American Idol never fails to deliver!

January 13, 11:11 PMRock Music ExaminerSteven Douglas Losey

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The bikini laden Katrina Darrell auditions for Idol and moves on to Hollywood. (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker)

 

 Once again the 2009 season opener of American Idol had a little to offer everyone. There were bikinis, Afros, cowgirls, nerds and the occasional golden ticket winner moving along to Hollywood. New judge Kara DioGuardi added a feisty touch to the panel, even belting out a killer version of Mariah Carey's 'Vision of Love' just to prove that bikini laden contestant Katrina Darrell couldn't actually sing the song. Well guess what? Both Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell agreed that Darrell should move along to Hollywood while Abdul and DioGuardi vehemently opposed.

Some of the openers goodbye moments included the over sized afro wielding Tuan Nguyen covering Micheal Jackson's 'The Way You Make Me Feel" or the heartfelt tears that rocker Randy Madden seemed to shed with his bandanna's, tattoos, and rocker swag. On the Hollywood side oil rigger Michael Sarver seems like a top five candidate with vocal chops and sincerity. Sixteen year old Stevie Wright sailed through Etta James' "At Last' and really awed the judges with that mature vocal performance. Lastly, was blind vocalist Scott MacIntyre. Although MacIntyre is an accomplished pianist his voice served as a poignant instrument, moving him to Hollywood as well.

 Overall the season opener had less silliness in years past, not to say it didn't have it's moments they just weren't as frequent. The silliest of the night came courtesy of Ryan Seacrest. After MacIntyre received his golden ticket Seacrest attempted to high five a blind man, smooth Ryan, real smooth!