Air Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 [8-10pm]
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| Source: http://ds-this-n-that.blogspot.com/ |
The remaining 61 contestants (wasn't there 60 before? How did one get added?) learned that they would be traveling to Las Vegas and perform songs (in groups of two or three) by The Beatles. They only had 24 hours to learn the song. I'm trying to figure out why they wanted them to be in duos and trios. They already did a group round back in Hollywood Week; ultimately this is an individual competition, so they should be focusing on that more. Were they trying to make sure there was drama? If so, it didn't really work out (though the same can't be said of one of the vocal coaches).
The Beatles LOVE is the current Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas, and the contestants will be performing their Beatles songs on the stage where the show is performed.
The groups had the chance to prepare with a vocal coach. And there was one in particular that really channeled Simon, but more on the Gordon Ramsay side. She was coaching Thia Megia and Melinda Ademi and yelled at them nonstop.
The saddest part of the night was finding out that many of the singers did not know any Beatles songs. Really? You've got to at least know one. I just find it hard to believe. If you want to last on this show, I hope you know a range of songs. I think back to season 9's Aaron Kelly who only performed really, really well-known songs that have been done to death before because he didn't seem to know any other songs. It reminded me of that, in a way.
The new in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine (along with some of the best music producers in the business) visits the rehearsals and provides comments and advice, even advising Lauren Alaina's group to pick a different song.
Before performing themselves, the contestants were invited to see the Cirque du Soleil show, The Beatles LOVE.
Stefano Langone & James Durbin - "Get Back": James' high notes were a lot better than last week, more in-tune.
Hayley Reinhart, Naima Adedapo, Jacob Lusk - "The Long and Winding Road": Naima was the best of the group. Jacob, on the other hand, sounded like he was gargling underwater for much of the song. But, overall, the three of them had good harmony together.
Tim Halperin, Julie Zorilla - "Something": Definitely a solid group; both were good, but Tim stood out to me as one of the best.
Kendra Chantelle, Paul McDonald - "Blackbird": This was a little strange for me. Paul's voice was a little odd. Definitely unique, but it was way too soft for me to think he has any chance in this competition.
Ashley Sullivan goes shopping for wedding attire. She and her boyfriend head over to the Little White Chapel and get married. My first thought was, she might as well have some happiness before she gets cut. When talking to Ryan Seacrest, she said she chose that chapel because Britney Spears got married there. Um, Ashley? I don't think you want to be comparing yourself to Britney when it comes to marriage.
Melinda Ademi, Thia Megia - "Here Comes the Sun": It was an okay performance; Thia's definitely the better one of the two, but I hope even she improves more, because she has a unique voice that could take her far.
Ashley Sullivan, Sophia Shorai - "We Can Work It Out": Definitely the worst performance of the night. There's no way the judges can keep Ashley in after this.
Scotty McCreary, Lauren Alaina, Denise Jackson - "Hello Goodbye": They were good together, but not individually. Even Lauren seemed a little off during that song.
Casey Abrams, Chris Medina - "Hard Days Night": What was that? It's tricky with Casey, because he can be good during some songs, but not so much during others, so he may be unpredictable in later rounds.
Robbie Rosen, Aaron Sanders, Jordan Dorsey - "Got To Get You Into My Life": One of the few standout groups who were solid together. And as always, Robbie is the standout.
Best of the Night:
- Tim Halperin
- Robbie Rosen
- Naima Adedapo
Once the Top 61 are done, the judges deliberate and begin sending some through to the next round, while cutting others. I really don't know what they see in Scotty McCreary to keep him in yet again, but I predict he won't improve that much and will only show a limited range. And finally, Ashley Sullivan is eliminated! A long time coming.
The first hour concludes, and we begin the second with the opening title sequence again. The announcement of the Top 24 takes place in a hangar, set up in a dramatic fashion. When each contestant faces the judges, we are shown a montage of their journey on the show along with their final "Sing For Your Life" round that took place between Vegas and the Top 24 reveal.
The Top 24 (So Far...):
- Naima Adedapo
- Clint Jun Gamoa - "Hello"
- Hayley Reinhart
- Paul McDonald: If I'm not mistaken, we've only seen him during this episode, so voters won't really have a whole lot to go off of when choosing who to vote for, so I don't think he'll make it past the semifinals.
- Ashton Jones
Comments on Some of the Eliminated Singers:
- Holly Cavanagh: Jennifer Lopez says she was in the minority among the judges and wanted her to stay in, but Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson were in the majority to cut her. It seemed like she wanted to make sure to get that out there so Holly wouldn't think of her in a negative light.
- Deandre Brackensick: The judges gave him some really encouraging advice to keep in mind for the future.
And Finally, The Meltdown Heard 'Round the World...
Chris Medina is the final singer featured before the episode ends, and the judges end up cutting him (I think they made the right decision). Jennifer started to get emotional when trying to tell him the outcome. And when Chris leaves, she just breaks down in tears and has a meltdown. "I didn't want to tell him no." "I'm worried I didn't tell him in the right way." And finally, "I don't want to do this anymore." Steven and Randy are consoling her, and the episode ends with her not wanting to continue. We're left wondering if she won't be there tonight, and instead Steven and Randy will be the only ones there to reveal the rest of the semifinalists. I'm sure the producers just loved this moment, because they took it and just ran with it, teasing it all throughout the episode. Even if Jennifer leaves to gather herself, I don't think it will be for long; she'll just compose herself and we'll be on with the rest of the outcome.
During the auditions episodes, I was worried at first because Jennifer had a hard time saying no, but pretty soon toughened up. Now after this meltdown, I think she really needs to get it in her head that there will be tough eliminations on this show, and she needs to realize that. Even when we get to the live rounds, a deserving singer may get eliminated (which happens often on this show); she better be prepared.
Tonight, in another two hour episode (8-10pm), the judges finish revealing the Top 24 who will compete for our votes next week. Did we really need three-hours total for this reveal? Anyway, see ya then...
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