Hollywood week! New audition process and new elements! (Random quotes below the opening monologue.)
Ryan: “We visited seven cities and auditioned the biggest crowds in Idol history. From all over the country, only 164 made it through.
“Wherever they’re from and whatever their background, right now they’re doing the same thing. Packing their bags and leaving home for the biggest opportunity of their lives.
“Many of them have grown up watching this show and they think they know what’s in store for them. Welcome to a brand new Hollywood week. This is American Idol.”
“It’s the first day of Hollywood week. This morning,164 contestants arrived from all over the nation. Everything these contestants think they know about Hollywood week they’ve watched on TV. Over the past 6 years, they’ve seen the seen the aftermath of the late night parties. They’ve observed the devastating effect of group night. And they’ve watched as contestants crumbled on stage. But now we’re upping the ante and the the talent is bigger and better.”
Simon: “I think there’s 164 of you. The bad news is, 2/3 of you are going home. That is the reality. We’re looking for 50, so 110 of you are going to have a really, really bad time.
Ryan: With that stern warning from Simon, the contestants take their seats and the auditions are ready to begin…
“Over the course of the next couple of days, each contestant — about 160 of them–will come up and perform in front of the judges. After they sing, they’ll hear one of two things. Either they’ve made it to the final day of Hollywood week… or they’ll get a no.
“But it’s not the end. Because this year, our talent is stronger than ever, so we’re giving contestants a second shot. This will ensure that no talent slips through the cracks. This season nobody will get cut in the first two days, but on the third day, they’ll sing for their life. And it’s going to be a bloodbath.”
This year is also the first year contestants can use instruments on stage (during round one only), but it didn’t always work to their advantage. Instruments added another element that could blemish their performance if not used well.
Random notes and quotes:
Brooke White - Philadelphia
“Great potential – Carly Simon, Carole King thing going” – Simon
“Your risk was worth it” – Paula
David Hernandez
He has charisma and a good voice. Very comfortable on stage. Both Randy and the pianist had the headbob to the downbeat. LOL
“One of the first times today that I loved it from note one. I loved it.” – Randy
“I thought it was great, David. I think one of the best we’ve heard today.” – Simon
Amanda Overmyer – Rocker nurse. One week before she was in a car accident – 12 staples in her head and cracked ribs.
“Such a throwback thing for me… so unique” – Randy
“I adore you. I love you.” – Paula
Forgotten lyrics:
Buck Smith
Cardin McKinney
Natashia Blach
Ghaleb Emacheh Venezuela
Seen flirting with Cardin McKinney. “Do you have a wife?” she asks when he expresses a flicker of embarrassment after kissing her cheek on a nationally televised show.
Day 2
Josiah Leming (who lives in his car and speaks with a British Accent)
Sang “Grace Kelly” by Mika
“I really like you. You’re cool” – Randy
“You have a magical thing about you… I’m proud of you” – Paula
“Of all the auditions, this is the one I’m going to remember” – Simon
These five had a “free pass” to Day Four. I thought each of their renditions of their audition songs were original and well sung!
Danny Noriega
Sang “When I Need You ”
“One of the best” – Randy
Ramiele Maluaby – Go Flip Power 
Carly Smithson
“You’re a force to be reckoned with all of you should be very scared.” – Paula
“You all should hate her because she’s very good” – Simon
Michael Johns – “Trying to set the night on…”
“Fire!” Randy, Paula & Michael
“I wasn’t going to get robbed of that note!” – Michael
David Cook - MO
“Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams
“Nice range, nice tone” – Randy
“It was soothing, it felt right.” – Paula
Also sang “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams:
Robbie Carrico
Jessie Brown
Perrie Cataldo
Syesha Mercadoo
Colton Berry
Kyle Ensley – Curly- haired, high school president. Giddy to be set up with two girls in his room…”Did you ever eat deer jerky?”
“A little corny” – Paula
“Abysmal” – Simon
2nd chances
“The most Vicious in AI history” – Ryan
48 with free pass to final round
116 sing for their life
Contestants are brought up in groups, sing acappella for a few seconds and are given the boot or a second chance to compete for the top 24. “It’s do or die.” – Simon
Kristy Lee Cook - Sang “Amazing Grace” as she did in her first audition and it put her through to final round
Jeffrey Lampkin – one of the spirited Lampkin siblings, made it through to the final round even though his sister was cut.
Angela Martin Whose daughter has health complications, also lost her father just before Hollywood. She was cut before final rounds.
Day 4 – Final Performances and Final Cuts
Most spent the night rehearsing with the band to at least 5a.m. On stage, contestants sing with the band & 3 background singers
David Archuleta 16
Sang “Heaven” by Bryan Adams
“I am so impressed with you at 16… The best I’ve heard yet since we’ve been here for days!” – Randy
“You’re a gem. And for the whole world to see.” – Paula
“You have so many things going for you. Young, good-lucking, likeable and good voice” – Simon
Kyle Ensley
Sang Josh Groban “You raise me up” and showed a better song choice and performance over his first appearance on stage.
“That was actually really good” – Randy
“It was safe” – Paula
“I apologize for leaving you there the other day… more importantly, that was a good little audition” – Simon
Jeffrey Lampkin
A whole new world – but unfortunately a rough performance
Joey Catalano – spent the night sick, throwing up and awake with a migraine.
Sayesha Mercado – also dealing with loss of voice
“Chain of Fools”
“I think that you are one to watch you could sneak up and give everyone a run you got skillz” – Randy
“You did an amazing job” – Simon
Michael Johns Australian
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Big song with a broad range and distinctive Freddie Mercury sound!)
“I’m still a fan” – Randy
“Best audition of the day” – Simon
Carly Smithson – Ireland, Made it to Hollywood in season 5, but her paperwork her work visa fell through. She found out she was allergic to her dog causing her vocal problems.
Sings Heart’s “Alone” (one of my favorites)
“That was a very good song choice for you” – Simon
Asia’h Epperson – who lost her dad a couple before her first audition
“Your best audition by a mile. I luh-ved that” – Simon
Brooke Helvie – Our resident beauty queen contestant
Butchered Sang “Unchained Melody”
Paula said no and sent her home
Josiah Leming 18
Didn’t have a strong rehearsal with the band, less than 2 hours of sleep, and he sent the band offstage.
Sang Stand By Me, but didn’t have the support.
“I didn’t get that one at all” – Randy
“I’m a huge fan Josiah… and that just didn’t work for me” – Paula
“If you’re going to dismiss the band, be really certain that you are going deliver an unbelievable vocal” – Simon
“I’m not overconfident at all, I was just trying so hard to come up with something special and it completely backfired on me” – Josiah
Still got yeses from all three judges
Who makes it?!?
American Idol Hollywood Week – Top 24 (2-13-08)
By TVJunkie Jenn