American Idol
Heartbreak and Jubilation

It's the last episode before the 36 Semi-Finalists are announced!  There are 72 contestants left after Group Day, and the judges are now standing over Polaroids of the contestants, trying to decide how to further split the group into four rooms.

We go back in time to see how the contestants arrived in their respective rooms.  This round of auditions is also the first time that contesants will be allowed to perform with instruments.  (Note:  The episode jumped all over the place, so I'm going to write this recap based on each room rather than chronologicall.)

ROOM ONE
Adam Lambert is told that he's still too musical theatre - even though he's wearing eyeliner (and foundation?!).  He tells the judges that he wants to be in this competition so that he can reinterpret familiar songs in new ways.  He stays true to his word by singing Cher's "I Believe" as a ballad.  It goes over well, but I personally thought it was a little creepy (David Cook "Always Be My Baby" creepy). 

Matt Giraud, the cute self-taught dueling piano player,  does a really soulful version of "Georgia on My Mind" on the keyboard.  Simon is somewhat smiling and the backup singers (who aren't singing) are making "Whoooo" faces behind Matt.

Best friends Jamar Rogers and Danny Gokey have made it all the way through together.  Jamar sings a soulful/poppy version of "Hey There, Delilah" that is awesome.  Danny Gokey sings one of my favorite songs, "I Hope You Dance".  Paula looks completely beside her self and I get chills.  Woooooow!!!  I hope this guy wins.  Simon looks like he's smiling (kind of) again.

Next, one of my favorites, Anoop Desai, sings freaking "My Prerogative" and he blows it out the water - AMAZING!!!  He's the Anti-Sanjaya!!!

Jorge Nunez does "I Just Can't Stop" by Neo. 

Scott MacIntyre, the blind pianist, sings Daughtry's "Home" and Paula gives him a standing O.  This is especially great, considering it's a song that many people have butchered.  I think he can go really far!

Kendall Beard continues the AI covers with some Carrie Underwood. 

Stevie Wright sings Sara Bareilles in a great alto.

Lil Rounds sings "Ain't Got Nothing'" by Alicia Keys. 

Kristin McNamara, the girl part of Group Compromise, sings "Because of You" and hits some great high notes, though she gets "a little pitchy at some parts", as Randy would say.

Mishavonna Henson, who was cut after day two of Hollywood Day last year, is determined to stay and does a great version of Michael Buble's "Everything".

ROOM TWO
Now we have the nutsy kookookatchoo Tatiana Del Toro, who has sung a total of eight songs since she's appeared before the judges (often squeezing them in a capella in the middle of the judges' decisions).  Today, she sings Whitney Houston's "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and it's completely overdone.  The judges look incredulous - Randy is especially perplexed when she tags on a 10-note a capella run at the end of the song.  Tatiana comes out completely elated and happy about her performance.

Pink-haired mom Alexis Grace also does a solid rendition of Carrie Underwood's, "Before He Cheats". 

Kenny Hauffpauer, a 16 year old, sings some Jason Mraz in a nice, clear tenor.

Jasmine Murray, also 16, sings Jordin Sparks' "Tattoo", though it was a little off compared to her earlier performances. 

Nathaniel "It's On My Skin" Marshall sings his heart out on an acoustic guitar version of Rihanna's "Disturbia".  I still don't understand his headband look, and hope that it does not escalate to Blair Waldorf levels if he makes it past Hollywood Week.

Joanna Pacitti, the controversial contestant who has had at least two record deals (plus, Britney Spears' new song, "Out From Under", is actually a cover of Joanna's recording), is still here.  However, she COMPLETELY totally 100% forgets the words to her Alicia Keys song, mumbling through the whole thing.  Her nerves were too much!

In fact, this room is chock full of people who forgot their lyrics:

Casey Carlson forgot the lyrics to "Tattoo".

Stephen Fowler forgets the song he sings on keyboard, and asks to begin again (like Brooke White from the previous season).   However, the second attempt doesn't work out either, and he abandons the audition.

Although he doesn't forget his lyrics, Kai Kalama's voice has broken down after days of singing and he goes crazy-off key during his performance with acoustic guitar.

Michael Sarver, the oil rigger dad sings a nice version of O-Town's "All Or Nothing", though I much prefer his performances from earlier auditions.

Then, in a craaazy AI twist, they pull Tatiana out of this group and bring her to Room Four....  It's so weird.  She's so crazy - please don't make America watch her week after week!!!

ROOM THREE
Kaylan Loyd sang Alicia Keys but it wasn't that great at all.  Simon cuts her off short.

Leneshe Young, the once-homeless teen who impressed the judges with her original song during the louisville, KY auditions.  She sings Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" and feels great about.  The judges are smiling, although the background singers in the back look kind of bored and possibly even annoyed.

India Morrison, who did great in the Group Day, had a rough solo performance. 

ROOM FOUR
Now that Tatiana is in Room Four, everyone is even more nervous and confused about their fates.  Also making them feel confused is the fact that they are in the same group as Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle.

Nick Michell/Norman Gentle was himself on Group Day, and made it through despite Simon's accusations of still being "a bit of a joke".  For his final performance, he comes out as Norman Gentle and sings a hilariously overdramatic rendition of "Georgia On My Mind".  Although he's seems like a nice guy,  I have to point out that he neither looks nor sounds (nor acts) like the 27-year-old he says he is.  ANYWAY, needless to say, the people in Room 4 with Nick Mitchell are completely confused about their own fates while sitting next to this non-serious competitor.

Anne-Marie Boskovitch also sings "I Hope You Dance", which was apparently a really popular song choice of the day.  It's not great.  She's also wearing a floor-length spaghetti strap dress, which is a very popular wardrobe choice this season.  Forever 21 must be making a fortune!

Ju'not Yoner also sings "Hey There, Delilah" as an R&B ballad, and it sounds pretty good (though I much preferred Jamar's version). 

MOMENT OF TRUTH!!!

Simon has to leave for a flight to London, so the remaining judges are off to break the news to the contestants.

ROOM TWO:  Paula tells them that they started off so strong, but then the performances got sporadic.  However, THEY MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So this year they spared some people who forgot their lyrics.  Cool!!!

ROOM THREE:  It's the end of the road for them.

ROOM ONE:  Paula, Kara and Randy walk in all doom and gloom, starting the speech off by encouraging people to try again next year.  Haha....oh judges....  It's all a joke, because of course this room makes it!!!  They have some of the best people in here! 

ROOM FOUR:  The last room's already heard two rooms scream, so confidence is low.  Tatiana Del Toro is flipping out in the corner, crying hysterically and rocking herself in a mental-patient way.  Someone raises his hand and says "So this is a no, right?"  And Paula tells them it's actually a YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wow, what a twist! 

Now we all have to write about Tatiana Del Toro for at least another day....

Tomorrow night, the judges will further narrow down the group of 54 to the final 36 semi-finalists.  And then the REAL competition (and crazy Paula-Kara outfits and judges' disagreements) begins!!!

Relatered Article: American Idol: Final Judgement

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