Yes, despite the efforts of Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy," the particulars about Canada remain a mystery to most U.S. citizens (and illegal visitors, too). I have heard that 90% of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the Canada-U.S. border.
North! Jay, Canada is up north!
American Idol: Sheesh! I don't know what to say. When I was in college and majoring in theater, auditioning for everything was a requirement. And when it came time to audition for a musical, you HAD to prepare a song and you did the best you could. Nobody laughed. I was petrified, my right arm went numb, and I'm pretty sure I "talked" most of "What Kind of Fool Am I?" I had never sung in front of people -- and I'm guessing a lot of the "American Idol" contestants haven't either.
But...and this is a BIG but... what must they hear when they hear good music? And how is it they think their singing is comparable or better? Can they not hear themselves???
Even so, it's a gut-wrenching experience. I'm supposing that if you don't know you're horrible or horrendous -- or worse, that if you believe you're good -- the comments from Randy and Simon and Paula had to cut some of them to the core.
I only watched the Atlanta auditions, but Simon never said anything that I didn't agree with.
The guy who asked for a public apology probably remains delusional. The guy who said he was "defined" by the stomach thing he can do -- great abdominal definition is his "talent," apparently -- was really sad, I thought.
Judging from what they should us of the Houston audition show, I'd say it's a whole lot of horrible.