American Idol 8 Episode 9 was group night in Hollywood. India, Justin, Kris, and Matt sailed through, as did Danny, Jamar, and Taylor. Bikini girl Katrina finally got cut, as did David Osmond.
The field has been narrowed down from 103,000 to 72. They will perform today with a band, backup singers, and instruments if they choose.
Adam Lambert is first, following mixed reviews earlier in Hollywood week. He sings Believe by Cher. Good voice. Wacky song choice.
Matt Giraud plays the keyboard while singing. This appears to be his element, and he gets a standing ovation.
Jamar Rogers sings Hey There Delilah. His buddy Danny Gokey also gets yet another bit of screen time. Both of them have proven to be strong singers and have a great advantage over many of the others who have not had the fortune of being in four episodes already this season.
Like Matt, Scott MacIntyre’s getting his shot behind his keyboard, singing Daughtry’s Home.
Texas native Kendall Beard impressed the judges in Puerto Rico but not so much in Hollywood. She sings Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats.
From here, I can tell it’s going to be speed night. This was so much better when Fox had no other shows that anybody actually watched and was forced to stretch these things out more than 10 seconds per person.
Mishavonna Henson got cut in Hollywood previously but is back to try again.
Tatiana del Toro, who’s a wee bit creepy, is back again. She sings Whitney Houston’s I’m Your Baby Tonight, and I’m still wondering why she’s here.
Nathaniel Marshall gets to play the guitar in his final audition, hopefully over the drama queenness for the time being.
Stephen Fowler was up all night rehearsing. It doesn’t show. He starts over, only to not be able to finish a second time.
Norman Gentle is back. Why? Just… why? He sings Georgia on my Mind. For some reason, the judges still find him funny.
Ann Marie Boskovich is worried about standing out since it seems like everybody’s singing I Hope You Dance.
The judges have the math wrong and have decided to move Tatiana from one room to another. It seems she’s on the bubble, which probably means not close enough to make the cut in the next round even if she does make it.
Kaylan Loyd was unable to make it through her song without Simon putting himself out of her misery.
Kai Kalama likewise struggled with his voice after the stress of Hollywood week.
Roughneck Michael Sarver continues to impress the judges.
Simon’s fleeing the country and heading to London, leaving Randy, Paula, and Kara to break the news to the contestants.
Room 2 hears the news first. They will be going through. The group includes Alexis Grace, Joanna Pacitti, Casey Carlson, Kai Kalama, Arianna Afsar, Jasmine Murray, Stephen Fowler, Nathan Marshall, and Michael Sarver.
Room 3 is next. They are at the end of the road. Michael Castro, India Morrison, Kaylan Loyd, and Leneshe Young have been cut.
Room 1 was the first group to be placed, and now they hear the news. They were probably the favorites who all the judges were easily able to agree about. They will be going through. Anoop Desai, Scott McIntyre, Danny Gokey, Jamar Rogers, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds, Jorge Nunez, and Jackie Tohn will advance.
Room 4 is last and hoping a third room will be picked. While they’re making the contestants sweat, Tatiana’s already crying and praying to God. This group gets through as well. So… why did they make Tatiana switch rooms? Tatiana del Toro, Matt Breitzke, Cody Sheldon, Nick Mitchell, Ann Marie Boskovich, and TK Hash are among this group.
Tomorrow night the top 36 will be revealed.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of American Idol Season 8 episode 11, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.