IDOL WATCH: Hollywood Round 2, The Group Performances

In tonight's episode of American Idol, the Hollywood Round continued with perhaps the most dreaded and challenging level of the entire competition. For the first time in this season, mere talent wasn't necessarily enough to earn a spot to the next episode. This time around contestants had to deal with choreography, harmonies, and egos. That's right, tonight contestants had to endure their biggest test yet- group performances.   Tonight was this is one of the only times that contestants will be judged based on their performance as a group.

Which makes me wonder: why does this round exist in the first place? Is singing in groups really necessary at all?  Once the actual competition starts the only time we'll be seeing groups is for the cheesy elimination night numbers- and let's be real, those don't even count for anything!

 

Regardless, it makes for good television; and especially dramatic television at that. In previous seasons, contestants who auditioned on day one of Hollywood round had a serious advantage compared to the day two kids, as they were able to form their groups early for group performances. This year however, Nigel Lythgoe caught on to the injustice and threw a major monkey wrench into the process from the get go, announcing that groups had to be made up of contestants from both days.

Uh oh. This resulted in total Idol chaos, resulting in broken alliances and total desperation. Once the stragglers proved their worth and New Groups finally formed, contestants had to start rehearsing immediately, with only 10 hours remaining until they had to perform for the judges in the morning. So the 168 remaining competitors spit onto a total 39 groups to prepare one of the 20 available songs for the grueling day to come.

 

The group drama began with Jordan Dorsey from the New Orleans auditions, who quickly turned away a number of frantic singers insisting that they just 'weren't his style.' Then half way through the rehearsal period, Dorsey decided that he wasn't into his group anymore, and left them high and dry. Rude. Then, Dorsey hooked up with standout Robbie Rosen and a handful of others to form '4+1.' The group's "I Want You Back" earned them all spots in the next round.

 

The group he left, '440,' appropriately sang Cee Lo Green's "Forget You".  Adrian Michael and Lauren Turner shined with their sassy vocals, and all four made it through.

 

Perhaps the most comical performance of the night came from drama queen Tiffany Rios and her partner, Jessica Yantz, who she outright stole from another group. Poor choices, Jessica. Since no one else would join the duo, the Idol producers allowed them to perform a duet. From the first note of Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" anyone could tell that the song would be a train-wreck.  And when complemented with leopard print costumes and beyond-cheesy choreography, they really didn't stand a chance.

 

Another cute moment of he evening came from judges' favorite Lauren Alaina and her gang of 3 who sang "Some Kind of Wonderful" to Steven, who joined them onstage. In response to the three aggressive women singing at him he of course sang back, "Yes I am!" and finished off the song with a typical STHN- Steven Tyler High Note. Only Alaina however, impressed the other two judges enough to continue in the competition.

Ashley Sullivan caused major controversy when she threw in the towel the night before the performance because the pressure was too intense.  When she returned hours later, her group members were good sports and welcomed her back with open arms. The foursome rocked "Hit Em Up Style (Oops)" with fierce vocals. Randy even praised them as the best harmonized group of the night. All four made it through.

 

A group of teenagers named 'The Minors' faced off against older contestants 'The Deep V's' when both sang Queen's "Somebody to Love."  Besides the obvious conflict regarding their musical material, 'The Deep V's' took offense to the gang stage mothers that were eagerly guiding their children. 'The Deep V's' performed a sloppy rock-version of the song with sometimes-painful harmonies. San Francisco's James Durbin was one of two to make it out of that mess alive. The youngsters on the other hand brought the judges to their feet with their refined style and tight harmonies. All five made it through with ease, proving that it doesn't always hurt to have a Mama Rose in your corner.

 

I couldn't help but feel bad for little Jacee Badeaux, who was kicked out of his group halfway through the rehearsal night. Luckily for him, Brett Loewenstern, Stevie Cain, and Natalie Hanson were desperate for another member for their group 'Sugarmama and the Babies.' All made it through with their sassy version of "Mercy," and Badeau was left emotionally overwhelmed with gratitude. In his post-performance chat with Ryan Seacrest he said, "I've never heard that song before!'

 

The final performance of tonight's 2-hour episode came from infamously awkward exes Chelsee Oak and Rob Bolin, who were join by Jacqueline Dunford. The group suffered from an exhausting power struggle from the beginning. They were perhaps the squillionth group the tackle "Forget You," and it didn't go quite as well for them as it did for others. Rob, distracted by fatigue, forgot every word of his verse, leaving him the odd guy out when his lady friends earned the judges' praise.

 

At the end of the day, 100 contestants earned spots in next week's Hollywood Round Part 3. Don't forget to check in with BroadwayWorld's IDOL WATCH tomorrow night when the contestants stand alone once again! American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8pm on Fox.

 

Miss last American Idol's Hollywood Round #1 last week? Click here for a full recap!

 

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.

Among the many American Idol finalists and winners to appeared on the Broadway stage are Fantasia, Justin Guarini, Jordin Sparks, Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, Tamyra Gray, Constantine Maroulis, Frenchie Davis, Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks.

 

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

 

Photo Credit: Michael Becker / FOX.