‘American Idol’ recap: Hollywood round #2 season 11: Free fallin’
AMERICAN IDOL: Hollywood: Over 300 contestants made it to Hollywood and only 70 will survive. The Hollywood round begins Wednesday, Feb, 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET PT ) and Thursday, Feb. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Pictured: Contestants at the Hollywood round. The provided caption provides no identifying info. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.
Was this “American Idol” or “Contagion, Part II”?
The hour featured two doses crying, three doses whining and four doses regurgitation.
Patient Zero, the editors decide, is “Tent Girl” Amy Brumfield. A lot of kids get sick and she appears to be the one to blame as others have trouble keeping their dinners down.
And we find out what happens to Symone Baker, who is fine. It was dehydration and fortunately, she didn’t seriously hurt herself falling off the stage. As earlier bloggers noted, the producers wouldn’t have created such a cliffhanger if she were seriously injured.
[Before we get to the action, I also finally caught Monday's "The Voice" three days later and saw Jamar Rogers (season 10 of "Idol"), who gets the sob story big time. He actually used to live in Atlanta for a time and was a huge fan of Cee Lo, saying he saw him at Music Midtown. Cool local reference!
As for ratings, "Idol" drew 19 million last night and a 6.1 rating 18-49. That's down 20% from 24 mil a year ago for the fourth Wednesday and a 8.4 rating 18-49, down 27 percent. In other words, the comparable dropoffs will continue unabated unless something odd happens.
In comparison, NBC's "The Voice" on Monday drew its 6.6 rating, beating "Idol" in 18-49 ratings while "NCIS" with 20.8 million this past Tuesday easily beat "Idol" in total viewers.]
Anyway, we start the night with Symone Baker, who quickly regains consciousness, drinks a Coke and is taken to the hospital to get checked. Symone is put through because honestly, she deserved it.
We hear that neither Ethan Jones, whose father was in alcohol rehab, and the indistinguishably dull Lauren Mink are cut. Jeremy Rosado makes it through.
We move to group round! 185 make it to the next round. Almost half are going to be cut the next round.
The twist: day one and day two people have to intermix in groups. Cop Alisha Bernhardt and Amy “Tent Girl” Brumfeld (who is getting sick with the flu – perhaps from living in a tent) are have trouble finding groups. “Everybody is afraid I’ll get them sick,” Tent Girl said. Can’t blame them! She starts crying. “Inside is suffocating me,” she said. Which makes sense if she spends all her time outside.
Several others are trying to cobble together groups based on songs. Some are being picky, including Brianna-Marie Bell. There seem to be a lot of 1970s songs on the playlist. Alisha wants to sing “Joy to the World.” People keep thinking it’s the Christmas song, not the Three Dog Night song. Two others are trying to get folks to join them to sing Boston’s “More Than a Feeling.” Alisha loses her two group members because she refuses to sing Boston.
We hear snippets of Blu Cantrell. Brielle Von Hugel made it past group round last year with Pia Toscano. She’s back. She becomes leader of her group.
Symone returns after being dehydrated and finds a group.
It appears Tent Girl’s bug has spread quickly. We see someone throw up. Another guy has kidney stone issues. Richie Law, a dude with a cowboy hat is trying to teach the others choreography (including Mr. Cheerful Heejun Han.) “That kid is crazy,” Heejun said. “I don’t know how they do it in cowboy town. It’s not how we bring it down.” Whiner doesn’t even bother to know Richie’s name.
Christian has caught the bug and is throwing up. He returns from a break and someone hugs him. Why do these kids keep touching the sick ones? Cop Alisha is struggling with “Stuck Like Glue.” Christian can barely stand up. Heejun keeps on whining. Richie, who acts like Mr. Know It All, calls it a night eventually.
Jennifer is part of a group that wants to go to sleep. Brianna, the picky one, leaves, but comes back, not wanting to abandon her teammate. Jennifer helps Brianna learn lyrics. They leave at 5:11 a.m. (I’d be the one opting for sleep over rehearsing exhausted.)
Anyway, we get no real singing this week, just the build-up to next Wednesday. Presumably, we’ll get more fainting!
And over on CBS, Astro of “X Factor” is on “Person of Interest” in a rather meaty role.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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220 comments Add your comment
JTesla
February 10th, 2012
12:08 pm
Page 2 if we were going by 100.
I usually like the group performances more than the group stress/drama, but last night worked. Now I’m looking forward to next Wednesday. Granted it’s going to be A LOT of recap. I’ll spend half of the show saying “yeah thanks Ryan, we remember that from last week”.
Deirdre
February 10th, 2012
12:18 pm
I thought it worked, too, JT. It was a nice set-up for what is to come with the groups.
And I’ll give Heejun a chance(apparently I’ll have to whether I like it or not) but the cowboy has to go!
Deirdre
February 10th, 2012
12:28 pm
And yes, I agree that each group that comes forward to sing will have to get a recap of what happened last night. Goody. Apparently Idol thinks we’re all dumb with no memory!
dave
February 10th, 2012
12:29 pm
The fact that Symone was given a Coke makes me think that Coke is behind the flu like illness and not poor tent girl.
dave
February 10th, 2012
12:31 pm
Just in case you folks at Coke are reading this Blog, I hate Pepsi.
Deirdre
February 10th, 2012
12:37 pm
They called for a coke but I think she actually drank Sprite since the can they gave her was green.
Rodney Ho
February 10th, 2012
12:40 pm
I heard the Coke reference, didn’t study the can color! It would have to be a Coca-Cola product, eh? Go Atlanta!
DanJ
February 10th, 2012
12:47 pm
Deirdre, I’m sorry to hear about your friend but I’m glad you reminded everyone to take notice and care of themselves. 5 years ago I had to almost break the arm of my doctor to have him remove a small growth on my leg. For years doctors had told me it was nothing. It was small and looked like wart. When it started itching I knew something was wrong. Turned out to be malignant! When I went in for surgery I didn’t know if I would awake with a left leg or not. I was lucky but I reminded by a nasty scar that sometimes WE have to push the envelope. Deirdre thanks for reminding people that’s there’s more important things than television shows.
JTesla
February 10th, 2012
12:49 pm
Sprite is owned by Coca-Cola so it’s all good. Just as long as it wasn’t a Mountain Dew.
They should have gotten her to hold the can without covering the label for better product placement. What were they thinking?
JTesla
February 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
In fact, shame on the person who called for a Coke, she should have said “can we please get her a cool, refreshing, and tasty Coca-Cola?”
I should have sponsors!!!
Pitchy
February 10th, 2012
12:59 pm
@dave – I still believe it was a Sprite, but I have to remember here in the south every soda is a coke.
Pitchy
February 10th, 2012
1:00 pm
Thanks Deirdre. They called for a coke and came back with a Sprite.
dave
February 10th, 2012
1:19 pm
Your all right they called for a Coke but someone handed her a Sprite, guess someone will be looking for a new job.
P.S. By the way Coke, I drink 7 and Sprite not 7&7.
Woodpappy
February 10th, 2012
1:25 pm
The lady cop last night has to be a rookie and wanted everyone to know that she was a cop. Did you hear of anyone else going around saying, “I’m a waiter, do you like waiters?” Or, “I’m a mechanic, do you like mechanics?” She needs to shut up and sing if she has any talent. Makes the rest of us cops (present and retired) go sheeeesh, shut up fool !
Also, I agree the young cowboy has got to go..who the hell does he think he is????
kelly&carriefan
February 10th, 2012
1:26 pm
Are we bragging on how awesome Coke is? You know, bringing Idols for free shows and all….
Pitchy
February 10th, 2012
1:33 pm
Coke isn’t good…too strong. Pepsi is too sweet. I don’t drink much soda anyways so I really can’t talk.
Hey Woodpappy – the cop thinks if she “flexes” she can get someone on her team. Unfortunately, it basically backfired. She’s going to be ego tripping for as long as she’s on the show.
JTesla
February 10th, 2012
1:53 pm
I kind of wonder if the cop plays rugby. She’s built for it. I know my dad was never quick to offer his profession, too many crazy people out there. Speaking of that, I’m surprised tent girl stuck around once she found out.
Rickster
February 10th, 2012
2:04 pm
From Entertainment Weekly: (http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/02/10/american-idol-rises-tops-thursday-ratings/)
ust when you thought American Idol was going to slip to No. 2 on Thursdays, the veteran reality hit rose last night to win the night by a safe margin for the first time in weeks.
Fox’s American Idol (17.9 million viewers, 5.7 adults 18-49 rating) was up 4 percent for the second night of Hollywood Week, fending off CBS Big Bang Theory (16.1 million, 5.5). Fox’s new drama The Finder (6.5 million, 2.3), however, sank 4 percent despite the stronger lead-in this week.
Reminds me of Mark Twain’s statement that “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
Seth T
February 10th, 2012
2:11 pm
Heejun was the hero last night – he protested the cowboys, all the way to the Dallas Cowboys — and was also brave enough to rebel against line-dancing. He fought-off the asian flu or nasty bug that was going around the building.
And the Lady cop? I would date her. I went with a Lady Cop for a while and she was way fun.
And the Group-sing. I was at a live pre-audition once and seen/heard a girl that won against over 200 other try-outs, some who were pretty good. She got a free ticket to that year to sing for the real judges. She went to Hollywood, but a 8 to 10 second solo riff in a group song that didn’t fit her style of singing — took her out of the race. I really suspect that if she would have been put in the top 24, and got more exposure, she would have been top 12 material easily – but probably the same could be said of others.
I notice that on The Voice, each one who actually gets a chance to sing for their supper, gets a pretty good try-out with music tracks.
Rickster
February 10th, 2012
2:55 pm
You know… if the show had been two hours instead of one… AND they had done the whole show without singing…. I could have painted the family room and watched it dry and have more fun in the meantime!
Rodney Ho
February 10th, 2012
3:02 pm
The ratings for Thursday night’s show was down 16% year over year in overall no’s and 19% for 18-49. Those are actually the best comparisons to date year over year. The show is averaging about 21% down in overall viewers, 27% down 18-49.
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
3:16 pm
I’ve only skimmed over the comments so far, but Deirdre, oh my gosh, I’m so sorry about your friend. That is terrifying. Do they know what the underlying cause was? That is a very worthy PSA and again I’m so sorry.
As far as the show… K& CF, I’m with you, Heejun didn’t bother me. I actually thought he was kind of funny. The cowboy annoyed me. And the more annoying he got, the funnier Heejun got! Phillip didn’t seem to care much for Cowboy either. I predict Cowboy might get cut… Fine by me, we don’t need so many country singers after last year.
And DANG IT, Idol. Couldn’t you have kept the barfing to yourself? No one wants to see that. Ewwww! As far as Amy… not that I like her, but I doubt all the sickness was her fault. She didn’t have the stomach bug, she had the flu. But I guess they have to make a story somehow….
How sad that they all thought Joy To The World meant the Christmas song… wow. That’s almost as sad as teens watching the Super Bowl and not knowing Madonna.
I wish we could go back to the days of real music, when singers actually SANG and played their instruments, and weren’t auto-tuned and made to sound good when they’re really bad.
About the girl group – The Bettys? was that it? kind of a fun name. – I know time’s limited, but I really felt for the girl who said she was so exhausted she barely knew what was going on. I’d say when you’re that exhausted, go get at least a few hours rest, and then regroup. Everyone would be better for it. I do wonder if yellow shirt will get through? Either way it’ll be drama.
Neg
February 10th, 2012
3:20 pm
Utterly disgusted with that show. A wasted hour of my life. No singing, staged drama, and the same old tired crap we’ve been fed for 10 years with the group tension narrative. I understand they want to build up drama in the contestants road to the show, but to have ZERO performances is inexcusable and arrogant.
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
3:25 pm
Jenny: Thanks for that 4th paragraph! I too long for the days where music had great words, often with actual meaning, fab melodies you could sing along to, real instruments played, and often songs actually written by the band/singer. That’s one of the reasons I love Kelly – other than the “playing instruments” she’s got it all covered, couldn’t sing better/written some fabulous songs/many you can just sing you head off with (in the car alone, of course), and songs with actual meaning, like “Because Of You”.
Hopefully we’ve seen the last of the barfs. I’m afraid we’ll have some more fainting, per the “previews” of next week.
“Walking Dead” back Sunday night. Sadly, on against “Downton Abbey”, but we usually tape “Walking…” to watch on Friday night anyway – it’s such a weekend night show. Got used to scary Friday nights with “X Files”.
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
3:27 pm
K&CF: What season did “Hollywood” start? I don’t think it was used in first season, and really don’t remember Clay, et al in that format in season 2.
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
3:43 pm
I know, Sam! My husband and I are always saying that. We grew up on 70s and 80s music and whenever we hear the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, John Lennon… we always think “back in the day when they actually sang.” Yes, I guess that makes me sound old! Haha.
But I just get so sad when people truly think Miley Cyrus or Justin Beiber, or one of the Simpson girls is actually good music. They don’t know what they’re missing….
Harriett
February 10th, 2012
3:45 pm
Hey, there is a new electric car being marketed. It is a Tesla!
kelly&carriefan
February 10th, 2012
3:48 pm
Jenny, I was with you until you brought up real singing and Madonna.
But I clearly love the ones who can sing live. As far at The Bettys, it was somewhat creative. Wonder if they were following on The Donnas or maybe they’re big Clueless/90s fans.
Sam-A, I am SO ready for Walking Dead on Sunday. One of my faves. As far as Hollywood Week, that has always been a part of the show. I distinctly recall Paula and Simon raving over Kelly while Simon sat there in his two sizes too small black tee saying she was forgettable. The reason you might not remember Clay is because I don’t think he was as heavily featured. I do recall the catfights between Kimberly Caldwell and Julia DeMato on Season 2
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
4:01 pm
Harriett: A Tesla would probably set you back about $120,000. they’ve been around for awhile, but very sparsely, few people have ever had one. Supposed to be working on a more mass-market product.
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
4:07 pm
Thanks, K&C: I’ll have to check youtube and see if any of the 1st season hollywood has made it there.
Jenny: I’m a 60’s child – even better music. Beatles, Buddy Holly (though he died end of 50’s, his music was very prominent in the 60’s), Roy Orbison, Everly Bros., – lots of great music. 70’s pretty darn good too. Love Linda Rondstadt, Janis Joplin, Allman Bros, Lynard Skynard, Blood,Sweat and Tears, so many good bands/singers back in “the good old days”.
50 mins more and I’m outta here for the weekend!
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
4:08 pm
Ok, Harriett: just got that you’re doing a funn with our JT! Maybe he’s the car maker,a nd can get us all a great deal (like 95% off) new electric cars!
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
4:09 pm
a :funny!
Pitchy
February 10th, 2012
4:14 pm
Too funny, you didn’t get the Tesla joke right out the bat, Sam-A. That made it even funnier for me.
Deirdre
February 10th, 2012
4:17 pm
Sam, thanks for the heads up on The Walking Dead. I will definitely dvr that one.
Jenny, my friend died of septic shock….it’s when an infection spreads through the body so fast that it begins to shut down organs.
And yes, I rant all the time about Simon being a poor judge of talent because, while everyone else knew right away how talented Kelly was, he didn’t. Idiot!
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
4:19 pm
@Pitchy – from earlier – about the Coke and Sprite, you are correct. Here in Georgia any drink with fizz is a Coke. Even a 7Up or Fanta Orange. They all fall under the realm of “I’m fixin’ to go get a Coke, you want one?”
Yep K&CF, I’ve always been a Madonna fan… sorry….
And Whitney Houston, too, back in her good days (the 80s.)
Sam, I grew up learning the 60s and earlier 70s music from my mom’s album collection… I second most of the 60s you mentioned, and will add Diana Ross and the Supremes, Bread, and early Rolling Stones. And loved ALL those 70s artists you mentioned!!
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
4:25 pm
D, just saw your post. I’ve not personally known anyone that happened to, but have heard similar stories. So scary.
And I still wish I’d seen the first season! I’ve seen YouTube highlights, but would have loved to see Simon trying to send Kelly home, then being shown up… that would’ve been fun!
Seth T
February 10th, 2012
4:30 pm
RE: Ratings — I asked some of the group who usually get-together to watch the show – (but most don’t come until live voting) what their views are on Idol in general. — especially the ones who have said, so far anyway, that they have no interest in Idol this year.
Here is a synopsis of how they see it—
* The show is getting stale and the judges are not picking current talent – too many older song themes and hardly anything that resembles what new artists are doing now in the music scene.
* The voting system – is a ponzi scheme — and the Judges “save” last year was a waste.
* The Top 12 was not a great field last year, with half of them nothing more than lounge singers. While most liked Scotty as a great young man, he was boring and predictable in performances. Lauren was the better singer of the 2, but Scotty’s distinctive voice took the show. For many, it was a “who cares” finale.
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
4:39 pm
Jenny: Go to youtube and type “Kelly Clarkson on Idol” – there are numerous sites that show every performance – some with the judges remarks, + her audition. I’ve seen one place where Simon claims he didn’t remember her, and Paula and Randy reminded him of her stellar audition where she traded places with Randy. I’ll bet there are other’s as well – I just haven’t enough interest to see any others.
And, a couple years ago, one of the lesser Atl stations ran “Idol Redux” for the first two seasons, on early Sunday evenings. Got to relive them all over again, and be reminded how much better Idol was in the beginning. If I ever see it again, will be sure to let you know (of course I’m assuming you live in the Atl area).
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
4:45 pm
Interesting, Seth! I agree completely with bullet #2, but totally disagree with #1. As Sam and I were just discussing above… “new” music is not always “good” music. Quite the opposite, actually. (Though there are exceptions… Adele, for example.) But overall, that’s why I think it’s so cool when they find a truly great talent like Carrie or Katharine, who actually SINGS!!
And I agree with part of #3 – I do think there were some good singers last year, though it was a bit of a “who cares” finale for me. Lauren was the much better singer, but in the end Scotty’s tween girls ruled the show.
(side note about “new” music – anyone remember Kat’s first album? I was so disappointed to hear how they took away her beautiful soaring voice we loved on the show, and tried to make her sound “new and trendy”. But all they did was make her sound scratchy and not very good, like Jessica Simpson!)
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
4:48 pm
Yep, Sam, I’ve you-tubed a few of her performances! I finally did look up “Stuff Like That There”… she was great! And I saw her trade places with Randy. Too funny. Simon should’ve seen that they had a star on their hands!!
Sam-A
February 10th, 2012
4:52 pm
Simon did finally, about 4 shows in, realize what a find they had, and after that praised her to the hilt, but still, week after week, told Tamyra that SHE would be/should be the Idol. Never mentioned that to Kelly, even though he told lher she was in the same league as Celine, Mariah and Whitney. Go figure.
Have a great weekend all.
Harriett
February 10th, 2012
4:56 pm
Tesla or no Tesla, I am out of here for the weekend! Guess I will just hop in my Saturn Vue and go home.
JTesla
February 10th, 2012
5:02 pm
I don’t get it.
Seth, I disagree with at least two points: “too many older song themes” that is how it has always been. It is the nature of the beast as you don’t have to pay as much in royalties for older songs. Only with the big cash push that Idol causes established artists see have modern songs seen more airplay, but it is still hard to get away from the old standards. Kelly and Carrie, the two best, had to deal with “old”.
Also, I’m not seeing the Ponzi scheme. I’m able to make the stretch to see Ponzi in Social Security, but I don’t see it in voting.
What Idol needs is a solid top 12 that actually lasts and doesn’t fizzle early.
Rickster
February 10th, 2012
5:07 pm
Have a great weekend everyone. Stay warm!
Pitchy
February 10th, 2012
5:09 pm
You too, Rickster!
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
5:15 pm
Quote from JT: “What Idol needs is a solid top 12 that actually lasts and doesn’t fizzle early.” Exactly! And so many years, we think we have that… and then it fizzles. Go figure.
And I think I interpreted Ponzi really loosely. Actually, not even close to its real meaning at all. I went with: Ponzi = bad connotations of unfairness and scams …… Idol Voting = bad connotations of unfairness due to tweens’ abuse of unlimited voting. (’Scam’ would be too harsh a word here.)
Deirdre
February 10th, 2012
5:40 pm
It fizzles because even the best singers in the world don’t hit all the notes every time. These kids are singing live better than most of today’s so-called singers have ever sung live. We, as an audience, expect them to be perfect. And when they’re not, we’re disappointed.
Did Madonna sing live at the Super Bowl? Not a chance!!!! We all have seen the disaster that is Taylor Swift live. And yet, we expect inexperienced kids to bring us perfection week after week.
We’re a tough audience!
Jubie
February 10th, 2012
5:45 pm
FYI, there are a lot of folks that do love country music so i hope they let the voters dicide and include choices. Just please, NO screamers!!!!!
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
5:50 pm
Well said D! I have often commented that what these kids do, sing LIVE week in and week out, is 1000x harder than anything today’s singers could accomplish. Many of today’s “hit” singers would probably not even make it to Hollywood on Idol.
Jenny
February 10th, 2012
5:56 pm
and Taylor Swift live… yikes, poor thing. (Although I will admit, she is one of the few from the auto-tune generation that I really do like. She seems to be such a smart, well-rounded person, and writes her own songs… I know it goes against everything else I’ve said this afternoon, but I like her a lot. Again, go figure!
)