American Idol in Omaha 1/30/08 

January 29, 2007

By Marcus

While Paula’s plane was circling over the cornfields, a tearful Chris with eyebrows darker than Groucho’s mustache scratched out “Since You Been Gone.” Although his bribes to the judges of stuffed doggies and photos did not earn him a gold ticket, it did win him a spot as a local announcer for the Hollywood grand finale.

Quiet farm boy Jason wanted to get out from behind the plow with “When You Say Nothing At All.” He stumbled not once but thrice. Simon, who must have taken some “be kind to the contestants” pills, encouraged Jason to relax and try one more time. And that was the charm for a gold ticket.

Paula finally arrived and we then met the arm wrestling queen, Rachel. Her over the top country wobble sufficiently impressed Randy and Paula to invite her to Hollywood. But if county is all that she can perform, Rachel will soon be back to the wrestling wars.

Power slamming Goth villain Sarah went nowhere with her attempt to sing something that was not memorable. Did I mention her raccoon eyes?

But shy Samantha’s “I Don’t Know Why” won her a ticket. She will need to build a lot of confidence to stay alive in Hollywood or she will be eaten for lunch.

Suddenly, flurries of gold tickets were handed out faster than popping corn. After another fight with her father, a very young 17 year old Angelica left home. She came to American Idol to prove to him that she was mature enough and confident enough to make her own way. And she did with “Power of Love.” Ryan called her dad to tell of his daughter’s success and dad assured Angelica that he loved her and wanted her to succeed. Sometimes, fathers and daughters need to find their own way before they can again walk hand in hand.

Bartender David is a self-proclaimed rocker who served a strong shot of “Living On A Prayer.” His vocal roughness was very appealing and we will see him in Hollywood.

But Johnny’s Liberace style sparkling gold jacket failed him a ticket as he tapped danced “Shout.”

From a small village of 200, the final contestant Leo dazzled the judges with “A Song For You.” He may be the finest talent discovered among the 18 gold ticket winners from Omaha.

Tomorrow we fly to Miami to see what talent awaits our judges and ourselves.

see also:

1/24/08 American Idol in Charleston

1/23/08 American Idol in San Diego