American Idol 9 – Hollywood Week part 3
Feb 27, 2010 That's Hot
The best 71 of this year’s crop have made it to day 4 in Hollywood. One last performance to go before the final rounds of cuts begin.
- The teaser and the cable listings both hint we’re going to get part of our top 24 revealed tonight.
- The contestants will have auditioned in front of a full band, but aren’t getting any feedback from the judges on site. As usual, they’re getting split up into three rooms.
- Angela Martin does a good job with American Boy (I had to go check; she’s not the one who did the song earlier in the week), and has Kara dancing in her seat. Lip-readers might have caught her saying “I love her” to Randy.
- Jermaine Purifoy sings “Brick House” while Casey James does “Bubbly,” both of which Ryan calls risky. They both sounded okay to me.
- Jermaine Sellers covers “Man In the Mirror,” and comments that the performance on stage went differently than rehearsal, essentially (to use Kara’s words) throwing the band under the bus…
- Siobhan Mangus takes Ellen’s advice to not be so “old” and seems to have more fun with her final performance of “Living For the City.” Simon seems impressed.
- Crystal Bowersox elicits positive comments from Kara and Randy with her harmonica on “If It Makes You Happy”
- Alex Lambert had trouble with his ukelele on day one, but still joins Michael Lynche and Todrick Hall with versions of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”
- Thaddeus Johnson’s mom should be out of breath by now.
She’s always by his side, though, even when the band tries to play the wrong song behind him. He’s quick to correct them, and does a good job with “Man in the Mirror.” - Charity Vance finishes the week off with “Set Me Free.” Tasha Layton’s last performance isn’t shown, though she did well with “The Scientist” earlier in the week.
- Mary Powers is still very confident, and is sure she’s in the top 24 with her performance of “Hot N Cold.”
- Llyod Thomas is another “Man In the Mirror” singer, while Brian Walker gets a fingersnap-and-point from Simon at the end of his performance, adding to his confidence.
- Hope Johnson has done well all week, finishing with “Home.” I’m not as impressed with that one, but I’m probably too locked in on the original.
- Shelby Dressel is panicked that she’s going to forget the lyrics again, but does well (save for a warble or two) with “More Than a Feeling.” Being in the same room with Aaron Kelly isn’t confidence-inspiring, though, as he forgot the words to “Angel.”
- Ashley Rodriguez is proud of her job on “Battlefield” while Lee Dewyze, Joe Munoz and Haeley Vaughn all do well.
- Janell Wheeler has been having issues with her voice, but seems to do okay with “Love Story.” Kara doesn’t think it was the right song for her, though.
- Ryan asks in the tease-out which room, singular, is going home. Sounds like the rooms are only narrowing down a little bit, which would explain why there’re still two hours of Hollywood week to go before we have a top 24.
- The judges have split everyone into three groups. We know this already, let’s go already…
- Performance from Tori Kelly, Lilly Scott and Andrew Garcia punctuate Room 1. Room 2 has some strong performances, while Room 3 has had some struggles.
- Room 1 gets their verdict first, and Ellen’s first to deliver the news… and it’s good news. Room 1 goes on, featuring Lilly Scott, Siobahn Magnes, Tyler Grady, Thaddeus Johnson, Michael Lynche and Katie Stevens.
- Room 2 is next… and they are cut. Mary Powers, Charity Vance, Brian Walker, Christian Spear, Lloyd Thomas, and Hope Johnson all go home.
- Room 3 is last up, and they should go through, from the sounds of things. We’ve got too much time left to not have them go through. Kara strings them along, then relieves them with good news. Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, John Park, Angela Martin, Jessica Furney and Shelby Dressel all move forward.
- 46 remain, but only 24 will go on. The judges will be reviewing tape again, and get their final judgement before the live shows.
- 12 girls and 12 guys will go to the final 24, as Ryan promises “the most emotional cut yet” this season.
- Starting in first is Michael Lynche. The producers start going over previous performances; we can see how these last couple hours are going to be filled up.
- Michael’s performances have improved over the week, and it’s paid off. He’s the first male semifinalist.
- Didi Benami is the first woman down the aisle. She seems to have done a great job with her performances all week; I can’t see how she won’t go through.
- She does, and is the first female semifinalist.
- Katelyn Epperly is next in. I sense she might be one of the ones that gets cut… but I’m wrong. Ellen strings her along too long to cut her, and she gets through.
- Shelby Dressel becomes the first to get cut on the final day. Simon remarks that “that was the wrong decision,” so I think this one might not have been unanimous.
- Casey James has had Kara as a fan all week, since his topless turn during his initial audition. Ellen notes, “He has is hair down for you.” Kara: “Nice…”
- Casey makes the top 24; 20 to go. Kara tries to deflect teasing from Randy.
- Aaron Kelly has forgotten lyrics several times this week; I wouldn’t be surprised to see him cut… but he does go on.
- Lee Dewyze struggled all week, but is still confident. Kara hangs him out a moment: “We didn’t all agree…
- “…until five minutes ago; you’re through!”
- Todrick Hall may or may not be now engaged?
- “Yes.” ”That’s it???” Todrick is in.
Seven men and two women are through. - Jessica Furney was the one earlier in the week who nailed the Gwen Stefani lyric when no one else could. They show now that her group got cut off before she could sing, to her protest. She gets permission to restart from her verse, where she landed the line perfectly.
- Jessica gets cut, prompting a last minute request for reconsideration, to no avail.
The seven in so far are all we’ll learn for this episode. 37 contenders remain for 17 more spots.
