We start the show with a collage of our young protégés packing up from all over the country. Rex Goudie of Burlington NL. Amanda Marles of Swan River AB. Jordan Croucher of Halifax. And many many more. One of the neatest things was in the Montreal train station seeing that there was a Canadian Idol booth. And for some reason Jon Dore is playing baggage handler. Others sing "Fame" on the bus ride over.

Everyone checks into their hotel rooms and shortly afterward it's a pep talk from the judges. Sass tells them to not stop dreaming. Farley said it took confidence to get here. Jake says the good news is that they represent Canada, but the bad news is most will go home. Zack says to get up to win.

The first group is up. Bree Carson is the first one up and tries to sell herself. And after a few more, they separate into two groups. The eliminations have begun.

The day is long. Competitors like Jordan (see above) try to hold it together. Bobbi Smith of N. Vancouver BC tries "You Light Up My Life". Alinka Chambers of Barrie attempts "Wind Beneath My Wings". Jade Seguin-Richard of Montreal wants to stay in the "Wonderful World". Dave Moffatt of Victoria BC was part of the supergroup "The Moffats" in the 90's (Ed: Aren't you disqualified if you've put out a record?) but at this point he's on his own. Our buddy Jenner Hughes of Ottawa is out doing his individual thing again. We of course can't forget Tonya Downey of Sudbury who is out to prove she's better than she was in Season One. Amanda Marles of Swan Hills does "Rockin' around the Christmas tree".

After the first half of the day's cuts, some are surprised. one guy says that he got to the same stage as this last year but once again he choked.

Second round of our friends. Paul Figsby of Winnipeg tries "Crazy little thing called". Melissa O'Neil tries belting one out. It all comes naturally to Amber Fleury of Calgary. Spencer Hari of Thunder Bay ON has some problems with a couple of high notes in an Elton John song. Alessandra Magnante of Woodbridge ON is having some real problems. Michael Martins in Toronto butches something or other. Suzi Rawn of Kamloops tries one of her usual repertoire of rock songs.

We cut to a series of eliminations. And then a series of tears.

Robin Benedict of Hamilton ON turns "Hot Stuff" into a rock song. Cher Mandel from Winnipeg is back for a second crack at the top 100.

More cuts happen as the day moves along. And we get to part two of the auditions.

MUSICAL GROUPS

185 have been cut down to 123. Jon Dore goes around, room to room, being a general annoyance. Nothing is new. The groups get going on one of four songs. But some people, like Jen, can't find their groups! And furthermore, security is on the prowl as the music is too loud.

It's now Day 2 and they start with vocal warm-ups. and then there's waiting.

"One Fine Day" tends to be the popular choice - at least for the girls, who are up first. Everyone tends to literally sing it their own way. One group even goes out in "train mode".

For the boys, "How Deep Is Your Love" is a popular choice. One group of four is interchangeable. they look like Backstreet Boys. And then there's a few that just buggered up the words.

We continue with four boys in white. Singing "I'll Make Love to You". At least they've been working at it, unlike other groups. Like that one group with Dave from the Moffatts, who was busy doing his own thing and it shows.

Moving back to the girls we get a collage of forgotten lyrics and frayed nerves. Doesn't look like they'll be moving on.

And the boys aren't much much better. tons of forgotten lyrics. Back to the girls. and Amanda from Swan River is getting lectured by Zack. Jake chews out Zack for this as Amanda starts crying. Jake is pissed off. And then Ben tries to build her confidence up.

Following the break, we now go to the judges to try to get it down to a ballpark figure of about 90. Most groups have at least one person going. but a few made it through as their original groups. And we then get back to Amanda and her crew, who all make it through.

NEXT EPISODE: The top 90 fight to make the top 32.

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