IDOL WATCH: Hollywood Week Continues - Fainting, Fighting and Forgetting Lyrics

This week on AMERICAN IDOL, the 185 remaining contestants are to be whittled down with both group numbers and solo performances. As the groups prepare to perform, some singers oversleep while others are ill-prepared, some are just ill, and still more are fighting with their fellow contestants.

The first group suffers from more than one ailment, with one of the performers sick and the others arguing constantly. Out of Jennifer Malsch, 20; Cherie Tucker 23; Cari Quoyeser, 21; and Gabrielle Cavassa, 17, only Jennifer and Cari are chosen to continue.

The next group (Reed Grimm, 26; Nick Boddington, 26; Creighton Fraker, 23; Aaron Marcellus, 27; and Jen Hirsch, 25) put together a polished performance with plenty of focus on background vocals and harmony. The judges are duly impressed with the work put into the song - "That's how you do it! Amazing!" Randy exclaims, and everyone moves forward.

The third performance has a parent problem: too many parents with too many ideas. The group consists of 19-year-old Kyle Crews, 19-year-old Joshua Ledet, 17-year-old Brielle Von Hugel and 17-year-old Shannon Magrane. Working late into the night, they've managed to work out a routine - without the help of the  parents - but it's only enough to send three of the contestants through. For Kyle, it's the end of the road.

Then it's a very rough performance for Dustin Cundiff, 18; Amy Brumfield, 25; Mathenee Treco, 25; and Jacquie Cera, 26. Jacquie complains of dizziness just before the routine, while Dustin and Amy forget lyrics - which leaves Mathenee as the only one who'll be seen in the next round.

That kicks off a montage of singers forgetting their lyrics. Although this year former judge Simon Cowell's strict rule ("If you forget your lyrics, you're out") doesn't apply, it's a mistake that not many bounce back from.

Another young group (Ariel Sprague, 16; Eben Franckewitz, 15; David Leathers Jr., 17; and Jeremy Rosado, 19), uses the parents to a better advantage than the earlier group. Working together, they manage to put together a slick routine that impresses the judges and succeeds in sending all of them through.

Imandi Handy, 17, has passed out twice prior to taking the stage but insists on singing with her group: 18-year-old Bryce Garcia, 23-year-old Johnny Keyser and 28-year-old Kristi Krause. When Imani passes out again during the performance, her cohorts are unsure of how to continue - Johnny even keeps singing for awhile - but after a brief break the judges let them know that Kristi and Bryce were sent home, and Imani will head home for her health, leaving Johnny heading to the solo round alone.

19-year-old Richie Law tells the cameras before the group performance that he's compromising by singing with 22-year-old Heejun Han, 20-year-old Jairon Jackson and 21-year-old Phillip Phillips. Heejun has responds that "[Richie] has a mouth, but he doesn't have an ear," (and later apologizes for it) but all four make it through.

That ends the group performances, but there are still many cuts to be made. All of the remaining contestants perform with the IDOL band individually, then they're separated into four groups in four separate rooms.

The first room - including Jennifer Hirsch, Jermaine Jones, Lauren Gray, Joshua Ledet, Adam Brock and Chreighton Fraker - get their news first. "It was a tough day," Steven Tyler says - but it won't be for this group, who make it through. The same celebration happens in room two (with Phil Phillips, Shannon Magrane, Reed Grimm and Jessica Phillips) and room four (with Baylie Brown and Angie Zeiderman); unfortunately for room three, that leaves Rochelle Lamb, Jennifer Malsch and more out in the cold.

Tune in tomorrow as the competition moves to Las Vegas and the judges get one step closer to finding their finalists!

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

 

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