American Idol

It’s finally Hollywood Week, which has me more anxious for this season than ever before. American Idol’s best 164 contestants of Season 7 are coming together to try and make the final cut. This is where it all begins. So, let’s get to it.

7:02 p.m.

This time around, nobody is getting cut in the first two days. But by the end of Hollywood Week, it will be down to the Top 24. First up is Brooke White, who got her golden ticket in Philadelphia. She’s playing her song on the piano, the first sign this season will be much more interesting — and musical.

Brooke’s version of Beautiful is the kind of thing that makes the judges proud. She gets an automatic pass to the Hollywood Week finals, meaning she’s a step ahead of the competition. And deservedly so.

Leo Marlowe faired well during his Omaha audition, but his first time on stage during Hollywood Week was, well, weak.

Leo Marlowe, among others, doesn’t have as much luck. Their first-day auditions don’t go as well. But they’ll be back for a second chance before Simon, Paula and Randy give them the complete thumbs down. This really should ensure we’ll be seeing the best of the best when the live shows roll around.

7:14 p.m.

This year’s addition of instruments seems to be hurting many of the contestants. Eventually, though, I think the idea of being able to play an instrument will separate the true musicians from the rest of the pack.

David Hernandez at his San Diego audition.

David Hernandez decided to leave the instruments behind him. Just taking the microphone, this San Diego finalist steps out and impresses the judges. His smooth sound is refreshing and, even though it’s the first time we’re finally seeing him, it’s rumored to not be the last.

7:23 p.m.

Amanda Overmyer was in a car accident just a week before her trip to Hollywood Week. A nurse and would-be resident rocker chick of Season 7 made it to Hollywood to sing The Doors. Amanda certainly is an interesting contestant, and her voice definitely sets her apart. I think she could be the contestant of the season that really splits fans’ opinions. Some will love her. Others will want her gone right away. Thoughts?

As with seasons past, Hollywood Week is filled with contestants who can’t remember the lyrics no matter what. I’m not sure how you get to this point and don’t burn the lyrics into your brain. Sure, the contestants are nervous. But this is the chance of a lifetime. And not remembering the lyrics? It’s almost as annoying to me as it is to Simon. But not quite.

It’s not just forgetting lyrics, though. Ghaleb Emachah just doesn’t have it. I’m not really sure how he made it through this far, and I don’t think he has a chance of saving himself during his second-chance audition.

7:36 p.m.

Josiah Leming made it to Hollywood — fake British accent and all — with one of the best stories of the season. The teenager has been living in his car, and behind a keyboard, he says he feels most comfortable. There’s something about him that’s interesting, and even Simon agrees. “I think out of all of the auditions, this is the one I’m going to remember,” he said.

Ramiele Malubay found early success during Hollywood Week.

Danny Noriega, Ramiele Malubay and Carly Smithson are a few other early favorites to impress the judges during their first-day Hollywood auditions. But will relaxing for a couple of days in the hotel lead to some L.A. shenanigans that have caused problems like those faced by finalists during previous seasons? There are plenty of distractions that seem to get in the way for these singers, many experiencing their first trip to the land of celebrities.

7:45 p.m.

During the second day of the big week, contestants have plenty of reasons to be nervous. It’s make or break time. David Cook, a rocker who decides to take his guitar on stage, presents a memorable performance of Everything I Do by Bryan Adams. In another season certainly to be dominated by females, David could be a strong contender on the male side.

Simon doesn’t give him a “yes,” but Paula and Randy give him the thumbs up.

Robbie Carrico, Jessica Brown, Syesha Mercado and Colton Berry, among several other contestants, chose to sing Bryan Adams for their big auditions. It worked for some, not for others. All of the Bryan Adams leads me to wonder why so many contestants go for the same song. Where’s the originality? I think it has to be tough to sing the same songs as many others, because the judges are bound to bring comparisons into their decisions.

7:57 p.m.

After 164 people sang, 48 singers were given automatic passes to Thursday of Hollywood Week. The rest were forced for the second-chance auditions. In groups of 10, they only will have a few seconds to impress the judges. No instruments. No background music.

Suzanne Toon and Perrie Cataldo are among the singers in the first group of 10. Only two singers make it to through, and it’s not Suzanne or Perrie. I have to admit Suzanne may have been overlooked. Her audition certainly seemed to be better than many we’ve seen at this point in past seasons.

The innocent dance captain known for teaching abstinence, Amy Flynn, brought a voice coach to Hollywood. That voice coach was a Season 4 competitor. It seems like a big investment for Amy (or her parents), and it didn’t work out. I have to say I agree with the judges on this one.

After four groups take their turns at the microphone, the second-chance auditions only benefit four contestants. It seems this season of Idol really could be bringing only the best to the Top 24. I, for one, am hopeful we’ll all be having a hard time choosing an obvious two or three standouts once the live shows begin. That will make the season much more interesting — and popular.

8:09 p.m.

Entire groups are getting cut at this point in the competition. Tears are being shed. Hearts are being broken. So, would Kristy Lee Cook be able to remind judges just how well she could sing? A repeat of her original audition song, Amazing Grace, was what she put on the line.

Another one of my early favorites, Jeffrey Lampkin, also is on the chopping block. He certainly has one of the biggest personalities thus far in Season 7. His song, however, is not as strong.

Then there’s Angela Martin, who lost her father between getting the golden ticket and making the trip to Hollywood. The tragedy almost kept her from making the trip. So, will any of these standouts make it through?

For Kristy and Jeffrey, it’s “yes.” For Angela, the road ends. “I’m not going to stop, and I’m going to keep trying,” she said, keeping her spirits as high as possible.

“I got to Hollywood. Now I have to move on to something else,” Angela continued. “… I’m a strong person. And I just thank God for that.”

8:21 p.m.

It’s Thursday in Hollywood Week. And the several dozen survivors are hoping to make the final cut. Making the Top 24 is their hope, but they all still have to perform one more time — with background singers — to impress Randy, Paula and Simon.

David Archuleta, 16, is another early favorite. Simon already has called him “incredible.” But will choosing a Bryan Adams song be the way to keep the judges giving him a thumbs up? Opposed to some of the other Bryan Adams songs, David’s rendition of Heaven is further proof he’s bound to be a favorite this season. This kid has some great talent. (I must say, if nothing else, he’s going to be seen on Broadway in a few years … at the very least.)

“That was the bomb,” Randy proclaimed. “That was the best I’ve heard since we’ve been here, for days.”

Kyle Ensley finally impressed the judges. But Jeffrey Lampkin’s time back on stage, singing A Whole New World, didn’t do so well. I have to say, personally, the song choice couldn’t have been worse. It’s too bad, too, because his personality certainly could have brought a lot of fun to the competition.

A few singers are battling with voice issues, including Syesha Mercado. One of the best singers in the competition — definitely one of my favorites — she overcame much of her sickness to push out a great rendition of Chain of Fools. I can’t wait to see more of her this season …

Michael Johns

Michael Johns, another finalist from the San Diego auditions, is up next. The Australia native chose to sing Bohemian Rhapsody for his Thursday audition. It would seem to be a terrible choice of song, but Michael really showcased his skills with the song. One of the older contestants this season, the 29-year-old has the voice of an experienced artist. He’s not necessarily the one with the biggest range, but he certainly will garner his fair share of fans thanks to his time on Idol.

8:37 p.m.

We’re back, and Carly Smithson is, too. First a golden ticket winner in Season 5, she returned in Season 7 after not having legal paperwork to compete that season. It’s obvious she’s a favorite of producers and judges alike this season — there’s no single contestant who has been given as much airtime. (Plus, she’s already been a somewhat established recording artist, but more on that later …)

Obviously, Carly’s performance of Alone gets positive feedback from the judges. Personally, it’s not nearly as strong as the memorable Carrie Underwood performance during Season 4. And, just so you know, it’s not that I don’t like Carly — I just hate that she seems to be getting some type of sympathy coverage and is being a little overexposed.

Asia’h Epperson is another story. She is one of my very favorites (OK, so I have a lot of those) this season, and she deserves to keep going far in this competition.

Brooke Helvie’s fate was in Paula’s hands. She had Simon’s support. And Randy said “no.” For the first time in quite a while, Paula delivered the disappointing news — it was the end of the road for Brooke.

This year’s resident homeless contestant, Josiah Leming, was cracking under the pressure. He practiced very little after choosing a song, but he let the backing band leave for his rendition of Stand By Me. With his British accent and a sound similar to Daniel Bedingfield — or at least an attempted sound — it just didn’t work. Still, the judges put a lot into his previous auditions and keep him around for a chance at the Top 24.

8:54 p.m.

There are just a few moments left in the first Hollywood Week episode of the season. Most of the 164 golden ticket winners have been sent packing, and Ferras‘ Hollywood’s Not America plays in the background as big moments of the week are relived.

There are 50 contestants left standing. From that batch, Randy, Paula and Simon must narrow the field down to the Top 24 — 12 guys and 12 girls. It seems there’s plenty of arguing before tomorrow night — that ride in the elevator and walk across the room to see if they’ve made the cut.

I’ll admit I’d be a lot more excited about it all, if I didn’t know about the leaked list I’ve mentioned so many times before. It certainly appears to be on track with what has happened this far. I’m just looking forward to narrowing down my favorites of the season and seeing what these contestants really can bring once the show gets going with live episodes.

But what about you? Do you have an early favorite? Who is going to inspire you to pick up the phone and vote?

American Idol, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Hollywood Week, Ryan Seacrest