LOS ANGELES - The "American Idol" auditions in Seattle, dubbed the "weirdest turnout in history" by host Ryan Seacrest, more than lived up to the billing.
"What the bloody hell was that?" judge Simon Cowell said on Wednesday's show after enduring a unique version of "Unchained Melody," adding, "It was almost non-human."
In fact, the two-day tryout for Fox's hit singing talent was a real zoo.
One big-eyed, failed hopeful was compared to a "bush baby," a jungle animal, by the caustic Cowell, who termed another contestant, a 6-foot-4 woman who passed singing muster, a "giraffe." Then there were the actual animals -- a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian -- brought along for the ride.
Many of those on display were conspicuously lacking skill, self-awareness or fashion sense, and "American Idol" made the most of their situation with camera work and Cowell's gibes.
He earned his paycheck in Seattle, one of seven cities where auditions were held last summer. The next episode, on Tuesday, will feature the Memphis, Tenn., tryouts.
"You could lie in a bath with your mouth open and you couldn't sing," Cowell told one woman who insisted that a drink of water would smooth her delivery.
A few promising singers made it through the gauntlet of Cowell and fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, including Jordin Sparks, 16, the daughter of former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, and a brother and sister who dabbled in a bit of teenage sibling rivalry.
The series kicked off its sixth year Tuesday with its largest season premiere audience ever, an estimated 37.3 million viewers.
