AI 10 2-16-11 The Heartache of Group Night

Nothing compares to the most difficult challenge of Hollywood week. Prepare yourself for the heartbreak and devastation! Get ready for Group Round if you can handle the pressure. This is AMERICAN IDOL!

It is 8:30 p.m. after day two with 168 contestants surviving for the group round. All the contests from day one hip to what is coming have formed their groups and made their song selections from the list of 20 songs available. They have been practicing during the day two auditions thinking this will give them an advantage. Oh wait, executive producer Ken Warwick dashes their hopes by explaining the rules. Each group must be a mixture of day one and day two contestants. Get over it contestants this is called being fair.

Cue the video montage while every group struggles to obtain the required members. Oh the drama of it all which includes the begging, the tears, the hissy fits, choosing songs, putting together choreography, everyone fighting to control the group, how will it all, who will move forward and who will shatter into a million pieces.

Denise Jackson and Brett Lowenstern seek another member but their first choice bolts to another group. Jessica Yantz agrees to step in and the “Sugar Mamas” are complete.

Tiffany Rios (why is she still here?) apparently alienated everyone after her comment, “I’m tired of seeing people try to do what I know I can” is unable to find a group willing to take her on. Karma is a bitch Ms. Rios. She tells us that her choreography skills will help any group out (Whatever!) Tiffany tries to recruit Scotty McCreery and he asks her to sing something and after hearing hear leaves telling her another group is interested in him. Tiffany somehow convinces Jessica Yantz to ditch her group leaving “Sugar Mamas” short a day two person.

Scotty continues looking for a group, meets up with Jordan Dorsey (otherwise known as a jerk), and Jordan tells him it will not work. Jordan remains upset because he had a group already put together from day one. He disagrees with his other group members on a day two person until they find Shane.

Scotty then talks to Clint Jun Gamboa and Jacee Badeaux but Clint is not thrilled with the idea of having a fifth member.

Tiffany and Jessica even after using the microphone and begging for another group member are ignored and they do not know what to do. They finally talk with a producer who allows them to go forward as a duet.

We then have video montage as different groups try to find places where they can practice because of all the noise. One group uses the garage and another group is harmonizing in an empty bathroom.

“The Minors” a group made up of 15 and 16 year olds seem to have an advantage because they have the energy to work into the night and their stage mothers pushing them. James Durbin is not happy with this situation because the mothers are providing the choreography. This is not fair and his group is worried because they are singing the same song, “Somebody to Love”.

Jacqueline Dunford is in a trio called “Three’s Company” (What a cute name – NOT!) with our favorite exes Chelsee and Rob. Rob explains they are not on speaking terms and there is a lot of tension. Jacqueline just says Rob is nervous about dancing. The problem is none of them is listening and they are all fighting for control.

Ashley Sullivan begins to cry under the pressure in her “ever-dramatic” way as Ryan tells us. She is thinking about quitting and the other members tell her to make up her mind quick because they would need to find someone else. Ashley cries to a producer who tells her to think it over. Lucky for Ashley her boyfriend is there and they go off to the garage so she could make a decision.

Clint, Scotty and Jacee’s group is still having trouble because Clint does not like the quintet idea. The group kicks out Jacee even though he is a good singer they just do not feel it will work. Jacee handles it well and seeks comfort with his parents but now must find a group and it is 1:00 a.m.

Jordan (Mr. Jerk) does not like that his group picked a fast song and wants to leave. Lauren Turner urges her fellow group members to keep working because they need to look out for themselves. I will not rely on anyone else for my dream. Jordan leaves and joins the group with Robbie Rosen.

It is 2:30 a.m. and Ashley finally decides to remain in the competition but will her group mates let her back in. They do and are very gracious about it as well.

Brett’s group is still looking for a fifth member and he recruits Jacee even though he does not know their song “Mercy”. The group accepts Jacee.

The groups are beginning to head to bed for some rest but not “Three’s Company.” Rob is having a rough time and tells Ryan, “I do not dance with people. I do not perform with people. I am a musician.” Really Rob, if there were no people who would be listening to your music?

The morning of group day arrives and everyone is dragging themselves out of bed to get in some last minute rehearsing. The judges arrive and try to give advice. Steven explains something but I did not understand a word. Jennifer advises them not to worry about by being in a group because they will be judged individually. Randy simply says “DO NOT FORGET THE WORDS!”

There are 39 groups to get through so let the blood bath begin!

Our first group with Pia Toscano, Alessandra Guercio and Brielle Von Hugel go with “Grenade.” I like their performance but Pia Toscano had the best voice. Steven thinks they “slammed” it and Randy likes their harmonies. All three are through to the next round.

Jordan (Mr. Jerk) and Robbie Rosen’s group is next with a performance of “I Want You Back”. I thought Jordan was off the melody but Robbie was good. All five members of the group go through to the next round.

It is time for Jordan’s former group to step up to the mike. Adrian Michael starts them off with “Forget You” and let us just say I wanted to forget him. Lauren Turner did a better job but she was tries way too hard by throwing in way too many runs and over sang. All four members get another chance and move forward.

Jessica and Tiffany or should I say “Rebel Star” are up next and Tiffany single-handedly murders “Irreplaceable” and trust me when I say she could not choreograph her way out of a paper bag! Jessica sounds okay but Tiffany drags her down. Randy stops them and asks why there are only two of them. Randy tells them it was “really bad” and they are both going home. Ronald is doing his happy dance.

The next group “Spanglish” is looking for one of their members and the producers find Kevin Campos asleep in his room. While the group was looking for their member, Steven entertains the masses by playing the drums.

“Spanglish” members Jovany Barreto, Kevin Campos, Jorge Gabriel and Karen Rodriguez manage to murder their rendition of “Just the Way You Are” individually and collectively. I thought the entire performance was horrible. Jovany also manages to forget the lyrics. Steven tells them it was bad and he is very disappointed in Jorge since he was one of his favorites. Jovany and Karen are going through – really.

Our next group knows how to play the game as Lauren Alaina asks Steven to come up to the stage and the group then sings “Some Kind of Wonderful” to him. Steven even joins in during the chorus. I thought they sounded good together. As Steven returns to the judges table Ryan asks him if he wants a number for votes. In the end, only Lauren goes through to the next round.

The next group includes Colton Dixon and Matt Dillard with “Just the Way You are”. I did not enjoy the performance at all and thought the entire group was just not connecting. Steven likes Colton and tells Matt this was not your best performance. Colton is the only member going on to the next round.

Cue video montage of several other random contestants going home including Shannon Livewell, Briana Tyson, Janelle Arthur, Alyson Jados, Caitlin Koch, Paris Tassin, Emily Ann Reed, Adrienne Beasley, Courtney Penry, and Aaron Gutierrez. The river of tears was flowing.

Our next group members are Keeira Lyn Ford, Ashley Sullivan, Ashton Jones and Jacqui Elliott go with “Hit ‘Em up Style.” The performance itself was very good but the strongest singers were Ashton and Jacqui. I thought Ashley was just a little over the top. Randy tells Ashley she was pitchy but they were the best harmonized of any group. The entire group is on to the next round.

The next group has James Durbin, Emma Henry, Danny Pate, Caleb Johnson and John Jordan with their version of “Somebody to Love”. James and Danny were good although James was trying way too hard to hit that high note. The rest of the group sucked big time. Jennifer tells them the song was good because there were strong voices in the group but the harmonies were “like a bad Glee audition.” Caleb and James are the only two moving on. I do not agree with this, Danny should have been the one going through.

Next up is our “Minors” and let us say the kids rocked it. This was my favorite performance of the evening. Keonna Evans, Jalen Harris, Sarina-Joi Crowe, Felix Ramsey and Deandre Brackensick are all on to the next round. Their mothers on the other hand should never sing again. When they were backstage, harmonizing along I wanted to mute them out.

The next group contains Steven Clawson, Corey Levoy and Hollie Cavanagh. The group chooses, “Grenade”. Steven murders his portion and laugh out loud had the words written on his hands. I thought Corey was okay but there were some sharp moments but he does have a nice tone to his voice. Hollie was okay as well. Corey and Hollie move on while the rest of the group goes home. Corey pulls the stupid moment of the night when he questions the judges as to why they are the only two going through and then the light bulb goes off and he says, “Never mind!”.

Dan Noguchi, Lara Johnston, Julie Zorrilla, Melissa Lucas and Casey Abrams perform a song I did not recognize and the performance was okay. Casey and Julie are the only members going forward.

Da’Quela Payne, Matthew Nuss, Naima Adedapo, and Jacob Lusk go with “Get Ready” and I thought they did a great job. Steven loved it and all members of the group move forward.

Our “Four Non-blondes and that Guy” group are next. Caleb Hawley, Devyn Rush, Eryn Kelly, Chris Medina and Carson Higgins are next. They go with “Forget You” and again the group is okay. Carson goes sharp on his high note. Randy thinks Devyn was wild and “kind of screamy.” Everyone but Devyn is on to the next round.

We next have a montage of Steven making funny remarks but I was not able to capture them.

“Sugar Mama and the Babies” are next with “Mercy”. Denise Jackson, Stevie Cain, Natalie Hanson, Brett Loewenstern and Jacee Badeaux did a good job. Brett knocks it out of the ballpark and is a good performer. Denise sounded good as well but I did not like Stevie or Natalie. Poor Jacee forgot the lyrics and on the spot and in tune inserted his own words, which were hilarious, and you could tell the judges were enjoying Jacee.

Randy tells Jacee that he looked a little lost and the group then explained the situation about Jacee being dumped by his prior group and their letting him join their group. Jacee is a class act because he simply says it was not working with his other group and never blames anyone or asks for sympathy. Right on Jacee! The judges send the entire group on to the next round.

The group, which dumped Jacee, is next with “Get Ready.” Clint Jun Gamboa, Scott McCreery, Monique De Los Santos and Frances Coontz were good as well. I thought Clint was the villain in this story but unfortunately, he can sing. Randy calls them out about ditching Jacee. Scotty apologizes for not sticking up for Jacee, saying he’s “the best kid in the whole competition.” Steven Tyler was my hero though when he told them “For that alone, we should all make you step back one.” The entire group gets to move forward.

Our final group of the night is “Three’s Company” who totally botched “Forget You”. I would have sent them all packing but in the end only poor, Rob is going home. I am just happy I will not have to hear about this couple ever again.

I really would like to see this list of 20 songs so I could help these groups make an appropriate song choice. If there are 20 songs on the list, why did we only hear five or six of the songs? I want to ban “Forget You” forever.

At the end of the group round 68 contestants, have their dreams shattered while 100 remain for one last chance. The contestants will have one last chance to wow the judges with a solo performance before another 50 contestants leave the competition.

Until next time…