Hooray for Hollywood!

My favorite part of the “Idol” audition process was tonight—the Hollywood rounds.

If you missed it, here’s the recap…

Those poor, poor giddy girls. Don’t they watch this show?

And just like that, the giddiness is gone as the entire first group of six is sent home. Yikes!

By the way, what was up with that Carrie Underwood commercial that only congratulated her for one Grammy? Is that because Best New Artist is more mainstream?

Okay, back to the show as we catch up with some of the people we met during the auditions…

Perla, the Shakira clone, makes it to the next round, but Simon warns her that right now she’s “personality over talent.” Also making it through is 16-year-old country girl Baylie.

Not making it were Rachel, the Army reservist; Ashlyn, who got a second audition and whose arrest was recently revealed; Sarah, the Buckeye who snuck away from home; and Porcelyn, who trained non-stop for the auditions.

There was one bit of drama as Nicole changed her song to please her mom and then blew it. Her mom tried to stick up for her, but Simon wouldn’t have it and left the table.

56 of the 114 girls were sent home…

Now, it’s the guys’ turn and 34 of them make it through. Among them are Brian and Nick, the second chance guys; Blake, the beat-boxer; Matt, who said he received no family support (What is wrong with his mom?); Phil, who missed his baby’s birth; Fidel Castro look-alike, Sean; Sundance and Chris, the Jack Osbourne look-alike.

U.S.S. Ronald Reagan Idol Jarrod did not make it…

So we move on to the group round. If you’ve forgotten, this is when the contestants join a group of other contestants (of their choosing) and pick a song to sing together…

Among the contestants is Matt Buckstein, who you may remember from last year’s “Brokeback Idol” group that sang at last year’s finale.

And it’s no big surprise that best friends Amanda and Antonella are fighting and poor Baylie is stuck in the middle. Tired of rehearsing, Amanda runs off to flirt with some of the guys. See, this is why I love Hollywood! I’d like to see an hour of just group night!

Before the group performances begin, Simon warns the contestants not to forget the words. Fat chance of that happening…

The first word victim is Matt and no surprise that his mom is a little rude when he breaks the news to her. Perla is the next victim, not because she forgot her words, but because she couldn’t sing them.

Chris’ group is exceptional on “How Deep Is Your Love,” featuring Blake on the beat box. They all go through.

Robyn Troup goes through. Yes, the same Robyn Troup who sang with Justin Timberlake at the Grammys Sunday (I presume she does not make it to the top 40.).

Sundance goes through, but Simon tells Paula she was being generous.

When Baylie, Antonella and Amanda take the stage, Baylie forgets all of her words and Amanda has to help her. But then Amanda forgets some of hers. But it’s only Baylie who gets sent home. Of course the flirt gets through. It’s just like Corey Clark in season two.

36 are gone, including Sean, who we didn’t hear sing…

56 are left and the judges whittle it down to 40. Now it’s time for the three room trick, as the judges go from room to room to give good news or bad news to everyone in the room.

In room one is Chris and my guy Paul. They’re through. In room two is Antonella, but no Amanda. They’re through. Room three had heard two rooms celebrating, so they know they’re out.

Sanjaya makes it, but his sister doesn’t and he is devastated. Amanda, who did not make it, says she’s proud of Antonella.

And the show is over. I’m sorry but that was just too short. We want more Hollywood next year!!!

Tomorrow is the high drama of the elevator ride and the lonely chair in the big room with the judges as we learn the top 24—12 guys and 12 girls. It starts at 9, so get your Valentine’s Day dinner in early…