Episode Recap: American Idol - Season 6, Episode 4

Episode 4 - New York Original Air Date: January 24, 2007 New York City - A sleepy little backwater community somewhere on the American East Coast. In this episode the judges are joined by Carol Bayer Sager, "legendary" singer/songwriter. Her songs include: "Groovy Kind of Love", "That's What Friends Are For". The Contestants Ian Benardo. Ian has tried out for So You Think You Can Dance, and flopped terribly. But his spirit hasn't been deflated. He describes himself to the judges as a singer, dancer, and superstar. When Simon says he's not a superstar yet, Ian insists he is, and if Simon doesn't believe him, he can just ask Ian's 'friends, parents, and therapists' (he has two). He non-sings "Gloria" for the judges in a thick, New York accent. When Simon tells him he's no good, he insists on seeing Simon's work visa. He has to be escorted out by security. Sarah Burgess, 19, from Ohio. She lied to her parents, so they think she's at a friend's house in Ohio. Her father doesn't want her to be singer, and has told her he will not help her with school if she pursues it. She nails "Call Me". Simon says she's not the best singer, but she has a good voice, and she's a "tryer" and he likes her. All the judges love her and pass her through. Ryan makes her tearfully call her dad in front of the camera to deliver the news. It turns out her dad's not such a bad guy and is happy for her. Fania Tsakalakos. She has a strong Greek heritage, and has spent time in Greece. She said she was invited to tryout for the Greek version of Idol during her stay there. She didn't try out but did end up performing as a background dancer for their concert tour. She says when people associated with the tour heard her sing they told her she should've tried out for the show, because she "totally" would've won. Apparently, the Greeks have a different idea about what makes a good singer. Simon calls her performance of "Africa" by Toto "actually appalling". Ashanti Johnson. She's tried out for American Idol before and made it to Hollywood twice. She performs "Loving You" in her audition. None of the judges are impressed. But Carol suggests she tries out for Broadway. She pleads melodramatically for the judges to change their minds and gives an Oscar-worthy speech. Amanda and Antonella, best friends who apparently share one brain. They want to suggest that this year there be two American Idols. They hope to compete as a group. The judges ask them who is the better singer. Antonella says Amanda is trained and she is not. At first, they perform a duet together, but the judges do not like it. Amanda performs "Crazy", and doesn't do too badly. The judges pass her along, but say she needs improvement. Antonella performs after Amanda leaves the room and actually does better than her "trained" friend. All of the judges pass her through to Hollywood. Cliff Biddle. He comes in and screams a ZZTop song. The judges don't care for his performance and ask him to do another song. So he plays his harmonica for them. Paula and Randy likes the harmonica playing, but unfortunately, this is a singing contest. One contestant actually comes to the audition in an astronaut suit. Kia Thornton. Performs "Ain't No Way" by Aretha Franklin and wows Simon. She cries when Simon tells her he liked her performance. The judges unanymously pass her through, but tell her not to "oversing". The next day, the judges have to start without Simon, who has a "singing hangover". Randy is there, but he's wearing the same candy-striped, barbershop quartet shirt he wore yesterday. Jenry Bejarano, 16. All the judges love him and pass him through to Hollywood. Nakia Clairborne. She has enough energy to power 20 city blocks all by herself. She does a decent job with "Dancin' In the Streets", but the judges want to hear her sing a song where she can tone it down. She sings her second song way off-tune. She comes out of the room heart-broken, and all of her energy is gone. Sarah Goldberg. She performs a rendition of "Dreamin' of You" that surely has Selena rolling over in her grave, over and over and over again. Carol asks her if she really truly thinks she can sing. Sarah responds "No." "So why are you here?" they ask. "Even if I don't sing, I could be the next American Idol," she tells them tearfully, "because I've never sung before. You could teach me. I could practice.. I could be the only American Idol who's never sang before." This girl is nuttier than a pile of squirrel droppings. She screams to the camera as she leaves, "I'm friends with these people [other contestants] and Bill the security guy, because I have been here forever! And do you know what they told me? They told me that the American Idol judges went out drinking here in New York last night until 3am! That's rude!!" Simon rejoins the group around midday. Antonio Torres Jr., 47. He walks in dressed as Frank Sinatra and sings "New York, New York" just like Frank - if Frank were hoarse, and tone-deaf. Jory Steinberg. She's been all over the world and has met all kinds of royalty. She's so good she could sing for royalty. All the judges love her and send her through to Hollywood. Porcelana Patino. She's says she's been "militant" about getting ready for the audition. She's been getting up at 5am every morning to work out for the last year. She's lost 15 to 20 pounds for the audition. She's obviously been working on her voice too. She has a very unique sound that works. When the judges tell she's going to Hollywood, she's so happy she wants to hug them. Randy, Paula, and Carol all get up for a group hug. Of course, Simon's not a hugger. Christopher Henry. He looks like a lot like George Michael and kind of like Simon. In fact, Simon tells him he's "very good looking". But he sings like a girl. Simon tells him he should be singing "in a dress and stilletos". Paula and Simon get into it because Paula tries to give him some constructive advice not related to the competition, but Simon tells her to stop wasting time. Christopher doesn't make it. Rachel Zevita, 18, an opera singer. She's skipping school for this audition and says if the school finds out, she could lose her scholarship. She says she has to make it, because she has no plan B. She sings her first song in a genuine rock chick voice. Carol asks her to sing another song, which she does in a soft, feathery voice. Randy asks her to sing opera, which she does very well. She's incredible versatile. Simon asks her which kind of singer she wants to be. She says she wants to be herself, which is a singer, writer, rock star. All the judges vote her through. Christopher Richardson. He kills it. Simon says he's someone "who could possibly surprise us in the next round". He's going to Hollywood. Nicholas Pedro. Nick made it to Hollywood last season, but bowed out in the middle of group rounds. He sings "Fly Me to the Moon" and does ok. Carol and Paula thinks he's wonderful and all the judges vote to send him through to Hollywood. Isadora Furman. She's a clairvoyant by profession and reads Ryan's palm. She's also a street performer. Her first name is Julie, but she hates that name. So Ryan keeps calling her Julie. She sings "Lady Marmalade", but I can only recognize it from the lyrics. It's hard to tell if she's performing or having a seizure. When Simon calls her performance "fantastically terrible", she says "Whatever. You guys only choose pop singers." Randy and Paula point out Chris Daughtry from last season, but Simon says, "I don't think rational advice is necessary right now." Next week - Birmingham.