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American Idol 9, February 16 Recap: Three Rooms, Some Gloom, and THE CHAIR OF DOOOOOOMby Jenn Brasler -- 02/17/2010
View Printable version of this article Tonight is everyone’s last chance to make the top 24. That means there’s going to be a lot of crying, both from happiness and from devastation. Also, possibly from me, since this is a two-hour episode. We start with some generic stuff about Hollywood week and the process thus far. Then the remaining 71 singers hit the stage for the last time. They get no feedback from the judges, who are ready to choose their top 24. Then the singers are put into three rooms. In one are Todrick Hall, Andrew Garcia, Tim Urban, Casey James, and Tyler Grady. In another are Christian Spear, Hope Johnson, Lloyd Thomas, Mary Powers (eck), and Keia Johnson. In the third are Shelby Dressel (who we saw in Orlando but not at all in Hollywood), Haeley Vaughn, Maddie Penrose of the annoying fake glasses, Angela Martin, and Jessica Furney. Yay for four of the girls in that last room. 
We get a flashback of Angela’s final performance, “American Boy.” That’s been a popular song this season. I think this is the first time we’ve really gotten to see how Angela is as a performer. Kara tells Randy that she likes Angela. Angela feels really good, especially for what she’s going through (e.g., her mother’s missing, which the show doesn’t mention, for some reason). Casey James had trouble on group day because he’s not much of a dancer. He and Jermaine Purifoy both moved on from their group. They also both took chances in their final performances; Casey did “Bubbly” and Jermaine did “Brick House.” Wow. He gets good feedback from the audience and some teasing from the judges. Casey’s kind of blah on “Bubbly,” but I’m biased since I hate that song. Now, though, Casey and Jermaine are in different rooms. Casey isn’t “super-excited” about his final audition, but he thinks that his overall performance is good. Jermaine is happy and wants to perform again. Angela is in a third room, so at least one of these people is out. The three rooms are silent because everyone’s freaking out. Room 1 contains Andrew and Katie Stevens, so the people there probably have a good chance to make it. Jermaine Sellers is worried, though. We see him singing “Man in the Mirror” and having some pitch problems. Then he tells the judges that he did the song differently in rehearsal. Um, who cares? Siobhan Magnus, who I liked to call Robin Sparkles because of how she dressed last week, flashes back to Ellen telling her not to seem so old. Also, don’t wear a bridesmaid’s dress from the ‘80s. Maybe I added that part. In her last audition, Siobhan sings “Living for the City” really well. I like her voice, but not her so much. Now for someone whose voice AND personality I like: Crystal Bowersox. In her final audition she plays guitar and harmonica, and sings Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy.” She misses the high notes a little, but the rest of it will probably make up for that. In a flashback to Alex Lambert’s first Hollywood audition, he plays the ukulele, for some reason, and sings “Sunday Morning.” He’s not too great. Simon says he has no spark. We’re reminded that Alex was in Mary’s group. Poor guy. However, he made it through, and went for some Jason Mraz (with the uke again) for his final performance. Michael Lynche and Todrick Hall also sing “I’m Yours” for their final auditions. Todrick’s version is kind of R&B. I still don’t really get Todrick. I can’t tell if he’s genuine or not. Montage of Thaddeus Johnson’s mom screaming. How exciting. After some encouragement from Mom – and a few moments teasing Michael Orland for playing the wrong song for him – Thaddeus sings “Man in the Mirror” for his final audition. I like him as a performer, and I liked his original audition, but I don’t think he’s as strong a singer as the others in the competition. Fortunately, he’s only 17, so he has many more chances to come back. Girls whose names I can’t remember (possibly Michelle and Katelyn?) voiceover their doubts. Then we move on to room 2 and more nervous people. Charity Vance was sent straight through in Chicago, and we saw her do well last week. Her final audition is Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity,” and it’s pretty, if plain. Tasha Layton’s final audition is Coldplay’s “The Scientist,” which she makes sound like a very different song (in a good way). 
And now, Mary “Crazypants” Powers. She’s confident about her final song choice. I hope she’s overconfident and it’s her downfall. Mary sings “Hot N Cold” with crazy eyes and a not-so-great voice. Chuck her. Simon tells Ellen that he thinks Mary’s interesting because she’s older. Huh? Now, in her room, Mary’s nervous. Lloyd Thomas is in the same room. He’s been very calm all day, and he explains that he’s been thinking about his wife and kids back home. He’s very emotional over the idea of this changing everything for them. Aww, I like him. His final performance is “Man in the Mirror,” and like Thaddeus, I don’t think Lloyd is as strong a singer as the others. He also forgets the words. Ohhh, bad. Bryan Walker is in room two. We haven’t seen him much in Hollywood. Bryan was confident in his final performance and got a wink and some sort of hand gesture from Simon. Now, though, Bryan isn’t so sure. Tisha Holland, who we saw in Atlanta; Jermaine Purifoy; and Hope Johnson are in room two as well. We get Hope’s background again, then learn that she’s done well all week. Hope says that she feels like the stage is the only place she fits in. She also thinks that fame will be easy. Oh, Hope. Her final performance of Daughtry’s “Home” is not so great. She shouldn’t have jinxed herself by singing a song that says, “I’m going home.” I think it’s safe to say room two is getting cut. Room three contains Didi Benami, Lee DeWyze, Angela, Lacey Brown, Shelby, and Jessica Furney. Flashback to Shelby’s original audition, in which she swore. In Hollywood, Ellen liked her as much as the other judges did. However, Shelby had trouble remembering the lyrics to “More Than a Feeling” while rehearsing with the band. She starts psyching herself out. When the time comes to perform, the words aren’t the problem, but I fear being memorable might be. 1 2 3 Next-->View Printable version of this article
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