American Idol

Will one of these American Idol wannabes from the San Diego auditions walk away the winner later this season?

We’re back. Tonight it’s San Diego where Randy Jackson is just waiting to yell, “You’re going to Hollywood!” Let’s get it started.

7 p.m.
“It was a total Idol invasion,” Ryan Seacrest said. More than 12,000 hopefuls were waiting by 9 a.m.

First up is Tetiana Ostapowych (the names this season, I mean, c’mon). Tetiana sings a confident, if nothing else, rendition of Someone to Watch Over Me. She’s a little like the independent singers of today — her voice is a bit unique and she has the looks to sell some records. Is she good enough?

“I don’t think you’re as good as you think you are,” Simon said.

Still, it’s three “yes” votes. And Tetiana is off to Hollywood.

Single dad Perrie Cataldo, 27, is the next in the room. His daughter listens through the door as he sings Boyz II Men’s I’ll Make Love to You. His heartbreaking story is what makes this show popular, and his voice certainly could keep him in the competition among the other men through thus far …

“Dude, yes, you’re on,” Randy said. And Simon and Paula agree.

7:11 p.m.
Michael Johns is first up after the commercial break. He has the looks, a strong voice — a little rock, not quite Daughtry, but still a good singer.

“A hundred, million percent yes,” Randy said. And it’s through to Hollywood. But … the bad singers are just around the corner.

That corner, as it turns out, is less than 10 seconds away. Bad audition after bad audition, there’s nothing good about the people coming through the doors. Then there’s Valerie Reyes, who thinks she’s Mariah Carey. I can’t figure out why people think they can sing like the world’s megastars. It’s just sad.

“Oh. My. God,” Simon said.

“I hope that’s good and not bad,” Valerie said.

“Yeah, it’s not,” Simon replied.

Now, I must take a few moments to talk about Randy Jackson’s unfortunate facial hair. I’ve let this go far too long. Randy, I’m not sure who’s giving you style advice, but the facial hair makes me think you’re about to star in a 1970s throwback film. But I’ll stop judging and leave that to you. It’s just a little difficult at the moment.

7:20 p.m.
There’s a mime. On TV. Are you watching this?

And a crawfish costume? Or was that a lobster? Wowza!

Now there’s someone trying to sing Whitney Houston. It’s Monique Gibson, and guess what? Yeah, she can’t sing like Whitney Houston. So she tries Mariah Carey. Then Brandy. I’m not sure she could sing Mary Had a Little Lamb in a kindergarten choir.

Next up is Christopher Baker, who’s creepily screaming and reaching for notes that don’t exist. Clearly he and Monique were a support system for one another, and they didn’t ask for outside help. From people who can sing, you know?

“Why are you staring at me when you sing?” Simon asked. “… There’s not a single person on planet Earth who would pay to hear you sing.”

So, he continues.

“Out of tune,” Randy said. “Out of tune.”

“Out of tune,” Paula adds. And he just keeps singing.

The last contestant of the day, a Mikalah Gordon look-alike (sort of), is Samantha Musa. She chooses to sing an Aretha Franklin tune while her sister shares a seat with Simon.

Samantha is really good, actually. She doesn’t sound like Mikalah Gordon, but she certainly has promise this season. And it’s off to Hollywood for Samantha. So, the end of San Diego’s first day wraps on a good note.

DAY 2: 7:34 p.m.
Blake Boshnack has auditioned in 10 cities or so, and he still hasn’t been able to get through. But his mom, Leslie, always is by his side. So, Stand By Me was the obvious choice this time around. Will there be another try?

“We’re fine,” his mom said.

“There’s always next year,” Ryan said.

After another hour of dreadful auditions and broken hearts, contestant 8000 walks into the room. It’s a very free-spirited man who has dreamed of this moment. It’s Alberto Hurtado, who performs an original song, Live.

“It was so quiet and soft, I could barely hear you,” Randy said. Well, I could hear Alberto. And it was as bad as you would imagine.

Fortunately for us, it was a “no.”

7:47 p.m.
Remember Anthony Federov? He almost lost his chance to sing due to problems with his voice. Well, it’s a similar story for 16-year-old David Archuleta, who suffered from injured vocal chords a couple of years ago. Now he’s singing on Waiting on the World to Change and hoping to impress the judges.

“I actually think, man, all things considered, you sounded pretty good,” Randy said.

“You have a nice tone,” Paula added.

“I thought it was a great choice for a song,” Simon said.

So, it’s three “yes” votes and, “Welcome to Hollywood!” from Randy.

I’m not sure how far David will make it this season, but he definitely has the story. And the looks. And the age — there are few young teens going to Hollywood thus far this season.

7:55 p.m.
There’s one contestant left to see. It’s tattoo artist Carly Smithson, who auditioned in Las Vegas and made it through during Season 5. She later was disqualified because she didn’t have her U.S. citizenship in time.

So, does she still have it?

Um, yes. The answer is 100-percent yes. In fact, I say Carly is the one to watch. Not just from tonight, but she’s also the one to watch based on the previous Season 7 auditions.

“That wasn’t as good as two years ago,” Simon said. Still, he said “yes.”

“Carly, you’re brilliant,” Paula said.

In all, 31 people made it through from the San Diego auditions. That’s 84 people so far this season.

American Idol, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson