American Idol gears up for ninth season

Posted By Andra Holbrooks on Jan 26, 2010

Couch potato or not, the beginning of season nine of American Idol has reality TV fanatics across campus in a frenzy.

In the premiere of this latest season, guest star Victoria Beckham joined with the series trio Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara Dio-Guardi at Idol’s first stop in Boston, Mass.

Contenders on the show are after a golden ticket to Hollywood. Whether performers can hold musical notes or not, enthusiasts watch the show because Idol keeps them entertained.

“Pat Ford is the funniest, worst contestant so far,” said senior sports management major Doak Fleming. “He kept saying ‘holla’ and it just seemed like a joke.”

But the laughs don’t end at the hollering 17-year-old boy singing Britney Spears’ hit “Womanizer.”

In Atlanta, Ga., 62-year-old Larry Platt entertained viewers, judges and R&B star Mary J. Blige by singing one of his own songs titled “Pants on the Ground.”

Freshman sociology major Taylor Holleyman heard about the “Pants” song
through one of his friends, so he searched YouTube to see for himself. The video site keeps Idol amusement going with Platt’s clip, which has over a million hits.

“He was a very interesting man,” Holleyman said. “A little bit scattered, though, and talked pretty fast.”

The different auditions are what draw people to watch the show. Throughout evening episodes, Idol focuses on specific contestants to give
the fans some insight into their lives.

“I do like the cool stories,” said junior elementary education major Brianna Maciel, “especially the one about the 16-year-old girl who has the mentally disabled siblings.”

Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have been on the show since the first episode.

Cowell is known for his frank comments, while Jackson is more of an encourager.

“I’m always surprised with whom Simon likes,” Maciel said. “Sometimes I agree with him, and other times I wonder why he chose that person.”

Judges will continue to keep viewers guessing until Idol goes to Hollywood.

With only three more auditions left, stay tuned, as Ryan Seacrest says, “To see who will become the next American Idol.”