American Idol: Hollywood Week part 2

Hollywood week on “American Idol” continues with the group singing competition. Group performances on Hollywood week is traditionally a crash and burn or outstanding performance as the lack of sleep, nerves, and the pressure mount up.

After two days of a cappella performances 168 of over 300 singers remain. Anticipating group day, some early survivors formed groups and songs and began preparing early only to be thrown into havoc as the announcement comes that groups must be a combination of singers from day one and day two.

At 8:30pm the singers begin the mad scramble for group members and finally at 11pm 39 groups are ready to rehearse. Finding a rehearsal space becomes almost as difficult as finding group members – one group found solace in the boys restroom, another took the girl’s restroom. If the groups worked through the night, they would have 10 hours to prepare for their performance before the judges – Randy JacksonRandy Jackson, Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez, and Steven TylerSteven Tyler.

As the night goes on, groups begin to fall apart as members leave one group and join another. At 3am singers begin to leave the rehearsal hall for sleep. The groups are back at it at 7am.

Before the groups took to the stage, the judges had a few words for the contestants. Steven said that he was addicted to adrenaline and a lot of other things including wanting to hear them sing good. Jennifer said not to get caught up in the groups because they would be judged and eliminated as individuals. And Randy said, “don’t ever forget the words,” but of course there were some who did. After over a half an hour of voice overs from host Ryan SeacrestRyan Seacrest and video clips viewers were finally treated to some singing from the groups. The first group – a trio – all survived the group round.

As one of the groups went in search of a missing member, Steven came on stage and entertained the crowd with a little drum playing.

New judge Steven Tyler proved to be a popular judge during the day as one group of four girls invited Steven to join them on stage. The foursome serenaded him with “Some Kind of Wonderful” as he sat in the chair. Steven even joined in the song a bit. As host Ryan Seacrest reminded him that now he had to judge; Tyler said, “well, I am partial.” Only one of the girls made it through to the next round.

As the day went on singers were eliminated and some singers begged for another chance or voiced their opinions that they did not deserve to be eliminated.

By the end of the day 100 singers had survived and would move on to another solo round. Of the 100 singers only 50 will survive the next day of “American Idol” Hollywood week.