Seattle's "Idol" talent? "Astoundingly awful"

They weren't too cheered about the talent, but the "American Idol" judges (with host Ryan Seacrest) Monday found ample ways to amuse themselves with quips about Seattle.

"I think it must be something in the rainwater," offered Randy Jackson, during a break in auditions which continue today at a downtown hotel.

"They are astoundingly awful," said Paula Abdul, proving her own Pollyanna stereotype is a bit overblown.

After two hours of auditions, the judges had let through three of the first 12 would-be stars. But it sounds like the terrible ones — "Idol's" signature ploy is allowing the very worst to perform for the judges — will make great TV.

"Wild. Insane. Maybe depressed," suggested Jackson, to explain the lack of talent seen so far.

They couldn't blame it all on the weather, however. The guy who dressed up as Uncle Sam flew in from West Virginia.

And they did blow apart one Seattle stereotype: its politeness. In fact, Monday's crop of singers — at least, the bad ones — were mean to Mr. Rude himself, they said.

"They told me not to come back to your country," said Cowell. "I really feel unwelcome."

An estimated 9,000 singers came to audition Sept. 19 at KeyArena. About 150 advanced to the next day's second round before the show's producers.

The "Idol" staff wouldn't say how many singers moved on to perform for the judges over two days, but 30 to 40 sang Monday.

As they waited their turn in the holding room, contestants used varied means to still their nerves — playing with their children, endlessly rehearsing their songs, chatting up new friends, cheering for fellow singers who returned with golden tickets.

One young Tacoma woman kept it together by sitting outside in a hallway, with her friends, trying to eat part of a sandwich. She's an "Idol" pro of sorts; she passed muster with the judges in spring 2002, the last time "Idol" held Seattle auditions.

Just 16 when she went to Hollywood, she made it to the top 60 before getting cut.

Seattle was the judge's sixth audition city, and they'll wrap up this phase of the show's filming later this week in Memphis. "American Idol's" sixth season is scheduled to launch in January.

Diane Brooks: 425-745-7802 or dbrooks@seattletimes.com