American Idol Season 14 Hollywood Night 3

12 02 2015

Group Night Continues

1385015_10154925704030601_1985407597453397698_nLast week’s episode ended with contestant Alexis Granville who was about to pass out on stage right before they were about to sing for the judges. After she gets the all-clear from medical personnel, “Sal’s Gals” tries once again to perform. Sal Valentinetti did well with his part but it sounded weird with his voice with this song. I had mixed feelings about Alexis’ performance as well. Jax, someone I love, sounded weird too and the weird drama in the performance was odd. It was like all these voices just did not belong together and it was a bad song choice. Alexis and Jax go through. Sal, Kelley Kime and ? are cut. I really like Sal. He has a kind heart and he should come back next year.

Emily Brooke in the group “Three to One Brunette” has food poisoning. Keri Lynn Roche, Jake Black and Riley Bria developed a backup plan in case she couldn’t perform. I enjoyed the entire group seeing “With A Little Help From My Friends.” All of them are through.

The next group all went to college together at Belmont University. They form the group Boulevard (Blvd). They change up the song “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Cody Fry, Rayvon Owen, Piper Jones and ?. I didn’t like the arrangement. It dragged. I liked Rayvon out of this bunch. The song was not suited to Cody’s voice and Piper was a little off in the beginning. Harry liked the arrangement and was his favorite group of the day. Everyone is going through.

“Team Yup” sings “Love Runs Out.” Tiffany Stringer is the only showcased singer in the group and I don’t recognize any the three guys joining her. Tiffany is from Southlake, Texas. I didn’t like what I was hearing and neither did the judges as no one makes it through.

“Vital Signs” performs next. Will their vitals be strong or will they go into cardiac arrest? They sing “I Want You Back” but will they be wanted back? Adanna Duru sings first. The judges liked her during the auditions but I didn’t see the magic there. It was average. There are better and more unique voices in the competition this year. Cindy Maslov is not shy about saying she is in this for herself. She voice is about the same as Adanna. Denise Napoli is a Sayville girl and I won’t let my high school rivalry with them cloud my judgment. (Patchogue Medford HS here baby). It too sounded very similar to the others. Camille Peruto was the only voice that got my attention. Adanna and Cindy are through; Denise and Camille go home.

Daniel Seavey, Qaasim Middleton, Trevor Douglas and (woot!) Savion Wright. “LKYCO” is their group name (Ladies Keep Your Clothes On). Awesome! What happened to Trevor? Poor Daniel looks terrified. “The Story of My Life.”  It was a weird arrangement but I feel good they are through. And they are!

Hollywood Anderson was caught up in the experience and flirting with all the ladies. “Team No Sleep” seemed to be an appropriate name. Hollywood didn’t perform his captain duties to Laurel’s approval so she assumed control and seemed to be bossing people around. He sang first and he sounded exhausted. Laurel Taylor Taunton didn’t sound any better. Amber Kelechi needs a few more years for her voice to mature. I stand by my statement that the judges felt sorry for her and thought by allowing her to come would be a gift. Monica sounded terrible and Brittany didn’t get a solo part. Oddly, in the end, Amber sounded the best of the bunch. Hollywood and Monica go through.

Alexis Gomez sounded great in her group. Loren Lott still is not doing anything for me music-wise. Quentin Alexander did well in his group. It appeared they and their entire groups made it through.

Lovey James, Jess Lamb, Kory Wheeler and Karla Davis sing another one of those songs I am sick of—All About That Bass.”  They made me forget that I hated that song. I loved all their performances. Kory and Karla did not make it through. I am sorry. That was the wrong call. They deserved those spots and Hollywood and Monica in the other group did not.

“Rocky’s Crew” consists of Rocky Peter, Rich, Tanya Mackenna and Trent. Tanya is the only one going through to the next round.

A lot of cuts follow of many unnamed contestants but include Cindy Jo Scholer, the bear killer.

Team “Soul Connection“’s Heatherle Spires did not want to be in the group anymore. She seems to be upset that the group went to sleep and she doesn’t feel they have her back. She refuses to sing with them (so she says to the crew). She has to sing. They start off “Grenade” sounding great. Also in the group were Erika David, returning contestant Sarina-Joi Crowe, and Adrianna Simon. I thought Sarina-Joi stood out but all the ladies sounded good except for Adrianna. The only one who does not make it through was Heatherle.

Mark Andrew, Vanessa Andrea, Katherine Winston and Alex Shier sang together. Mark is my favorite but they sounded wonderful together. Mark, Katherine, and Alex are through.

In another group, Angelica and Tion make it through. Jelly and Regina make it through in their group.

“Grenade” is performed by yet another group. Jackie Nese did not sound good in this song. Maddie Walker did not either. I don’t recognize the other two. Jackie is the only one going home in her group. She is gracious about extending support to the rest of the group.

“Garrett’s Girls” include Garrett Miles. He sounded a little off his game. I know he didn’t make it through but I think his ‘girls’ did.

The last group to perform was “Violet Vixens” who sing “Somebody To Love” by Queen. Joey Cook fell apart during rehearsals and she forgots her lyrics during her performance but cleverly covers it up by inserting her own words that the people hearing her mess up–well it’s all in their imagination.  That was a cute cover. I like Joey’s uniqueness and I hope she goes through. Shannon Berthiaume sounded great. Naomi Tatsuoka dropped the drama from auditions and that allowed me to enjoy the beauty of her voice. They didn’t show the one girl singing solo. I hope the three they did show make it through. They are all through.

Solo night tomorrow!





Glee Preview: The New Rachel

12 09 2012

Thanks to FOX VIP, I had the privilege of viewing episode 1 of Season 4 of Glee, “The New Rachel.” Not only does the title reflect what is going on with Rachel (Lea Michele) in her new surroundings in New York City, but also back in Lima, people are wondering, “Who is the next Rachel Berry?” Artie (Kevin McHale), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Blaine (Darren Criss) or Brittany (Heather Morris)?

When we last saw Glee, Rachel Berry was off to New York City ready to conquer the world. Like many freshman at universities all over the world, she has to find her way, to reinvent herself, dealing with life on her own, with a roommate, and in the big city. She will have her successes, failures, and temptations, but she is an adult now, making her own decisions.

Some of the new faces we see in this episode are: Kate Hudson (Cassandra July), the Sue Sylvester of NYADA; Becca Robin (Kitty), the new old-Quinn of Lima; Alex Newell (Wade “Unique” Adams); Melissa Benoist (Marley Rose); Jacob Artist (Jake Puckerman), Whoopi Goldberg (Carmen Tibideaux); and Dean Geyer (Brody Weston).

The NYADA scenes have a feel of the original Fame movie. The comedy as always is spot-on. Was that Melanie Moore from SYTYCD on there in the background? It is! It is! And oh Lord, Dean Geyer in a towel. And about halfway through I swear I saw Kent Boyd from So You Think You Can Dance, too.

I was curious how they were going to be able to meld the two locations into a show without losing from either one. Would they focus on one location and alternate it all season or mix the two up? I should have never doubted. Both are highlighted without detracting from each other, in fact, enhancing one another.

It would not be a good Glee episode if it didn’t have its moments of tear-shed, and indeed I did, briefly. There is a break-up, updated information on some of our graduates, and a happy reunion at the end. You could not ask for a better way to start a new season, a new sound, and a new chapter. It works.  Make sure to watch Glee on Thursday, September 13, 2012, on Fox starting at 8:00 Eastern/7:00 Central.