On the second night of auditions for ABC’s season 2 of American Idol, the judges — Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan — meet a contestant who confesses to being a sergeant in the U.S. Army. Katy asks if he would speak to them as if they’re in his unit. She prods him by saying, “because we’re just a bunch of punks.” The singer/sergeant doesn’t hesitate. He barks, “Sit up straight, soldier!” which all judges do immediately. “If you don’t give me what I want right now,” says the sergeant, “you’re gonna be doing push ups all night.”
When Katy Perry says she doesn’t know what a push up is, the sergeant orders her to give him 20 on the spot. While wearing a long shiny blue trench coat and stiletto heels, she gets down on the ground and asks if she’s supposed to be on her knees or not. Hilarity ensues. American Idol airs Wednesdays at 8 pm on ABC.
