The audition phase concluded in American Idol 8 Episode 7. Despite cramming both New York and Puerto Rico into the episode, there still wasn’t much worth talking about.
Now it’s time for Hell week in Hollywood at the Kodak Theater. In total, 147 singers have proceeded to Hollywood.
Lil Rounds gets another good reception from the judges. Dennis Brigham doesn’t impress Simon any more than he did last time.
This year, whoever’s out will go home right away, without being given any second chances. From the first group, Asia, Alexander, and Lil will be going forward.
Nathaniel Marshall, whoever that is, is up for group two. The judges like his voice but not the song choice. Could have done without the outburst. Anoop Desai, Jasmine Murray, and Rose Flack are in this group as well. Anoop and Jasmine sail through, but Rose has been having a rough couple days of rehearsal. The whole group is through to the next round.
Stephen Fowler is first in the next group, and the judges are impressed. Jorge Nunez does a Jon Secada song justice. Then it’s Von Smith’s turn. Simon calls his performance indulgent nonsense. All three of them will be staying in Hollywood.
Norman Gentle (why is he being given more screen time?) is back and wasting more time. Simon calls him a ridiculous joke. Nonetheless, Norman Gentle (aka Nick Mitchell) is staying around, along with Frankie Jordan and Scott Macintyre (two much better singers who we don’t even hear).
Female rocker Jackie Tohn will be going ahead in the first group of day two.
Best friends Danny Gokey and Jamar Rogers are back in the next group. Randy’s a fan of Jamar, and Paula tells Danny he’s ready to record records.
Bikini girl Katrina Darrell made it through on the strength of her assets. Now she’s back but slightly more appropriately dressed. Kara’s unimpressed again, but she makes it through on the strength of Simon’s and Randy’s drooling.
Randy says roughneck Michael Sarver is even better than the first time. Jesus Valenzuela, however, gets cut.
David Osmond and Erika Wesley sound good in the couple seconds we see of them. Punk rocker Emily Hughes has decided to sing a song she hasn’t rehearsed. The judges hate it. David, Emily, and some guy named Alex are through to the next round. Erika’s been cut but asks for a second choice. The judges are confused and arguing but refuse to budge on their decision that they’re not apparently sure how they arrived at.
104 contestants, most of whom we probably haven’t seen, will be proceeding to the next phase, group day.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 9, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.