It’s American Idol’s last week in Hollywood before moving to Las Vegas, and the stress on contestants is causing illness, “verbal amnesia” and, you guessed it, more fainting. Imani had fainted before her group went onstage but mustered the courage to perform with them to the judges- only to faint AGAIN. It was a bit upsetting though, because the girl has a lovely voice. But the judges decided fainting was a sign of weakness, and Imani didn’t get through to the next round. Neither did anyone else in her group except Johnny….which is weird, because I still have no idea who Johnny is.
As always, some groups get through to the next round without anyone being eliminated (cue happy music in the background) and some groups get eliminated without any members getting through to the next round, like Alicia the Cop’s group (cue sad music.) I wonder if she thinks she was eliminated because the judges don’t like cops?
Then, Heejan’s group performs. They call themselves M.I.T- Most International Team, and they all get through. Heejan apologizes to Richie the Cowboy for insulting him to the cameras last week. Without Heejan angry at cowboy dude, he’s a bit dull. Let down.
An hour into the show and it’s finally time for individual performances. Almost everyone sings “Georgia on My Mind.” Colton Dixon plays piano and his hair is distracting. Phil Phillips plays guitar- and is it just me, or dos he looks like Scotty McCreery? Jen Hirsch plays no instrument but her voice soulful and deep.
Finally, it’s Reed Grimm’s turn. He wants to sing a cappella but the show’s producers won’t allow it. Instead, he has thirty minutes to practice with a band. He talks during the entire rehearsal. I shout at the television, “you only have thirty minutes!” He doesn’t shut up and instead calls his mother to cry. I suppose we call this “breaking under pressure.” He decides to play drums while he sings, you guessed it, Georgia on My Mind. After all the drama, he is fabulous. He sings that song better than any contestant before him. I dub him my new favorite (sorry Heejan.)
[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qZ-svNOzyI']
The rest of the singers shown are all impressive and very young. Sixteen year old Shannon Mcgraine praised by the judges, as does seventeen year old Skyler Laine.
Almost two hours into the show, it’s deliberation time. As J.Lo says before a commercial break, it’s “not just about singers, it’s about stars.”
The contestants are split into four rooms- and three of the rooms make it to Las Vegas. As contestants in room three hear the news that they have not made it through, “Mad World” by Gary Jules plays in the background. Love that song.
Tonight is the first night in Las Vegas. Wonder who will faint this time? To be continued…
What do you think?