As Promised, Group Auditions = Drama!

“Forget the words, you’re OUT!” Simon’s voice echoed through the Kodak Theatre. Suddenly, any contestant who thought they had their group routine down was in an instant panic.

Contestants broke off into groups of 3 or 4 late in the previous evening. Drama ensued as some contestants were left without a group wandering shamelessly begging to be a part of someone else’s. Holy flashback to the kickball days of getting picked last for the teams! The groups chose songs, learned the words and tried to get some movements down to impress the judges, many of them working into the wee hours of the morning, or not getting any sleep at all.

I have to question the whole group performance day. I mean, this is a contest for the next American IDOL, singular, right? We’re not looking for the next boy band, here judges! Why the runaround? Answer: great TV drama, obviously…this one episode is as close to “reality TV” as we’re gonna get from AI. From here on out, it’s all posed interviews and happy faces…and Ford commercials.

Sadly, many favorites were sent home this evening due to the fact that they were so caught up in the drama and forgot their words, or the group performed so poorly together that it just made their own voice sound that much worse. And, even though Simon didn’t stick to the ‘one shot’ deal Tuesday evening, the judges definitely followed the ‘forget the words, you’re out’ warning. Rose Flack (sweet young orphan with dreads) and Austin Sisneros (the blond Archuleta) forgot their words, as did Emily Wynne-Hughes, whose band was scheduled to go on tour in Europe before she got her Golden Ticket and canceled. Ouch.

Thankfully, several divas were sent home, including Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell and Nancy Wilson, who is sure to give Omarosa a run for her money in future reality TV, I’m certain, after their drama-filled auditions. But, the only shot of Deanna Brown and David Osmond we saw last night was of their faces when they were cut from the competition. WHAT?!!?! Idol cut an Osmond?? Their Utah viewer ratings just took a huge nosedive!

Not to worry though, there is still some serious talent in the remaining contestants. We all know Joanna Pacitti can sing, she has had a previous record deal after all. And Brent Keith Smith made it to Hollywood in Season 2 and was a contestant on Nashville Star previously. Jackie Tohn’s a little crazy for my taste, and Adam Lambert a little screechy, but they’re both still here. As are Casey Carlson, Frankie Jordan, Jorge Nunez-Mendez, Jasmine Murray, Lil Rounds, and many others.

Matt “dueling piano player” Giraud, Michael “oil rigging daddy” Sarver, Danny “widower” Gokey, Jamar “Danny’s friend” Rogers, and Matt “welder daddy” Breitzke all had stellar group auditions!! Idol judges have been quoted in articles saying this year is full of male talent, and these guys certainly are evidence of that!

We didn’t see Von Smith sing anything after Tuesday’s catastrophic audition. Nor have I seen Anoop Desai perform for a couple days (besides the teaser at the end for next Tuesday’s show) and where is Leneshe Young? I think she might’ve been in a crying contestant montage and I missed it. :o( They didn’t air Scott Macintyre’s group performance (but really, how evil was it to make the blind guy learn choreography with a group?), and where is the super sweet Kai Kalama who takes care of his mom?

I think American Idol producers are still holding back a few contestants from the viewing audience. Contestants we haven’t even seen perform yet. Presumably, they’ll have some talent. We never met Jason Castro last season until he was in the Top 24. And while we’re on the subject of Castro brothers…where are they hiding Michael? We only saw him celebrating Tuesday, but I didn’t spy him last night, did you?

There are two more Hollywood Week episodes next week, when individual auditions reconvene, and contestants get to audition while playing instruments if they wish, which is when Brooke White shined last season. I can’t wait to hear some big talent, even though I’ll miss Rose Flack and feel sorry for Emily Wynne-Hughes…but here’s hoping someone scoops them both up onto a record deal before they have to swallow their pride and come back for American Idol 9!