Episode list

"American Idol" - Auditions #1-Savannah - Jan. 18, 2012

And, we're back.

The eleventh season kicks off with auditions in Savannah, GA.

We start with a look back at Kelly's big moment way back in the day interspersed with current auditioners watching the show as kids and home video of them singing and then watching them walk into the audition room and talk about how they've been waiting their whole lives for this moment.

Then there's a lot of Ryan talking about "Idol" and how it's the biggest platform for star-making.

We also hear that the auditioners will be telling their stories from their point of view as well, via home video of their "journeys."

Then there's a montage of the many yes's that are to come.

And now... a montage of some contestants preparing for/driving to the auditions.

First up is a very youthful looking 17-year-old named David Leathers, Jr. who claims to be a ladies man. He's very confident. It turns out that he once competed against Scotty McCreery in a local singing competition and won. He sings "Remember the Rain" by Century 21. He's pretty good and they ask if he can sing a Michael Jackson. He busts out "Never Can Say Goodbye," which is even better. He's going to Hollywood.

We're told 9,000 people showed up to the cattle call.

Next up is Gabi Carrubba a singer and tap dancer. We get video of her dancing as a baby. She points out that when Steven likes someone he makes a certain, Zen-like peaceful face and she's hoping to see that. We get a montage of Steven making the face. When she walks in she first hugs producer Nigel Lythgoe who is sitting off camera. She loves him on "So You Think You Can Dance." She sings "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5, they all really like her. She's going to Hollywood. Steven makes "the face"

We then get a montage of yes's to Brianna Faulk, Neco Starr, Molly Hunt, and Elise Testone.

Randy, Steven, and JLo are loving how good everyone is on the first day.

Next up is Jessica Whitely who says singing is all she ever thinks about so of course, she's terrible. They are all speechless until Randy says it was awful and that this is not her groove. She says she'll see them in Texas, for that audition.

We get a montage of people acting like Ryan Seacrest. It culminates in him doing an actual impersonation in front of Ryan and other contestants and the other judges, who love his impression. His name is Shawn Kraisman and of course, he's not very good.

Next is Shannon Magrane who is 15 and sporty and the daughter of a former major league pitcher. We get to meet the whole family. She then sings right there in the middle of her family. She does an Etta James song and her mother mouths it right along behind her. The judges start clapping along. She's pretty good for 15. She's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of the awful and delusional.

Then we meet Amy Brumfield who lives in a tent in the woods because she's struggling economically. She's not amazing but they decide to be nice and give her a trip to Hollywood. Which, just guessing, will be as far as she goes.

Next up is Joshua Chavis, whose biggest dream is to sing the national anthem at a Nascar race. He is overconfident and therefore not very good. He melts down on the way out, flipping off the camera.

Then we meet 15-year-old Stephanie Renae who has wanted to do this since she was 8. We watch her on her way to the auditions. She's got good power and stamina but she's a little shrill and sharp.They tell her that she's good but she needs vocal lessons. Randy says no but JLo and Steven say yes. She's going to Hollywood.

Schyler Dixon auditioned with her brother last year but is going it alone this year. She's nervous without him. The judges force her to bring in her brother Colton. She sings "Breakeven" by the Script. She is good, much better than the last girl. They make Colton sing even though he's not technically auditioning. She is not happy with this turn of events clearly. The judges tell her she's grown and that he has grown even more. The judges want them both. They're both going to Hollywood. She does not seem happy about this.

We get a montage of the teary rejects.

Next up is Lauren Mink who works with adults with intellectual disabilities. Of course we go to her job with her and meet some of her clients. She, inexplicably, sings "Country Strong" and she's pretty good. She gave JLo goosebumps. She's going to Hollywood.

Day 2 brings us montages of people dancing and complaining about the heat.

We meet Mawuena Kodjo, who came all the from Africa. There are weird and mildly offensive subtitles to compensate for his accent. He says he's going to blow them away. He sings a Rascal Flatts song. It is awful. They openly laugh at him. They tell him that he was off key and all over the place and Randy says it was terrible. Mawuena says he's good. Randy tells him to go sing for strangers and prove him wrong. So Ryan brings him out to sing for people and convince them to change his mind. The only ones he can find are some children, whos father/grandfather/guardian who asks if he's a runner. Oy. Mawuena leaves saying he's going to be the first African country music star.

Next is Ashlee Altise who comes on like a classic "Idol" trainwreck-- overconfident, badly dressed, possessed of her own dance-- but she's better than expected on the Beatles "Come Together."

We get another montages of no's.

Then there's country singer W.T.Thompson, who is just not quite good enough on on Little Big Town's "Boondocks." Steven says no, JLo says yes-- he's got a baby on the way-- and Randy says yes. He fakes out his family pretending he got a no.

We get a montage of women talking about how hot Steven is, some of whom he hugs, kisses on the mouth, and dances with.

We meet happy, laughy Erica Nowak from Buffalo who just loves Steven.She hugs him and grabs his butt. He tells her she better sing good. She has train wreck vibe but she's not a train wreck she's just not great on Joss Stone's "Super Duper Love." She gets a hug from Randy before she goes. She grabs his ass too.

Next is NBA dancer Brittany Kerr who sings "Spoiled" by Joss Stone. (What's up with all the Joss Stone?) It's fine, soundalikey.Randy and Steven are obviously smitten, they both say yes. It seems like JLo says no just 'cuz the boys like her. (Later she's overheard saying she thought she was good but that her voice wasn't "strong" enough. (I believe the pot is now on the line with a message for J.Lo).

The final contestant is Phillip Phillips who works at his dad's pawn shop, which we visit of course.We also meet his dad Phillip Phillips, Sr. He brings in his guitar. His mother tells Ryan how handsome he is. PP sings Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." It is growly, overemotive,twitchy, and push his voice too hard. And of course they love it. They ask him to grab his guitar. He plays an acoustic version of "Thriller." He's got a very Dave Matthews vibe about him. He's going to Hollywood.

42 singers made it through.

"American Idol" - San Diego Auditions - Jan. 22, 2012

It's a special bonus Sunday late night "Idol" thanks to the New York Giants OT win.

We're in San Diego and for some reason the auditions are taking place on the USS Midway aircraft carrier in a busy port. This means it's going to be a noisy day as planes fly overhead and boats pass by sounding their horns.

We get various home videos of auditioners on their way.

First up is a girl in a bikini top and a blue jean hot pants named Jennifer Diley and of course, she's terrible.

More limericks from Steven.

Next up is single mom Ashley Robles who has a very cute daughter. She sings "I Will Always Love You." She's pretty good, nice tone and power, with a hint of huskiness. They clap. She's going to Hollywood.

Next up is Jayrah Gibson He was told he can't sing so he's decided to "sing"? He's a motormouth but he has good energy and a decent enough voice. He's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of yes's of people we're not introduced to.

Next up is Aubree Dieckmeyer who came with her whole family and goofs says she wants to become America's Next Top Model. She's cute and has a girlish but pleasant voice with a bit of squeak. She's going to Hollywood.

Next up is the squealy Ali Shields who was on the Ellen Degeneres show after writing her a song. Ryan takes her on a kissing spree. She raps her audition. And then she dances. She's funny and silly. And then she sings and she has an interesting voice. She's going to Hollywood.

Next up is Kyle Crews a college student. He's in a frat and he serenades girls. He's cute and nerdy and has a nice voice, very natural. Steven says it's the best male voice they've heard yet.

Next up Joanne Childers who is interrupted by a boat going by, which leads to a montage of all the auditions marred by background noise.

Next up is a mom/waitress named Jane Carrey. Her dad is Jim Carrey. We see old photos and home videos of him with her. She talks about trying to find her place outside her dad's shadow. Jennifer actually remembers her as a little baby on the set of "In Living Colour" when she was a fly girl. They give her a little feedback about her presentation but they all say yes. She's going to Hollywood. She calls him and he's happy. He calls her wonderful and amazing and says he can't wait for the world to see what she's had inside her all this time.

We get a montage of yes's, again of people we don't hear sing, all women.

The last contestant of the night is Jason "Wolf" Hamlin. He's a mechanic at a golf course. His dad died a few years back. His dad gave him a guitar and he's only been singing three years. He sings a CCR song and he has some pitch issues but he has some charm as well. They let him break the rules and play his "git-fiddle" and he plays "Folsom Prison Blues." He's much more comfortable and gritty with the guitar and thus sounds better. Not amazing but pretty good. He's going to Hollywood.

Ryan says 53 people were put through to Hollywood. Bringing our total to 133.

"American Idol" - Aspen Auditions - Jan. 25, 2012

The auditions bring us to Aspen, Colorado.

They are playing Guster over the montage of Colorado scenery, yay!

First up is a screamer named Jenny Schick who calls herself "overenegetic." She loves Steven. She sings Pat Benatar and she's not bad, best at karaoke night kinda good. She's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of the home videos people are shooting of getting ready and going to the auditions.

Next up is Curtis Gray who started singing as a child. He's pretty good, he's got a nice resonance to his voice. He's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of yes's including country singer Richie Law, Devan Jones, Mathenee Treco, all very good.

Next up is Tealana Hedgespeth who has a twin sister who is not auditioning, and whose shadow she feels she lives in. She sings and isn't very good. They think she's cute but isn't a good singer.

Next up is Haley Smith who lives in a log cabin and loves nature. She sings Rufus and Chaka Khan and she's all laid back and groovy. She's not bad. They love how natural she is. She's going to Hollywood.

Next up is Alanna Snare who cannot sing. And she seems to know it.

Next up is Shelby Tweten. She is bipolar and has been struggling with depression. She says "Idol" has given her a reason to stay on her meds. Singing helps her self-soothe. She wants to show people that bipolar doesn't define who you are.She's pretty good, nice power and a sweet performing presence doing Carrie Underwood. They love her. She's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of bad singers and a beatboxer.

Next up is Jairon Jackson who has a lot of faith in his original song. The song is so-so but he can sing. He's going to Hollywood. They think he's the real deal.

Next up is Angie Zeiderman who wants to pattern herself after Lady Gaga and be her best friend.She wants to be a vintage glitter queen. She does a showtune and prances around. Randy and Jennifer are split on the showtune thing. She tries on Linda Ronstadt instead and sounds more straightforward and stronger and less silly. It really changed Randy's mind, he doesn't care for Broadway vibrato and she showed less of it in her second song.

Next up is Magic Cyclops who sports a faux-British accent and is working some weird shtick: air guitar, a bad bandanna, and explosions of confetti. He claims he has the accent because he was very poor and only watched PBS growing up and that's how he got the British accent. He sings Neil Diamond. Jennifer asks him to sing something else. He sings Jimmy Buffett. He can actually carry a tune but he's not good. Randy gets up to go the bathroom.

We get a montage of yes's of people we didn't see sing.

31 people got golden tickets.

"American Idol" - Galveston, TX Auditions - Jan. 26, 2012

We get greetings from the International Space Station for some reason.

First up is Phong Vuwho is enjoying the attention and promises to be a superstar and then he gets teary and says God is on his side. God is apparently more concerned about football because predictably, he is not good. He is very earnest and Randy is laughing at him. Steven tries to be diplomatic and then after his "signature moves" he is sweetly dismissed.

We get a montage of bad singers including some who try Scotty's audition song.

Next up is country gal Skylar Laine. We get her whole backstory as a mudding tomboy from Mississippi whose family store/restaurant is struggling. She's a Miranda Lambert-a-like. She's going to Hollywood.

We get a quick montage of home video of people preparing for their auditions.

Next up is a repeat contestant Baylie Brown. She made it to Hollywood in season 6. We see a snippet of this (she was grouped with Antonella Barba and her buddy). She was 16 then and is now 21. She's also a country singer and she's great: strong, quivery, poised. She' s going to Hollywood.

It's the last chance Texaco for Kristine Osorio a mom of three who is 28, the upper age limit. She took out a loan to pay her divorce lawyer but used the money to buy a ticket to audition for "Idol" instead. She has a few little pitch issues. But she's got a strong voice and she's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of singers who get a yes from Jennifer but no's from Steven and Randy. She thinks they're crazy. They all seem as good if not better than people they did put through, which J.Lo points out. Then they go the other way, Randy and Steven say yes and JLo says no. She tells Randy that she thinks someone has slipped him something and feels like shes in the twilight zone. JLo, during a make-up break, starts asking for help to back up her opinions. (It ain't worth much, but I totally agree with you JLo).

Next up is clear train wreck Alejandro Cazares who keeps babbling about revolution. He is not good. He begs and babbles some more. Randy tells him he will never have a career in singing. Security eventually comes out.He is not going to Hollywood.

It's day two and our first contestant is Cortez Shaw. We get his single parent household/struggling childhood/overcoming adversity backstory. He does a literally snappy version of Adele's "Someone Like You." It's okay. But apparently the judges think it's much better than that and he sucks up to Randy and they put him through to Hollywood.

We get a montage of bad singers. And a montage of each one of the judges finally breaking down and laughing right out loud in people's faces.

The final contestant is Ramiro Garcia and he was born with no ears, literally. He has hair covering them. His parents were told he would never hear or speak but through surgeries he was able to do both. He is a worship leader in his church. He sings "Amazing Grace" and for someone with his medical background it is truly impressive. They say they're taking a leap of faith and put him through to Hollywood.

54 people were given golden tickets.

"American Idol" - Portland Auditions - Feb. 1, 2012

We get an opening montage of people on the way to the auditions and walking into the audition room.

Ryan tells us it's the show's first trip to Oregon. We then get a montage of the sights of Portland.

First up is Sara Bareilles fan Brittany Zika who got a chance to sing with her American idol. She trips on the way in and calls herself Tripster the Hipster. She sings Brandi Carlile and she's fine. They love her. She's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of bad singers from Seattle in season 6.

We then met a kid from Philly named Ben who has a cold. We get shots of him pounding his chest and blowing his nose and talking about his job selling cable on the street. He goes to sing Lady Gaga for the judges, and given the fact that he has a cold he could be much worse. He, however, is not good and is not going to Hollywood.

Next up is Jermaine Jones who eats, breathes, and sleeps music and grew up singing in church and his mom thinks his vocal gift is from God. He cries tears of joy and excitement and says it's his turn. His mother is very supportive. He's 6'8" 1/2. He sings "Superstar." He's fine and a little teary and very sweaty. The judges love him and tell him to loosen up, he's going to Hollywood.

On Day 2 we meet single mom Britnee Kellogg who has her kids and a whole passel of family, in matching "we heart Britnee" t-shirts, there to support her. She was married to a basketball player who held her back from her dreams and then he cheated on her and now she's pursuing her dreams. She sings "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt. She's got the right motivation. She's pretty good and JLo starts singing along with her. They love her and she's going to Hollywood. She asks JLo advice about being a working a mom. JLo says it takes a village. Britnee's village comes in.

Next up is Sam Gershmann who is extremely animated and perky. She sings oddly, squeaky, affected and shrill. She is very irritating. The judges openly laugh at her. Steven calls her "too Broadway." Jlo saying her personality is bubbly and she should be onstage but not the "Idol" stage.

Next up is David Weed is very geeky with glasses and a sweater vest. He works in fast food. He sings "Tom Sawyer" by Rush. Given that, again, not as bad as it could've been. The notes are mostly there but... Randy claims that he thinks Geddy Lee is a really good singer. David then says he wants to be a comic too and tells a terrible joke. He's not going to Hollywood. It's kind of sad.

Next up is Romeo Diahnhe is from Liberia. He lived in a refugee camp in Ghana before coming to the U.S. He saw a lot of tough stuff before he got here. He sings Bob Marley, very much in an impression style. It's fine but since he has an interesting back story he's going to Hollywood, although JLo does express concern about how he will do in the competition.

Next up is Naomi Gillies who sings the Aerosmith song "Cryin." She doesn't show much range but she's got power and decent pitch and... she sings an Aerosmith song so she's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of no's and angry and/or crying auditioners.

Next is Ben Harrison who claims he is adorable and then goes about proving that he isn't really, more like manic. He explains he's often kicked out of bands by older guys who are jealous of him. He sings Queen and it is... odd. He isn't going to Hollywood but is glad he didn't puke or pee his pants and walks out smiling.

We get another montage of no's.

And the final contestant is Jessica Phillips, a woman whose boyfriend of five years had a massive stroke last Easter. He was hospitalized for a month and a half and when he woke up he didn't know who she was and she's become his caretaker. We see them walking and holding hands and doing his speech therapy. It is clearly very tough for her. She breaks down crying talking about it, justifiably. She sings "Again" by Faith Evans. She's not bad, but she's not amazing, she has breath issues, but she's got sass, seems really nice, and of course... a very interesting story so... she's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of yes's of some of the 45 people who got golden tickets, almost none of whom we actually got to see/hear.

"American Idol" -St. Louis Auditions - Feb. 2, 2012

We open with old home video footage of Carrie Underwood at home in OK on her way to audition in St. Louis for "American Idol."

We then get a montage of folks in the present doing the same thing.

We get the obligatory montage of St. Louis sighs and sounds.

A whiny cab driver weighs in on the traffic.

First up is John Keyser who is a child of divorce who lives with his dad. John's family gets a look at his audition on a video screen outside the room. He sings Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" a very overdone audition song. He's pretty good. Also, very attractive. They love him and he's going to Hollywood.

We get a montage of terrible singers from past auditions and then we get one from the present day in "silent movie" fashion a la "The Artist."

We get a glimpse of happy folks making friends in line.

We then meet soon-to-be-divorced mom Rachelle Lamb who was held back from pursuing her dreams by her soon-to-be-ex. She goes into the audition room with her little daughter. She sings a Faith Hill song. She's good. Her daughter dances along with her. They're both really cute. They love her. She's going to Hollywood.

Again, the whiny cab driver.

A montage of the terrible.

Next up is Reis Kloeckener who was bullied in high school because he was little and then he found his friends in choir. He sings "Lean on Me," he is fine in an earnest boy band kind of way. They love him, Steven tears up, and he's going to Hollywood.

Next up is Ethan Jones who has a cut on his forehead and is in a band with his family. His dad was in a big band from St. Louis and he had to go to rehab. Steven says he can relate to that. He sings "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. He's fine. They love him, he's going to Hollywood. He calls his dad tearfully after the audition.

Now we get a sneak preview of Madonna's new video "Gimme All you Luvin." It has a football theme with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj as cheerleaders and football players helping her walk along a wall.

And we're back to montages of people on their way to auditions.

Next up is a very bubbly hotel auditor named Mark Ingram, who works at the hotel where the auditions are being held. All of the staff members come in to support him. He sings Stevie Wonder, he hits a bunch of clunkers but also some good notes too. He's got control issues. The staff loves it. They try to dismiss him nicely. He starts sweating. They say no.

The final auditioner is Lauren Gray who works in the family wedding business and sings in a band with her dad in Arkansas. She sings Adele. She's got a big, strong, bluesy voice, she pushes a little too hard and misses a couple of notes but it's got a lot of emotion. They love her and she's going to Hollywood.

Ryan tells us that 46 people got golden tickets.

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round #1 - Feb. 8, 2012

We start with video montage of people being awakened and getting ready to head off to Hollywood. Ryan tells us there are 309 of them. Then we get the sequence of planes landing, buses arriving, people jumping on beds, and prepping to sing at the theatre. The judges give a pep talk.

Now conestants come out in groups of 10, sing a cappella, get no feedback and then the sudden death decisions.

We remeet Heejun Han and Johnny Keyser from auditions. Johnny sings Amos Lee and does well. Heejun is next and is nervous, and as we see in video, not very confident in general. He sings his audition again and we overhear JLo say to Randy that she loves him. And he does do well. They are both put through to next round, as well as three other people from their group.

We meet Elise Testone who sings Jamiroquai and gets good feedback. We see Baylie Brown again as well as Hallie Day. Those three are put through as well as others from their group.

It's 10 am and Ryan tells about the stress and pressure and a few auditioners admit to nerves.

We see Jen Hirsh and she sings Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" quite nicely and Steven doesn't want her to stop. We watch of a montage of the rest of her line perform including Lauren Gray who misses the cue to stop. Both women are put through.

We get a montage of folks who don't do as well with bum notes and nerves doing them in.

It's now 12:15 and Steven heads backstage and gives a pep talk to the next set.

Next is good old Phil Phillips who does a growly "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and then Reed Grimm who scats his way through "I Got a Golden Ticket" from "Willy Wonka." And then up is Travis Orlando who got cut during round one last year and has the tough backstory with his mom leaving and homelessness. Phil and Reed make the cut but Travis is cut yet again in the first round.

We get a montage of other folks crying after they were cut, including Ramiro Garcia the guy born with no ears.

68 people were cut by the end of day one.

Day 2 dawns with a montage of excited and anxious contestants.

Adam Brock isn't nervous, however. He has been told that it sounds like there's a large black woman trapped inside him. We watch him tearfully say goodbye to his daughter. He sings Marc Cohn because JLo mentioned him at his audition. Then we remeet Jane Carrey daughter of Jim. She sings CCR and is cute if not spectacular and is kind of awkward at the end. Adam is put through but not Jane.

We get a montage of whose who take no well and others who don't and resort to begging.

We see David Leathers again the confident, funny, cute teen who once beat Scotty McCreery in a singing contestant. We're also re-introduced to the teen that Steven called hot in front of her dad, Shannon Magrane. We also remeet Jessica Phillips, the girl whose boyfriend had a stroke. She's even better here than she was in the audition.They are all put through. (He is particularly good.)

We get a montage of folks who did well and were put through Erika Van Pelt and Creighton Fraker and Aaron Marcellus. (Although I thought the middle guy was a little rough.)

Next up is Lauren Mink the smiley, friendly woman who works with adult with disabilities. And then it's Jeremy Rosado. Jlo doesn't love Lauren but Steven seems to and Jeremy gives Jlo goosebumps. Next is Symone Black a teen with a very supportive stage dad. She sings "Dock of the Bay" but at the end as she chats with the judges she stumbles and falls off the stage. Thus, ensuring that even those who were bored will tune in tomorrow night to make sure that she's okay.

"American Idol" - Hollywood Rounds Pt. 2 - Feb. 9, 2012

We get a recap of last night and . And Ryan also tells it's the most intense Hollywood week ever and that people are dropping like flies all over the place.

Including young Symone from last night.She hadn't eaten for a while and apparently needed to up her blood sugar. JLo comfort her. The other contestants pray. She heads to the ER.

The show continues on. We remeet Lauren, Jeremy, Ethan-- whose dad was in rehab. Only Jeremy was put through. Symone also gets a yes but we only overhear that she's at the hospital when they make the decision.

185 people made it to group rounds and we watch them celebrate.

We get a montage of the ills of past group nights, the "worst" night of "Idol" auditions in which they have to huddle up, pick a song, create choreography in one night. They are told they have to have groups of 4 or 5 with folks from both days. The mad scramble is on.

Amy, the girl who lives in a tent in the woods, is having trouble finding a group and has the flu. Some groups are already heading off to rehearse. Amy finds a group with the cop Alicia. One girl named Brianna keeps turning up her nose at people's song choices. There are defections and alliances.

Most people have moved on to preparing and working out harmonies and choreography. Except Alicia is still looking for a group. She finally intimidates one into letting her in.

We meet several groups with new faces and old, including one girl who made it through group rounds last year. We get commentary from her mother about her bossy daughter and the weakest voice in the group opening the act.

Symone returns from the hospital. She was dehydrated. Now she has to find a group. Her "not a stage dad' stage dad tries to "help" her. She finds one.

We watch folks rehearse, some sound great, some are struggling with harmonies and choreography. Some are trying to steer clear of Amy who is sick. Others are sick as well. Some complain about their fellow group members to the camera.

It's midnight and the stress is ratcheting it up for some while others are feeling good enough to go to bed.

Alicia the cop's group is struggling with the words and their male member is illing.

The group including Heejun and Phil Phillips, four guys, and they can't get along or agree on anything. Heejun keeps complaining about cowboys, because the cowboy-hatted guy in his group Richie is very bossy. He actually says "we're going to do this my way and that's it."

A female group called the Bettys can't seem to get it together with most arguing that sleep is more important for their voices than rehearsal. All but one heads to bed. She cries into the phone that she will feel terrible if she's sent home and one of them stays. One returns and they team up to help each other and say that they're going to let the others fend for themselves.They go to bed at 5.

At 7 some are already up rehearsing.

The episode closes on the precipice of the actual performances starting with the Bettys. And then the episode cuts away.

"American Idol" - Hollywood Round, Part 3 - Feb. 15, 2012

It's group day and after all of last week's drama, apparently there will be more: puking, collapsing, crying. Another day in Hollywood.

The first group, the contentious Betties fares very poorly both individually and as a team even earning a "that was really bleak" from Randy. Two of the girls Jennifer and Cari are put through.

Next is a group called Groove Sauce that includes Reed, Creighton, and Jen. It's good and ends even better and all are put through.

Next is 679 which includes Brielle and Shannon. It's an uneven performance and four of the five are put through

The next group includes Amy, the girl who lives in the woods and got so ill last week (or last night I guess in show time.) Another girl also gets sick and may have to drop out but ends up pulling through. They're all pretty bad, dropping lyrics, goofing the tune and generally overdoing it. Only one is put through, a guy named Mathenee.

We get a montage of lyric goofs.

The group with the pushy cop Alicia and the kid who got very sick Christian is up next and it's not pretty and they're all sent home.

And we've got another collapse, a girl named Imani. Her group, Area 451 which includes Johnny Keyser, is shocked and worried for her. She is exhausted and may not be able to continue but at the last minute she does make it backstage and is prepared to go on. They struggle, the first guy can't remember the words but they start to pull it together. But the other female in the group doesn't sound good. The girl who collapsed collapses again onstage. She gets up but is visibly shaky. The other three head to the front of the stage and she takes a chair. They send everyone but Johnny home.

Next up is David Leathers' group. They do "Mercy" and it sounds and looks great and their parents look on jubilantly. They're all through to the next round. Their parents run onstage and hug them.

We get a montage of dejected contestants walking away including Simone the first girl who collapsed and W.T. the expectant father.

It's now 5 and the final group MIT goes on. This is the group with the "cowboy" Richie, Jairon, Phillip Phillips, and Heejun. After their group confession, which Richie dominated, he heads back into the confession room and talks about how he's compromising and infighting. They all seem dejected as they head onstage. They sing well individually for the most part but struggle with the "group" dynamic. They're all going through even though there were pitch issues and the judges saying they're basing this advancement on cumulative judging.

We get a montage of others going through including Erika Van Pelt and Elise Testone.

After they leave the stage Heejun apologizes for the trash he talked about Richie since he knows he's going to see it on TV.

It's a new day and time for the remaining 98 singers to go solo with the band and they can also play an instrument. Steven and Randy and some contestants jams with the band on a scat-tinged version of "Walk This Way" during soundcheck.

First up is Joshua Ledet who almost walked off the plane. He sings "Jar of Hearts" well, very soulfully and emotionally connected. He gets a standing O from the judges and much of the contestant crowd.

Next is Colton Dixon who sings "What About Now" and plays piano. He's very passionate.

Next is Phillip Phillips doing his Dave Matthews-y thing with his guitar, which Randy admires.

Next is Jen Hirsh who does a torchy and dynamic, "Georgia on My Mind." She also earns a standing O.

Next is Creighton Fraker who does "What a Wonderful World" it's a bit overwrought and nasally but gets a great response, standing O and whistling.

Ryan gives us a weather update. It's raining Pasadena.

Next are several people thrown off by the thunder and lightning which makes them forget words and stop mid-song.

Next up is Reed Grimm who had planned to sing a cappella but is informed he has to sing with the band. He only has 30 minutes to prep with vocal coach Peisha McKee. He's having trouble focusing. He calls his mom.

On the stage is Shannon Magrane doing "What a Wonderful World." It starts a little tentative but gets stronger even though there are a few pitch issues. It ends strong. She also gets a standing O.

Reed is still stressing in the rehearsal hall. Associate music director Michael Orland steps in to help. Reed doesn't know if he can do it. He calls his mother. She offers her love and support. He is freaking. He takes a moment and gets an idea. He gets up to play the drums for some reason. Orland is nervous. He sings "Georgia on My Mind" and the drums seem to calm him. He makes it work and even seems to have fun. The judges love it.

We get a montage of people singing that we don't hear and people leaving the stage dejected.

Next is Skylar Lane who went to the hospital in the early morning from getting sick every few minutes. She sings "You Lie" and pulls it together for the minute she's onstage. Steven calls it one of the best performances of the day.

Next is Rachelle Lamb who forgets the words near the beginning and has to start over. She pulls it together and sings "The House That Built Me." She's worried about her performance.

Next is Adam Brock who sings "Georgia on My Mind." He starts low but builds pretty quickly. The judges, especially Steven, love it. He then talks about his good luck handkerchief.

Now the wait begins in the holding room. We watch the judges deliberate. The groups are separated into four rooms. We get a breakdown of familiar faces in each room and get flashbacks for some of them.

The judges enter room 1 and tells them that they're all through including Colton Dixon, Johnny Keyser, Joshua Ledet, and Adam Brock.

In room 3 tensions run high and people are bickering. They are given the bad news.

In room 2 they get the news they're going through including Reed Grimm, Skylar Lane, and Phillip Phillips.

In room 4, more good news, including Heejun, Richie, and Baylie.

"American Idol" - "Performance Challenge" - Feb. 16, 2012

Hey baby, let's go to Vegas!

70 people are on the way to Sin City.

Heejun is on the bus shooting video and then we move into a recap of last night including the jubilant celebration and the judges telling them that they will be singing the songs of the '50s and performing on the "Viva, Elvis!" stage.

The contestants have to form in groups to sing a song chosen by the producers.

The groups rehearse with the vocal coaches.

Ryan tells us there will be brutal cuts in immediate elminations.

The first group includes Skylar Lane and Colton Dixon. Colton's sister watches from the audience. They sing "This is Dedicated to the One I Love." They all sound great. The harmonies that Skylar was struggling with come off just fine. The judges compliment them on the harmonies and the way they stretched. They single out the other girl Cari as weak. Colton, Skylar, and Chase are through, Cari is not. Caris says her goodbyes.

The next group inlcudes Jeremy Rosado, David Leathers, Jr., Gabi Carrubba, and Ariel Sprague who all met at the Savannah auditions. They struggled with their coaching/arrangement sessions. They sing "Rockin' Robin" and they are supercute and sound great. Randy thinks it was hot. They are all going through.

Next is a group that includes Adam Brock, Angie Zeiderman, Erika Van Pelt, and Shelby Tweten. They sing "Great Balls 'o Fire." There's a lot of choreography, it's fun and they all sound good. They're all going through although they make Angie sweat.

We get a montage of the group's preparing their look and choreography.

Next up is a group that includes Schyler Dixon, Brielle Von Hugel, and a girl named Molly and They sing "Why Do Fools Fall in Love." They're dressed like the Andrews Sisters. They put Brielle and Schyler through and send Molly home.

We get a montage of other people who get sent home: Wayne Wilson, Ashley Robles, Stephanie Renae, Aubrey Deckmyer, Janelle Arthur, and Tina Torres.

The next group includes Reed Grimm, Elise Testone, Eben Franckewicz, Haley Johnson. They sing "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes." It starts as a showcase for Reed but everyone gets a moment and they do a nice job, Eben is a little strident in places but adorable and energetic. They have great chemistry and nail the choreography. They get a standing O from the judges. They're all going through.

The next group is a duo with cowboy Richie Law and Jermaine Jones. They're both baritones. Richie is feeling confident. They rehearse and it's rough. The coach Debra Byrd tells them to drill the melody. They then struggle personality wise in working it out. They sing "Make it Easy on Yourself." They make some of it work, Jermaine sounds great, Richie is a little affected but has good parts. They get a nice round of applause. JLo loved it. They both go through.

We get a montage of girls who were put through Hallie Day, Baylie Brown, and Chelsea Sorrell.

The next group, the last of the first day, includes Jessica Sanchez, Deandre Brackensick, and Candice Glover. They're very confident in that they changed up the arrangement of Buddy Holly's "I Guess it Doesn't Matter Anymore." They funk it up and bring it off nicely. It's not very exciting but sounds good. They get a standing O from the judges. They're all going through.

The contestants put through are asked back onstage. They are cautioned that if they love the groups tomorrow they might have to make another round of cuts so even though they were told their safe, they might not actually be.

It's day two.

The first group includes Adam Lee Decker, Clayton Farhat, Curtis Gray, and Scott Dangerfield. They sing "Jailhouse Rock." They're choreography is cute and each have at least one decent moment and a couple have a few rough moments.They give them mixed reviews. Only Scott and Clayton and Adam are going through. They have a nice bromance moment saying goodbye to Curtis.

We get a montage of groups who sang Elvis songs and people who were put through including Joshua Ledet, Shannon Magrane, Caleb Johnson, Joshua Sanders, and Curtis Finch.

Johnny Keyser's group is chilling in the hot tub.

The next group is Courtney Williams, Britnee Kellogg, Jessica Phillips. They sing "You Keep Me Hangin' On." They have no chemistry onstage but they all sing well, with a couple of clunkers, individually with Britnee the weakest. The judges loved Britnee and have more mixed reviews for Courtney and Jessica. Britnee and Courtney are through but it's the end of the road for Jessica. (Jessica was the one with the boyfriend was a stroke victim.) She's really angry about those who did and says some of them are not "real artists."

The next group is Lauren Gray, Mathenee Treco and Wendy Taylor. They had a tough rehearsal with vocal coach Peggy Blue. They sing "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." Each has a nice solo moment and sound good together, there are a few rough spots but overall well done if not very exciting. Lauren and Wendy are put through.

The next group is Heejun Han, Phillip Phillips, Jairon Jackson, and Neco Starr. They sing "I Only Have Eyes For You." It's very sweet. They're all going through. They all collapse simultaneously. Heejun is very emotional.

The final group is Creighton Fraker, Jen Hirsh, Nick Boddington, and Aaron Marcellus. They are being coached by Katharine McPhee's mom Peisha. They sing "Sealed With a Kiss." They do a lot of close harmony that sounds great and just quick solo spots. It's pretty silky with a few strident moments in the solo spots as they ratchet up the melisma to put themselves over individually. All but Nick are going through. His team members support him.

So now we come to another round of cuts. They bring all the contestants back onstage to cut down to the top 40.

Cuts include Gabi, Angie, Candice, Johnny, Jairon, Britnee and Schyler (Colton's sister.)

(They actually only manage to get it down to 42.)

"American Idol" - "Final Jugdment- Part 1" - Feb. 22, 2012

The show opening reminds us, if we've forgotten, that this is a show that actually gets voted on by the public. But that doesn't happen until next week. Now we see the final auditions and the cut to the top 24.

We see the 42 remaining contestants checking in and hanging out at the Wynn in Las Vegas.They went to a show there called "La Reve" and this is the stage they're singing on. It is a small circle surrounded by water. It will be one voice/one instrument in an effort to showcase their voices.

First up is Jen Hirsh and we get a recap of her journey thus far from auditions to the present. In her final performance she sounded good but seems stranded on the little island stage. She is in the top 24. (Randy makes her wait for it.)

Next up is Creighton Fraker the nasally-but-powerfully guy who the judges like much more than I do. (Turns out his biological father was a singer in a band from the '80s Flotsam and Jetsam.) He sang a very overwrought version of "New York State of Mind" for his final performance. He is in the top 24.

Next up is Lauren Grey the bluesy, raspy girl. She sings "I Would Rather Go Blind" well for her final performance. She didn't make it but they tell her to believe in herself and to come back. She says she'll consider coming back. She's only 23.

Next up is Joshua Ledet a soul singer who has been consistently good. On his final performance he maintained that consistency even if he was a bit overwrought. But that's his shouting/pleading style. He is in the top 24.

We get a double whammy montage of those who didn't make it: Blaire Sieber and Naomi Gillies

Next is Haley Johnsen. A pretty blond with a strong voice. She says she has much more faith in herself as a performer. She is in the top 24.

Next up is Neco Starr the cutie from the Savannah auditions who was very consistent. What we see of his final performance is not his best performance by a long shot. He doesn't make it and is told he needs more time. Also dismissed was Clayton Farhat, River St. James, and Caleb Johnson

Next is Elise Testone who is 28 and therefore it's her last chance. She's another raspy rocker type and she sang "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" for her final song and she sells it. She is through to the top 24.

Next is the offbeat but gifted Reed Grimm who of course is through to the top 24.

Next up is Erika Van Pelt the husky-voiced alto from R.I. She gives an emotional final performance but the judges didn't like the song. She is through to the top 24 but they say she can't let them down again.

Next up are Baylie Brown and Chelsea Sorrell both country girls who were in the same group in Vegas. They are both put through to the top 24.(Baylie had auditioned before but not made it past Hollywood.)

Next up is Richie Law the ambitious "cowboy." He sang "Ring of Fire" for his final performance. It was so-so. He gets praisefrom the judges and is going home. They tell him to come back.

Next up is Heejun Han Richie's nemesis. Before final judgment Ryan asks him what he's sweating and he says "mostly water." He sings a nice "New York State of Mind" for his final song. He is hilarious and talented so, of course he is through to the top 24. Steven even says he's a better star than he is a singer. (We also learn he works with special needs children.) He is very emotional with the news. It is sweet. He gets a big hug from Phil Phillips.

Next up is Jessica Sanchez who impressed in Las Vegas. Her final performance was gentler and more nuanced than the gritty belting she had done before. She is through to the top 24.

Next up is Phil Phillips the very Dave Matthews-esque guy. He gave a very Dave Matthews-esque final performance. He is put through to the top 24.

Next up is Colton Dixon who has made it this far before. He wasn't going to audition this year, instead he was just supporting his sister. She got cut of course before he did. He dedicates his final performance of Coldplay's "Fix You" to his sister. And even though I'm sure she's happy for him, it's got to sting that he made it through the top 24 this time. This does prove that coming back can pay off.

Next up is Brielle Von Hugelthe girl with the stage mom. (She also auditioned last year but was eliminated in Hollywood.) She's in the top 24. (Again it pays to come back.)

Next up is Adam Brock the soul daddy. For his final performance he was very much himself but the judges called it sloppy and loungey, which is interesting. He is very emotional during the final judgment before he gets the news. But we don't get his final verdict. Except that they've loved him so much we know he's through.

'American Idol" - Semifinalist Girls Perform- Feb. 29, 2012

Contestant: Chelsea Sorrell She's from a two-stoplight town in North Carolina.. She fishes and hunts. We meet her mama.

Song:"Cowboy Casanova," Carrie Underwood

Performance: She's cute and sparkly and pretty polished.Not specutacular but well done.

Randy: Welcomes her and says she can definitely sing but wasn't sure it was the best song choice in order to separate herself out.

JLo: Is a huge fan from the beginning and she felt the song made her sound nasally which wasn't something she'd heard before. She wants her to loosen up.

Steven: Tells her to watch her phrasing and timing but that she sang good.



Contestant:Erika Van Pelt She takes us home to Rhode Island and meet her mom and her sister.

Song: "What About Love," Heart

Performance: She's straightened her hair and it looks great. Great song choice and she sounds good, not showing off a ton of range but good power and presence.

Steven: Thinks it was beautiful and magical and thinks her confidence breathes wings into the song.

JLo: Likes watching her be comfortable and thinks she can let loose even more.

Randy: Also loved her confidence and called it an Adele vibe.





Contestant: Jen Hirsh We go with her to her apartment in Agoura Hills, CA and meet her dog Sadie and her boyfriend Jason and see her family's vineyard.

Song: "One and Only," Adele

Performance: It's a piano ballad and she builds in confidence and strength. She's got great control of her notes as well. The song is kind of limp but she hits some big notes well near the end.

Jlo: Liked that she let loose and the feeling of the song.

Steven: Also likes her confidence and thinks she has what it takes.

Randy: Has loved her since day one and her runs and she's one of greatest singers in the competition this year.



Randy admits that they were a little lenient on the guys last night after watching the show back.



Contestant: Brielle Von Hugel She says she's a typical teen from Staten Island. We see her school and her cheer squad.

Song: "Dock of the Bay," Otis Redding

Performance: She starts out sitting on the edge of the stage serenading the boys. It seems pitched a little low for her throughout the first verse. She takes it up on the second and it's a bit jarring and shrill. She can obviously sing there's just something odd about the performance. It's a weird song choice too.

Steven: Loved it and thinks she has a great sense of the blues.

JLo: Loves she's a true performer and eats up the stage.

Randy: He thought it was too low in the beginning but liked when she hit the sweet spot in the middle. He was surprised by her swagger.





Contestant: Hallie Day We go with Hallie to Baltimore and her waitressing job and meet her husband and his family in New Hampshire.

Song: "Feelin' Good," (many people, notably) Nina Simone

Performance: She looks lovely and starts off slow and jazzy and sultry. She gets into it as the tempo picks up and hits a confident last note.

JLo: Thougt it had some beautiful moments and thought she looked like a star.

Steven: Thinks she's beautiful and loves her old-timey voice...like Adele.

Randy: Asks what she wants to do? She says she wants to sing soul music. He brings up Lana Del Ray and Adele and wonders where she fits with her big amazing voice.





Contestant:Skylar Lane We got mudding with her in Mississippi and meet her BFF and she loves living in a small town. We revisit her struggling family store.

Song: "Stay With Me," The Faces

Performance: She brings the twang. She's wearing a cute sparkly dress and seems confident but she's pushing too hard on that growly voice thing for my taste. She really gets into it in an authentic way though which is refreshing. The last big note is a little rough but she commits

Randy: Loves that she's a rocking performing country girl. Like Reba mixed with Kelly Clarkson and Tina Turner adds JLo.

JLo: She loves her energy and twang and that it was all brand new.

Steven: Says she was on fire and a pistol and made Galveston proud.





Contestant:Baylie Brown We visit the horse in her barn and see the high school where she was a cheerleader. We meet her grandpa who wants to fatten her up.

Song: "Amazed," Lonestar

Performance: She starts off very wobbly pitch-wise. It doesn't improve a whole lot until she gets to belting part of the chorus and even then it's not, um, amazing. This is her worst performance by far. She's smiling through it but she seems like she knows she's struggling. It sounds like her nerves may be pinching her voice.

Steven: Doesn't like the song choice and didn't think it was her best performance but he thinks she's pretty.

JLo: Agrees that it could've been better and she didn't have control but she's beautiful.

Randy: Thought it was good but not great, kind of shaky and never in control.





Contestant:Hollie Cavanagh She takes us to her home in Texas and meet her supportive family and cute dog.

Song: "Reflection," Christina Aguilera

Performance: It starts off oddly, maybe pitched a little too low and Hollie swallowing the ends of her phrases and seeming very serious for such a young girl. As usual, the belting chorus sounds stronger and gets better as she goes along and her face is very expressive.She's got a great, big voice.

Steven: Thought she was perfect and beautiful and hits the notes just right.

JLo: Thinks she can win it. Agrees with Steven that she should let her hair down.

Randy: Says she's one of their favorites and agrees she could've let go more. He says it wasn't all perfect but the parts that were genius were brilliant.





Contestant:Haley Johnson She's from Oregon. We meet her cat. We see the rain in Oregon and the coffee shop she used to work at as a barista. We see her doing crazy gymnastic flips.

Song: 'Sweet Dreams," Eurythmics

Performance: She has a pretty alto at the beginning and then slides up to higher notes. She seems to be going for an unbridled a Florence + the Machine vibe but it's a little shouty and there are several big pitch problems.It's vocaly flailing but she's definitely committed and has good stage presence.

JLo: Hopes America could hear all the special things she could do with her voice but she didn't love the song choice.

Steven: Says it wasn't perfect and she pulled it through and the money shots were spot on.

Randy: Says it was a bit of a nightmare instead of a dream. (Yay, a real criticism.) He says she wasn't spot on and he was a little dizzy.





Contestant: Shannon Magrane Ryan tries to bait Shannon's dad into fighting Steven over his audition comment. Then we go home with Shannon to her home in Tampa and check her out playing volleyball and doing homework.

Song: "Go Light Your World," Kathy Troccoli

Performance: She's wearing a beautiful white gown but has a kind of beauty pageant about her. The song starts slow, low, and shaky. There are both good and shaky parts, the song-- a big generic contemporary Christian anthem-- is pretty terrible. She's adorable and impassioned though.

Randy: Says she came out swinging and thinks she's got a lot of promise. He's a fan.

JLo: Can't believe how much passion she sings with at 16. She got goosies.

Steven: He says his reality check bounced and she took it to another leve.





Contestant:Jessica Sanchez She sits with Ryan and talks about how her vocal cords were inflamed and that she's nervous. Then we see her video trip home to San Diego. She goes to the mall. (She's 16).

Song: "Love You I Do," Jennifer Hudson (from "Dreamgirls") Performance:Again it starts out low and a little shaky but gets better as the notes ascend and get more powerful. For someone worried about her vocal cords she seems very confident and does a lot of what is probably ill-advised growling. She ends on a big, strong money note and earns a standing O from the judges.

Randy: He believes she can really sing, regardless of whatever's going on with her doctor.

JLo: Loves her swag, attitude, and moves and the punctuation of her body on the ends of her phrases.

Steven: Says she has exceptional timing and her pitch is perfect.





Contestant:Elise Testone We go home with her to Charleston, SC.She loves it. We also see her visit her parents in New Jersey.

Song: "One and Only," Adele

Performance: Yes, this is the song Jen Hirsh sang. Elise sings it at the piano and is immediately much stronger and brings a lot more soul and heft to the song. Jen was good. Elise was great.

Steven: Says she blew out of the water.

JLo: Was impressed by her unique tone and thinks she may be the best singer on the show.

Randy: He hopes America gets her and she's a force to be reckoned with.

My guess for who's getting the boot: Shannon, Baylie, Haley, Chelsea, Brielle, and Jen, and that Jen will be brought back as a wild card.

"American Idol"- "Finalists Chosen" - Mar.1, 2012

It's a go time as we learn who the top 13 will be tonight: 10 put through by America and 3 wild card judge choices. For some reason this will take two hours.

Ryan tells us 33 million votes were cast over the two nights.

Jimmy Iovine has returned and will be commenting on the finalists via video as they are picked.

We start with the trio of Chase Likens, Phillip Phillips, and Jeremy Rosado. Jimmy thinks Jeremy has a nice voice and Chase is good looking but boring and thus Phillip and his Dave Matthews impression is the only one who makes the top 13. (Jimmy is being his critical Jimmy self which is a nice change from the judges.)

Next is the quartet of Hollie Cavanagh, Brielle Von Hugel, Hallie Day and Jessica Sanchez. Jimmy didn't like Brielle's song but thinks she can sing. He likes Hallie. But they are both out and Hollie and Jessica are in.

Next is the trio of Heejun Han, Joshua Ledet, and Adam Brock. Jimmy does not love Adam the way the judges did. Jimmy loves Joshua but worries he might be too churchy and thinks Heejun is too jokey saying it's "American Idol" not "American Comedian." They of course, are both in the top 13 though.

Next is the quartet of Shannon Magrane, Baylie Brown, Skylar Laine, and Chelsea Sorrell. Jimmy likes Shannon and Skylar but thinks Shannon needs styling help. He liked Chelsea's voice but felt it was like Carrie-oke. Baylie of course, just didn't sing well. Shannon and Skylar are in the top 13.

Next is the trio of Aaron Marcellus, Creighton Fraker, and Reed Grimm. Jimmy didn't like any of them and none of them made the top 13.

Next is the quartet of Elise Testone, Haley Johnsen, Jen Hirsh and Erika Van Pelt. He likes three of the four, praising Jen's voice, saying Erika can go all the way, and Elise has character but shouldn't overdo it. Unlike the judges the other night, he points out Haley was out of tune for most of her song. Only Elise is through to the top 13.

Next is the quartet of {b]Jermaine Jones, Colton Dixon, DeAndre Brackensick, and Eben Franckewitz. Jimmy loves Jermaine, thinks Colton can win the whole thing, thinks DeAndre has potential but picked too big a song and that Eben isn't ready yet. Colton and Jermaine are in the top 13.

Now it's sing for your life time as six contestants are invited to audition for the three wild card slots.

First up is Jen Hirsh who sings "Oh Darling" by the Beatles and is overdoing it but doing better than she did with Adele.

Next is Jeremy Rosado who reprises his pretty Carrie Underwood tune "I Know You Won't" from the first sing for your life. Both he and JLo are crying by the end.

Next is Brielle who sings "Someone Like You" by Adele even though her voice isn't really suited to this kind of song. Next is Deandre Brackensick who sings "Georgia on My Mind" and takes care to not only rely on his falsetto bu show other parts of his voice.

Next is Erika Van Pelt who locks down Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" with confidence and elan.

Finally, Reed Grimm sings "Use Me" by Bill Withers and puts his all into it in his endearingly goofy way.

Randy annouces Erika made the cut,JLo announces Jeremy made the cut-- she's been pulling for him since the beginning-- Steven announces the final slot goes to Deandre. So your top 13 is: Deandre Brackensick Hollie Cavanagh Colton Dixon Heejun Han Jermaine Jones Skyler Laine Joshua Ledet Shannon Magrane Phillip Philllips Jeremy Rosado Jessica Sanchez Elise Testone Erika Van Pelt

Next week the women will sing Whitney Houston songs, the men Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige will mentor everyone.

"American Idol" - 13 Finalists Compete - March 7, 2012

Now, we're in business.

Tonight, the men sing Stevie Wonder songs and the ladies sing Whitney Houston songs. Mary J. Blige will serve as mentor. And Ryan says for one night only it will be men vs women as tomorrow night the show will reveal the bottom guy and girl and the judges will decide who stays.

Contestant:Joshua Ledet Joshua is nervous so Mary and Jimmy bring in a producer with a gospel background to help him relax. Mary thinks he can blow it out.

Song: "I Wish"

Performance: With the aid of a jaunty horn line he does a pretty good job, even though he pushes the growly part of his voice a little hard. He kills the little scat section though. Good energy and fun bounce.

Randy:Says he just wore it out at the top of the show. Loves that he switched it up from ballads.

JLo:She threatens to punch him again because he's so good and she loves that he can feel it and so can she.

Steven:Thinks he nailed it beautifully.





Contestant:Elise Testone Jimmy doesn't like her choice of song- she came in with the "Greatest Love of All" and they make her switch because it's not working for Jimmy and Mary. She's not feeling that she's understanding the feedback because she just learned the song. Mary tries to pump her up saying she has a great voice and doesn't want her to crash and burn.

Song:"I'm Your Baby Tonight" Performance:She also gets the jaunty horn line. She sounds great but is also pushing a little too hard and seems tense. She loosens up halfway through and adds some nice blue notes and some bounces and shimmies.

JLo:Says Whitney is a beast and she thought she was struggling to find her own voice in it. She says she sounds great but doesn't think it was her best and maybe a little unsure.

Steven:Says she has so much character to her voice she has to find the just right song. Good but not great.

Randy:Says it felt like she was boxing the song.





Contestant:Jermaine Jones

Song:"Knocks Me Off My Feet" Jimmy and Mary have little feedback, they think he's great and can do anything. Jimmy is thrilled the judges brought him back.

Performance:He starts off strong and silky. He keeps it light and sweet and is staying in a nice zone. He seems a little nervous but he is overcoming it and even he hits a nice little high note.

Steven: Says the song fit him like an Armani suit.

JLo: Thinks he's adorable and would like to see him connect to the song and the words and to relax a little bit.

Randy:Says he loved the verses but didn't love how he changed the melody of the choruses and agrees that he needs to relax.



Contestant:Erika Van Pelt. In stool chat Erika says getting picked as a wild card was the craziest thing ever. Jimmy thinks she's got a unique voice and wants her to find her own thing. Mary thinks her tone is like steak and potatoes.

Song:"I Believe in You and Me"

Performance: She starts very low and incredibly solid. She seems confident and poised with a big smile. When she hits the middle of the song she really hits her stride and she never overdoes it even when she throws grit on it. She hits a lovely, gentle high note to close it out. It's a great performance.

Randy: Thinks she has an amazing voice and unbelievable tone and when she stopped thinking it was fantastic.

JLo:Got goosies just from the video and held them while she was singing live. She's in love with Erika and tells her to not play it safe. Says she's only showing the tip of the iceberg.

Steven:Loved the whole thing.



Contestant:Colton Dixon Jimmy says Stevie Wonder is not in Colton's wheelhouse and has him sing an original song so he could have a context to put his cover in. Jimmy liked it and tells him to rely on his vulnerability. They think he feels it more after that.

Song:"Lately"

Performance:He starts off gently and it's working more or less, emo Stevie. He ramps up it up with the rocking whine at the midway point and finishes it up there on a falsetto note that isn't perfect but a good attempt.

Steven:Says it was outstanding.

JLo:Says he was probably one of the most challenged by Stevie but she felt like he came through with his heart.

Randy:Technically he says it wasn't picture perfect and those places were soft and low but his power points were perfect and he slayed it in the end on the falsetto.



Contestant:Shannon Magrane Jimmy is surprised by her voice. Mary sees her thinking and running ahead in her mind to the note. She makes it work and gets to the moment.

Song:"I Have Nothing"

Performance: She starts off a little shaky pitch-wise and seems nervous. She hits the big note solidly but then has a lot of other wobbly notes after it. She seems very tight and not in good control of her breath. It feels very much like a "performance" as opposed to something lived in.

JLo:Says the thinking got the best of her. She knows she is capable of doing it but didn't do it tonight and next time she has to relax and tell the story.

Steven:Thinks her nerves got the best of her and thinks she crashed and burned in the turnaround. Shannon talks back saying she knows it.

Randy:Agrees it wasn't great and it was probably nerves.





Contestant:Deandre Brackensick In stool chat with Ryan he talks about becoming a wild card. He laughs at footage of himself being very emotional after getting chosen. During the mentoring Mary tells him to hit it harder and get a little grittier with it and less pretty. Jimmy and Mary are confident on his behalf.

Song:"Master Blaster (Jammin')"

Performance: He bounces down the steps and seems confident and strong and, luckily, not in his falsetto. It's not perfect but it's lively and ends on a climb to his falsetto.

Steven: He calls him a male Naima and that he has a different flavor and he's always loved it and liked it again tonight.

JLo:Says he's gotten rhythm and soul and is a great performer.

Randy:Likes that he showed a different side of himself and calls it a job well done.





Contestant:Skylar Laine Says she didn't grow up listening to her but she's going to try. Jimmy and Mary want her to show more dynamics between soft and belting. She gives Mary goosebumps.

Song:"Where Do Broken Hearts Go"

Performance:She starts seated and singing quietly. She takes a walk during the chorus and keeps it gentle but still punches a few notes. After the bridge she starts hitting it much harder and keeps pretty good control of it.

JLo:Calls her the definition of composure. She says the beginning was nasally and not perfect but she kept it together and gave them the biggest moment of the night.

Steven:Thought it was beautiful and that she climbed the ladder and it was beautiful.

Randy:Loved that she also showed a different side and says it was hot.





Contestant:Heejun Han Ryan chats with Heejun about his twitpics which they show, including pretending to eat Deandre's hair like noodles. Jimmy and Mary love his tone and that he's very soft but wants him to hit it a little harder. He gives Jimmy and Mary autographed pictures.

Song:"All in Love is Fair"

Performance: He starts very quietly and a little breathy but very earnest and in control. It gradually swells and grows in power and he hits some lovely notes and a clunker or two. It's very low-key but well done.

JLo:She loves him.

Steven:Thought it was fantastic and tells him to keep it up.

Randy:Says it wasn't perfect but it was really good.





Contestant:Hollie Cavanagh She hits a bum note and and Mary J. tries to guide her to it. And she definitely gets there. Mary calls her sick and says she's going to steal the show.

Song:"All the Man I Need"

Performance:It's basically perfect but a little mannered.

Randy:Calls it Whitney's prime joint and she nailed it.

JLo:Calls her the one and says they might have a sing off between two girls.

Steven:Says she nailed it and it was really nice.





Contestant:Jeremy Rosado Mary likes Jeremy. They're worried that he's very nervous and too much in his head. Jimmy likes him and thinks he's sweet but picked a song with a high degree of difficulty. They're worried about his nerves.

Song:"Ribbon in the Sky"

Performance:He does a have a very likable presence and he sounds fine but he's not exactly killing it in terms of flash. It is solid and pretty.

Steven:Calls him velvety smooth and had nice passion and that he didn't get a chance to fly

JLo:Loves his interpretations and says it was beautiful.

Randy: Doesn't think it was his best performance and says the song needed more swag.





Contestant:Jessica Sanchez She realizes she's taking a big risk with this song. Jimmy wants her back off from vibrato and Mary wants her to take her time. They both think she does it justice.

Song:"I Will Always Love You"

Performance:She begins, as Whitney did, a cappella, nice and easy. She's still doing a touch too much vibrato but she sounds great. She gets a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd.

Randy:Says give it all to her. Says it was the best vocal of the night and one of the best voices in the competition.

JLo:Says it was beautiful and blesses her.

Steven:Says she may be the one and she just made 40 million people cry.



Contestant:Phillip Phillips Thinks he's switching it up. Jimmy says he comes with batteries included. Mary tells him not to end on a lick but to sing it out. Mary loves that he gets lost in the music. Jimmy calls him a rare find, great musician and great singer.

Song:"Superstition"

Performance:He does his Dave Mattthews thing and it's exactly what you'd expect. There's a lot of shouting and singing just a touch behind the beat.Technically it's fine but he definitely doesn't show a different side of himself.

Steven:Calls him an interesting character and says there's no words for how he is, he just is.

JLo:Was worried about him doing Stevie but says he made it his own.

Randy:Says they do need him and that he brings a different flavor.

"American Idol" - Top 13 Results Show- March 8, 2012

Ryan reminds us that the judges will pick who goes home from the lowest vote getting male and female finalist. Also, Lauren Alaina and Mary J. Blige will perform. But first it's time for the...

Group Sing: The top 13 perform "As" by Stevie Wonder. Judging by the smattering of clunkers, this one is live. Jermaine is holding down the bottom nicely. There's a little fancy footwork from five of the guys- Heejun, Deandre, Jermaine, Joshua, and Jeremy. This is actually pretty nicely blocked and doled out vocally. That may have been one of the best "Idol" group sings ever. (Which is not saying a lot but still.)

Ford Commercial: The gang sings "Big Time" by Peter Gabriel as they appear like giants walking through city streets as a Ford zips around.

Jimmy takes a moment to come to us via video to say that God mass produced a lot of artists but he stopped and made Whitney Houston by hand which is why it was so hard for the girls to sing her songs. (Although I thought the women did well for the most part besides Shannon.) He says Stevie Wonder is no walk in the park either.

Results: Ryan calls up Jessica, Elise, and Hollie. We see recaps of their performances and Jimmy's reactions: he thought Elise was in trouble, Hollie was fantastic, and Jessica was perfect. Jessica and Hollie are safe and Elise is in the bottom three for the girls.

He then calls up Heejun, Jermaine, and Colton. Jimmy sez: He likes Heejun's voice but Stevie Wonder's music highlighted his flaws. Thinks Colton took great direction but he's worried that he's attempting to do something that isn't really him. Felt that Jermaine had a battle going on between tuning and feel and he lost both. Colton and Heejun are safe and Jermaine is in the bottom three of boys.

Ryan chats about JLo's new show "Q'Viva! The Chosen."

Performance: Lauren Alaina sings her latest single "Georgia Peaches."

Results: Ryan calls up Erika, Shannon, and Skylar. Jimmy sez: Erika isn't really made for the song but took it and enhanced it and made it work for her, he thinks she needs to work on presentation. Shannon has a lot of talent but needs more experience. Skylar's nasal aspect that JLo didn't like, Jimmy did. Skylar is safe and Erika and Shannon are in the bottom three.

Ryan then calls up Joshua, Deandre, Phillip, and Jeremy. Jimmy sez: He gets bored of Joshua's voice and he needs to mix it up. He thought Deandre was a pleasant surprise. Thinks Phillip is a great musician and knows who he is but he's worried that the girls have vocal fireworks that will outshine him in weeks to come. Says Jeremy didn't deliver and all the girls outperformed him and Jeremy will go. Phillip and Deandre are safe and Jeremy and Joshua fill out the bottom three guys. Ryan immediately sends Joshua and Erika back to safety.

Performance: Mary J. Blige sings her latest single "Why."

Results: Jeremy, Jermaine, Elise, and Shannon await their fates. Ryan asks Steven if any deserve to go home, he says Jeremy. Jermaine and Shannon are sent to safety. The judges pick...

Going home: Jeremy

"American Idol" - Top 12 Finalists Compete - March 14, 2011

Ryan explains that the show has always had controversy and this year is no exception and with the cooperation of law enforcement they've had to disqualify someone. Of course he doesn't say who at first, even though we all know it's Jermaine Jones.

Theme:"Songs From the Year You Were Born" Ryan also tells us we'll be seeing baby pictures and we see childhood shots of the judges and Ryan.

Jimmy brought in will.i.am to help work with the contestants.



Contestant:Phillip Phillips We learn Phil was born premature and had other health problems from his very sweet parents. And then we swtich to his meeting with will and Jimmy. We learn that he has to have surgery to remove a kidney stone. Will and Jimmy are impressed with how good he sounds in pain.

Song: "Hard to Handle," Otis Redding/the Black Crowes

Performance: This is a perfect song for him and grounded behind his microphone he has less of the gesticulating that can grate and because it's uptempo he rarely gets behind the beat. It's a very natural and easy performance. The crowd loves it.

Randy: Says he sounds amazing especially in light of the recent surgery and loved the song choice.

JLo: Says it's so natural for him.

Steven: Likes that he picks songs that match his voice and character but to watch his melody.







Contestant: Jessica Sanchez Her parents are very cute as are her baby pics. Will loves her and Jimmy thinks she's fun to work with and comes fully prepared. They want her to perform a "stunt" and cue the band and Will calls her a "swaggernaut."

Song: "Turn the Beat Around," Vicki Sue Robinson/Gloria Estefan

Performance:She is sparkly and spunky navigating the fast patter pretty well but it is very quick. She throws a little grit on it and it's a fun and assured performance.

Steven: Loves her voice and doesn't want her to stray too far from ballads and thought the rhythm was a little shady.

JLo: Also heard rhythm issues but thought she did a good job.

Randy: Say they're right on and they should steer her in the right direction and didn't love the song choice and tells her to shorten her vibrato.





Contestant: Heejun Han Also has adorable parents and baby pics. Mom thinks he gets his humor from her. Jimmy and Will give him some enunciation tips. He asks Will for Fergie's number.

Song:"Right Here Waiting," Richard Marx

Performance:It starts out breathy and a little raspy. He struggles a bit with some notes. He hits the key change okay but he's got too much air coming out and he seems more nervous than usual.

Randy: Says it was pitchy in at least five or six spots and as if he was out of breath the whole time. He wants more urban R&B swag from him and thought it was the wrong song.

JLo: Also thought it was pitchy and that it was a struggle but he fought his way to a beautiful end.

Steven: Agrees he was out of breath and that it was a bad song choice but he loves his voice.



Contestant:Elise Testone Supercute child, supercute parents. Jimmy and Will want her to be more cheerful and to hold the notes longer.They do a split screen with Obama.

Song:"Let's Stay Together," Al Green/Tina Turner

Performance: She starts out sitting out the piano. It's a very tender, slowed-down version of the song to start and then gears up as she hits the chorus. She does a lot of leaning forward but her voice sounds mostly strong and she ends on a sweet blue note.

Steven: Says he loves her voice so much as does his aunt Sonya.

JLo: Says that was Elise showing America who she is and that it was a beautiful thing.

Randy: Says "America Elise is back!" He loved the run at the end and says it was "like butter."





Contestant:Deandre Brackensick He was a funny, smiley kid and his parents seem very close. Jimmy and Will debate his song choice and have him change it but he doesn't seem very confident about the change.

Song: "Endless Love," Diana Ross & Lionel Richie/Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey.

Performance:It's weird hearing one person sing a duet and it's a very tentative performance to start with a couple of bum notes and some cracking. It improves towards the end but he still seems nervous.

JLo: Says he sang it beautifully but she thinks Jimmy and Will steered him wrong with the song choice and feels like he didn't think it was a good choice for him either.

Steven: Agrees it was a bad song choice but thinks he'll find out.

Randy: Agrees it was a bad song choice and says it was boring and safe at the wrong time for him and he has to have excitement when he plays.





Contestant: Shannon Magrane Of course she was a beautiful child and her parents also seem lovely. Jimmy wants her to sing a No Doubt song. (After he does a commercial for a phone.) But she chooses Mariah instead. Their worried that her voice seizes up and she has breath control issues so they instruct her to sing it lying down.

Song: "One Sweet Day," Mariah Carey and BoyzIIMen

Performance: It starts out well, very freshly scrubbed but she seems very tight in her shoulders. She keeps threatening to go flat and she misses a note here and there but it is a huge improvement over last week's mess and she seems more confident as well.

JLo: Says it was not an easy undertaking and says she was terrified for her but that she did a beautiful job.

Steven: Thinks she sings her best when she doesn't try so hard and also thought she was good.

Randy: Was also nervous about what she took on and likes that she's fearless and he thought the beginning was good but that by the end it was really good.

(They claim that they have thousands of songs to choose from.)



Contestant: Colton Dixon He had a chance to meet Daughtry who told him to be himself and choose songs people know and he says he's going to put that into effect next week. He was a very sporty kid. (It's amazing so far all of the kids' parents appear to still be together.) Jimmy and Will are worried that no one's going to know the song, including the band. Will tells him to make sure it's a hard rock song and to own it.

Song: "Broken Heart," White Lion

Performance:It's a hair metal power ballad and he sings it pretty straight putting a little of that Simon LeBon/Joe Elliott squeak on the ends of the phrases. The song picks up tempo and edge as he goes into the chorus. It's not a great song but he does a good job with it.

JLo: Says she didn't know it and it was a Colton song for her. She thinks he's a lover and thought he did it really well. She thinks he looks pretty when he sings.

Steven: Thinks it was the wrong song for his voice and his passion. He didn't feel the song go anywhere.

Randy: He says the song choice didn't matter because Colton was singing it great.





Contestant: Erika Van Pelt Her very sweet mom thinks Erika was born with music in her. There are lot of pics of her with her mouth open. Jimmy and Will like her song choice and has an idea for the arrangement and they all like it.

Song: "Heaven," Bryan Adams

Performance:She has a very sweet smile when she sings. It's a litlte mannered to begin with but she sounds great. She has a lot more physicality tonight and it's a nice slight uptick in energy from last week.

Steven: He thinks she was a little busy all over it and wanted her to stay with the melody. But he likes her voice.

JLo: Agrees that the arrangement was left wanting. She thinks she looks the best she's looked and she feels her coming together as an artist.

Randy: Liked it and calls it an 8 out of 10 and thought it was a great song choice. He tells her to not to take it too far from the original and basically says to not let Jimmy make her do things.

Ryan finally gets to Jermaine Jones' elimination. We see video of Jermaine sitting down with "Idol" producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick who confront him with the evidence of the charges that have come to light of his giving fake names to the police and four warrants out for his arrest. They say they were surprised and that they're not judging but are sad he didn't come clean with them. He apologizes and says he was afraid he would be penalized. They say they have to dismiss him because they can't have someone with outstanding warrants on the show. They compliment how great a vocalist he is. He's very sweet to them about it and shakes their hands. We see his rehearsal for this week. He was going to sing "Somewhere Out There."

Back in the studio. They all look very solemn. Ryan says it's business as usual and hat the person with the lowest vote total tomorrow night is "at risk" of elimination. Which I bet means that they won't eliminate anyone because "at risk" isn't the usual verbiage, the person with the lowest number of votes just goes home.



Contestant:Skylar Laine Her parents say she was a handful and she used to bang her head on things. Jimmy and Will wonder if there is enough song for her ther. They run a bunch of songs by her. She sticks with her choice. Will wants her to have more fire in her belly.

Song:"Love's Sneaking Up on You," Bonnie Raitt

Performance:The song is kind of a yawn and she's selling it the best she can but it feels like she's forcing the excitement factor but she does sound good.

Steven: Thinks she's got so much heart and soul and she loves the way she sings.

JLo: She says she has to keep it real and that she really killed it. She didn't love the song choice.

Randy: Didn't love the song but thinks she rocked it.





Contestant: Joshua Ledet Ryan brings out a big bucket of crawfish for Joshua which Louisiana. He was a cutie and his parents are also still together. Will says he took him to church. Joshua's dad is a pastor. Jimmy says he came a long way and he believed every second of the song.

Song: "When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge/Michael Bolton

Performance: He sounds better than Michael Botlon for sure. He definitely takes it to church and maybe even to the juke joint from the night before. He takes himself away which is the most impressive part of the performance, he really gets lost in it. It's a little shouty for me but it sounds good. The judges give him a standing ovation halfway through.

Randy: Thinks he blew it out the box. Says it was phenomenal. He credits the crawfish.

JLo: Says it was the best thing she's ever seen on "American Idol." She can't stop saying "wow."

Steven:Says he gave it up so big that God came through his eyes.







Contestant: Hollie Cavanagh Her parents, who are from the U.K., are adorable. Jimmy and Will love her.

Song:"The Power of Love," Celine Dion

Performance:The dress is awful but the voice is great. It's a big boring ballad and there's some flirtation with flatness but she's very confident and sounds strong.

JLo: With her and Joshua says they saved the best for last. Even though there were a couple of things but not worth quibbling about.

Steven: Says it's a little pitchy but beautiful.

Randy: Agrees a little pitchy but blew it out the box also.

"American Idol" - Top 11 Results Show - March 15, 2012

With last night's ouster of Jermaine Jones, we will be getting our top 10, i.e. the group that goes on the tour, tonight.

Jimmy Iovine is sitting in the audience.

We see the cover of Vogue, which features JLo. And we hear that she has a new single coming out.

We also learn that Tommy Hilfiger is going to be this season's "image advisor" and we get a video package/interview with him.

Ryan reminds us of the judges' save, which they can use up to the top 5.

Ford Commercial: "Ghost Town" Some of the contestants visit a haunted house, others are the ghosts.

Results: Ryan calls up Phillip,Skylar, Elise, and Joshua. We get a recap of each performance and the feedback as well as Jimmy's response.

Jimmy sez: He was really proud of Phillip, especially since he was sick. He has a lot of faith in Skylar and didn't think her song was totally right for her. He thought Elise killed it and he was captivated by her and he thinks she's in it for the long haul. He thought Joshua was great and that all Interscope artists need to eat crawfish before performances. They also got an email from Percy Sledge who thought Joshua did a great job on his song. Phillip, Joshua, and Skylar are safe and Elise is in the bottom three.

Performance: Demi Lovato sings her song "Give Your Heart a Break."

Results: Ryan calls up Colton, Shannon, Deandre, and Jessica.

Jimmy sez: It may have been the wrong song choice for Deandre, which he suggested. He explains how the songs are chosen saying they come in with three songs and ultimately it's their choice and he thinks he did a good job in rehearsal but not so much on the show. Jimmy agrees with Steven that Colton's song choice might not have been the best. But he was confused by Randy saying the song didn't matter and takes him to task for it. (We get a little inset of Randy's reaction to this. He's smiling.) He thinks Shannon is at her best when she doesn't push too hard but he thinks she pushed too hard last night. He supports Jessica 1000 percent and he thinks when she lost her breath and she lost her rhythm and the judges were right about that but that she's not going anywhere.

Colton, Jessica, and Deandre are safe. Shannon is in the bottom three.

Performance:Daughtry perform their new song "Out of My Head." Ryan talks about their upcoming U.S. tour.

Results: Ryan calls up Hollie, Heejun, and Erika.

Jimmy sez: He gives Hollie straight A's but he hated her styling. He says he's got himself boxed in with his song choices and he needs to get some tempo. He does predict an Asian pop explosion, although he's not sure Heejun is going to lead it. He says Erika fell into the "Idol" trap of oversinging and he takes Randy to task for dogging the arrangement he suggested to Erika.

Hollie and Heejun are safe and Erika is in the bottom three.

Bottom Three: Erika, Elise, Shannon

Shannon is the lowest vote getter and is given a chance to sing for her life for the judges save. She reprises "One Sweet Day." She doesn't push as hard as she did last night but it starts to fall apart near the end pitch-wise she recovers some and has some nice bits but it was not enough.

Going Home: Shannon Magrane

"American Idol" - Top Ten Performance Show - March 21, 2012

Theme: Billy Joel

Steven says Billy Joel is an American icon and if you can't sing Billy Joel you can't sing at all.

Mentors: Diddy and new style guru Tommy Hilfiger

Contestant: Deandre Brackensick Tommy gives him a style makeover meant to enhance the look he already has. Diddy and Jimmy want him to smile and to channel Billy Joel's life. They tell him to look at JLo because she's Catholic.

Song:"Only the Good Die Young"

Performance: He bounces his way through the beginning and smiles a lot. It's very fluffy. He does not seem to be channeling Billy Joel's life. He's just singing the song. He sounds fine. It's energetic but empty.

Steven: At first it was too happy for him but that's what the world needs now.

JLo: Liked that he had a laid back vibe and a good way to start the show.

Randy: He wasn't jumping up and down because it wasn't special but it was okay.





Contestant:Erika Van Pelt Diddy and Jimmy want her to hold back a little and not overperform. They tell her to take risks and show her guts. She tells Hilfiger that she loves Pink. He gets the idea to give her a punk haircut. So she does.

Song: "New York State of Mind"

Performance: Not only is it short it's also dyed black and pixie-ish. She stands by the piano and simply sings. She starts slow and tender and belts a bit more on the bridge. She sounds great and seems very assured. She ends on a beautiful, feathery high note. It's a terrific performance.

Randy: He loves the look and haircut and loved the vocals and tells her to take a few more liberties.

JLo: Also loved the vocal and thinks she can let loose more vocally and physically.

Steven: Echoes them and thinks she can put more character.





Contestant: Joshua Ledet Hilfiger wants him to wear a tuxedo. Jimmy and Diddy want him to dial back on the screamy part of his voice and to put his emotions to the side and focus on the song.

Song:"She's Got a Way" (Joshua has never heard this song.)

Performance: He starts seated and singing very tenderly and restrained. He starts adding the runs in on the second verse. For him it's very restrained-- until the final verse where he lets loose-- and shows off the lower part of his register. When a choir emerges he seems more comfortable. His suit looks fab.At the end he looks a bit nervous though.

JLo:Says Billy Joel's lyrics are very descriptive and although she thinks he sings wonderfully he wasn't connected more emotionally.

Steven: Unbelievably he doesn't know this song and he thinks Joshua sang his life into it and made it come alive.

Randy: Thinks they're both right and that it got good when the choir came out and Joshua should never feel defeated.





Contestant:Skylar Laine She is awestruck by Diddy. Diddy thinks it sounds forced and that the truth will set her free. She does it again and he thinks it's better. She asks for his autograph. Hilfiger checks out her cowboy boots, which she loves, and wants to evolve her look without abandoning the boots.

Song: "Shameless"

Performance: She obviously chose this song because Garth Brooks had a hit with it and does a country arrangement. She also starts seated and singing in a more restrained fashion. She hits a couple of bum notes. It gets stronger as it goes but she is pushing a little too much. She is not wearing cowboy boots. The end is a bit strident but she's feeling it.

Randy: He thinks the front was pitchy and it got better in the middle. He doesn't think it was her best but it was good.

JLo: Loves her attack and that she ate up the song by the end.

Steven: He thinks she sings with such conviction, he thought it was pitchy at first but she breathed life into and it was good.



Contestant: Elise Testone Jimmy is afraid that the song is too obscure. Diddy wants to step up to the challenge. Diddy gives her staging advice. Jimmy hopes she will repeat the magical moment from rehearsal. Hilfiger felt like Elise was hiding her body and want her in high-waisted bellbottoms and in a Janis Joplin-type style.

Song:"Vienna"

Performance: She starts off, as instructed, on the microphone. She sounds great, following the night's theme and going a bit restrained and even a little jazzy. She picks up the grit and power in the second verse. She looks lovely in a long, billowy, cleavage-enhancing dress. She ends on a nice little jazzy run and blue note. She gets a standing ovation from the judges and Randy bows before her.

Steven: Thought she was brilliant and beautiful.

JLo: Is very happy for her and just wants to shake her and is so glad to see her personality.

Randy: Loved that she made it her own and showed why she's in the competition. Randy thinks she had a moment, especially the run at the end.

Ryan has her bring up two students that Elise teaches at rock and roll camp.



Contestant: Phillip Phillips Hilfiger thinks Phillip needs help. He says he's just a simple guy who wants to put the music before image. Hilfiger doesn't want him to look drab. Diddy wants him to put the guitar (crutch) down. He wants him to take a risk. Diddy also wants him to groove. Girls in the studio liked it when he started dancing and then he lined up the girls for Phil to sing to.

Song:"Movin' Out"

Performance: He slows down the tempo, futzes with the melody and vocal rhythms a bit, and does just guitar and voice at the beginning. It's near unrecognizable until the band kicks and he gets into the chorus. He make it his own and it is annoying. (Yet he himself remains immensely likable.)

JLo: Felt like he was taking out some agression on his mentors at the end. She says he has to be who he is. She thought it was awesome. (He talks back and says the guitar is necessary for him.)

Steven: Says he Phillip Phillips-ed it and it was beautiful. He's glad he blew off the mentors but tosses him his sparkly scarf.

Randy: Enumerates how Phillip ignored all the advice and how well it worked for him. He says it's one of the best renditions of that song ever.





Contestant: Hollie Cavanagh Her brother gives her a good luck video message. Hilfiger wants Hollie to stop being dressed by an old lady. She wants something sparkly. They want to transform her into a real star. Jimmy and Diddy talk about the meaning of the depth of the song. Diddy tells her to be careful at the beginning of the song.

Song:"Honesty"

Performance: The beginning is indeed rough as it's pitched a bit too low at first. She tries to compensate by pushing a little too hard on the chorus. The bridge is much stronger but this is not her best performance. She's making the right, frowny faces but doesn't seem really connected to the song. Her outfit, a short fitted white jacket and sparkly bustier midriff baring top and white pants, is cute though.

Steven: Thinks it was a little pitchy and she overthought it but it was still good.

JLo: Says if you're going to do big songs you have to know every single note of the songs.

Randy: Echoes the "constructive criticisms" that she has to nail each of the notes, and says the choruses were great but the verses were rougher. He says you're better than that.



Hailey Reinhart from last season is in the audience.

Contestant:Heejun Han He asks Diddy and Jimmy advice for taking criticism. They say to use it as fuel and not take it personally. He thinks it's good advice but he's still freaked out. Diddy hugs him. We never see or hear him sing. Hilfiger asks who his fashion idol is, he says Madonna and Michael Bolton. Hilfiger think he's pulling his leg.

Song: "My Life"

Performance: As the song starts as a piano ballad but he feints that he messed up and then declares that the song is too slow and says he wants to dance! He puts on a little comedic show as he sings, running across the stage and making goofy faces. He goes and mugs with the judges on the chorus "I don't care what they say anymore!" The vocal is erratic and the lyrics are not perfect but he plays to the girls in the crowd. He seem to be having a lot of fun though.

JLo: Loved that he brought fun and it was a breath of fresh air. She thinks the vocal was imperfect because he was running around.

Steven: Flounders and asks if he was glad that he took the piss out of the song. Heejun is confused. Steven says it was probably good to get out his anger and that "he told them" meaning Jimmy and Diddy, but he says the music biz will kick your ass and he needs to take it more seriously.

Randy: Says it was entertaining and he was glad to see him have a good time even though it wasn't a great vocal.



Contestant: Jessica Sanchez She's freaked to meet Hilfiger. He tells her to shorten her dress choice but he likes the dress itself. Diddy tells her he has to be honest and that he didn't believe her singing and that she was oversinging. He tells her to pull back on the showing off and the tricks and that less is more. Jimmy tells her she's more believable when she's looking at someone and has her sing directly to Diddy. She does better the second time around.

Song: "Everybody Has a Dream"

Performance: Unsurprisingly she goes the big ballad route. (She shortened the dress and it looks great.) The first verse is a bit understated. She flirts with overdoing it on the first chorus but controls herself. She goes full bore on the choir-assisted chorus.She ends with a flashy high run and a big belt. She gets a standing O from the judges.

Steven: Says when God was giving out vocal cords she was so at the front of the line.

JLo: Says that the song was written for her and thinks it was a defining moment for her.

Randy: Says it takes consistency to win and says she has a moment every time she steps onstage. He also compliments the mentoring and styling.





Contestant:Colton Dixon He tells Hilfiger he wants to create his style, he wants it to be edgy, punk rock. Hilfiger doesn't like his hair. Jimmy thinks Colton has got an advantage as an actual piano man. Diddy wants to buy his record. Jimmy wants him to stick with the original note in the chorus on the word "Man" but Diddy likes that he changes it up a bit.

Song: "Piano Man"

Performance: He does a fairly simple and straightforward version adding in his emo squeaks and breaks at the ends of phrases. When the moment comes he sticks with the original note for "Man" but switches up a couple of other notes. The band swings in on the final chorus. He's clearly into it.

JLo: Got goosies from head to toe. She almost calls Diddy, Puffy. She agrees with him that he would buy his record.

Steven: Thinks his choice of chords when his voice resolved was amazing and calls him a great musician and singer.

Randy: Loves that he kept it simple and kept it "individual."

"American Idol' - Top 10 Results Show - March 22, 2012

Group Sing:"For the Longest Time," Billy Joel. It is zippy and live.

Ford Commercial:"You Found Me." The gang runs around a house full of optical illusions.

Ryan says the perk of surviving tonight is moving into the big mansion.

Results: Ryan calls up Hollie, Skylar, and Elise.

Jimmy Sez: He was worried about Hollie and it was by far her worst night of competition but her track record is good so she stays. He agrees it wasn't her best performance and she needs to get creative and move forward. He thought Elise was confident and she was transformed. He says he got goosies. All three of them are safe.

Performance:Lana Del Ray performs "Video Games" It is not zippy.

Joe Perry shows up to play Happy Birthday to Steven Tyler and have the Idols sing to him. HIs daughter Liv is in the audience. Joe and Steven hug.

Results: Ryan calls up Deandre,Joshua, and Jessica.

Jimmy Sez: Deandre frolicked too much and it's going to hurt him. Thinks Joshua didn't understand the song and he needs to grow. Jessica did a great job.

Joshua and Jessica are safe. (Ryan notes that Billy Joel says he enjoyed her rendition of the song.) Deandre is in the bottom three.

Performance: Haley Reinhart sings her new single "Free"

Results: Ryan calls up Erika, Heejun, Phillip, and Colton.

Jimmy Sez: Colton killed it. Thinks Phillip needs to hew more to the advice. Gives Tommy props for changing Erika's hair and thought she sang well and mocks Randy. Thinks Heejun disrespected the competition by doing a stunt and it will bite him in the butt.

Colton and Phillip and are safe and Heejun and Erika is in the bottom three.

Bottom Three: Deandre, Erika, and Heejun

Erika sings for her life. The judges decline to use the save for her.

Going Home: Erika Van Pelt

"American Idol" - Top 4 Performance Show - May 9, 2012

Theme: California Dreamin' and Song I Wish I Wrote

Ryan tells us in addition to the two performances from each contestant we're going to look at (filler) the contestants' journeys.

Video Package: Phillip opines on his "journey." He can't believe it, his family says he's getting better, he has to give his best.

Contestant: Phillip Phillips

Song: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," Creedence Clearwater Revival

Performance: This is a pretty straightforward performance. He more or less sticks with the melody and it has a loose charm with a sassy blond sax player brightening it up.

Judging: Steven says he's living proof that the road to success is always under construction. JLo loved it and thought it was perfect. Randy says it started off a little rough with the pitch but by the first chorus he was right on the money.



Video Package: We actually get to see Hollie's journey from last season-- when she got cut in final judgement-- to the final four.

Contestant: Hollie Cavanagh

Song: "Faithfully," Journey

Performance: She sings well, tenderly, straight up the middle. There are a couple of wavery moments but that probably has more to do with the wind machine than anything else. It's a fine performance and she seems very comfortable but it's all a little staid.

Judging: Randy says she's peaking at the right time in the competition.JLo was impressed with her confidence and readiness to sing and thought it was beautiful. Steven says he's watched her blossom.



Video Package: We go "beihind-the-scenes" with Jason DeRulo who is working on a song for the "Idol" finale. It's basically a Coke ad.



Video Package: Before we see Joshua's journey, he dedicates his first performance to his dad. Like Hollie, his journey includes his season 10 audition in which Randy told him to to come back in a year and slay the whole thing.

Contestant: Joshua Ledet

Song: "You Raise Me Up," Josh Groban

Performance: Wow, with Chris Mann on "The Voice" it's a big week for this song.He takes it from his adult contemporary roots and takes it to church. It's another restrained in the beginning and gradually becoming more dramatic. Yet he never lets it get away from him. It's lovely and heartfelt. Not sure what America thinks but surely, his dad is proud.

Judging: Jlo says she knows the whole world knows what she thinks of Joshua. She thinks he's amazing and loved the drama. Steven says he sang his little tush off again. Randy says a great singer can sing anything and loved how he transformed Josh Groban.

Video Package: As part of her journey video we get some home video of Jessica singing as a very small child, very inappropriately "And I'm Tellin' You I'm Not Going."

Contestant: Jessica Sanchez

Song: "Steal Away," Etta James

Performance: It's a torchy blues ballad and she leans a little heavily on her growl but she acquits herself with a polished professionalism as always.

Judging: JLo loved the growl and loved that it was there in the beginning as a child in the home video. She thinks she's one of the best contemporary singers. Steven loved it and he's currently doing an Etta James song himself. He likes that she's shaking off her old self. Randy loves that she's singing the blues convincingly at 16.



Duet: Phillip and Joshua sing "This Love" by Maroon 5. In Randy parlance, they both worked it out. Their voices sound really good together but they have no chemistry. The judges loved it.

Duet: Hollie and Jessica sit in swings and sing "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles. This also works well, although the harmonies were a little rougher in spots. Randy thought it was weird. Steven makes a swingers joke.



We get an extended tribute to the film version of "Rock of Ages" which stars Ryan Seacrest's girlfriend Julianne Hough. And then Ryan interviews her and the director Adam Shankman in the audience.



Quartet: All four finalists sing "Waiting For a Girl Like You" by Foreigner and it is not a good song for any of them.

Contestant: Phillip Ryan asks about his health. Phillip says he's feeling fine. If he makes it to the top 3 he's excited to go home and hang with his friends and eat some Mexican food. In the rehearsal video Jimmy says Phillip found a song that's a bullseye and he's watched him become a butterfly. He says the judges were telling him to be himself but he was sounding like someone else (Dave Matthews) and with this song he's proving he can record something and not sound like the record.

Song: "Volcano," Damien Rice

Performance: It's a great song, right in his wheelhouse, brooding, churning, intense. He still has trace amounts of Dave Matthews but it's certainly not Damien Rice mimickry. It helps that he's clearly very comfortable and the backing singer's harmony part is spot-on. Easily, one of his best performances this season.

Judging: Steven thought it was beautiful. JLo thinks very few people could've pulled that song off on this type of show. Randy says this is what it's all about and one of his best performances of the season.





Contestant: Hollie In rehearsal, Jimmy thinks it's a tough song choice for a singer like Hollie who has trouble being emotional. He tells her not to oversing. He says she has to do magnificent.

Song: "I Can't Make You Love Me," Bonnie Raitt

Performance: It's a slow burn and she controls herself nicely, it's a lovely performance but perhaps not the emotional knockout Jimmy was seeking. (It was a tiny detail but oddly jarring that she changed the pronunciation of "patronize" from "pay-tronize" to "PAT-ronize.")

Judging: Steven thought it fell a little short on the emotional end. JLo agrees with Steven it's easier to sing a song like that when you haven't been through a lot and she didn't interpret it the way she thought she might like she was singing it to America, trying to make them love her. Randy says she needs moments and this is a great song but not the song for her and she needed a bigger kind of song.



Contestant: Joshua Jimmy talks about doing a session with James Brown when he was 19 and how his hairdresser came in after each take. He thinks Joshua great.

Song: "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World," James Brown

Performance: Obviously, a very good choice for Joshua and he does a good job with, following the contours of the up and down dynamics with skill and adding a lot of personality and grit to the vocal in a way that feels earned. Probably one of his best performances of the season as well. He gets a standing ovation from the judges.

Judging: Steven says neither man nor woman has ever sung with that much compassion on this show ever. JLo says she thought we'd all seen everything Joshua had to give and that performance shows we hadn't. She was sickening. (In a good way.) Randy says it's the greatest song for Joshua and it's one of the best performances in the history of any singing show.



Contestant: Jessica Jimmy thinks it's very powerful and tells her in rehearsal that he's going to remember this moment.

Song: "And I'm Tellin' You," Jennifer Holliday (from "Dreamgirls")

Performance: She does the diva thing convincingly but it doesn't feel emotionally authentic and she's unnervingly still. (I get it, she's "rooted," she's not "goin'" but she's not letting he song move through her, it's all in her throat.) It's technically adept but very much like all of its predecessors. She gets a standing ovation which she looks like she feels she deserves.

Judging: Steven calls it another winning performance and asks "tell me how you really feel?" JLo says it was impressive how she stayed still and called it a real moment. Randy says they're all in it to win it.

"American Idol' - Top 4 Results Show- May 10, 2012

Ryan reminds us that the contestants really want to make this cut because it means a hometown visit.

Group Sing: The final four sing "California Dreamin'' by the Mamas and the Papas.

Video Package: We get a behind-the-scenes look/advertisement for the Ford commercial. Yes, it's a commercial for a commercial.

Ford Commercial: The contestants sing "Feeling So Good" by Jennifer Lopez and drive around, each breathing on the windows and drawing little pictures in the condensation.

Results:

Phillip Phillips. Jimmy Sez: He was confused by Phillip's lack of guitar playing and addition of a saxophone to the Creedence song but confused in a good way since it indicated Phillip is finding himself. He thinks he delivered on the promise of all season on the Damien Rice. He thought all the elements were magnificent. Ryan says after 70 million votes... Phillip will find out what happens in a little while since they'll be "building the top 3" tonight.

Hollie Cavanagh. Jimmy Sez: On the Journey song he thought her over-the-top style was perfect for the song. He thought the Bonnie Raitt song crashed and burned and that she didn't really understand what the song was about. Again Ryan says the actual results will wait.

Performance: David Cook performs his song "The Last Song I'll Write For You." He looks good, natty in a suit and sounds just fine. The song's kind of a dud though, slow, middle of the road.

Results:

Joshua Ledet. Jimmy Sez: He didn't like the gospel-ization of the Josh Groban song. He likes when he sings gospel just not that song. He loved the James Brown song calling it a piece of magic. He says he's seen Prince and Bruce Springsteen do that kind of thing but never on "Idol." He wonders how they'll find a song as good as that for his album.

Jessica Sanchez. Jimmy Sez:He thought the Etta James song sounded good but was more of an impersonation and he compares her growl to a trick and that everyone knows the rabbit is going to come out of the hat. He says he'll encourage her to keep the rabbit more in the hat on her record. He thinks the "Dreamgirls" song was flawless and says it was shock and awe and that Tommy Mottola emailed him to say he was impressed.

He adds that last year he knew Scotty was going to win the whole thing but this year could go to anyone.

Performance: Jennifer Lopez "sings" her hit "Dance Again." There are pyrotechnics and dancers and guys poundign drums and JLo writhing.

Ryan fills time talking with the judges about the top 4.

Then he begins: Jessica is safe. Joshua is safe. Phillip is safe.

Going Home: Hollie

She sings herself out with "The Climb."

"American Idol" - Final Two Performance - May 22, 2012

Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez face off. They'll each sing three songs, one is producer Simon Fuller's choice, one is their favorite song from the season, and finally the song that will be their potential first single.

Contestant: Jessica Sanchez

Song: "I Have Nothing," Whitney Houston

Performance: It's a big diva-licious ballad that isn't particularly exciting but is sung very well, controlled and tuneful, especially the high notes at the end.

Apparently, there is no judging tonight.



Contestant: Phillip Phillips

Song: "Stand By Me," Ben E. King

Performance: This is a very odd choice for Phillip by Fuller. He, of course, slows it down and twists the melody until it sounds like most of his other performances.



Guest Performance: Jason DeRulo sings the song that the fans helped write "Undefeated."



Contestant: Jessica

Song: "Prayer," Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

Performance: She's going all in on the diva trip tonight and again does a good job. The song is a snoozefest but again she sounds good and the high notes at the end are quite good.



Contestant: Phillip Phillips

Song: "Movin' Out," Billy Joel

Performance: I'm surrprised he didn't pick the Damien Rice song. He does a better job on this than he actually did on Billy Joel night, he's got more energy and it's not quite as menacing and more playful.



Contestant: Jessica

Song: "Change Nothing"

Performance: Flanked by a large string section and seated on the piano, she sings... a big piano ballad. It starts a little low in her range but works it way up to her power voice. The song isn't doing her any favors either in terms of range or quality. She has pitch issues from the first pre-chorus and then intermittently to the end.

Judging: Randy says he didn't like the song but he liked that she made more of it then it was and she needs to record tunes with swagger. JLo agrees and says she wouldn't choose that song as her first single but says she tried to bring herself to it and says when she goes to make records to stand up for herself. Steven agrees and ends by saying "yeah, baby."



Contestant: Phillip

Song: "Home"

Performance: It's a jaunty acoustic roots pop tune. Phillip looks wan but like he's trying to push through. It's got a Mumford & Sons-ish vibe as it builds which suits him much better than Jessica's song did her and sounds like it could actually be on the radio right now. A drum corps enters and beefs up the beat. He gets a standing ovation from the judges.

Judging: Randy loves the song, Phillip, the production, marching band, and says it was his best performance of the night, calls it Mumford and Sons-ish, and says it's brilliant. JLo says it was him and he sounds like nothing else on the radio. Steven says he was perfect and recalled a little Paul Simon and he thinks Phillip is the man.

Prediction: Um, yeah, Phillip's got this.

Performance: The reigning "Idol" sings his goodbye song "Please Remember Me" over video recapping the entire season.