The Genius is good stuff on American Idol

I’ve touted / discussed / maintained the opening rounds of American Idol are some of the most interesting and telling of the season. There’s a reason for that — because they are. And that’s especially true of the Hollywood Rounds. (Which, by the way, are held in Pasadena, not Hollywood as Seacrest continually notes. Go figger.)

It’s where some of the talents we’ve seen during the auditions really get to shine.

Or … where the hopefuls crash and burn. Sometime literally.

Drama, naturally, surrounded just about everyone … drama for the good of the some contestants, not so much for others.

But there were a few who really stood out. Few quite as much as Reed Grimm, however.

What in the world was this dude up to? With the revelation he could not sing a cappella during his solo, it seemed he either got real nervous or was just dicking around. Even the singing coach offering him assistance was mentally pulling her hair out at his lackadaisical attitude and flighty demeanor. Was it really jitters? He appeared on the verge of tears at one point. There was a momma’s boy-ness to him, too. Was it a “condition” manifesting itself? Or was he simply becoming unhinged at the unexpected change of his solo performance? The Idol musical director Michael Orland didn’t appear confident Grimm would be able to pull anything of substance out of his ass either. “He’s making me nervous,”  he said at one point.

But damn if the dude didn’t exude a weird sort of confidence, march right onto the stage toward the drum kit, sit down and pump out a terrific performance of Ray Charles’ “Georgia On My Mind” with conviction to the delight of everyone:

Here’s the thing: He may not have the best voice of the hopefuls, but the guy has confidence up the wazoo when he calls on it. And that’s the kind of stuff that will get you far on American Idol.

Sickness, fainting, doubt and more all made their way into the conscious of many of the performers.  But we got through Hollywood with some seventy some-odd hopefuls who are now on their way to Vegas for one last set of grueling performances before we finally get down to the business.

Notes:

• One of the best group performances I’ve seen on Idol over the years was “Group Sauce” containing Reed Grimm and Aaron Marcellus. They were a treat to behold.
• Ray Charles was popular for a few contestants during Hollywood Week. One such contestant, Jen Hirsch? She can sing at me any ‘ole time.

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Feb 16, 2012 @ 04:44 EST5EDT