They're holding tryouts for American Idol at Minute Maid Park here in Houston. That picture is the line of hopefuls currently camped out at the stadium. Auditions are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, meaning these 5000 or so folks (so far - as I understand it, up to 10,000 may show up) are going to be living on the sidewalk there for two days.
In Houston.
In August.
To quote Ms. Grant, "Fame costs, and right here is where you're gonna start paying - in sweat."
A friend of my in-laws is here with his college-age daughter for her to take her chance at appearing on the show. They're in from Anchorage, Alaska, which last week had a record heat wave, with high temps in the mid-80s, slightly higher than what our low temps have been lately. I know they're used to surviving in harsh weather conditions, but I fear that by Wednesday they'll be reduced to puddles on the street. I'll be checking on them on my way home from work (Minute Maid is more or less in between where I work and where I live), so we'll see.
UPDATE: They seem to be holding up all right. Thanks to today's rain, it's a lot cooler than it had been recently, and they're all under the freeway, which will provide some shade. Ah, show business.
UPDATE: There's a bunch of comments here from people asking when the next American Idol tryouts will be, or if there'lll be any in their area, or whatever. People, I don't know and I don't care. You obviously know how to use Google or you would never have found this blog post. Now use a little common sense, OK? I'm closing comments for this entry.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 11, 2003 to TV and movies | TrackBackI am sure that, after several days of living on the street, all the potential contestants will be looking and feeling their best when time comes for the all-important auditions.
Posted by: etc. on August 12, 2003 6:53 AMListen to Collier Moore Sing, that's all there is to it.
Posted by: Lisa March on August 13, 2003 10:01 AMCan you tell me if there will be tryouts in Louisiana and when? Or a state near by?
Posted by: Misty on August 20, 2003 7:56 AMIs there ever going to be any tryouts in Virginia?Please tell me yes!!
Posted by: Kelly Lester on August 25, 2003 3:53 PMMisty and Kelly - Accoring to the American Idol homepage, there are auditions in new York starting today, and auditions in Hawaii starting September 30. Beyond that, I have no idea.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on August 25, 2003 5:58 PMTHERE SHOULD BE TRY-OUT IN AKRON, OHIO. WE HAVE TALENT. I WANT OUT OF HERE TO PERFORM BUT YOU TO BE HERE TO GET ME. I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES JUST LIKE ALL THESE OTHERS WHO WANT A CHANCE TO TRY OUT.
Posted by: VICTORIA ISAACS on August 27, 2003 12:51 PMI would like to know when the tryouts are going to be in california. I live in S.F.Bay Area.
Posted by: Ron Carpenter on August 28, 2003 12:54 AMi think there should be tryouts in wisconsin we have plenty of talent here, and i would like also like a list of where other tryouts are ...
Posted by: jonathon yang on September 9, 2003 2:03 PMwhen are the next tryouts going to be? And where?
Posted by: jennie on September 16, 2003 6:25 PMi wish they have tryouts in new orleans LA because there we have some real talent espescially me trust me if you think ruben stubben can sing then i gaurantee u will love the way i sing word is my bond please have an audition here
Posted by: rocky brumfield on September 18, 2003 4:09 AMAre there going to br tryouts in LA, California? have they passed already? please tell me!
Posted by: Alysha on September 24, 2003 9:37 PMWhen are the auditions for american idol in Texas? please tell me!!!!!
Posted by: Lisa on September 29, 2003 5:46 PMhow do I find out when and where the next tryouts will be?
Posted by: jen mott on October 7, 2003 4:20 PMHey.
I am waiting for my 16th birthday next year to try out for American Idol. I love to sing and since I will be old enough next year, my girlfriends and I are takin a road trip to the nearest spot! I just wanted to let you guys know to look out for me! Carly Marie Blackwell! Makin it big in singing and/or acting! I love you all so much and this is my dream come true!
Much Love,
Carly Marie
Can kids do American Idol,i mean like can you be a minor? Or is there an American Idol for kids?C'mon! I want info!!
Posted by: Alex Leston on November 28, 2003 3:39 AMWill there be tryouts held in Las Vegas or La a\or any where in Nevada Or California, I would really be interested in tryingout.
Posted by: Alicia Laverdure on December 4, 2003 9:20 PMHello. im just wondering. are there going to be try-outs in washington state? if so...please let me..know i have one hell of a voce that needs to be heard. trust me on this. i was offered a demo...let me know,
thanks
when are there going to be tryouts in LA??
Posted by: Bella on December 11, 2003 2:08 PMhi, im from toledo ohio and for some reason i can never find out when and where the tryouts are but when i do find out it is eather to far away or to late i think they could brodcast it alot more because i would like to try out!
Posted by: jacob on December 14, 2003 1:05 PMI wish you would have american idol tryouts somewhere in louisiana or send me an e-mail next time it's available in louisiana/texas so i could please tryout. and if you hear of anyother important audititons please please e-mail them to me.
Posted by: Lindsay Havard on December 14, 2003 7:07 PMWill there be tryouts in or near Wisconsin? When and where will the next tryouts be?
Posted by: danielle on December 16, 2003 5:04 PMI really want to tryout for American Idol I've triedout once in OKC but they we're only picking one I love to sing and it has always been my dream to be a singer I live in Noble Oklahoma when will the closest tryouts be held and where thank you and please e-mail me my answers thanks.
Posted by: lareah on December 21, 2003 12:34 PMwhen are the tryouts going to be in California and what city will they be in and how young can you be to audition?
Posted by: Mackenzie on December 21, 2003 3:43 PM