American Idol 2009: Hollywood Week Round 4
Round four of Hollywood week kicked off with Ryan looking super hot in blue jeans, a pale blue shirt and white trainers. Ryan said that it was the only day that mattered and explained that this year some of the contestants would have to sing for their lives. The judges were seated in the throne room of the judges’ mansion, which added to the drama.
Anoop Desai and Von Smith were the first to make it through to the final 36 even though Simon had called Von’s first day ‘indulgent nonsense’. Ryan was looking after Von’s mother and gave him the hurry up to tell her he was through. The first two contestants in a sing-off were Cody Sheldon and Alex Trugman. I liked Cody Sheldon’s original audition so it was disappointing that Alex sang better. The judges liked Alex better too, so Cody was out. Ryan was waiting outside to pick up the pieces but he’s not getting much drama out of the contestants, cmon … lure them into saying something crazy!
Next in to see the judges was Adam Lambert. This guy has an awesome voice. Simon told Adam they liked him and it was a unanimous decision to send him through to the final 36. I didn’t remember Taylor Vaifanua but she made it through too, despite a poor group performance, and was joined by Arianna Afsar, Casey Carlson, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson and Stevie Wright.
Joanna Pacitti made it through despite forgetting her lyrics and being really unimpressive throughout, but was later disqualified and replaced by Felicia Barton.
Ryan: “ it is a beautiful day outside but inside the tension is mounting and the contestants are wondering if they have done enough. Did their stage presence satisfy the judges? Did they pick the right songs? Did they hit all the notes? One by one they face the judges, hoping for a good outcome.”
T.K. Hash, Chris Chatman and Reggi Beasley didn’t cut it and Kendall Beard went through before Kristen McNamara and Jenn Korbee were next in line for a sing-off. Kristen blew Jenn out of the water, but the judges argued over keeping the attractive blonde girl (Simon) or the one who can sing (Kara and Paula). Kristen went through, but Simon told her that he absolutely disagreed with the decision. That should give her confidence for the next stage!
Alexis Grace, Scott McIntire and Lil Rounds all had something that the judges liked, but Felicia Barton, Ashley Hollister and Devon Baldwin didn’t make the top 36. The judges told Felicia Barton that the decision wasn’t unanimous, and she was later reinstated to replace Joanna Pacitti.
These Hollywood week episodes with all the voice-overs from Ryan are awesome. They could only be improved if we could see him more often too.
Frankie Jordan and Jessie Langsett were the next two to go up against each other. Frankie said she was competitive and good at singing, but her survival song was really weak. Jessie sang much better although Simon was right that it was another awful song. Simon voted ‘neither’ but Jessie made the final 36 and Frankie told Ryan that she’d probably picked the wrong song. He’s not heard that before.
We were treated to a shot of Ryan walking up the staircase before Shera Lawrence and Derik Levers got a ‘no’ from the judges. Allison Iraheta made it through before the show turned to a little bromance. This is the point where we were hoping for a sing-off, but unfortunately Danny Gokey went straight through. I think I’d like him more if it didn’t feel like he was trading off a personal story (unlike the Danny with a similar story from last season’s X Factor finals, this Danny does genuinely deserve his place in the final 36). Next up was Jamar Rogers. Kara told him that the risks he’d taken hadn’t paid off and he was out. Haha! The bromance is torn apart!! Jamar deserved a place in the final 36 more than some of the guys who got through, but this is definitely more entertaining. Is he eligible for a wild card ticket? The holding room is in shock and you have to love the way Ryan is looking between the two of them. Cmon guys, where’s the drama? I want to see tears ;-)
Ricky Braddy, Matt Giraud, Ju’Not Joyner, Jorge Nuñez and Brent Keith and Stephen Fowler all go through, even though Stephen screwed up on the last day by forgetting his lyrics. Another contestant who probably isn’t expecting to go through is Nick Mitchell, but he’s willing to do anything it takes including cleaning Simon’s cars, being Paula’s butler or wearing a bikini like bikini girl (let’s hope that wasn’t a veiled offer to make out with Ryan … ew — I do apologize for that mental imagery.) Nick made it through with a promise to bring the schtick to the next round. He’s not there on vocal talent, but he’s mildly amusing at least. Jackie Tohn also got a yes and was bordering on Tatiana levels of annoyance. Speak of the devil … unbelievably she goes through to the final 36. Simon! How could you do this to us? She’s not the worst singer in the competition, but she’s not particularly good. Certainly nowhere near as good as she thinks she is.
Jackie Midkiff and Nathaniel Marshall are the next two in the sing-off. I don’t like Jackie’s voice at all and I’m not seeing what Kara likes in him. Nathanial Marshall’s singing wasn’t any better, but I like him — and he’s such a princess. Despite wearing the worst outfit Simon had seen, Nathanial made it through. Also through were Jeanine Vailes, Kai Kalama, Anne Marie Boskovich and Kris Allen. Why are all these contestants hugging their friends and family when Ryan’s there for the taking? Guys … valid reason for a squeeze of Ryan and you’re passing it up? Man!
The last two for the sing-off both got through. Michael Sarver is too polite ad he comes across as a bit bland and boring, but he called Simon ‘sir’ which was cute. Matt Breitzke also sang an awful song but he has a nice tone to his voice. It was funny to see Ryan get a bear hug — and those two guys do look like bears next to him.
At the end of the show Ryan introduced the top 36 and gave the names for group one, who’ll be performing next week.
- Casey Carlson
- Stephen Fowler
- Jackie Tohn
- Ricky Braddy
- Ann Marie Boskovitch
- Brent Keith Smith
- Alexis Grace
- Michael Sarver
- Stevie Wright
- Danny Gokey
- Tatiana Del Torro
- Anoop Desai
My prediction for the top three:
- Danny Gokey
- Casey Carlson
- Anoop Desai
The three I’d like to see go through:
- Anoop Desai
- Alexis Grace
- Stephen Fowler
