I have to admit that it’s taken some time for me to find my favorite “characters” on this season of American Idol. The auditions, while amusing, failed to really wow me over with no major big voices truly standing out amongst the fray. Thankfully, Fox limited those rounds to a scant three weeks (instead of the usual month of multiple two-hour episodes that make you want to shoot yourself by the end of the process). Now we’ve moved on to Hollywood Week, one of the most under-appreciated and vital phases of the show. American Idol producers have unwisely fumbled this essential, character-building for the previous two iterations, starting with notorious season six (ie. the Sanjaya season) when Hollywood Week was crammed into basically one or two accelerated episodes. Gone was the drama of Group Night (which had yielded so much fun the year prior  remember those awful twins?), and as a result, we were left with a bunch of kids on stage that no one really knew. The ratings fell, the season was considered a failure, and the show has been slightly reeling ever since.
Last year, the producers returned some luster to Hollywood Week, but again, there wasn’t a whole lot of drama. I’m not even sure Group Night even existed. Either way, we were once again left with a bunch of singers whose biggest negative quality was their lack of personality. This year, however, the producers have returned an emphasis on Hollywood Week by allowing it to unfold over two weeks of programming. Plus, they’re wisely following several standout singers that we recognize from the auditions. True, they do this every year, but this time, it feels like we’re seeing more (unlike season six when several promising auditioners completely disappeared into thin air). The result? Pretty good! Not only are we getting to know the singers better, but by the end of Group Night, I had already developed some favorites (not to mention some that I most certainly hate), and that’s what reality TV is all about, right? Rooting for those you love and cursing and ridiculing those you despise.
Oh please let this be a good season…
You know, the guy on the right  he seems totally nice, has a lovely family, and a very good voice. But for some reason, I continue to HATE him. I think it’s his complete lack of personality.
Anoop Dawg! This guy has a much better voice than I ever remembered. Could this be the new IndianJones?
I think the girl on the right thinks she’s a bit more hilarious than she actually is. I have no idea if she’s made it through to the next round, but if she has, she’s in serious danger of becoming officially annoying.
A whole lot of blah right here.
I liked the dude in the middle, but I have no idea if he’s made it through to the next round.
This girl looks like she’s about to take a crap on the stage.
Hands down one of my favorite groups, and two of my favorite singers. I love the story about Jamal and, uh, the other guy being best friends. It’s warms my permafrost heart.
Okay, let’s talk about Nick/Norman. He’s great and should go to the final twelve. Why? Because he has way more personality than anyone else on stage. At first he seemed like a “joke” contestant, but he’s actually a comic performer, and there’s nothing wrong with that if he’s got the chops and skill to pull it off. Aren’t we sick of all the boring Haley Scarnatos and David Hernandezes? Let’s get someone up there who doesn’t just laugh awkwardly like David Archuleta. Are you with me, people??
On the flipside of the personality scale is this guy, the former Wicked cast member who is increasingly reminding me of Constantine Maroulis. You know the type: theatrical, wannabe rocker, awful hair. It’s amazing how much bad hair can make a singer seem so awful. This guy has some of the best vocals of the season, but he’s utterly unwatchable because of that ill-advised birds nest atop his skull. Superficial? Yes. Skirting the issue? No.
Ah… Team Compromise. One of the great passive aggressive names of all time. This woman wants to blame the others for her woes, but at the end of the day, she just sounded off. Oh well.
Most… dramatic… ever… I kind of hate this kid and his overwrought histrionics, but I concede that I would love to watch him have meltdowns every week on stage. Send him through!
“Friends for life?”
“FUCK YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.”
Hey, it’s Jason Castro’s brother! Strange that we’ve seen nothing of him in Hollywood Week. You’d think they’d hype that up.
Ah, Bikini Girl. Not even the trampiest stripper outfit/tailored Hefty bag could save her this time.
I felt a little bad for orphan Rose (weird hair, next to Bikini Girl), but honestly, the song revealed the limits to her voice. She wouldn’t have gone through even if Bikini Girl wasn’t there.
I love a good crash and burn.
I wasn’t a super huge fan of the Osmond spawn, but he seemed like a lock. I would have liked to have seen what went wrong (memo to Fox: post some online extras!!!)
And why haven’t we gotten any updates on Blind Dude? Did Ryan try to slap him five again?
I liked the blond girl in the middle during her audition. I’m kind of sad that she’s out. Oh well.
Let me tell you something right now: it’s all about Tatiana. This girl is crazy. She absolutely NEEDS to be in the final twelve. I’m truly fearful that the judges will cut her for being such a nutjob, but what they don’t realize is that she can make things so entertaining. Plus, she can actually sing; so it won’t be like a Sanjaya effect. Could you even imagine? Tatiana and Nick/Norman? With maybe the crazy Team Compromise kid? IT WOULD BE PERFECT!!!
Who have been your early favorites? Who have you hated? Are you liking the season?