If you build it, they will come. If you build it well, they will stay. What can be said for your instrument can also be said for your group, as 168 dreams fight to stay alive in Hollywood.

HOLLYWOOD
Pasadena Civic Auditorium

The remaining quarterfinalists must group themselves into groups, pick and learn a song from a list of 20, devise a routine, and rehearse... all in one night.

And just when they think that they have the game figured out, in comes the right hand of god, Ken Warwick with a twist... Your group must be a mixture of day 1 and day 2 contestants. Chaos ensues.

Meanwhile, a comment that Tiffany Rios made yesterday is coming back to haunt her: "I'm tired of seeing people try to do what I know I can." Yeah, good luck with group day then.

It's 10:15p, and a few stragglers are becoming desperate. With the final pieces put together, Jessica Yantz and Tiffany Rios are giving a waiver to perform as a duet (the minimum for groups is 3).

Ashley's ready to quit the competition after the auditions get the best of her. The night is over before it even begins.

Midnight arrives... and Ashley thinks it over before she pulls the trigger. Meanwhile, the "Guaps" have some doubts about their quintet. Chemistry didn't work as well as earlier, as Jacee was shown the door, leaving him to find another group. Jordan Dorsey, who had high standards for joining his group, now is ready to bail on his own group. He leaves for another group.

2:30a, and Ashley has a decision... she's going to stay in the competition... The group headed by Brett Loewenstern scouts Jacee... and it's basically bring him in or disband. They bring him into "the Sugar Mamas... and the Baby."

For some, it's time to go to bed. For others, like Three's Company (the couples minus Nick Fink), it's not coming together as well as has hoped.

Day 3 of Hollywood Week begins with some last-minute sweetening with the realization that for some, the dream will end today. The one rule never to forget... if you mess up the words... you're out.

The first of the 39 groups to perform are Pia Toscano, Bielle von Hugel, and Alessandra Guercio with "Grenade" by Bruno Mars. IN: ALL THREE.

Next, Four Plus One (Jordan Dorsey, Robbie Rosen, and three others) with "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5ive (ALL IN), followed by 440 (Lauren Turner, Adrian Michael, and two others) with "Forget You" by Cee-Lo Green (ALL IN).

Next, Rebel Star (Tiffany & Jessica). Their routine seemed to fall into place last night, but what about today with "Irreplaceable", and so much for the good run we've had. BOTH are out.

Meanwhile, Spanglish (Karen Rodriguez, Jovany Barreto, and Jorge Gabriel) is missing a fourth (Kevin Campos)... which is currently in a state of undress in his hotel room. So while Steven plays the drums... the group reunites with "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. IN: Jovany & Karen.

And while Center Stage gets ready to perform, let's pause 10 seconds for station ID. This is "American Idol" on the Fox Broadcasting Company.

(10 seconds lapse)

And we're back with Center Stage (Lauren Alaina and three others), singing "Some Kind of Wonderful" to Steven. That's just nice. Really. But Lauren's the only one going through. Waa waaaaah.

The Nashville Stars (Colton Dixon, Matt Dillard, and three others) forget the words to "Just the Way You Are". Colton's in. The others are out. A bunch of groups that didn't even bother to remember the words... including Paris Tassin, Emily Anne Reed, Aly Jados, Adrienne Beasley, Courtney Penry, Janelle Arthur, and Aaron Gutierrez. His brother Mark moves on.

Next up, The Hits (Ashley Sullivan, Keeira Lyn Ford, Ashthon Jones and some chick) with "Hit 'em Up Style" by Blu Cantrell. Randy calls them the best harmonizers... and they're all in!

Stage mothers continue to coach The Minors (Keonna Evans, Jalen Harris, Sarina-Joi Crowe, Deandre Brackensick, and a fifth). Their rivals The Deep Vs (James Durbin, Emma Henry, Danny Pate, John Jordan, and some dude named Caleb) are performing the same number, "Somebody to Love" by Queen. In from the Deep Vs... Caleb and James. In from the Minors: .... ALL OF THEM!

Steven Clawson cheats with a tattoo on his arm of "Grenade". Corey Levoy... not much better. Hollie Cavanagh... better. Corey and Hollie... are through.

Next up, Ebony, Ivory & Every (Naima Adedapo, Da'Quela Payne, Matthew Nuss, Jacob Lusk, and a fifth) and the Night Owls (Julie Zorrilla, Casey Abrams, Dan Noguchi, Lara Johnston, Melissa Lucas) are going on stage without music. The Owls start with "Get Ready", Julie & Casey are in from that group. Ebony, Ivory & Every ... with outfits plucked from the Glee set, sing the same song. Everyone's in, and a new star emerges in Jacob.

Next up, Four Non-Blondes... and That Guy (Carson Higgins, Caleb Hawley, Devyn Rush, Eryn Kelly, Chris Medina) with "Forget You".  Carson, Eryn, Chris, Caleb... all in. Devyn... not so much.

The sun is setting in Hollywood. Next up, Jacee is still reeling from his earlier exile. Now it's up to him and his new group Sugar Mama and the Babies (Denise Jackson, Stevie Cain, Natalie Hanson, Brett, Jacee) with "Mercy" by Duffy. And... Jacee messes the words up. Denise, Natalie, Brett, Stevie... and Jacee are all in. They get one more shot in Hollywood.

But what about the group that kicked Jacee out in the first place, the Guaps (Clint Jun Gamboa, Scotty McCreery, Monique De Los Santos, Frances Coontz) with "Get Ready". In:... ALL!

Of the 168 players that started today, only 101 remain, the final three yet to perform... Three's Company (Jacqueline Dunford, Chelsee Oaks, Rob Bolin). The ex has been steering the ship. You can understand how THAT went over. Their fate rests in Cee-Lo's "Forget You". Rob basically throws in the towel. Rob... is going home. The ladies are back in.

That leaves only 100 people competing for one title. They'll get ONE more shot at it tomorrow before the judges render their final verdict.