Chris Bernheisel
Contestant #37214
Chris is an effervescent American Idol fan. He loves the show so much and was so excited about auditioning that he choked up when he was telling Simon and Randy about his enthusiasm.
In his pre-audition interview, Chris said, "Today I'm so happy I feel like I could explode and happiness is gonna go flying everywhere." He continued by noting that his audition day was "the biggest, life alternating change in my life."
Chris brought gifts for the judges — a large stuffed animal dog for Randy, an England sweatshirt for Simon, and a small stuffed animal cat for Paula. Since Paula's flight was delayed and she wasn't there, Simon quickly tossed Paula's gift on the floor and asked Chris if he couldn't have just brought them money instead.
Chris showed Simon a photo album of him and Kelly Clarkston, so it was only fitting that he chose to sing Kelly's Since You've Gone. During his butchered rendition, Chris also did an awkward turn followed by an unsteady handstand.
Simon let Chris down easy but firmly told him that his singing wasn't good enough. Chris asked if he could audition to be one of American Idol's red carpet announcers. For this portion of the audition, he anemically announced, "Welcome America to the season finale of American Idol. You have been with us from the first note and now America you decide with your final vote."
Simon asked him what the local Fox affiliate was. Chris told him that it was Fox 42 (KPTM). Simon told Chris to tell Fox 42 to let him report at American Idol for that affiliate, and if they gave him trouble to have them call the American Idol producers up.
So, it looks like we haven't seen the last of Chris Bernheisel — or at least, Omaha television hasn't seen the last of him.
