The Season 7 tour’s still on the move, we’ve just begun to forget that David Cook guy and record-label ejections have yet to begin, but a new season of "American Idol" is already under way.
For those of us looking to feed our post-"Idol" hangover, Season 8 auditions begin Thursday. First stop is San Francisco’s Cow Palace — an appropriate location, considering the process of driving potential pop stars to fame is reminiscent of driving a herd of cattle to the butcher.
Only this herd sings … all the time … everywhere. For anyone auditioning, there’s a plethora of places to find "Idol" "do's" and "don’ts" on how to get past the judges. Here’s my little tip on how to get past the weekend: ear plugs. You’ll thank me.
• Click here to see a preview of the auditions.
For those who don’t live in the Bay Area and don’t have a horse, wedding ring or small child they can sell to get there, fear not. The "Idol" train continues the search for America’s most marketable minion July 21 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky.; July 25, at the Jobing.com Arena in Phoenix; July 29 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City; Aug. 2 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan; Aug. 8 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo.; Aug. 13 at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Aug. 19 at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
According to the "American Idol" Web site, “men and women 16-28 years old as of July 15, 2008, who are eligible to work” are welcome to audition. And as past auditions show, freaks, mutants and criminals of all ages are also encouraged to come get some camera time and supply us with cringe-worthy entertainment.
That said, the William Hungs of the world might find it difficult to get into the spotlight this year, as the show reportedly will be showing fewer audition episodes in the coming season. That poses an interesting challenge to all those determined (or deranged) dreamers who normally trek to all eight cities in hopes of upping their chances at stardom.
But whether you’re belting in one city or eight, those trying out have only about 45 seconds per audition to wow the judges. Use your time wisely, because even if you make it, as past "Idols" can relay, it won’t be long until they’re on to the next.
For more information on the auditions, go to americanidol.com.
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