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Sundance and "Jesus" throw down in Memphis

by Jon Peter Lewis, posted Jan 24th 2007 11:41AM

jon peter lewisSomething lit a fire under the folks in Memphis tonight. Maybe because the odds favor finding someone from the 16,000 who showed up, or maybe just because Jesus decided to audition too? Who knows, but there was some damn fine talent finally!

I actually really liked Jesus, Osama, or Sean (whatever he calls himself) and Sundance, who -- now that I think about it -- looks a lot like Satan. I wonder, though, aside from bringing heaven and hell together, what American Idol will be able to do for these guys once the show is over. I'm sad to say I don't know how much their individuality will matter to me once I've seen them in a Ford commercial or do one of those song-and-dance numbers. I'm trying to forget how many times I had to throw up my jazz hands.

There weren't as many characters here in Memphis as in the last couple cities, which is surprising considering the numbers. I got the feeling that the producers nudged most of the bad ones in that direction. Take Timika, for example. It wouldn't be hard to make someone look like a space case with the amount of footage they record. From the moment you arrive in line and the moment you audition for the celebrity judges a week later, you're practically sleeping with the cameraman. A little bit of editing combined with a bad audition and you're a bona fide weirdo.

This is the first season I've seen the judges (Simon) get up from behind the table for anything, let alone tell people to stop celebrating. In his defense, though, he was telling the losers to stop celebrating, which doesn't seem like an unreasonable thing to do. Still, there isn't a need to be a tool, so thumbs down on that one.

I think, for the most part, this has been the best episode yet. I like the bad auditions, but there's only so many times you can hear someone sing "Don't 'Cha" poorly or otherwise before you want to hear something nice. There was a lot of that tonight, thank heavens. Hallelujah, Memphis. Hallelujah.

[Jon Peter Lewis was a contestant on the third season of "American Idol." He has just released his debut album, "Stories From Hollywood." Visit his Web site, jonpeterlewis.com.]

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Sea1Shell1

He was born Jason Sundance Head. It is NOT a nickname. He goes and has always gone by his middle name. Lots of people go by their middle name..my sister, my dad, my grandmother, etc. I think it's a GREAT name! Everyone wants to be a "rock star" or whatever when they're in high school. That's nothing new. He has really gotten good at his singing skills as he has gotten older. I think he sounds FANTASTIC! I love the way that he seems to feel the music as he sings it. I've always loved entertainers who do that. He is a good person with a really good heart. I really believe that he will go far.

January 25 2007 at 1:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kat Okon

Oh... are you having AI flashbacks Jon? Jazz hands ah? Even with all your "Dead Sexy" and "yeah baby does that make you randy?! Grrr...", dancing JP, America still loved you.
I must say though, I'm surprised you didn't have anything to say on that "Back Round" singer because OH MY SWEET Look A Like Jesus Guy! That girl could sing. After tonight's show I really can not wait to hear what you have to say about New York. I am sooooo looking forward to it in fact.

January 24 2007 at 10:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
maryjane

Make us proud Memphians!


January 24 2007 at 9:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SeanMichel

You can join a myspace-Sean Michel (Jesus guy) fan group to show your support.

http://groups.myspace.com/seanmichel

January 24 2007 at 7:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mnm

Did anyone notice that Sundance was actually Jason "Sundance" Head? Soooooo, he's not named Sundance? It's a nickname? He named himself Sundance Head?

January 24 2007 at 5:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tammy

Kira, I got tickled by Miss Boobs too. I told my husband, you know you don't think you have a good singing voice if the song you choose to audition with is "Disco Inferno". I giggled at innocent but sexy too.

January 24 2007 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
william wozniak

sundance he blew alot of people away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a voice.

thee idol of "2007"

January 24 2007 at 1:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jackie

Another cleverly-worded review, JPL. You write very well - I'm glad to see your reviews here and look forward to the next one.

Your "jazz hands" comment made me snicker, but it also made me wonder about those folks who are "oh-so-serious" about their musical talents. Are they sellouts for going the AI route?

January 24 2007 at 12:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kira Richardson

I think the talent was definately better last night, but that could be just cause they actually showed the talent.

However, my favorite line of the nigth was when Miss Boobies (not sure what her real name is) said that she has a lot of "confidentiality" (aka confidence) and that she looks innocent but sexy. LOL! Still laughing over that one.

Another great review JPL!

January 24 2007 at 12:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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