We’re live blogging the 3rd installment of American Idol 14 Hollywood Week!
Read More: American Idol 14 Spoilers – The Top 24
A couple of things. STOP WITH THE BEATBOXING ALREADY. It’s mostly not good. It was cool and novel when Blake Lewis and his group did it back in Season 6. Not so much now. Also, I understand the need to stand out in the group, but the oversinging was unbearable. Even performers who usually don’t, were ornamenting their vocals unnecessarily.
As the judges mentioned at the top of the show, the group round isn’t about good singing. Sure, there is a gem or two in the mix, but mostly the round is about how the kids handle curve balls and pressure. Watching Hollywood Anderson completely unable to navigate social situations, while young Emily Brooke handled food poisoning like a pro is what makes certain aspects of the group rounds fascinating.
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We’re still in the middle of the group round. Last week’s episode left off with a cliffhanger. A young singer, Alexis, had a panic attack on stage as her group, consisting of Sal, Jax, Kelley and Kaitlin, were about to sing. They even took this girl in when she couldn’t find a group! Now look what happened. The paramedics arrived and…
…here’s what happens next.
Sal’s Gals – “Drive By” – Sal Valentinetti, Alexis Granville, Jax, Kaitlin and Kelley Kime – “Drive By” – Alexis RECOVERS and takes the stage with the rest of the group. In an ironic twist, she’s the only one to advance, along with Jax. Big hearted Sal is so good natured. As he leaves the stage he reminds Jlo about their “date,” and as far as not advancing? He’s fine. He gives Alexis all the props. Super nice guy. The performance itself was shaky. It’s probably the first time I didn’t care for Jax, who displayed a case of the try hards. Alexis is kind of a drama queen leaving the stage. Eh. She advanced, but I have a feeling she’s not long for this world. Harry went for a little fake out at the end, asking Kelley to step forward next to Alexis and then back, before he asked Jax to step forward. Alexis and Jax advance. Kelley, Sal and Kaitlin are sent home.
http://youtu.be/po05-qxodPQ
3-1 Brunettes – “A Little Help from My Friends” by the Beatles – Riley Bria, Keri Lynn Roach, Emily Brooke, Jake Black – Emily, the young country singer from Nashville has food poisoning. She threw up 3 times the day before. Her group is putting together a plan b. But Emily, bag in hand, is rising to the challenge. No bitching or dramatics from Emily. She just gets it done. “If you throw up,” says Riley, “It’s good TV I guess!” It’s a good performance. Could have done without Jack’s distracting beatboxing, though. Harry asks if they think they did a good job. Jack says he thinks so, considering. Actually, it was pretty fantastic compared to some of these trainwrecks, and Emily was about to barf! Needless to say, all four singers go through to the next round.
http://youtu.be/0lqTopx_3yU
Blvd – “Since U Been Gone” – Cody Fry, Kelleyann Rogers, Piper Jones and Rayvon Owen, – They all went to college together. Belmont representing. “We got to hear you sing melodies, we got to hear you sing songs,” says Harry, who added that their slowed up arrangement of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” was his favorite performance of the day. The song definitely had it’s moments, but the vocal ornamentation could have been dialed back. ALL of these group singers are trying too hard. I suppose it’s about standing out from the crowd they’re forced into. But sometimes, less is more. All four singers advance.
http://youtu.be/b6xg3EIaZTA
Team Yup – Tiffany Stringer, others – The ENTIRE group is eliminated. One dude is all “I DON’T DO GROUPS.” more or less. “I’m not a group. I’m a solo artist, I’m an individual. It’s kind of disappointing to go home based on some people I’m never going to see again.” EYES ROLL. Dude misses the point.
Harry says if he had to choose a group, he’d go for people who were different than him. Jlo and Keith would pick folks in his own genre. Harry admits that he’d play mind games. “I’d say listen. I’m going to be the captain of this group. Ya’ll don’t like it, you don’t have to be in my group. But. You’re going to lose.” MEAN “It’s cut throat.”
http://youtu.be/jL5r3s4akw4
Vital Signs – “I Want You Back” by Jackson 5 – Adanna Duru, Cindy Maslov, Denise Natoli, Camille Peruto, – In the old days, the drama between Adanna and the “bitchy” Cindy would have been the focal point of the week. But it’s just touched on here. “I’m not really worried about those three girls,” says Cindy. “Because I’m in it for myself.” The performance is sloppy, with tons of forgotten words. When Adanna and Cindy are the only ones to advance, they call a truce. Cindy and Adanna through to the next round.
http://youtu.be/vLGRO5cWY7s
LKYCO – “Story of My Life” – Trevor Douglas, Qaasim Middleton, Daniel Seavey, Savion Wright – Whoa. There’s some crazy oversinging in this performance. And beatboxing! Which is ambitious, but makes the arrangement even busier. Jlo loved the beatboxing. The name means “Ladies Keep Your Clothes On.” and in parentheses “Please” Really? Savion says “I let them come up with the name.” Don’t blame him for clarifying – All 4 advance.
http://youtu.be/hk_Maz-y3QI
We see quick glimpses of Alexis Gomez, Loren Lott, and Quentin Alexander. All 3 are through. Loren is very disappointed to find she doesn’t get a day off.
No Sleep – “Grenade” – Hollywood Anderson, Laurel Taylor Taunton, Amber Kelechi, Monica. Brittany – Hollywood is the team captain, but he’s more interested in flirting with the ladies. Sixteen year old Lovey James says, after he hits on her, “You’ve got two more years,” buddy. EEP. The rest of the team is frustrated. Laurel takes over, but she’s clashing with the others, as she barks out orders. “UNISON DO NOT SING HARMONY,” she demands. Ryan asks the group point blank what they thought of Hollywood as Team leader. *CRICKETS*. But was Laurel better? In the end, the performance, complete with beatboxing is kind of a hot mess, although some of the harmonies were good. Keith didn’t think it was cohesive. The judges liked the solos, but not the backups. “The yeah yeah yeahs were so loud they WERE like a bullet to my brain,” quips Harry. Hollywood and Monica are through to the next round. Laurel, Brittany and Amber are sent home.
http://youtu.be/2nOq9zL9yqc
JKL – “All About That Bass” – Lovey James, Kory Wheeler, Jess Lamb, Carla Davis – Ooh. Done doo wop style. This is pretty cool. Keith’s got a total stink face on as he watches. He liked their singing, though. Lovey and Jess are through. Kory and Carla are eliminated.
http://youtu.be/SdShQ9MvH-o
Rocky’s Crew – Tanya MacKenna, Rocky Peter, Rich, Trent – “Come and Get It” Rocky, the Nigerian refugee, is team captain, but he and Rich clash all night. Rich isn’t comfortable freestyling and he wants to practice more. The morning rehearsal is a mess. Tanya is the only semi-standout in this group. The others don’t know the words. Harry wants to know who picked the song. Rocky throwing him under the bus, says Ricky. And not suprisingly, only advances to the next round. Rocky is devastated. He feels like he’s failed his family, his American sponsors. Everybody.
http://youtu.be/C5thzoABMTk
Next, a montage of eliminated contestants. Cindy Jo from Minneapolis cries. It’s her last year of eligibility.
Soul Connection – Heatherle Spires, Erika David, Sarina-Joi Crowe, Adriana Simon – “Grenade” – This group has drama. Heatherle feels the other girls are attacking and don’t want her. She’s in tears. Adrianna is all “I don’t sugar coat things.” But the performance of “Grenade” despite the drama is good. Sarina, of course, is the standout. Sarina, Adrinanna and Erika advance. The odd girl out Heatherle is eliminated. Keith said she had a beautiful voice, but doesn’t think she’s ready. Erika, Adrianna, Sarina-Joi advance. Heatherle is eliminated.
http://youtu.be/9bicjIcvve8
Mark Andrew’s Crew – Mark Andrew, Vanessa Andrea, Katherine Winston, Alex Shier, – “A Little Help From My Friends” – Lovely harmonies. Everybody sounds great. But Vanessa is eliminated. The rest are through.
We also see Angelica and Tion Phipps advance from their groups. Ditto Jelly and Regina. The point of the segment is the mixed feelings contestants have about advancing as their friends are sent home.
Jackie Nese, Maddie Walker, and some others sing “Grenade.” Maddie and the rest are through, Jackie is sent home.
http://youtu.be/2rLHxQz0ISc
Garrett’s Girls – Garrett Miles – “Done” Garrett is the likeable blind dude with his ever-present father. He sings sitting on a stool, surrounded by girls who seem to serve as his backup. The judges aren’t impressed, with his tuneless performance. Ultimately Garrett is eliminated. Nalani Quintello is through
http://youtu.be/B-95sRxg4Us
Violet Vixens – Joey Cook, Krista Bettevy, Shannon Berthiaume and Naomi Tatsuoka – “Somebody to Love” – Joey can’t remember the words. Team leader, Naomi, feels like she is failing her. When Joey finally hits the stage she DOES forget the words, singing “Da da da da da da…and I totally didn’t mess up those words. It’s just your imagination!” without losing a beat. The panel bust out laughing. Sharon, who continues her streak of screwing up on stage, loses the lyric too, but she doesn’t cover as well. Harry compliments Joey, whom he says realizes that, “The show must go on.” He loves the way she recovered. ALL are through to the next round.
http://youtu.be/yGU5H6hrXVk
Tomorrow, it’s the SOLO PERFORMANCES.
