The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

MARIAH CAREY argued with Nicki Minaj. Nicki Minaj walked off set. Keith Urban took time out for fatherly duties. Randy was Randy.

That is a recap of how once again, the judges of this season’s American Idol made the episode all about them and not about the contestants.

Between the cities of Baton Rouge and Charlotte, North Carolina, American Idol viewers saw more tension between the new judges than anything else, during the Wednesday and Thursday auditions. Unemployed 19 year old American Idol hopeful Burnell Taylor was the last of over thirty contestants to come out in the Baton Rouge audition.

Telling his story, the judges learned he was a victim of Hurricane Katrina, one of the families that lost almost everything.

Quite amazed by his story, but more curious about his voice, Burnell quickly told them it was after Hurricane Katrina when he realised he knew how to sing.

Shortly after, he proved his words by singing “I’m Here,” from The Color Purple sound track. Giving his all, Burnell brought Mariah Carey to tears and judges Keith and Randy to their feet. Nicki told him: “That is what we came for. I feel like we have been flying all around this country for that. That thing that cannot be put in words. That gives everybody chills and goose bumps.”

A Bahamian fan wrote on Twitter:

“I got the chills watching that and it almost brought tears to my eyes. This is a young man who looks like he can’t hit a lick of a note, yet alone a whole song. He was great and I hope he makes it to the finals.”

Over in Charlotte, 20 year old contestant Summer Cunningham walked into a debate mix she did not sign up for.

Even though she sang “Lean on me,” and received all yes votes to go through to Hollywood, the critiquing between the judges in regards to her audition led to a huge argument.

It all started when Keith asked Summer about her music background. In her reply she said: “I did the country thing for a while.”

Keith being a Grammy award winning country singer, took some offense to her answer. He said: “That’s like saying I did the brain surgery thing. You’re either a brain surgeon or you’re not.”

Summer tried to explain herself by saying she wanted to add soul to her country flavour. Mariah and Randy then chimed in to say that she fits into more of a country category as if trying to persuade (some say force) her to believe that she should be a country singer and not a soul musician.

Nicki was obviously annoyed by this. It was clear from her rolling eyes. She was also fiddling with her hair while twirling side to side in her chair.

When it was time for her to give her yes vote, she finally said to Mariah and Randy that they are literally trying to scare contestants into lying about who they are and what direction they want to take. This led to everyone trying to talk over each other’s voices, right in the front of the contestant. I mean is this for real?

They all decided to send her through and Randy being Randy made a comment as she walked out, saying he is just trying to help her, referencing his years of experience in music.

Nicki responded: “Oh you’re right, I’m sorry, I can’t help her. Maybe I should just get off the f*g panel.” She then stormed off the set.

Bahamian fan, Ariel, said: “smt that was the silliest thing I have ever seen on TV, next to the VH1 shows. Like what is this? A music competition or a cat fight in the jungle. The girl was standing in the front of them looking like a lost sheep, and they were unprofessional.”

Tonight and tomorrow night American Idol returns to FOX Network, beginning at 8pm. Tune in for more drama.