Catch up time!

First of all, my deepest apologies for leaving you all hanging on the blogging front. There is nothing I can say but I was literally working around the clock and didn't even watch TV for 2 weeks! This weekend, however, I'm not shutting off the TV at all until the DVR is emptied. And thank god I found iwatchamericanidolonline.com so I can watch the episode that my DVR did not record!



So first, San Francisco auditions. So many great voices - I just love the energy this season. I wasn't that blown away by Julie the Columbian girl who sang Summertime, but they sure gave her a build up. But the best part was Steven Tyler hating on some contestants. No hating on James Durbin however, the contestant with Tourettes / Aspergers. Crying as I write this.


Hollywood Week begins with 327 contestants. I love Hollywood Week - it is where I normally fall in love with certain contestants. And this time they are changing things up so let's see how that affects it. First round - sudden death with a lineup of 10 singing a cappella. I wish we could see all of it, unedited. I wish I could have been there. I wish I was a judge. Some standouts of what we see: Brett Lowenstein - the redhead, Rachel Zevita - NYer, Thia - the 15 yr old Asian girl, Casey - soulster from New Orleans (but what kind of album would he make?). I can't stand that Victoria Huggins the overly energetic girl so I'm glad she didn't make it. Love Paris who sang My Heart Will Go On and has the little girl. James Durbin - I love his story but he went a little Adam Lambert on me. I'm putting money on 15 year old Lauren who sang Unchained Melody. Man, that Chris Medina is so now and modern.


Got chills from 15 yr old Jacee singing Rascal Flatts, so sweet, but oh man that Hollie Cavanaugh the blonde who had cried at her audition. Chills. Love Rob and Chelsea and want them to keep going! Nick and Jacqueline - cheesy couple. He was terrible. She overdid it but she made it and he made an a** out of himself begging and singing up the aisle. Love Scotty aka Josh Turner with the deep voice. Love that Jlo said the girl from the Bronx fell for a country singer - she understands me. Hate Tiffany Rios with her too tight skirt and her attitude "I'm tired of seeing people try to do what I know I can." Seriously? Love Travis the almost homeless kid from the Bronx -- but he had a terrible audition. Terrible. So she made it and he didn't.


Down to 168


And now it is group round of Hollywood Week - one of the craziest episodes usually but also what is the purpose? It is an individual competition. Then again, the pressure of the unknown must be a good thing to test them on. Love that Day 1 and Day 2 had to mix together and chaos ensued. The picking and rejection of the groups is giving me severe anxiety. Drama from almost quitter Ashley.



I cannot believe the group kicked out Jacee. I hope none of them get through.


Time to perform - love the judges pep talk. They keep hinting that a favorite is going to go and I'm nervous who that is!! Crazy Tiffany and Jessica who was crazy enough to work with her are next -- can't stand either now. She will lie down on the floor in a mini skirt. Why is her hair sparkling? And she's outta here!


Love Lauren's group who sang to Steven on Stage Some Kind of Wonderful. Slightly weird since he is old, but fun. I can't believe Paris messed up -- geez, she was so good and had such a good story - gorgeous girl. Yikes. You know that they have to give backstory to those who will get through as well as those who won't, but it is weird to know that much and then they disappear. Heartbreaking.


In the group the Hits with the very emotional Ashley, that girl Ashton was really good - soulful and strong. Okay so the young kids come up with the stage moms and do a really good job but I gotta say the stage mom thing left a bad taste in my mouth. Obviously they still have to have talent to get through, but something felt wrong about the extra support.


Love that there is still new talent to discover like Jacob Lusk from the a cappella Get Ready Here I come group with the deep bass ending. Loved the Forget You crew with Chris Medina (or I just love the song so much that I love anyone who sings it?)


I AM OBSESSED WITH JACEE. I know he can't win this competition but I am so happy that he is getting the spotlight for some time - such a sweet talented kid. OBSESSED.


Even though the kicked out Jacee, The Guaps - Scotty Clint and the girls were great with Get Ready.

And now, time for Part 3 of Hollywood Week. 100 contestants going down to 50. Today they can sing with the band or a cappella. Ashton Jones who I noticed in the group gave us a Jennifer Hudson moment with And I'm Telling You. Thia is still hitting it at 15 with What a Wonderful World. I'm so ready for another Kelly or Carrie people! So glad they are not forcing an equal number of men and women in the final 10. Let the cards play out as they may.

Clint Jun Gamboa who kicked out Jacee is a diva in his own right. Sophia and Kendra doing Georgia on My Mind who I hadn't seen before were good. Carson and Chris do My Prerogative. Carson is super fun, but is his voice okay? We already know Chris has a great voice. Loving Colton Dixon who sang Daughtry's What About Now. That redhead Brett Lowenstein is so unique. First time Robbie Rosen the 15 year old stood out for me - playing the piano and slow jamming. Casey brought the bass. Great unique style, but I don't see a recording superstar here. Why did Jacqueline go home before singing? Chelsee sings Kelly Clarkson not perfectly but she's got something.

That Lauren Alaina has to stop milking the Steven Tyler thing, but she is amazing so I will forgive her one more time. And 15? Geez. Jacob Lusk, another new one from Hollywood round does a crazy skat filled God Bless the Child and the judges are hooting and hollering. It is going to be hard for him to top this. Standing O right there. Umm why is he crying?

Oh my John Wayne, you got me from the first twang. His occupation is Cowboy - I love him even if he is only 23. Love that black hat. Ashley is too crazy and forgot the words - she needs to go. Love that JLo told her to control her emotions.

I love Jacee. Love him.

If I was the judges listening to the word mix up on I Hope You Dance, I would have been hysterically laughing. I felt bad for them, but it was funny. I wish we could have seen more performances. But now the drama of the rooms.

Room 1 Ashley, Brett and Jacee - this could go either way. But then I saw CLint and Lauren and James Durbin. They made it. Robbie, Casey etc.

Room 2 Don't recognize them and it is over.

Room 3 Chelsea who is one I will miss and that room is out too.

Room 4 Carson, Scotty and more make it through.

And so next week marks a change -- another round as the top 50 perform songs from the Beatles in a sudden death round I believe. Better than the sit down interview that they used to do. Make them sing again to get through. Very excited to see what happens but hope the pressure and inability to prepare don't make us lose some prime talent.

And so there is my thorough catch up on Idol. Such a great way to enjoy my weekend! And now onto more DVR elimination - 2 episodes of Glee.

Remember, don't be ashamed of your obsessions...even when you almost don't have enough time for them.