You know it’s summer when sandals return to the wardrobe, the SPF30 is in high demand and CTV’s Canadian Idol returns to the television screen.

In its sixth season, the show made its debut tonight featuring auditions from Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton. In typical Idol fashion, there was, according to host Ben Mulroney, “the agony, the ecstasy, and everything in between” on tonight’s premiere.

Beginning in Toronto, the potential Idol contestants are treated to performances by last year’s winner, Brian Melo, and Natasha Bedingfield. Then it’s time to get down to business and claim the show’s first victim. It’s Gary Sneddon, 29, of Toronto, who sings “Zoot Suit Riot” and is quickly disregarded by the judges. Next up, wearing a trucker shirt with matching trucker hat, Diana Salvatore, 24, of Thornhill, shouts “Piece Of My Heart” and Janis Joplin rolls over in her grave. Cue to a montage of other hopeless hopefuls in dire need of attention. This is what the first few episodes are about, people.

Stand out auditions come from brothers Oliver and Sebastien Pigott. Oliver, who lives in the U.K. but says Idol has brought him back to Canada, impresses the judges with his audition and Jake Gold says it’s “the best audition I’ve ever seen on this show.” Sebastien sings next and Werner remarks “Holy, James Dean!” Both brothers are given golden tickets. Other ex-pats brought back because of Idol dreams are Tetiena Ostapwych, who lives in Los Angeles. She sings “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse. Jake Gold comments “you look beautiful, you sing great, but I feel a veneer.” Despite such comments and a flub on a lyric, Tetiena makes it through.

The auditions head to Calgary and doomed even before she opens her mouth, Courtney Waldie of Alix, AB sings “I Will Always Love You” and becomes fodder for the judges. Theo Tams’ nerves physically show with large pit stains under both arms before facing the judges. However, the 22-year-old from Lethbridge, AB who needs to make friends with an antiperspirant sings “Collide” by Howie Day and wins over the judges.

New to this season of Canadian Idol is the addition of “Canada’s Queen of R&B” Jully Black, who joins the show as a mentor and voice coach for the contestants before auditioning in front of the judges. Jully Black appears briefly in tonight’s episode but steals the show with her charisma and wit. It’s great to see Black on screen but it’s sad to see such a budding Canadian musician’s talent reduced to a guest spot on Canadian Idol.

The auditions wrap up in Edmonton with Earl Stevenson, 23, of Lloydminster, AB, who awkwardly sings “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” Just when you think Stevenson is destined for a laughable rejection, Sass Jordan says he’s “unbelievably great” and Zach Werner calls him “one of the coolest people we’ve ever had.”

The mayhem continues next Monday at 9P.M. EST with auditions in Montreal, Vancouver and Winnipeg.


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