Last week, the Hollywood Round came to a harrowing finish... and 50 are still alive. But before they can find out whether or not they've made it to Television City in Hollywood... There's one more challenge. Prepare yourself for another American Idol first as the contestant find out that they're headed for...

LAS VEGAS
The Mirage

It's the first ever Las Vegas Round. The assignment: learn and perform a Beatles song in just 24 hours. Succeed, and you move onto the final judgment. Fail... and you could be going home. It's do or die for the 61 that live to sing another day. They have to divide themselves into duos and trios, pick a song, then hope that they're in the two-thirds that will do proper justice to such an extensive catalogue.

Once they arrive, it's all hands on deck for the vocal coaches, including one Peggi Blu... because someone has to be the villain this year.

Oh, did we mention that some people didn't know who the Beatles were? Time for some help. Enter our in-house mentor for the year, Interscope Records exec Jimmy Iovine, a guy who's worked with John Lennon himself.

First up, Lauren Alaina, Denise Jackson, and Scotty McCreery. And we have a problem. Back to the drawing board. And it doesn't get any better from here. They need a little inspiration, as if the fact that there's only 24 spots wasn't enough, all the quarterfinalists head off to watch "Love" by Cirque du Soleil.

First on the Love Stage: Stefano Langone & James Durbin with "Get Back". They're pleased...

Pia Toscano & Karen Rodriguez were actually in the same high school group before reuniting on Idol. They're going to sing "Money Can't Buy Me Love". And... it didn't end well. Started well, didn't end well.

Next, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, and Naima Adedapo, a lot of firepower in this group, but they can't overdo it all the time. They'll try the less-is-more approach with "The Long and Winding Road". Turned out to be very very nice.

Rachel Zevita plays "Eleanor Rigby", Lauren Turner & Jovany Barreto sing "Let It Be", Tim Halperin and Julie Zorrilla play "Something".

Next, Lakeisha Lewis, Jerome Bell, and Tatynisa Wilson play "I Saw Her Standing There". They were strong, but Jerome was the weak link.

Paul McDonald & Kendra Chantelle duet with "Blackbird". They were beautiful together, as do many of the duos in play. And speaking of beautiful duos, Ashley Sullivan is working on the perfect dress for... the perfect day? That's right. When Ashley found out that the next stop for Idol was Vegas, she and David (her boyfriend) are going to make it official. With Dave the Camera Guy as their witness. And.... next stop, "The Newlywed Game"!

But right now, the honeymoon's over, because Vegas Week continues on the Love Stage. First up, Thia Megia & Melinda Ademi with "Here Comes the Sun". They were trained by the Vocal Coach from Hell. Thia was on point.... Melinda... not so much. They drug each other through the mud, basically.

Next up, Sophia Shorai & the newlywed Ashley Soraiva with "We Can Work It Out". Unfortunately, they can't.

Next up, Lauren, Denise & Scotty take the stage after taking a thrashing from Jimmy Iovine. Their song... "Hello Goodbye". Their performance... whimsical. Denise was not as strong, but Scotty and Lauren were good.. though the song didn't do them any favors. Carson Higgins & Caleb Hawley put a little sauce in their arrangement, as did Chris Medina & Casey Abrams ("Hard Day's Night"). Aaron Sanders, Robbie Rosen, and Jordan Dorsey deliver our grand finale with "Got To Get You Into My Life". And it was grand indeed, though the harmonies went a little flat to start.

Thia... Scotty... Jordan... Ashthon... Robbie... Lauren Alaina... and an unnamed seventh... ARE THROUGH! The rest of this group, including Molly DeWulf, Carson Higgins, and Caleb Hawley, Denise Jackson, Melinda Ademi, and Ashley Sullivan are going home. From 61... down to 40.

What happens in Vegas will end in Vegas for a great majority of these people. But first, let's pause 10 seconds for station identification. This is "American Idol" on the Fox Broadcasting Company.

(10 seconds lapse)

HOLLYWOOD
An undisclosed hangar...

The players surviving the Vegas Round will be asked to sing one more time, walk down the lonely road to the judges. On one end, the top 12 guys and the top 12 girls will go on to make up your top 24. On the other end... an airplane taking them back to reality. It's time to Sing For Your Life (TM).

First, Naima Adedapo. She "Put Your Records On" for one more shot with Corinne Bailey Rae. The tears of pain turn into.... tears of joy. She's IN THE TOP 24!

One down, 39 to go. Hollie Cavanagh is next... She tried "No One" by Alicia Keys... But it wasn't enough, as Hollie's road to Idol ends here. But she'll be back next year, maybe. Joining her... Lakeisha Lewis and Alex Ryan.

Clint Jun Gamboa is hoping for better results with "Hello" by Lionel Richie. And we say hello... to him. He's through.

Mid-morning, and Haley Reinhart is about to find out whether her return trip will be worth it. She made a major name for herself as a comeback kid. And the ultimate comeback... claimed. She's #4 through to the vote. The news would not be as sweet for Deandre Brackensick.

Paul McDonald was a silent wind from Nashville who breezed through Hollywood Week. He took a risk with an original song and a very original suit. Will it pay off? YES. Ashthon Jones is hoping to hear the same result. She tried "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" for her SFYL number... And it pays off. She's through.

Chris Medina is next. He was a powerhouse as well. Will "Fix You" fix him into the top 24? Every song was for his fiancee.... but unfortunately, that was the last song that he'll sing this year on Idol, a decision that sends Jennifer to tears.

And that's all that Fox is going to give us tonight. To recap...

THROUGH TO THE PUBLIC VOTE
Naima Adedapo
Clint Jun Gamboa
Haley Reinhart
Paul McDonald
Ashthon Jones

Five down... 19 to go. Will Jennifer find the strength to continue? And who'll make the final spots in the top 24.

Just between you and me, though... I think J-Lo'll be back.