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American Idol: Hollywood Round #4
Hollywood Week continues, and the field has narrowed to 54 contestants, all vying for 36 spots in the official Season 8 lineup. But the Idol peeps switched things up by putting the judges in this giant house called "The Judge's Mansion" (???), and forcing contestants to take the long walk through the mansion and face the judges in a European parlor-type room. It's all very Vanity Fair-meets-Dallas. Anyhoo ...
Anoop Desai was first up, and the judges quickly moved him into season 8. "Love that kid," said Paula.
Von Smith addressed Simon's remark about his Hollywood Week song being "self-indulgent nonsense." But the pressure is off, at least for now, because Von made it through to the next round. And his mom couldn't be happier.
Cody Sheldon, the horror filmmaker, ended up doing a sing-off with his friend Alex Wagner-Trugman. This is another new thing -- two contestants sing-off in front of the judges; one stays and one goes home. It's all very awkward and maddening, especially if they're friends. Of course, most of them ARE friends at this point, because they've been through Hollywood Week Hell together. After several dramatic pauses by the judges, Cody goes home, and Alex gets through.
Another dramatic pause by Simon when Adam Lambert stood before the judges. He's the one who sang Cher's "Believe" in the previous round. When Simon says, "It's not good news," you pretty much know what's coming. Sure enough, Simon adds, "It's GREAT news." Adam is through to the next phase.
Taylor Vaifanua forgot the words during her group performance, but still made it through this round, as did a bunch of other girls: Jasmine Murray, Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson, and Stevie Wright.
Joanna Pacitti, who's had recording contracts(!), actually forgot the lyrics during Hollywood Week. But the judges unanimously agreed that she deserves another chance. Ok, excuse me, but this means Simon was flat-out lying when he said that anyone who forgets the lyrics is automatically out. Liar, liar, pants on fire, Simon!
(After this was posted, I heard that Joanna Pacitti was disqualified due to a previous recording contract - wait, what?! Don't you think this would have come out sooner? Anyway, word has it that Felicia Barton will take her spot.)
Next up are a bunch of people who get a resounding No: T.K. Hash, Chris Chatman, and Reggi Beasley all had their dreams crushed flat.
Kendall Beard is the girl who showed up at Hollywood Week dressed in black, which Kara hated. And Paula thought her songs were boring. Still, she's through.
Jenn Korbee's hubby went home during Hollywood Week, but the judges asked her to do a sing-off with Kristen McNamara. The two blondes sweat it out, and Simon keeps talking about putting through "the attractive one" (I'm guessing he means Jenn). But the other judges like Kristen, so she ends up going through. Simon is crushed, which I'm sure makes Kristen feel fantastic.
Alexis Grace is the pink-and-blonde-haired girl with the young daughter. She makes it through.
When Scott Macintyre, the blind guy, gets a yes, everyone in the holding room cheers wildly. I was cheering, too.
Lil Rounds, the mother of three, just wants to give her kids a better life. And she gets that chance, because the judges put her through.
Next up is a bunch of No's: Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister, and Frankie Jordan, who does a sing-off with Jesse Langseth, who goes home. Frankie is the one I think sounds like Amy Winehouse.
Allison Iraheta, the 16-year-old, gets through, as does crowd favorite Danny Gokey. His friend Jamar Rogers, however, gets a no. Everyone in the holding room is shocked, including Jamar.
Norman Gentle / Nick Mitchell says he'll do anything to get through: clean Simons' 20 cars, wear a bikini like Bikini Girl, you name it. He doesn't have to, though, because he gets through. Jackie Tohn also gets a yes, and is practically hysterical with joy.
Ok, and the one we've all been waiting for: Tatiana del Toro. First off, she's wearing the fake jewels that Paula hawks on the shopping channel, but Tat says the ring was sold out. Paula immediately pulls off her own ring and gives it to the girl. Staged? No doubt. Anyway, Simon asks if she could once, for the love of god, try NOT to be annoying. No luck, she's annoying as hell. And she made it through, which means I'm going to have to scratch my eyes out every time she's on stage. Oy vey.
Jackie Midkiff does a sing-off with cry-baby Nathaniel Marshall, who gets through while Jackie goes home. Lord help us. Idol better stock up on Kleenex for Nathaniel.
More yes's: Jeanine Vailes, Kai Kalama, Anne Marie Boskovich, and Kris Allen.
The judges torture us by forcing a sing-off between Matt Breitzke, the welder, and Michael Sarver, the oil-rigger. They both end up going through, and Matt gives Ryan Seacrest a bear hug, which I'm sure cracked a rib or two.
So we've got our 36, and now it's on with the show. During the next three weeks, they'll perform in groups of 12.
Any favorites at this point?
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