American Idol ~ Season 7 ~ Episode 5 - January 29, 2008
By Mary Cavaliere

Wednesday night’s episode took place in Omaha, Nebraska. The show started out without Paula, and when she did arrive there appeared to be no explanation as to why she was so late. To me, even after she arrived, she seemed not totally present. She looked tired, worn out, bored, and even possibly under the influence. I’m not here to judge Paula. Goodness knows the media has done a number on her spirit already. But even Ryan Seacrest made a wisecrack when he stood in for her for a few minutes about being overpaid for doing no work. I do think the judges work hard. I’m not sure I could sit there and listen to 10,000 off-key singers day after day. But then again, for a few million……….I think I could suck it up!

I loved the little spoof they did on “You Forgot The Lyrics”. It at least offered some laughter for the evening, because goodness knows there wasn’t much else to smile about. I will be so glad when this phase of the competition is over and we get to the meaty part…..Hollywood and beyond.

One of my favorites for the night was Angelica Puente from Kenosha, Wisconsin. She is a 17-year old that left home due to irreconcilable differences with her Dad. So it was heart-warming to see Ryan Seacrest call him personally to tell him the good news that Angelica made it through. Angelica’s Dad told Ryan that she was always HIS American Idol. Awwww….

I also enjoyed David Cook from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yes, he is a rocker, but I think he is going to prove to be like Chris Daughtry who was one of my all-time favorites on Idol. Although David prefers to sing rock, he has the voice to be able to handle other genres as well.

The strangest of the night, however, was Johnny Escamilla from Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Hey, he even said it himself that he was “probably one of the weirdest guys you’ll ever meet”. I have to agree with him wholeheartedly. He compared himself to James Brown. You know, JAMES BROWN, the King of Soul??? Jeez, where do these people get these ideas about themselves?

The high-light of this episode was the very last contestant, Leo Marlo from Charlotte, Iowa. He told the judges that his Mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen…..too bad it wasn’t one of her daughters! I really didn’t see him as a queen in the way he was referring. Besides being talented, I saw him as gentle, kind, honest, and absolutely loveable. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this guy in Hollywood!

You can read more of Mary’s television blogs at www.myspace.com/italiangirl57

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