the buzz log

Buck up, Valerie: Getting pink slipped at "American Idol" could get you immortalized for reality TV seasons to come. Ratings may be a smidge lower and the buzz more gunshy, but Search rubberneckers have finally succumbed to the car-wreck of "american idol auditions," as well as "american idol 2008 rejects," and nostalgic "american idol 2007 rejects" lookups.

This season, more than a handful of tryout discards have picked themselves off and leapt onto the TV interview bandwagon, squeezing out hard-fought minutes of fame. The Fox reality TV show is just a third of the way through the auditions process. Still, in an election season, who can resist premature predictions on which washouts will become part of the elite group that includes William Hung? Here is a look at some early Buzz numbers that reveal which losers may have already won big:

Wearing the William Hung Mantle
The third-season reject was evoked in the San Diego round, but the Dallas audition already came up with his successor: 46-year-old caped crooner Renaldo Lapuz, aka "american idol bird man." Would-be fans are having a little problem remembering his self-penned song in Search, with variations like "you are my brother american idol," "i am your brother american idol," and "brothers forever american idol." Actual title: "We're Brothers Forever" (repeat chorus: ad nauseum).

 

Buzziest Song Debut
The Fox show has become an unexpected venue for original songwriters... not a good venue, but an unexpected one. Once again, Renaldo faces pop culture perpetuity with his aforementioned ode to acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell. Coming in a distant second is the ode to judge Paula Abdul: "american idol stalker song." Sorry, Randy Jackson, you're going to have to produce your own ode.

 

Most Alarming Scorned Woman
Alexis Cohen, also searched and feared by her alter ego, "glitter girl"." The woman who likened her style to Janis Joplin, Pat Benatar and Grace Slick has since claimed it was all an act and she's "obviously not a psycho..." incidentally, one of the signs of psycho-dom. So far, she has milked a makeover from her meltdown. Expect some kind of implants in her future.

 

Sympathy Buzz
Hearts and searches went to Blake Boshnack. With 11 auditions under his belt, and 11 rejects, this sad sack should star in a one-man off-Broadway show on existentialism, American grit, and stage mothers.

 

Strongest Reality TV Crossover Contender
Temptress Jones, the sweet-natured 16-year-old linebacker, has benefited from positive press. We say, get her into "American Gladiator" training, STAT.