AI 8 - 2-4-09 - Hollywood Round 2 The Heartache of Group Numbers

This is American Idol and we are preparing ourselves for the tears, joy, and tragedy of Hollywood Round 2 and the infamous group numbers.

I must rant about the producers and editors of these episodes. On Tuesday night, Ryan clearly announces 104 contestants are moving on to Round 2; however, last night when the episode opened we were advised 107 contestants are competing in Round 2. What the f*%k! How hard is it to get some good quality assurance here? Clearly, someone is unable to count.

Realizing there are many who do not like group numbers reasoning we are looking a solo American Idol and cry foul as someone goes home because someone else did not put their all into the group effort. My position is no one is an Island. Many individuals handle the production of an album not just the artist, no matter how talented. Besides the obvious need to create drama for the show, the purpose of this exercise is to see how people can work together which you clearly would need to do in the industry. You do not want to burn bridges if you wish to succeed.

My second rant revolves around the actual lack of hearing all the groups sing. We had much drama and tears for 30 minutes before we heard one note. Give me a break!

Tatiana or as she will be known going forward Histrionic Hyena (HH) and Katrina aka Bikini Girl (BG) received too much airtime. I was over them before the episode started and they just irritated me more and more as the evening wore on.

I will skip summarizing all the drama and get right to the comments related to those groups or contestants we actually got to hear last night.

As the performances began, Simon explained to all the contests “If you forget the words you are out – no exceptions!” This really ups the ante and I was quite excited to see who goes because of just that error.

The first group is White Chocolate, which included India Morrison, Matt Giraud, Kris Allen and Justin Williams. They chose “I Want You Back” and they were fantastic. Everything worked from the rapping, the choreography, and the harmonies. The judges agree and all move on to Round Three.

The next group montage we see did not fare as well both because they forgot the words but also could not get the vocals they needed. Those leaving are Maryn Azoff, Austin Sisneros, J.B. Ahufa, Shelby Swartwood and Julissa Veloz.

I am not sure why but Jorge Nunez and Nick Mitchell aka Norman Gentle moves on.

Next up is Team Action Squad with Alex Wagner-Trugman, Ryan Pinkston, Ann-Marie Boskovich and Emily Wynne-Hughes attempting “Don’t Stop”. Alex and Ann-Marie were good while poor Emily stumbled over the lyrics and Ryan was just awful. Emily is sent packing so I guess her band will be going to Europe after all along with Ryan who provided the night’s best laugh when he explained he felt manipulated and insulted and saw a part of Paula he had not see before. Paula is evil, the way she looked at him so the producers put in some CG effects of Paula’s eyes turning red and laser beams shooting out of them.

The next montage caused me to laugh again when we get a series of the bad and Simon asks for a crate of Advil and indicates I do not want to do this anymore. Come on Simon at least you are being paid to sit there.

Next up is The Rainbow Coalition including Danny Gokey, Jamar Rogers, Taylor Vaifanua and another contestant I could not write their name fast enough taking a big risk singing a capella. They choose “Somebody to Love” and it was freaking fantastic. This group knows how to work together flawlessly. I stood up and clapped for them.

Our next group has Jeremy Michael Sarver, Adam Lambert, Matt Bretizke and Jesse Langseth performing “Some Kind of Wonderful” and it truly was. This was another group who nailed the number. I stood up and clapped again.

Team Diva is ready for their train wreck after all the drama from the day before. We have Rose Flack, Jasmine Murray, Lauren Barnes and BG. Yes BG, she of I have to rest because I have scoliosis and had been wearing heels since 5:00 a.m., then was sick, and poor me only had 3 hours of sleep. The Divas went with “Mercy” and Jasmine Murray was the only member who totally nailed her portion, she has a great voice. Poor Rose forgot the words. Jasmine Murray was the only member to move on to round three. Poor BG, she proved once again what a bitch she truly was. Kara and Paula were shocked by her behavior. At least Simon finally called her on her drama. I also loved Kara was the one who delivered the bad news! Yeah, one of my hated contestants is going home, one more to go.

David Osmond was sent packing and we did not even get to hear his group so we are not sure why. I have to say that cut surprised me because if anyone knows how to work in a group it would be him.

We have two final groups. The first one includes HH. I am only praying the drama of the day before will send her packing, please, please – pretty please! Can I say this was an annoying train wreck? HH messes up the lyrics and Muna Hiluf was so off pitch it was scary. Oh crap, the entire group gets to move on to round three. Excuse me, what happened to you forget the words you are going home. I am totally pissed off with the fact HH gets another shot. I had a diva fit stamping my feet and shouting a few words, which would have clearly been bleeped out. HH’s reaction to getting through was way over the top, everyone is a part of me, and you are all in my heart! If I am part of your heart, it is the dagger plunging into it. HH is going down.

Our final group is Team Compromise with Nathaniel Marshall, Kristin McNamara, and Nancy Wilson. There proper group name should have been Drama Queens! Given we spent much of the first half hour of the show being exposed to their train wreck of trying to work together I am not expecting much. This group goes with “Mercy” as well. Nathaniel camps it up but at least he can sing. Nancy totally blew it and Kristin was okay. The judges were not happy and indicated the number was very uncomfortable to watch. Simon indicated it was clear the backups sounded like they were trying to sabotage the one singing the lead. Nathaniel and Kristin move on to round three while Nancy is not. Nancy is bleeped, bleeped off and has a total melt down backstage. Oh, joy!

Group day is over and Ryan explains 75 singers are moving on to Round 3. I wonder what the number will be on next Tuesday’s show.

Next Tuesday we will get the final performances and Wednesday will learn the identity of the top 36.

Until next week…