AI 9 2-9-10 Hollywood Week Round 1

There have been over a 100,000 people through seven audition cities with 181 of the nation’s best ready to tackle the most difficult test of all. In the end, there will be 12 guys and 12 girls standing. The toughest week of their lives is here, this is Hollywood week and THIS IS American Idol!

7:00 a.m. while the sun is shining on day 1 with all the hopefuls ready to take their chance on the stage of the Kodak Theater. Ellen DeGeneres is making her debut as a permanent Idol judge. Ellen explains that while she may not know much about music she knows what it is like to stand on a stage and try to please people.

As in previous seasons, Ryan explains the contestants will enter in groups of eight and sing a capella or with an instrument. This is sudden death with the judges passing them through or sending them packing.

Katie Stevens (grandma has Alzheimer’s) is the first contestant we see and I really liked this audition. The song she chose really showed off her vocal range with her pitch and enunciation shining through as well. Katie is staying for round two.

Next is “Ski Bo Ski” and Ronald just shakes his head in amazement. Ellen explains he frightened her; it was as if he was stalking the judges, “like a leopard behind a cage”. It is not a good idea to frighten your audience. Luckily for all of America Ski Bo Ski blows his chance and the judges tell him no. Can Ski Bo Ski leave quietly? The answer is no and Simon explains he is not that good.

We are up to 11:30 on day 1 with the tension mounting, as it seems for the last hour Simon has been on a warpath-tearing people down as we observe through a video montage.

Andrew Garcia is going to take a chance performing his rendition of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” with his guitar. This was a brilliant audition. Andrew brought freshness to the song along with a cool R&B vibe. Ronald was finally smiling and I wanted to hear more. Awesome is the only word, which comes to mind. Kara tells him it was genius and believes Paula would be very excited and compares him with Adam Lambert in the way he made the song different. Andrew remains for a chance in round two.

Vanessa Wolfe our favorite redneck bridge jumper is excited for her first trip outside of her Tennessee hometown. Vanessa succumbs to nerves and her audition was freaking horrible. I did not like her prior audition so I am not surprised. Poor Vanessa is heading home to continue her bridge jumping but at least she was able to see Hollywood. I think she should have simply cashed in her “arrow plane” ticket in to get her teeth fixed.

Cue montage of the crying, grief-stricken contestants discovering the end of the road on their journey to becoming the next American Idol.

Can it be 3:30 already? Yes with Cornelius Edwards (Mr. Pants Split) blowing, his chance and the judges eliminate him. We also see Maegan Wright and Amedeo DiRicco being kicked to the curb as well. They all were horrible so the judges made the right choice.

Janelle Wheeler performs with her guitar and gives a very good performance of a stripped-down version of “American Boy”. I really enjoyed listening to this number. Janelle is through to the next round.

Cue next video montage of all the contestants who crash and burn while performing with their musical instruments.

Haeley Vaughn also performs with her guitar and while I like her overall there were some really sharp notes during the performance but the judges seem to like her and she is through.

Mary Powers gave an adequate karaoke version of a Pink song. I personally feel she screams versus sings yet the judges send her through to the next round.

Cue the final montage from day one with Ellen playing with some of the contestants by telling them to step forward, then back, and then to the side. In the end, she tells them all you are through to the next round.

By the end of day one, 46 contestants manage to hold on to their dream.

Day 2 begins with Simon explaining to the singers this could be the most important day of their lives and reminds them not to forget the words.

Jay Stone (beat boxer) bombs big time and will not be going on to the next round.

Lilly Scott fails to impress me. I guess it could be her horrible hair. The girl seriously needs a makeover! The judges on the other hand were singing her praises with Kara saying she finds her refreshing and unique. WTF!

Mike Lynche (Big Mike) has to perform knowing his wife will give birth to their child at any time. This performance was another highlight of the show for me. Mike tackles “Waiting on the World to Change” and he really made the song his own. I appreciate the changes he made and his voice was rich and strong. Mike is on to round two.

4:00 p.m. finds Justin Williams (cancer survivor) performing with a keyboard and while I found his audition in Boston excellent, it was not the case in Hollywood. The entire performance was horrible. I could not understand what he was singing or even recognize the music. Justin survived cancer but Hollywood is not kind as he is heading home.

Cue montage of more contestants heading home including Paige Dechausse (asthma survivor), Erica Rhodes (our Barney leather dominatrix) and those horrible Desimone twins from New Jersey.

Maddy Curtis (sister to the Down syndrome brothers) crashes and burns on the stage and is heading home.

Casey James (Victoria and Kara’s undressed boy toy) performs with his guitar and goes with “I don’t need no Doctor”. There was no wow but he performs it like a country song and overall the changes in the number work. Casey‘s guitar playing was superb.

7:30 p.m. on Day 2 and it is time for the last line of the day.

Didi Benami (pursuing music for her dead best friend) really blew me away. This was another performance, which brought a smile to my lips. Didi’s voice was powerful and she has excellent control. Didi definitely has the entire package going on with her looks, her personality, and her talent. Didi is moving on to round two.

Crystal Bowersox plays guitar and gives a powerhouse rendition of “Natural Woman”. This was a wow performance. Crystal was having fun and it shows in her voice, her movement, and the way the audience was reacting to her. Crystal is moving forward to the next round. Crystal seriously needs some dental work as well because her teeth are disgusting.

Day 2 finds 50 contestants advancing through. 96 out of 181 contestants survive to move forward to round two.

Tomorrow brings my least favorite part of Hollywood week, which is group numbers. I realize it is great television given the fights, tears, and meltdowns but this is a contest for an American Idol not an American Group.

Get ready for the drama!

Until tomorrow…