For Your Entertainment: Adam Lambert Guest-Judges on 'Idol'

It was Throwback Thursday on American Idol this week, when the GREATEST CONTESTANT EVER TO COMPETE ON THE SHOW, from THE BEST SEASON EVER, returned and made history as the first alum to ever serve as a guest judge.

Sorry for going crazy with the capslock there, but I’m talking about the Glamerican Idol himself, Mr. Adam Lambert — the man with better hair than Keith Urban, zingier one-liners than Harry Connick Jr., and some might even say a prettier face than Jennifer Lopez. So of course a regular old font just won’t do.

Lately, Idol's producers have been harping on and on, longwindedly and sometimes unconvincingly, about how “American Idol creates stars.” But really, seeing Adam six years after his first Idol appearance, his old Hot Topic hoodie and Manic-Panicked combover swapped for a designer suit and subtle tone-on-tone highlights, drove that point home. In 2009, Adam walked into the audition room looking like some cute emo kid; in 2015, he returned looking like a grown-up superstar.

Much has changed for Adam since Season 8, aka THE BEST SEASON EVER, besides his upgraded hair and wardrobe. He scored a top 10 hit that earned him a Grammy nomination. He had a regular role on Glee. Lately, he’s been fronting Queen at sold-out stadiums around the world. And on Thursday, the same day that his Idol guest-judging appearance aired, he announced that he has signed a new deal with Warner Bros. Records and is working on his third album with hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback. But when Adam “re-auditioned” this week with Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” — the same song he performed at Season 8’s San Francisco tryouts, years before he ended up singing it on tour with the actual Queen — his voice, showmanship, and confidence remained unchanged. I guess some people are just born Idols.

Adam’s Idol appearance this week could have had a negative effect on viewers: Instead of it being thrilling to see how far Adam has come, it could’ve been downright depressing to realize how far Idol has gone downhill since his landmark season, aka THE BEST SEASON EVER. But thankfully, there was nothing depressing about Thursday’s episode.

First of all, Adam was a great judge — encouraging and empathetic, but tough when he needed to be. So that was enjoyable. And second, while there were no singers at this Thursday’s auditions, which took place in New York City, that were quite at a Lambert level, much of the talent was still undeniably impressive.

Could any of Thursday’s New Yorkers be Idol's next breakout star, following in Adam's Louboutin-booted footsteps? Let's run down the best of the bunch and find out:

Hollywood Anderson – Idol producers saved the best audition for last, but I’m just going to cut to the chase and mention this guy first. I mean, why postpone joy, right? This affable subway busker didn’t seem like superstar material when he burst into the audition room, but when he started playing his original song “My Best Friend,” it was the first major hair-on-end moment of Season 14. This song will haunt me for weeks. I’ve already got Hollywood’s Soundcloud on repeat. What a gorgeous heartbreak ballad, delivered with such angst and passion — and such a voice! All of the judges were wowed. I hadn’t seen Adam’s face this lit-up since I first glimpsed his neon For Your Entertainment album art. Jennifer claimed she wanted to record “My Best Friend.” (No, Hollywood, do not let her do that. Keep that gem for yourself.) Harry said this was possibly the best audition of the season so far. I cannot wait to see Hollywood Anderson in Hollywood Week.

Jax – This chanteuse’s Across the Universe-esque cover of the Beatles’ “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” reminded me a bit of Jena Irene’s game-changing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” from last season. It was that good. It was sweet and pure and gentle and tasteful, sugar and spice and everything nice. J.Lo called Jax “shy and confident at the same time,” a phenomenon that Harry dubbed “shonfident.” I’m feeling pretty shonfident that Jax is going to make it all the way to the live shows.

Travis Finlay – “Yes, Leatherpants!” Adam exclaimed when the well-dressed, newly nicknamed Travis walked into the room. But when Travis started beautifully belting Rihanna’s “Stay,” I was howling, “Yes, Velvetlungs!” — which is my new nickname for this charismatic singer. J.Lo called Travis a star. Harry couldn’t stop gushing about Travis’s pinup-worthy good looks. And Adam said, “You’re the type of person this show is made for.” Well, Adam ought to know.

Nick Fradiani – When Nick arrived at the auditions with his coltishly leggy hippie-goddess girlfriend, Yanni, I thought this couple was going to be the poor man’s Alex & Sierra. But thankfully, Nick went solo. After Yanni performed a serviceable but largely unamazing cover of “Cups (When I’m Gone)” that wasn’t quite pitch-perfect, Nick took the floor to do Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” and he was so good that I wanted to raise a boombox above my head in a smitten, Lloyd Dobler-esque salute. The guy had a handsome mug that rivaled Travis’s, a sexy rasp, and natural charisma. While Harry warned Nick that the guitar-folk genre is very competitive this season, I think Nick may be the one to beat in that category. All other WGWGs better watch out.

Najah Lewis – Please remind me to only take public transportation the next time I visit New York. Apparently the subway stops there are teeming with talent. Najah, another busker, gave a positively lovely performance of Maroon 5’s “Payphone” that would have had Adam Levine jumping on top of his red chair if she’d done it on The Voice. Her phrasing was exquisite, her folksy arrangement was intriguing, and she looked amazing, too. (There was a lot of great hair on Idol this Thursday. I am sure Adam approved.) It wasn’t too surprising to learn that this traffic-stopping singer often earns up to $300 during just two hours of subway performing. Come to think of it, maybe Najah would be better off not competing on Idol. Let’s face it, there are many former Idol contestants nowadays (not Adam, of course) who’d be thrilled to earn that much for a single gig.

Tion Phipps – Tion’s Bruno Mars cover was not shown in full, and he seemed to care more about flirting with J.Lo than securing a golden ticket. But he looked like such a star (yes, his hair was amazing), and he tackled that tough Bruno ballad with such ease. I have a feeling a lot of women besides J.Lo could fall in love with this guy.

Katherine Winston – This alt-country songstress’s keening, moody performance was stunning, but unfortunately for her, it served as the backdrop for a montage of sobbing rejects. I would have preferred to see more of Katherine, a girl with actual talent and the one girl who actually received a golden ticket. Fox, please fire the lackey who edited this segment!

Adam Ezeglian – Adam E. actually compared himself to Adam L. — although looks-wise he had a lot more in common with Season 6’s corkscrew-curled Chris Sligh, vocally he was more similar to last season’s rock growler Caleb Johnson, and his loopy personality was sort of Casey Abrams-esque. The geeky toy designer and caricaturist actually performed a song Adam Lambert did in Season 8, Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” And while he was entertaining (and definitely wild!), it all seemed like a joke audition. It was only when he crooned a few toned-down bars of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” that he showed his skills. I have no idea if this dude could be the next American Idol. My guess is no. But I think he could be a ton of fun this season.

Shi Scott – More great hair! Yes, Shi looked like a pop star. But she didn’t really act like one. Her cover of the Mark Ronson/Amy Winehouse version of “Valerie” was way too soundalike (Harry said it was basically a Winehouse impersonation, albeit a good one), and she practically fell apart in the audition room. But she clearly has potential. Hopefully she can get it together in Hollywood Week, and find her confidence and find her own voice.

J. None – This guy’s “My Prerogative” was a little shaky, but he was incredibly likable, and I enjoyed his performance because a) he brought an adorable teddy bear named “Mr. Crispy” to the auditions that warmly and fuzzily reminded me of this book, and b) that stuffed animal gave Adam the opportunity to deliver the best one-liner of the night: “I’m not into bears.” Ha. Clearly a lot really has changed since Season 8. Remember when Entertainment Weekly had to run a speculative thinkpiece about Adam’s sexuality back in 2009? Progress, people. Progress.

So there you have it. A great episode, with a great guest judge. If American Idol actually returns for a 15th season next year, Adam Lambert would be a fine permanent addition to the cast. But for now, we do know that Idol will be returning next Wednesday, for more auditions (this time in Minneapolis), with regular judge Keith Urban back in action. Will the talent be as awesome in Minneapolis as it was in NYC? We’ll have to wait and see. Until then, Parker out.

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