So far,
we're halfway in, and Fox has felt the need to apologize for Steven Tyler's
outrageous behavior. They have since made amends by... showing more of
Steven Tyler's outrageous behavior.
Okay, now
that that's out of the way, it's time to hit that Texas skyline as Idol
arrives in...
AUSTIN
Frank Erwin Center/Barton Creek Resort & Spa
In Texas' state capital, 7500 hopefuls try their luck. They're a little bit
country, a little bit rock'n'roll, and a whole lot of weird. After Ryan says
hi to his dad... and J.Lo says hi to her husband... We meet Corey Levoy (21,
Longview, TX) and his older sister Brooks (23), who haven't met until he was
14. They were 15 minutes from each other and didn't know it. Cory's the only
one singing today. Brooks... will be judging with the panel. Seriously. He
sings "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt. What does the sister have
to say about this? "I think it was amazing." Everyone says "Heck yeah."
Welcome to Hollywood, baby!
Going it
alone today, Hollie Cavanagh (17, McKinney, TX), who comes to Texas by way
of England. She sings "At Last". Her melody is all over the place. She has
the right tone, but she needs focus. Jennifer wants to give her one more
chance... Granted with "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. It was better. The
panel is split... to a sweep! Hollie's going to Hollywood!
Next is the
"Circle of Life" for Rodolfo Ochoa (17, Los Fresnos, TX)... More like the
circle of vultures.
Next up,
it's a true-blue cowboy John Wayne Schulz (23, Karnes City, TX), a ranchhand.
His family came to Texas in the 1800s, and dogie punching is in his blood.
Four years ago, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. He's here
because of her. She's a survivor, but will he survive today with "Believe"
by Brooks & Dunn. He believes what he's singing, and he just might make it a
stay in Hollywood. We'll have to see.
Day 2 begins
with Courtney Penry (17, Missouri City, TX), a hard fangirl of Ryan's.
Bordering on "crazy stalkerish". She can do a chicken. She can also do
"Stay" by Sugarland. She has a good voice, and she's a goofball. But there
are some habits she needs to break. Jennifer's going to decide this one...
it's 2-1... She's going to Hollyweird!
Shauntel
Campos (Albuquerque, NM), Alex Carr (Fayetteville, AR), and Caleb Johnson
(Asheville, NC) all get yeses. And the yeses runneth over early on day 2.
Next up,
Jacqueline Dunford (22, Scottsdale, AZ) and her boyfriend Nick Fink (19,
same place) had a duet together in community college... and it's been sweet
harmony ever since (Gordongram: awwwwwwwwwwwwbarf). Could they possibly be
American Idol's first power couple? First up, Jacqueline with Duffy's
"Mercy"... and we're begging for mercy. She's crazy shouty. Nick follows up
with "Sunday Morning" by Maroon5. Well, I think at least ONE person is going
through to Hollywood. And so is the other one.
Janelle
Arthur (20, Oliver Springs, TN) is a country person who loves to be with her
family and loves to play music. She wows the crowd with "No One Needs to
Know" by Shania Twain.
But the
winning streak had to end sometime with... an armadillo.
Last up at
the Live Music Capital of the World is 19-year-old Seth Rogen lookalike
Casey Abrams (Idyllwild, CA), who is armed with a melodica. He sings "Don't
Need No Doctor" by Ray Charles. Seems like the melodica has helped. The
scatting also helped. This was an easy decision. It's him and 49 others on
the road to Hollywood, but only Casey can turn it into a party.
The road to
Hollywood passes through LA next time. Will a funny thing happen on the way
to the Forum, like maybe some talent? Find out in 23!