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By LeRae Haynes

The American Idol show sailed through auditions in Pittsburgh last night: a city where industry and history meet with a mighty metallic clang and where 38 more ‘hopefuls’ were selected for the next round. There seemed to be more background stories twined around the audition footage, with everything from coal dust, dad-in-dialysis and drug addition used to explain why this experience for these singers is often more than simply the desire to be the next Kris Allen or Scotty McCreery.

It is interesting, by the way, to note that these auditions were actually filmed last summer. And I still think the American Idol product placement police are asleep at the wheel: those Coke cups on the judges’ table could be just a little bigger and more strategically placed.

Travis Orlando inspired sympathy from the judges when he did his ‘all-or-nothing’ audition—a ‘return’ hopeful from last year. He is a 17-year-old, clean-cut high school drop-out who said that his mom left his dad, his dad is in dialysis and they got evicted from their home and moved into a shelter. He said he wants to show his mom that he is ‘worth something.’

The judges found his actual audition less than stellar. “You have a ways to go,” Randy told him, and “You’re going to keep growing,” added Jennifer, followed by the slightly confusing “You gotta jump out of your shell,” from Steven.

They all decided, though, that he deserved a second chance and bestowed on him the magic golden ticket.  

One of the things I’m finding highly interesting about this show is the clash between what appears to be the actual singing and auditioning and talent, and the contrived ‘glitz’ of  the TV entertainment industry. I’m one of those people who, seriously, cannot say ‘reality’ and ‘TV’ in the same sentence with a straight face.

It is, however, entertainment. And it’s apparently turned waitresses and wedding singers, college students and truck drivers into household names and opened doors for them in the music industry. It’s also sparked the imagination of millions of viewers, who are thrilled to watch enormous dreams come true for ordinary people.

Another highlight last night was Erica the ‘mobile DJ wedding singer,’ who got “I had a feeling when you walked in the room,” from Randy, a “This is how you do it,” from Steven and a “Your voice matches you,” from Jennifer, before they all happily sent her packing with a golden ticket.

Just because they run background footage of an auditioning singer, though, doesn’t necessarily mean an automatic ‘yes’ from the judges. A 19-year-old coal miner, filmed singing to crew mates 400 ft underground in hardhats, was told by the judges to “work on your voice and come back next year.”

Also, just because a unanimous ‘no’ sends a hopeful from the judges’ chamber to the sidewalk, doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she will sob, scream at the cameraman, or let loose a stream of profanity.

“I had to try,” Shane the coal miner told the judges as he shook the judges’ hands on his way out. “I had a dream and it slipped through my fingers,” he said to the crew outside. “I’ll be back. I’ll try again. This isn’t over.”

The final singer of the night was 24-year-old Halley whose journey to the American Idol included debt, addiction and attempted suicide—hitting rock bottom, she said, before the hope of succeeding on American Idol and meeting her husband turned her life around.

She knocked the judges’ socks off with a powerful, personalized version of ‘I Will Survive’ that left Steven wanting her to sing another tune. “I can see you up there: you have a gift,” Jennifer told her.

The crew’s experience in San Diego will air on Sunday night

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