‘Spirits’ invade Arab Idol

One Cairo contestant has brought a dose of horror and comedy to the usually entertaining proceedings on talent show Arab Idol. The young man started his audition by telling thejudging panel -- Lebanese singers Ragheb Alama and Ajram, Emirati diva Ahlam and Egyptian musician Hassan el-Shafei -- to stand back and watch because he was about to “summon spirits.” His joke so disturbed Ahlam that she walked off (followed by Ajram) while the young singer launched into a host of singing impressions that had Alama and el-Shafei in stitches. Ahlam and Ajram soon rejoined the party to enjoy the rest of the performance. The young local received rapturous applause but sadly did not get the golden ticket to Beirut. The third episode of Arab Idol’s second series included auditions in Casablanca, Morocco and Amman, Jordan as well as Cairo.