growler. And Katherine Winston was stellar-although her audition was the backdrop of rejected contestants.

And there was a heartwarming finale with Hollywood Anderson who went straight from Covenant House to Hollywood with an original song and a dream. To echo Jennifer Lopez: it’s sad that Urban missed it. But he’ll be back next week.

Read more ‘American Idol’: Banjos, Accordions and “Big Sexy” Rock Kansas City

Here are three more auditions that stood out:

Quaasim Middleton: Yeah, they completely glossed over that he was on Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band show, but his audition  and smooth moves with Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke”  was a strong indicator of things to come.

Travis Finlay: Whenever a guy does a song by a girl singer, my ears perk up, and Finlays’ “Stay” by Rihanna was the stuff top 10 contestants are made of. “You’re the type of person this show is made for,” Lambert said. Agreed.

Nick Fradiani: His girlfriend, Yanni, didn’t impress with her “Cup” song, but Fradiani has got the WGWG thing down with Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” Even though Connick said that “genre” is competitive, Fradiani is cute, charismatic, and definitely could be a player.

Watch Jax below:

Twitter: @MicheleAmabile @Idol_Worship