American Idol Reveals Partial Top 24 & Last Days of the Hollywood Rounds

Traditionally, this was supposed to be a one-hour show with solo performances from the remaining contestants in the final round of Hollywood Week. In past seasons on American Idol, I always enjoyed the Hollywood Rounds, especially in its last phase, until now. For the first time in Idol history they decided to reveal some of the Top 24 semi-finalists in this episode. On Wednesday night the remaining Top 24 will be revealed. Why American Idol decided to make this strange move is anyone's guess. My theory is they're trying to compete with the Winter Olympics because the Olympics ratings have gone up significantly since four years ago. Not only that, Tuesday night was the opening of the Men's Figure Skating competition. Figure skating is to the Winter Olympics what gymnastics is for the Summer Olympics. In other words, they are the most popular event for the spectators at the Olympics and television viewers alike.

I must confess I had to balance watching the Olympics and this episode simultaneously, though it wasn't an easy feat, and some sacrifices had to be made. It was frustrating to see only 45 minutes, if not less, of the solo performances from these contestants. Then it was interspersed with all them getting divided into three rooms waiting on their fate. Two of the rooms would move on to the Top 46, and one room would all be sent home. It is no secret the Top 24 semi-finalists spoiler list has been revealed online for weeks now, so this was a bit un-climatic for me. Yet, I wanted to see their performances. However, one of my favorite contestants, who has had virtually little airtime, was finally showcased with a brief segment on her solo performance. It was great seeing Ashley Rodriguez, the Boston native who recently graduated from Berklee College of Music.

There were however some very painful moments from a couple of the contestants who either forgot their words repeatedly or sang horribly out of tune. It was truly a cringe-worthy moment to say the least. You wonder if they'll make it on to the Top 24 or not. Like Ryan Seacrest says on occasion, "the results will shock you" in his "Oh My God" dramatic voice. American Idol is getting to the point of becoming more and more predictable. It is stuck in a comfort zone and has reached mind-numbingly boredom. Ellen hasn't been anywhere near as funny as she was on the first day of the Hollywood Rounds. Granted, this is a serious time where the judges are always deliberating and making their selections. The show keeps using the same old formula year in and year out during the auditions and Hollywood Rounds. You'd think the producers would get the hint the viewers of this show are ready for some changes. Unfortunately they missed the mark with this different twist on revealing some of the Top 24.

In the last hour and fifteen minutes of the Hollywood Round episode Tuesday night, they decided to have the contestants find out if they made it to the Top 24 at the Kodak Theater, where the auditions had taken place, instead of some mansion where "The Chair Episode," as they called it, had taken place. While some of the contestants were called into the theater to find out their fate we were rehashed for yet another look at their first auditions, hearing their sob stories, and seeing clips of their Hollywood performances we have seen so many times before. Why not show us something new for a change about them? One of the contestants, Casey James, got one of the judges, Kara DioGuardi, very flustered. It was very apparent she has quite the crush on him. Needless to say we will be seeing Casey in the Top 24. Six other forgettable contestants, in my opinion, were told they are moving on to the Top 24.

Only two contestants were told it was the end of the line for them. It was heart-breaking for Shelby Dressel, who has a damaged facial nerve on one side of her face, she will not be moving on. Shelby took the rejection gracefully and consoled her family with a heartfelt and sincere "it's all good" statement. Shelby was one of the few memorable moments in this dreadful episode. Needless to say the last contestant of the evening was a pathetic mess and not worth writing about when she was told she's not moving on to the next round. Get over it honey; those things happen all the time. The seven semi finalists that were selected are: Didi Benami, Michael Lynche, Casey James, Todrick Hall, Katelyn Epperly, Lee Dewyze and Aaron Kelly. Stay tuned for more of the boring same when the remaining seventeen are announced. I suggest watching the Winter Olympics instead.

SOURCES:

http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z2z2z258z1z8&ID=5801

http://www.americanidol.com/