American Idol 14 Recap – Hollywood Round #2 – VIDEOS

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I’m enjoying Hollywood this year. The producers have made the decision to produce a kinder, gentler round. There is no Group Night Drama–a narrative that’s typically crafted around a designated “villain.” And I put that word in quotes, because EDITING. Instead, we see some struggles as the kids prepare. There’s sleeplessness and nevers. And when one group hits the stage, it falls apart. When another does, a contestant faints. Pretty typical Hollywood stuff. However, several groups were REALLY enjoyable–reinforcing my belief that Idol has assembled a winning batch of singers this season. I’m happy so far. Except: It may be time to call a moratorium on Ed Sheeran songs, m’kay?

THE DRAMA CONTINUES as we pick up where we left off last night…with the young singer Gabby Z. who suffered a total brain freeze on stage. What will happen? Will she be able to finish? Harry leaves his seat to lead her off stage. He suggests that she sit, breathe and relax for a minute. Off stage Gabby explains that the judges, the cameras and the audience completely freaked her out.

Kelley Kime – She is the mom with the adorable singing tyke. No kid this time as she sings “Don’t” by Ed Sheeran. SO MUCH ED SHEERAN. Katherine Winston sings “Wild Horses” and she’s still one of my favs. I love this singer’s haunting vocals.

Gabby takes the stage again. The audience cheers her on. She manages to finish. Will she advance to the next round? Katherine, Kelley AND GABBY advance. Ricky Hendricks was in the yes line too.

http://youtu.be/C2eYhO1qC5w

Matthew Annello – “I’m the diamond in the rough you’ve been looking for,” he declares He announces that he’s singing VallerAY by Amy Winehouse. Yes, he pronounced it like that. This performance is better than his audition, but he still needs to calm down.

Maddie Walker – Keep your eye on this 16 year old country singer. She’s managed to stand out, despite getting only bits of her singing here and there. She sings “Already Gone” by Sugarland.

Alexis Gomez – Alexis’ cover of “Before He Cheats,” by Carrie Underwood, is all over the place, vocally. Listening to her sing right after Maddie is quite telling.

Andrew does NOT advance. Maddie and Alexis move forward. The group round is next for them. Alexis, tearful, says she just wants to make her family proud.

http://youtu.be/qSnOYcQ_Hr0

Cody Fry – Cody croons a gorgeous version of “Lilac Wine” by Jeff Buckley. Cody advances.

Loren Lott – As chipper and theatrical as ever.   “I can make American Idol a lot of money!” she says as she hits the stage. And she may be the very first person to smile her way through a song about a nuclear apocalypse! Good going there, on “Radioactive” Loren.  And Loren advances to the next round.

Shi Scott – She’s a cut-up, wearing a fake beard, claiming to be hiding from the paps. She sings “Mercy” and it’s more assured than her NYC audition.

Rayvon Owen – He sings “Ordinary People” by John Legend, and continues to be something special.

Rayvon and Shi are through to the next round.

http://youtu.be/ECDA9IynO44

Daniel Seavey – “I may be only 15, but I’ve got the chops.” What? This kid is not serious. He dedicates his song, Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” to Jlo. “I’ll be loving you until I’m 70.” Harry finds this hilarious. Which it is. His vocals are still pretty messy. Another year, Daniel, would have done you good.

Clark Beckham – “I think I’m the next American Idol, because I think America is hungry for the Groove.” He sings “Let’s Get it On” by Marvin Gaye and it has quite an effect on a few of the audience members. There is something about Clark’s tone that commands my attention. If I heard that voice on my radio, I’d stop whatever I was doing to listen.

Daniel and Clark are both through to the next round.

http://youtu.be/egHM1nYd4jc

Dakota Suarez – American Idol’s first drag queen. To COMPETE on Idol (Hi Adore!) Alas, her stab (and that’s the perfect word) at “Natural Woman” is really tragic. Next is a montage of singers that shouldn’t have made it past the stadium screeners. Wow.

http://youtu.be/KTyCRI7boMw

Qaasim Middleton – Mom’s preoccupation with Qaasim’s virginity is super creepy. Just thought I’d mention that. Jax and Qaasim: BFFS! For the camera, anyway. He sings “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran, mostly out of tune, but his phrasing is really good.

Nick Fradiani, Quentin Alexander, Zach Kaltenbach and Qaasim all advance to the next round.

http://youtu.be/-bQp08c_EJU

The group rounds are next. The judges instruct the remaining contestants to form groups of four. Let the madness begin! “This separates the players from the champions” says Jlo.

Alexis Grendel has NO GROUP. She’s in tears. Yas. That beloved trope. The singer who can’t find a group.

Aw. Sal invites Alexis into his group. “Five is a great number, and you know how I love women.” I like him a whole lot more now, even as he continues to be super-smarmy.

As always, some groups have their stuff together. They rehearse and go to bed. And then…there are the disasters. No sleep. Disagreements. PAIN.

Sal roams the halls singing “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” amongst the weary Hollywood contestants burning the midnight oil. If there is drama, we don’t see it.

http://youtu.be/JWs98NkFitw

The day breaks. Time to face the music.

Double Stuff – They were the first group to get their song, one of the first to go to bed. They gelled instantly. The next morning, they have some lyrics issues in rehearsal. Not to worry, once in front of the judges, Jesse Cline, Clark Beckham, David Oliver Willis and J. None are fabulous on “Signed Sealed and Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. Great choreography, vocals and stage presence. J. None has some fancy moves. It must be for his teddy bear/mascot sitting in the audience watching! Jlo noted some wonky harmonies, but she loved it. Keith thought there were a few shaky moments. Harry says they need a minute to decide. – Jesse, Clark, David, J.None all advance.

http://youtu.be/xQZW8VTdiDk

Sheba Squared – Shi Scott is the captain. Andrew Bloom, Adam Ezegelian, and Big Ron round out the group. They sing “PYT” by Michael Jackson and it’s a little sloppy, but entertaining. Very soulful. Keith thought Andrew was overwhelmed. He loved Shi. Harry and Jlo also felt Andrew suffered. And indeed, Andrew is eliminated. Shi, Adam and Big Ron move on. Big Ron is so broken up about Andrew’s elimination, he swears he would give up his place for him. Hm. Poor Andrew confesses being the only one not to advance messes with his head.Harry did this thing where he asked members of the crowd to clap if they believed Keith would be the Team Captain of the judges. SMATTERING OF APPLAUSE. Oops. For Jlo, the crowd, of course, much louder. Some may have interpreted that question as “Who would be the captain of your hearts.”

http://youtu.be/453Oowi8VHg

The Dream Team – Another fav trope! Tyanna’s mom as the Stage Mom. She’s not bossy, though. Or at least we don’t see it. Maddy Hudson, Tyanna Jones, Reno and Steffi Ledbetter are all teens. Their inexperience shows on a trainwreck performance of “I Want You Back.” Mom, backstage, is cringing. Harry says they don’t have to out lick one another. Jlo calls it “shaky.” It’s clear Steffi is toast. And she’s eliminated. Steffi is eliminated, Maddy Tyanna and Reno advance.. Lots of tears! Somebody should put Reno out of his misery, soon. I have mixed feelings about Maddy. She’s probably one who needed to wait a year or two. Tyanna would have fared better in a group with singers more experience. It would have raised her game. She’s good.

http://youtu.be/wxfJ92ly9dI

Team Dimples – Jaq MacKenzie, Michael Simeone, Nick Fradiani, and Hunter Larsen sing “Rude” by Magic. It’s a delight. Nice harmonies, good voices. Confidence. Best group of the night. “I LOVE THIS KID” says Jlo when Michael takes the stage. Heh. (he’s the dude she slow danced with in Nashville). Harry rambles on nonsensically until he reveals that Jaq, Michael, Nick and Hunter advance.

http://youtu.be/6PHk-9L5YRE

Sals Gals – This is the group that took Alexis. As soon as she joined Sal, Jax, Kelley and Kaitlin, she had a panic attack. Eventually, Alexis recovers. But as soon as the group hits the stage, Alexis faints dead away. The paramedics arrive and take her offstage.

AND ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE A CLIFFHANGER PEOPLE.

http://youtu.be/4Y9psYXv5lA

Next week, after the conclusion of the drama, more GROUPS and solo performances.