American Idol Review: Hollywood Week

Season 7 of American Idol Hollywood Week kicked off Tuesday in a way never seen before in the singing competition's history. In previous years, American Idol contestants would arrive in Hollywood where most of the TV show was devoted to how well they worked in a group setting. Then it would end with the contestants herded into different rooms where judges Paula, Randy, and Simon would reveal which were cut and which were moving on. 2008 Hollywood Week would be quite different though.

For the first time, American Idol contestants were given two important things. One, the option of performing with an instrument. And two, a second chance.

All 164 American Idol hopefuls performed for Paula, Randy, and Simon during the first two days of Hollywood Week. It was during this first round that the singers could also play an instrument. If the judges liked them, they'd advance to the final round. If not, they'd be given one more chance to prove themselves.

First up was 24 year old Brooke White. She was the blonde girl during the Philadelphia auditions who claimed to have never seen a rated R movie. Before her performance, she revealed that she felt intimidated and struggled with confidence. But she went on to knock out a Carly Simon like performance singing the song Beautiful while playing the keyboard. Simon referred to her great potential, and Brooke became the first of 48 to advance directly to the final round.

Part of the other 47 contestants to impress the judges included David Hernandez who had good stage presence; the rock 'n roll nurse Amanda Overmyer; a keyboard playing Josiah Leming who Simon declared "this is the one I'm gonna remember"; and the Irish girl Carly Smithson who the judges said should be hated and feared due to her talent.

Playing an instrument worked out for Brooke and Josiah, but not all were so fortunate. The guitar Michael Sanfilipppo strummed sounded awful. Simon suggested Alyssa Coco destroy her keyboard and thought Jake Mellema's idea to play drums was "ridiculous". They didn't make the first cut, but were given second chances as promised.

Others given second chances were dance captain Amy Flynn, casanova Ghaleb Emachah, the Lampkin siblings, Kyle Ensley whose Broadway-like performance prompted Simon to leave after Paula kept praising Kyle's "spirit" rather than his singing.

This second round involved each briefly singing a cappella. Single parents Suzanne Toon, Perrie Cataldo, and Angela Martin (who was grieving her father's recent death) were among those unable to benefit from their second chance and cut. Jeffrey Lampkin, Syesha Mercado, and Kristy Lee Cook were among those who advanced to the final of American Idol Hollywood Week.

But more would soon be cut during the final round. Jeffrey Lampkin and Joey Catalano were cut after giving less than stellar performances. And the teen beauty queen Brooke Helvie was sent packing after hitting a sour note despite begging Paula for another chance.

On the other end of things, the American Idol judges gushed about 16 year old David, Australian Michael Johns, Asia'h Epperson, and a sick Syesha Mercado.

Last up was Josiah Leming; the kid who lives in his car. Josiah has had an emotional night after having trouble choosing a song and practicing with the band. He's had little sleep and is nervous. Upon entering the stage, Josiah thanks the band but asks to perform solo. This would turn out to be a wrong move. He then sings the song Stand By Me "as he hears it in his own head". The judges hate it. Josiah attempts to save face by suggesting his performance took guts, only making things worse in Simon's view. Simon goes on to call him annoying, over-confidant, and less charming. Then Simon utters words I don't recall him ever saying, "I feel sorry for you now", and Josiah breaks down. Despite all this, the judges keep him around based on his past performances.

American Idol ends with the judges debating over who should make the American Idol Top 24.