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TO AUDITION FOR AMERICAN IDOL
what it's like
Every year, millions of people watch the American Idol auditions on TV, but last summer, 18-year-old Dallas native Shannon Murray experienced the process firsthand.
Murray auditioned in Dallas for the show's seventh season with about 12,000 other Idol hopefuls, and Murray says the experience is much different than it appears on television.
Before getting their shot at a stint on TV, contestants begin by auditioning in groups of six in one of 12 tents with two judges in each tent. Simon, Paula and Randy aren't anywhere to be found, and they actually don't come to town to film their segments until several months later.
Murray says another surprise was the amount of waiting time. Murray and her dad arrived at the stadium where the auditions were held at 3 a.m. the day before, and waited hours just to get a wristband, which would guarantee an audition spot the following day. Getting in to audition then required another long wait. You might be the next Kelly Clarkson, but you'll have to suffer long lines for your art.
Murray was cut in the very first round in Dallas, but to check out those whose suffering paid off, tune in to American Idol every Tuesday and Wednesday (and sometimes Thursday) at 7 p.m. on FOX.
Above: Aspiring *Ickers* gather in Dallas "Texas Stadium*. Below: Murray (later) during the audition process.
- Elise Stawarz
16 02.21.2008 VOL.5 ISS.21
Guy I! I hear when you drink it, your clothes come off.
Guy 2: When I drink it, nothing's left. All the bottle is gone.
Guy I! I've never taken a shot of straight gin. I don't even know what happens.
wescoe wit
**Girl:** To have a MySpace, don't you have to be a musician or something?
**Guy:** No, you just have to be a slut who wants to get some.
**Girl:** So tell me.
Girl 1: I don't know. Maybe 15 pounds each?
Girl 1: That much?
Chemistry professor: You guys wouldn't believe what chemists do to each other in the lab late at night.
Girl: So, like, a slutty musician?
Girl 1: How much do you think each boob weighs?
Girl 2: I don't know. Maybe not.
Girl 1: What are you doing tonight? Going out!
Girl 2: Eh, I don't know. I might.
Girl 1: You need to! Come get crazy with us for Lent!
Girl: I'll call you if I need a drunk driver; Wait... I will be drunk. You be sober.
interesting fact: Kermit the Frog performed his song "The Rainbow Connection" at the Academy Awards in 1980, where it was nominated for Best Original Song. -muppet.wikia.com
- Rebekah Scaperlanda
contact the writer:
gsouders@kansan.com,
rscaperlanda@kansan.com
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