Welcome to the first in a series of articles I like to call "Do You Remember?". In these pieces, I reminisce on specific videos, segments, clips, shorts, etc. that still stand out in some way for me today. In the case of the subject today, we're looking at the audition of one Renaldo Lapuz to compete in the reality TV show, "American Idol". Now before I go any further, allow me to be perfectly blunt. I was never a fan of this show. I only watched some episodes to keep the rest of my family company after a hard day's work back in my teenage years.
Once you get your money's worth out of the intentionally bad auditions starting out, the show loses its appeal and goes into painfully predictable territory. Basically, when the singers get good, the show becomes quite boring. And with the original three to four hosts all moving on from the show, there's no reason for me to watch new episodes of "American Idol" anytime soon. Once in a while however, you do receive a little surprise here and there to mix up the show's cookie cutter formula.
One such surprise is this wacky audition for the titular gentleman in question. Renaldo was brought up in Reno, Nevada, which isn't that far away from Las Vegas. He speaks basic English okay, but it wouldn't be surprising if that wasn't his primary language. He dresses like a pimp, complete with a fluffy hat bearing Simon's name. As you start watching the segment provided below, you can already tell this is going to be an interesting interaction in store for Renaldo and all of the judges.
Usually, it's fairly clear when the judges love, hate or downright disagree on various contestants auditioning for a spot in the competition. With Renaldo on the other hand, things get far more uncertain and surreal to say the least. Shockingly, this is actually all good as we witness the judges let loose and show off a side of themselves that we otherwise wouldn't see. It's another way of saying that I've never witnessed such a hilariously strange reaction from any of the judges in a competition show like what is shown here.
Randy Jackson particularly is in a whole other universe throughout this audition. Why he's in this semi-wacky state of mind is anyone's guess. Either way, he's having a blast albeit not exactly for the reason Renaldo intended. As a singer, it's clear he has rough spots, but he's entertaining and having a good time living in the moment. And what a moment. Randy and Paula Abdul eventually get out of their judge's seats to join Renaldo in his performance. Now how often can you say that happened with your 15 minutes of fame? Very rarely.
As for Simon Cowell, he isn't phased in the slightest by the ensuing chaos. That's what makes this audition all the more funnier. He's getting a few laughs over his colleagues and their ensuing madness. He recognizes the repetitiveness of the original song Renaldo wrote, but he's still classy and polite about it. Same goes for Renaldo. Even though he was rejected to take part in the competition, Renaldo remained a good sport over the outcome and retains his high regard and respect for Simon.
There is a happy ending to Renaldo's story in an appropriately non-linear fashion. He gets to sing his original song "We're Brothers Forever" one more time at the finale of this specific season. After Renaldo concludes his song in the audition, Simon predicts that the song will become a hit record against all odds. What's hilarious about this again is that they themselves unintentionally played a hand in Renaldo's success and helping him get this far. Goes to show you what a little weird publicity can do to a person's life.
I have a similar feeling myself, Simon. Just as you predicted that Renaldo's song would see unintentional success, I believe this story will serve as future inspiration for me on a film script. Not an adaptation of this story however, but an original narrative with enough similarities with what happens here that the inspiration will become clear. So even if you're not a fan of the show like me, consider this an example of highlighting meaning in the phrase: "there's always an exception to the rule".
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