IDOL WATCH: The Show Heads to Las Vegas!

70 contestants still remain at the start of tonight's AMERICAN IDOL episode, and they'll be headed to Las Vegas to sing the music of the 1950s and 60s in groups for a chance to be one of the 40 who will continue on the singing competition.

The first group to take the stage - containing 17-year-old Skylar Lane, 21-year-old Cari Quoyeser, 20-year-old Chase Likens and 20-year-old Colton Dixon - earns scattered applause from the judges, with three of four making it through and only Cari being cut.

Some of the youngest singers (Jeremy Rosado, 19; David Leathers Jr., 17; Ariel Sprague, 16; and Gabi Carruba, 17) manage to put together a routine that garners the praise of all three judges. "Job well done. Congratulations," Randy tells them, "You guys are all through to the next round!"

Adam Brock, 27; Erica Ven Pelt, 26; Angie Zeiderman, 25; and Shelby Tweten, 17, present a fully choreographed song including Adam starting at the piano and Angie dancing across a car. It's work that pays off as another entire group is chosen to continue on.

A bizarre duet between Richie Law and Jermaine Jones sees both of them through to the next round, but the next few auditions see the farewells of Ashley Robles, 19; Stephanie Renae, 15; Jessica Phillips, 26, and Mathenee Treco, 25.

That's not the end of the cuts for Las Vegas, though: even though they've all performed, there are still too many people remaining for the judges' 40 contestant limit.

Those who don't make the final cut include Gabi Carruba, Schylar Dixon, Angie Zeiderman, Candice Glover and Johnny Keyser. Next week, tune in as the remaining 40 (well, 42) contestants face off with solo songs and the judges attempt to finally narrow down the talent pool to the top 24!

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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