If ever there were a confusing episode to try to summarize, Group Day during Hollywood Week is it.  Ryan Seacrest called it “Hell Week”…for me too, Ryan. For me too.  I had to compare notes with Liz’s live blog, Cait’s recap, and Brian Mansfield’s entire blog just to make sure I had everything down right.  But if a stellar writer like Brian Mansfield can feel a bit jumbled, then hey.  I don’t feel so bad.

The 96 remaining hopefuls have split into groups, with a cache of popular songs to make their own using their vocal styling and creative dance moves.  A few opt for going a capella, while the others utilize the professional musicians hired by Idol.  As usual, tension mounts, and as sleep becomes optional, some contestants crack. One hopeful even decided to just pack it up and go home while her dignity was still intact (her words, not mine).  We see the usual tears and breakdowns, as well as a few power struggles among those who feel they are natural leaders (but are mostly just bossy and aren’t team players).  We see people, who have been practicing for hours and have to sing an abbreviated version of a song, forget their lines.  This latter truth has always baffled me.  I understand nerves getting the best of you, but at this stage in the game, being nervous should be a thing of the past. It’s much easier to hide in a group than it is to be put on the spot in front of a ton of people.  I guess I count myself lucky though, as I can remember an entire song generally the first time I hear it.
The first group was called Fate and looked like a picture-perfect version of a cookie cutter girl group.  Three attractive girls: a blonde, a Hispanic, and an African-American girl.  Their version of “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce was average to me, but in all fairness, the song isn’t so great and The Spice Girls never could sing that well, either.  Michelle Delamore, Charity Vance, and Ashley Rodriguez all make it through to the next round.




Source: zshare.net