'American Idol': Part Two of Hollywood Week - Group Rounds

Season 10 on "American Idol" was no exception with the mounting pressure that developed during Hollywood Week's notorious Group Rounds. Just like season after season there is always the drama, tears, fears and fatigue. It seems to never fail. You would think a show being on for nearly 10 years people would learn the ropes by now from seasons past.

I'm sure you have to be there to know what it's really like. The first hour was an introduction to the group rounds with a new twist. We saw how quickly cliques formed and those left out had to struggle. The second hour focused on the group performances that were both good and bad. This was by far my favorite group episode ever on "American Idol."

Corralling the Groups - Where the Drama Begins

In past seasons they usually focused on one person or one group throughout this brutal episode, since Hollywood Week was shown all too quickly. Some of the people in the past were without question the most immature and obnoxious individuals who made it. My guess is why they got this far, and were the subject of such glaring attention, was because of their dreaded personalities made for great reality TV. Thankfully, they didn't do that Wednesday night (February 16). Instead, they focused on a number of people.

There was one girl who was a mild version of past divas, but it was obvious she was completely ostracized by everyone else. She was left out in all the groups. The twist this year was each group had to have at least three and no more than four or five with at least one member from Day 1 or Day 2 of Round One. Some were in groups only to be let go, because they were a bad match. Others were straggling to get into a group only to finally get picked after missing out on a few valuable hours of rehearsal time.

Tears, Fears and Fatigue Continues

It was so much going on in this two-hour episode I was transfixed by three groups that was focused throughout the beginning to end process in the group rounds. One of my favorite auditions from New Jersey was Ashley Sullivan. She is the extremely emotional girl from last week. Her group whose name I forgot was all females. They seemed to get together quickly and were rehearsing nicely until Ashley's nerves and the pressure got the best of her. She had to leave the group, but the show's producer talked her in to thinking about it first. After some time with her boyfriend Ashley ended up staying. I was thrilled to see her be welcomed back by the group with open arms. In the past they've had people leave their groups, never to return.

On a brighter note it was refreshing to see a group of only minors, ages 15 and 16. Their mothers were on hand not only as chaperones, but as vocal coaches too. I think they were at an advantage with the extra help, but they are all underage. Appropriately enough they called themselves "The Minors." Apparently another group resented their nearby presence and one made his feelings known very clearly that stage mothers have no place on "American Idol."

The last group was called "Three's Company." They consisted of the former couple who auditioned in Nashville and the one half of the lovey dovey couple where her significant other was cut in the first round. Rob Bolin proved to be utterly uncooperative the entire time during their rehearsal. He was not able to learn the lyrics or really trying to learn the lyrics. Bolin refused to do the dance steps. It was as if he checked out a long time ago with his bouts of fatigue. Later on with their performance it would get worse.

Highlights of the Group Performance - The Good and Bad

Every year on "American Idol" during the Group rounds they always say to remember the lyrics, yet some forget and are still put through to the next round. However, one thing was revealed that I wasn't aware of. The judges go by not only the overall group performance, but they focus on individual performances within the group as well as past performances from their initial audition. That certainly makes a lot of sense now.

My favorite group performance of the entire night was from Ashley Sullivan's girl group. Randy Jackson said they were the best harmonized group he's seen. She was the weakest vocalist, nevertheless her and her group made it on to the next round. "The Minors" gave an incredible gospel performance of a song by Queen and a standing ovation from the judges. Steven Tyler stated this performance was why he joined "American Idol" to hear those vocals.

"Three's Company" literally flopped when they all took to the stage. Their rendition of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" featured its profane title coming out and getting bleeped during the solo performance by Jacqueline Dunford. Chelsee Oaks choreography and vocals were sloppy and flat. However, when it came time for Rob Bolin's solo he sang how he didn't know the lyrics and was too tired to remember them. It was like watching a train wreck taking place. Surprisingly the girls made it to the next round while Bolin was sent packing, which wasn't at all surprising.

Taylor Rios, the lone group who was desperately searching for a cohort snatched someone from another group. They only made up a duo. One of the producers said they could perform as two. When it came to the judges they were not acceptable with only two in a group. Their performance was so off-key that Randy Jackson had to stop it before they finished. He said it was really bad. Taylor begged to get another chance. Thankfully she was not granted that request. Thursday night will be the solo round once again, this time with musical accompaniment. Then only 50 will make it to the newly created Las Vegas round.

SOURCES:

American Idol - Official Site for Videos, Photos and Community, American Idol.com

Gil Kaufman, "'American Idol' Brings The Pressure On Group Night", MTV.com