Hollywood Week, Round 1: "You're just washed out emotionally"

GROUP ROUND! GROUP ROUND! GROUP ROUND!

Sorry. I’m just really excited that they haven’t done away with my favorite part of the show…

Tonight, our new panel got to make their first Hollywood cuts and for the most part they seemed to do a good job and handle it all well, with the exception of a few tough ones for JLo…

327 people were given golden tickets—about twice as many as usual, according to Ryan…

Steven huddled the judges and Ryan up and declared his strategy. “We’re gonna go in. We’re gonna go out. Nobody gets hurt.” Clearly, Steven is new. This is Hollywood Week. Of course, people get hurt…

As usual, lines of 10 came on stage to sing a short snippet a capella without any feedback from the judges. Then the judges do the whole step forward thing and send either the front or back line home…

First up was 16-year-old Brett Loewenstern, one of my early faves. He did a scorching rendition of “Let It Be” and moved on…

Rachel Zevita who we met in New York; Thia Megia, who did a peppy version of “Summertime” and Casey Abrams, who remains one of my faves, all went through next…

Victoria Huggins, the confident 17-year-old we met in New Jersey who had all the “personality,” sang “My Hallelujah Song” and insisted on strolling all over the stage like she owned it. You could tell Steven wasn’t feeling it and the others agreed and wisely sent her home…

Up next, James Durbin, the 21-year-old who was diagnosed with Tourette’s; Paris Tassin from the New Orleans audition, who did a very pretty version of “My Heart Will Go On;” Lauren Alaina, Steven’s “the one,” who did a country version of “Unchained Melody;” and Stormi Henley, the beauty queen Steven and Randy sent through, who did a very weak rendition of “Stay.” James, Lauren, and Paris went through. Stormi was wisely sent home…

Steven Tyler once again showed his sweet side as he asked Chris Medina about his fiancé (She was the one in the wheelchair that Steven hugged and kissed after Chris’ audition.). He did the great choice of “You and I Both” and went through…

Remember Hollie Cavanagh? The girl in Austin who could barely get through her songs without crying? The nerves were completely gone as she belted out “I Look At You” to go through. Also through, 15-year-old Jacee Badeaux, who made the perfect choice of “God Bless the Broken Road,” and Robbie Rosen.

We didn’t hear much of accountant Steve Beghun’s “Just Haven’t Met You Yet,” but what we did hear was pretty weak. He didn’t make it through. Also out, Sarah Sellers and Jacquelyn Dupree. The belly dancer Heidi Khzan also didn’t go on…

160 down, 163 to go. And I realize that doesn’t add up to 327. We apparently lost some people along the way…

After a montage of people messing up, we were re-introduced to Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks, the exes who still sing together. Rob did a bluesy rendition of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Chelsee did something about “I Could See All Around Me.” Both of them went through. And no, they’re not back together…

Making their stay in Hollywood more interesting, though, was the fact that Rob was rooming with Nick Fink and Chelsee was rooming with Jacqueline Dunford. Rob and Jacqueline were the couple that JLo called her favorite in 10 seasons. Nick sang something about shoes that Randy cut off very quickly. Jacqueline sang something about “Bring It On Home to Me.” It was clear what was about to happen and Randy asking him to step forward just confirmed it. Nick was going home and Jacqueline was staying…

Every year, someone makes a semi-fool of themselves by pleading to the judges for a second chance. And this year, it was Nick. He grabbed the mic and begged the judges to let him stay with his “baby,” as Jacqueline just kept walking. He told Randy he didn’t get to the goods of the song and Randy told him he only got one shot. In other words, get to the goods faster. Jacqueline just kept walking like she didn’t know him as Nick stopped in the aisle to sing “the goods” of the song. Randy told him no and Nick walked out…

Outside in the hall, Nick said something very interesting to Ryan. When Ryan asked them how they were dealing with the news, Nick asked, “How you doin’ man? Are you hurt by this? You’re just washed out emotionally because you’ve been here 10 years?” Yours is an intriguing question, Nick…

But there was no time to answer it as Scotty McCreery took the stage. He decided to reprise his gorgeous version of “Your Man” to showcase his deep voice. It worked, as he went through. Also reprising their original audition songs were Jackie Wilson (“Until You Come Back to Me”) and Jerome Bell (“Let’s Get It On”). It worked for them as well…

Tiffany Rios, who you will remember put the stars on her chest for her audition, declared, “I’m tired of hearing people trying to do what I know I can.” She went through, which I think is a mistake. She’ll be big trouble for her group.

GROUP ROUND! GROUP ROUND! GROUP ROUND!

Sorry, couldn’t help it…

Travis Orlando, who was a former resident of a homeless shelter, did a weak version of “This Love” and was sent home…

168 people went through to the next round. In a flash of several faces, I think I saw John Wayne going through…

Also going through were Clint Gaboa and Julie Z. from San Francisco, Niena and the Gutierrez brothers, White House intern Molly, and Emily Anne and Stefano from San Francisco. Plus, Ashlee Sullivan, who we met in New Jersey…

I’ll fill in the complete names as I get them…

Wednesday, it’s…GROUP ROUND! GROUP ROUND! GROUP ROUND! I’ll be rooting for Scotty, Brett, Casey, Rob and Chelsee. And John Wayne, if he’s still around…

What about you guys? Did your faves get through? Was there anyone you were hoping to see, but didn’t? Let’s discuss…