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- The assembly of an electronic switching system is shown.
- 1970–8.2 (7)TV Episode
- 1982– TV-PG8.0 (7)TV Episode
- Live coverage of the Closing Ceremony of the XXVIII Summer Olympic Games, held in Athens.
- A film detailing advancements in computer/digital technology, featuring the 'Graphic 1' computer system at Bell Telephone Laboratories.
- Live coverage of the opening ceremony of the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. The Olympic Homecoming of Athens 2004, Birthplace of Olympism at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.
- Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent (2014) and The D Train (2015)); Al Madrigal (About a Boy (2014)). Also: Ashley Monroe performs.
- 2010–2021TV-148.2 (13)TV EpisodePaul Bettany; David Drew Howe and Pam Howe. Also: Nathaniel Rateliff and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats perform.
- 2010–202142mTV-148.0 (14)TV Episode
- Every band has a story. Every fan has a story. "The Road to ACL" captures fans and bands as they converge at the Austin City Limits Festival. Production, mainly showcasing the best live performances and fan experiences, will also engage the personal stories of bands and their fans and the excitement of being a part of ACL 2015. After opening the special showcasing a small group of fans on a road trip to Austin, the hour long special will mainly showcase the most exciting performers of the festival, both on-stage and behind the scenes.
- 2010–2021TV-147.4 (17)TV EpisodeJennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, all of the film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015). From Comic-Con in San Diego.
- 2006–7.2 (18)TV Episode
- 2010–2021TV-148.2 (18)TV EpisodeThe stars of The Walking Dead (2010) and Game of Thrones (2011). Included: Lauren Cohan; Danai Gurira; Norman Reedus; Steven Yeun; Alfie Allen; John Bradley; Liam Cunningham; Natalie Dormer; Conleth Hill; Hannah Murray; Sophie Turner; Carice van Houten.
- Two crazy cousins try to outwit their boss and the mob, and take their best shot at becoming rich and famous, in Doug Lodato's wacky Best Shots! Electronic laser guns, banana statues, scavenger hunts, flying beer and, of course, chicken pot pie with Cheeze Whiz are all part of this wild adventure, where no work and all play is the motto of the day!
- 2010–2021TV-148.8 (19)TV EpisodeMichael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, James McAvoy, Olivia Munn and Evan Peters, all of the film X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). From Comic-Con in San Diego.
- Join Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin (aka The Home Edit) as they transform lives with their unique eye for stylish organization.
- The filmmakers follow San Francisco-area forensics teacher Tommie Lindsey and his students for two years.
- The story behind the creation of the transistor, one of the 20th century's most important inventions.
- The stars of Silicon Valley (2014), including Thomas Middleditch, Kumail Nanjiani, Amanda Crew and Zach Woods. From Comic-Con International in San Diego.
- "American Idol"- "Finalists Chosen" - Mar.1, 2012 It's a go time as we learn who the top 13 will be tonight: 10 put through by America and 3 wild card judge choices. For some reason this will take two hours. Ryan tells us 33 million votes were cast over the two nights. Jimmy Iovine has returned and will be commenting on the finalists via video as they are picked. We start with the trio of Chase Likens, Phillip Phillips, and Jeremy Rosado. Jimmy thinks Jeremy has a nice voice and Chase is good looking but boring and thus Phillip and his Dave Matthews impression is the only one who makes the top 13. (Jimmy is being his critical Jimmy self which is a nice change from the judges.) Next is the quartet of Hollie Cavanagh, Brielle Von Hugel, Hallie Day and Jessica Sanchez. Jimmy didn't like Brielle's song but thinks she can sing. He likes Hallie. But they are both out and Hollie and Jessica are in. Next is the trio of Heejun Han, Joshua Ledet, and Adam Brock. Jimmy does not love Adam the way the judges did. Jimmy loves Joshua but worries he might be too churchy and thinks Heejun is too jokey saying it's "American Idol" not "American Comedian." They of course, are both in the top 13 though. Next is the quartet of Shannon Magrane, Baylie Brown, Skylar Laine, and Chelsea Sorrell. Jimmy likes Shannon and Skylar but thinks Shannon needs styling help. He liked Chelsea's voice but felt it was like Carrie-oke. Baylie of course, just didn't sing well. Shannon and Skylar are in the top 13. Next is the trio of Aaron Marcellus, Creighton Fraker, and Reed Grimm. Jimmy didn't like any of them and none of them made the top 13. Next is the quartet of Elise Testone, Haley Johnsen, Jen Hirsh and Erika Van Pelt. He likes three of the four, praising Jen's voice, saying Erika can go all the way, and Elise has character but shouldn't overdo it. Unlike the judges the other night, he points out Haley was out of tune for most of her song. Only Elise is through to the top 13. Next is the quartet of {b]Jermaine Jones, Colton Dixon, DeAndre Brackensick, and Eben Franckewitz. Jimmy loves Jermaine, thinks Colton can win the whole thing, thinks DeAndre has potential but picked too big a song and that Eben isn't ready yet. Colton and Jermaine are in the top 13. Now it's sing for your life time as six contestants are invited to audition for the three wild card slots. First up is Jen Hirsh who sings "Oh Darling" by the Beatles and is overdoing it but doing better than she did with Adele. Next is Jeremy Rosado who reprises his pretty Carrie Underwood tune "I Know You Won't" from the first sing for your life. Both he and JLo are crying by the end. Next is Brielle who sings "Someone Like You" by Adele even though her voice isn't really suited to this kind of song. Next is Deandre Brackensick who sings "Georgia on My Mind" and takes care to not only rely on his falsetto bu show other parts of his voice. Next is Erika Van Pelt who locks down Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" with confidence and elan. Finally, Reed Grimm sings "Use Me" by Bill Withers and puts his all into it in his endearingly goofy way. Randy annouces Erika made the cut,JLo announces Jeremy made the cut-- she's been pulling for him since the beginning-- Steven announces the final slot goes to Deandre. So your top 13 is: Deandre Brackensick Hollie Cavanagh Colton Dixon Heejun Han Jermaine Jones Skyler Laine Joshua Ledet Shannon Magrane Phillip Philllips Jeremy Rosado Jessica Sanchez Elise Testone Erika Van Pelt Next week the women will sing Whitney Houston songs, the men Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige will mentor everyone.
- "American Idol" - Hollywood Rounds Pt. 2 - Feb. 9, 2012 We get a recap of last night and . And Ryan also tells it's the most intense Hollywood week ever and that people are dropping like flies all over the place. Including young Symone from last night.She hadn't eaten for a while and apparently needed to up her blood sugar. JLo comfort her. The other contestants pray. She heads to the ER. The show continues on. We remeet Lauren, Jeremy, Ethan-- whose dad was in rehab. Only Jeremy was put through. Symone also gets a yes but we only overhear that she's at the hospital when they make the decision. 185 people made it to group rounds and we watch them celebrate. We get a montage of the ills of past group nights, the "worst" night of "Idol" auditions in which they have to huddle up, pick a song, create choreography in one night. They are told they have to have groups of 4 or 5 with folks from both days. The mad scramble is on. Amy, the girl who lives in a tent in the woods, is having trouble finding a group and has the flu. Some groups are already heading off to rehearse. Amy finds a group with the cop Alicia. One girl named Brianna keeps turning up her nose at people's song choices. There are defections and alliances. Most people have moved on to preparing and working out harmonies and choreography. Except Alicia is still looking for a group. She finally intimidates one into letting her in. We meet several groups with new faces and old, including one girl who made it through group rounds last year. We get commentary from her mother about her bossy daughter and the weakest voice in the group opening the act. Symone returns from the hospital. She was dehydrated. Now she has to find a group. Her "not a stage dad' stage dad tries to "help" her. She finds one. We watch folks rehearse, some sound great, some are struggling with harmonies and choreography. Some are trying to steer clear of Amy who is sick. Others are sick as well. Some complain about their fellow group members to the camera. It's midnight and the stress is ratcheting it up for some while others are feeling good enough to go to bed. Alicia the cop's group is struggling with the words and their male member is illing. The group including Heejun and Phil Phillips, four guys, and they can't get along or agree on anything. Heejun keeps complaining about cowboys, because the cowboy-hatted guy in his group Richie is very bossy. He actually says "we're going to do this my way and that's it." A female group called the Bettys can't seem to get it together with most arguing that sleep is more important for their voices than rehearsal. All but one heads to bed. She cries into the phone that she will feel terrible if she's sent home and one of them stays. One returns and they team up to help each other and say that they're going to let the others fend for themselves.They go to bed at 5. At 7 some are already up rehearsing. The episode closes on the precipice of the actual performances starting with the Bettys. And then the episode cuts away.
- "American Idol" - Top 12 Finalists Compete - March 14, 2011 Ryan explains that the show has always had controversy and this year is no exception and with the cooperation of law enforcement they've had to disqualify someone. Of course he doesn't say who at first, even though we all know it's Jermaine Jones. Theme:"Songs From the Year You Were Born" Ryan also tells us we'll be seeing baby pictures and we see childhood shots of the judges and Ryan. Jimmy brought in will.i.am to help work with the contestants. Contestant:Phillip Phillips We learn Phil was born premature and had other health problems from his very sweet parents. And then we swtich to his meeting with will and Jimmy. We learn that he has to have surgery to remove a kidney stone. Will and Jimmy are impressed with how good he sounds in pain. Song: "Hard to Handle," Otis Redding/the Black Crowes Performance: This is a perfect song for him and grounded behind his microphone he has less of the gesticulating that can grate and because it's uptempo he rarely gets behind the beat. It's a very natural and easy performance. The crowd loves it. Randy: Says he sounds amazing especially in light of the recent surgery and loved the song choice. JLo: Says it's so natural for him. Steven: Likes that he picks songs that match his voice and character but to watch his melody. Contestant: Jessica Sanchez Her parents are very cute as are her baby pics. Will loves her and Jimmy thinks she's fun to work with and comes fully prepared. They want her to perform a "stunt" and cue the band and Will calls her a "swaggernaut." Song: "Turn the Beat Around," Vicki Sue Robinson/Gloria Estefan Performance:She is sparkly and spunky navigating the fast patter pretty well but it is very quick. She throws a little grit on it and it's a fun and assured performance. Steven: Loves her voice and doesn't want her to stray too far from ballads and thought the rhythm was a little shady. JLo: Also heard rhythm issues but thought she did a good job. Randy: Say they're right on and they should steer her in the right direction and didn't love the song choice and tells her to shorten her vibrato. Contestant: Heejun Han Also has adorable parents and baby pics. Mom thinks he gets his humor from her. Jimmy and Will give him some enunciation tips. He asks Will for Fergie's number. Song:"Right Here Waiting," Richard Marx Performance:It starts out breathy and a little raspy. He struggles a bit with some notes. He hits the key change okay but he's got too much air coming out and he seems more nervous than usual. Randy: Says it was pitchy in at least five or six spots and as if he was out of breath the whole time. He wants more urban R&B swag from him and thought it was the wrong song. JLo: Also thought it was pitchy and that it was a struggle but he fought his way to a beautiful end. Steven: Agrees he was out of breath and that it was a bad song choice but he loves his voice. Contestant:Elise Testone Supercute child, supercute parents. Jimmy and Will want her to be more cheerful and to hold the notes longer.They do a split screen with Obama. Song:"Let's Stay Together," Al Green/Tina Turner Performance: She starts out sitting out the piano. It's a very tender, slowed-down version of the song to start and then gears up as she hits the chorus. She does a lot of leaning forward but her voice sounds mostly strong and she ends on a sweet blue note. Steven: Says he loves her voice so much as does his aunt Sonya. JLo: Says that was Elise showing America who she is and that it was a beautiful thing. Randy: Says "America Elise is back!" He loved the run at the end and says it was "like butter." Contestant:Deandre Brackensick He was a funny, smiley kid and his parents seem very close. Jimmy and Will debate his song choice and have him change it but he doesn't seem very confident about the change. Song: "Endless Love," Diana Ross & Lionel Richie/Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey. Performance:It's weird hearing one person sing a duet and it's a very tentative performance to start with a couple of bum notes and some cracking. It improves towards the end but he still seems nervous. JLo: Says he sang it beautifully but she thinks Jimmy and Will steered him wrong with the song choice and feels like he didn't think it was a good choice for him either. Steven: Agrees it was a bad song choice but thinks he'll find out. Randy: Agrees it was a bad song choice and says it was boring and safe at the wrong time for him and he has to have excitement when he plays. Contestant: Shannon Magrane Of course she was a beautiful child and her parents also seem lovely. Jimmy wants her to sing a No Doubt song. (After he does a commercial for a phone.) But she chooses Mariah instead. Their worried that her voice seizes up and she has breath control issues so they instruct her to sing it lying down. Song: "One Sweet Day," Mariah Carey and BoyzIIMen Performance: It starts out well, very freshly scrubbed but she seems very tight in her shoulders. She keeps threatening to go flat and she misses a note here and there but it is a huge improvement over last week's mess and she seems more confident as well. JLo: Says it was not an easy undertaking and says she was terrified for her but that she did a beautiful job. Steven: Thinks she sings her best when she doesn't try so hard and also thought she was good. Randy: Was also nervous about what she took on and likes that she's fearless and he thought the beginning was good but that by the end it was really good. (They claim that they have thousands of songs to choose from.) Contestant: Colton Dixon He had a chance to meet Daughtry who told him to be himself and choose songs people know and he says he's going to put that into effect next week. He was a very sporty kid. (It's amazing so far all of the kids' parents appear to still be together.) Jimmy and Will are worried that no one's going to know the song, including the band. Will tells him to make sure it's a hard rock song and to own it. Song: "Broken Heart," White Lion Performance:It's a hair metal power ballad and he sings it pretty straight putting a little of that Simon LeBon/Joe Elliott squeak on the ends of the phrases. The song picks up tempo and edge as he goes into the chorus. It's not a great song but he does a good job with it. JLo: Says she didn't know it and it was a Colton song for her. She thinks he's a lover and thought he did it really well. She thinks he looks pretty when he sings. Steven: Thinks it was the wrong song for his voice and his passion. He didn't feel the song go anywhere. Randy: He says the song choice didn't matter because Colton was singing it great. Contestant: Erika Van Pelt Her very sweet mom thinks Erika was born with music in her. There are lot of pics of her with her mouth open. Jimmy and Will like her song choice and has an idea for the arrangement and they all like it. Song: "Heaven," Bryan Adams Performance:She has a very sweet smile when she sings. It's a litlte mannered to begin with but she sounds great. She has a lot more physicality tonight and it's a nice slight uptick in energy from last week. Steven: He thinks she was a little busy all over it and wanted her to stay with the melody. But he likes her voice. JLo: Agrees that the arrangement was left wanting. She thinks she looks the best she's looked and she feels her coming together as an artist. Randy: Liked it and calls it an 8 out of 10 and thought it was a great song choice. He tells her to not to take it too far from the original and basically says to not let Jimmy make her do things. Ryan finally gets to Jermaine Jones' elimination. We see video of Jermaine sitting down with "Idol" producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick who confront him with the evidence of the charges that have come to light of his giving fake names to the police and four warrants out for his arrest. They say they were surprised and that they're not judging but are sad he didn't come clean with them. He apologizes and says he was afraid he would be penalized. They say they have to dismiss him because they can't have someone with outstanding warrants on the show. They compliment how great a vocalist he is. He's very sweet to them about it and shakes their hands. We see his rehearsal for this week. He was going to sing "Somewhere Out There." Back in the studio. They all look very solemn. Ryan says it's business as usual and hat the person with the lowest vote total tomorrow night is "at risk" of elimination. Which I bet means that they won't eliminate anyone because "at risk" isn't the usual verbiage, the person with the lowest number of votes just goes home. Contestant:Skylar Laine Her parents say she was a handful and she used to bang her head on things. Jimmy and Will wonder if there is enough song for her ther. They run a bunch of songs by her. She sticks with her choice. Will wants her to have more fire in her belly. Song:"Love's Sneaking Up on You," Bonnie Raitt Performance:The song is kind of a yawn and she's selling it the best she can but it feels like she's forcing the excitement factor but she does sound good. Steven: Thinks she's got so much heart and soul and she loves the way she sings. JLo: She says she has to keep it real and that she really killed it. She didn't love the song choice. Randy: Didn't love the song but thinks she rocked it. Contestant: Joshua Ledet Ryan brings out a big bucket of crawfish for Joshua which Louisiana. He was a cutie and his parents are also still together. Will says he took him to church. Joshua's dad is a pastor. Jimmy says he came a long way and he believed every second of the song. Song: "When a Man Loves a Woman," Percy Sledge/Michael Bolton Performance: He sounds better than Michael Botlon for sure. He definitely takes it to church and maybe even to the juke joint from the night before. He takes himself away which is the most impressive part of the performance, he really gets lost in it. It's a little shouty for me but it sounds good. The judges give him a standing ovation halfway through. Randy: Thinks he blew it out the box. Says it was phenomenal. He credits the crawfish. JLo: Says it was the best thing she's ever seen on "American Idol." She can't stop saying "wow." Steven:Says he gave it up so big that God came through his eyes. Contestant: Hollie Cavanagh Her parents, who are from the U.K., are adorable. Jimmy and Will love her. Song:"The Power of Love," Celine Dion Performance:The dress is awful but the voice is great. It's a big boring ballad and there's some flirtation with flatness but she's very confident and sounds strong. JLo: With her and Joshua says they saved the best for last. Even though there were a couple of things but not worth quibbling about. Steven: Says it's a little pitchy but beautiful. Randy: Agrees a little pitchy but blew it out the box also.
- "American Idol" - Portland Auditions - Feb. 1, 2012 We get an opening montage of people on the way to the auditions and walking into the audition room. Ryan tells us it's the show's first trip to Oregon. We then get a montage of the sights of Portland. First up is Sara Bareilles fan Brittany Zika who got a chance to sing with her American idol. She trips on the way in and calls herself Tripster the Hipster. She sings Brandi Carlile and she's fine. They love her. She's going to Hollywood. We get a montage of bad singers from Seattle in season 6. We then met a kid from Philly named Ben who has a cold. We get shots of him pounding his chest and blowing his nose and talking about his job selling cable on the street. He goes to sing Lady Gaga for the judges, and given the fact that he has a cold he could be much worse. He, however, is not good and is not going to Hollywood. Next up is Jermaine Jones who eats, breathes, and sleeps music and grew up singing in church and his mom thinks his vocal gift is from God. He cries tears of joy and excitement and says it's his turn. His mother is very supportive. He's 6'8" 1/2. He sings "Superstar." He's fine and a little teary and very sweaty. The judges love him and tell him to loosen up, he's going to Hollywood. On Day 2 we meet single mom Britnee Kellogg who has her kids and a whole passel of family, in matching "we heart Britnee" t-shirts, there to support her. She was married to a basketball player who held her back from her dreams and then he cheated on her and now she's pursuing her dreams. She sings "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt. She's got the right motivation. She's pretty good and JLo starts singing along with her. They love her and she's going to Hollywood. She asks JLo advice about being a working a mom. JLo says it takes a village. Britnee's village comes in. Next up is Sam Gershmann who is extremely animated and perky. She sings oddly, squeaky, affected and shrill. She is very irritating. The judges openly laugh at her. Steven calls her "too Broadway." Jlo saying her personality is bubbly and she should be onstage but not the "Idol" stage. Next up is David Weed is very geeky with glasses and a sweater vest. He works in fast food. He sings "Tom Sawyer" by Rush. Given that, again, not as bad as it could've been. The notes are mostly there but... Randy claims that he thinks Geddy Lee is a really good singer. David then says he wants to be a comic too and tells a terrible joke. He's not going to Hollywood. It's kind of sad. Next up is Romeo Diahnhe is from Liberia. He lived in a refugee camp in Ghana before coming to the U.S. He saw a lot of tough stuff before he got here. He sings Bob Marley, very much in an impression style. It's fine but since he has an interesting back story he's going to Hollywood, although JLo does express concern about how he will do in the competition. Next up is Naomi Gillies who sings the Aerosmith song "Cryin." She doesn't show much range but she's got power and decent pitch and... she sings an Aerosmith song so she's going to Hollywood. We get a montage of no's and angry and/or crying auditioners. Next is Ben Harrison who claims he is adorable and then goes about proving that he isn't really, more like manic. He explains he's often kicked out of bands by older guys who are jealous of him. He sings Queen and it is... odd. He isn't going to Hollywood but is glad he didn't puke or pee his pants and walks out smiling. We get another montage of no's. And the final contestant is Jessica Phillips, a woman whose boyfriend of five years had a massive stroke last Easter. He was hospitalized for a month and a half and when he woke up he didn't know who she was and she's become his caretaker. We see them walking and holding hands and doing his speech therapy. It is clearly very tough for her. She breaks down crying talking about it, justifiably. She sings "Again" by Faith Evans. She's not bad, but she's not amazing, she has breath issues, but she's got sass, seems really nice, and of course... a very interesting story so... she's going to Hollywood. We get a montage of yes's of some of the 45 people who got golden tickets, almost none of whom we actually got to see/hear.
- "American Idol" -St. Louis Auditions - Feb. 2, 2012 We open with old home video footage of Carrie Underwood at home in OK on her way to audition in St. Louis for "American Idol." We then get a montage of folks in the present doing the same thing. We get the obligatory montage of St. Louis sighs and sounds. A whiny cab driver weighs in on the traffic. First up is John Keyser who is a child of divorce who lives with his dad. John's family gets a look at his audition on a video screen outside the room. He sings Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" a very overdone audition song. He's pretty good. Also, very attractive. They love him and he's going to Hollywood. We get a montage of terrible singers from past auditions and then we get one from the present day in "silent movie" fashion a la "The Artist." We get a glimpse of happy folks making friends in line. We then meet soon-to-be-divorced mom Rachelle Lamb who was held back from pursuing her dreams by her soon-to-be-ex. She goes into the audition room with her little daughter. She sings a Faith Hill song. She's good. Her daughter dances along with her. They're both really cute. They love her. She's going to Hollywood. Again, the whiny cab driver. A montage of the terrible. Next up is Reis Kloeckener who was bullied in high school because he was little and then he found his friends in choir. He sings "Lean on Me," he is fine in an earnest boy band kind of way. They love him, Steven tears up, and he's going to Hollywood. Next up is Ethan Jones who has a cut on his forehead and is in a band with his family. His dad was in a big band from St. Louis and he had to go to rehab. Steven says he can relate to that. He sings "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. He's fine. They love him, he's going to Hollywood. He calls his dad tearfully after the audition. Now we get a sneak preview of Madonna's new video "Gimme All you Luvin." It has a football theme with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj as cheerleaders and football players helping her walk along a wall. And we're back to montages of people on their way to auditions. Next up is a very bubbly hotel auditor named Mark Ingram, who works at the hotel where the auditions are being held. All of the staff members come in to support him. He sings Stevie Wonder, he hits a bunch of clunkers but also some good notes too. He's got control issues. The staff loves it. They try to dismiss him nicely. He starts sweating. They say no. The final auditioner is Lauren Gray who works in the family wedding business and sings in a band with her dad in Arkansas. She sings Adele. She's got a big, strong, bluesy voice, she pushes a little too hard and misses a couple of notes but it's got a lot of emotion. They love her and she's going to Hollywood. Ryan tells us that 46 people got golden tickets.
- "American Idol" - Top 4 Performance Show - May 9, 2012 Theme: California Dreamin' and Song I Wish I Wrote Ryan tells us in addition to the two performances from each contestant we're going to look at (filler) the contestants' journeys. Video Package: Phillip opines on his "journey." He can't believe it, his family says he's getting better, he has to give his best. Contestant: Phillip Phillips Song: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain," Creedence Clearwater Revival Performance: This is a pretty straightforward performance. He more or less sticks with the melody and it has a loose charm with a sassy blond sax player brightening it up. Judging: Steven says he's living proof that the road to success is always under construction. JLo loved it and thought it was perfect. Randy says it started off a little rough with the pitch but by the first chorus he was right on the money. Video Package: We actually get to see Hollie's journey from last season-- when she got cut in final judgement-- to the final four. Contestant: Hollie Cavanagh Song: "Faithfully," Journey Performance: She sings well, tenderly, straight up the middle. There are a couple of wavery moments but that probably has more to do with the wind machine than anything else. It's a fine performance and she seems very comfortable but it's all a little staid. Judging: Randy says she's peaking at the right time in the competition.JLo was impressed with her confidence and readiness to sing and thought it was beautiful. Steven says he's watched her blossom. Video Package: We go "beihind-the-scenes" with Jason DeRulo who is working on a song for the "Idol" finale. It's basically a Coke ad. Video Package: Before we see Joshua's journey, he dedicates his first performance to his dad. Like Hollie, his journey includes his season 10 audition in which Randy told him to to come back in a year and slay the whole thing. Contestant: Joshua Ledet Song: "You Raise Me Up," Josh Groban Performance: Wow, with Chris Mann on "The Voice" it's a big week for this song.He takes it from his adult contemporary roots and takes it to church. It's another restrained in the beginning and gradually becoming more dramatic. Yet he never lets it get away from him. It's lovely and heartfelt. Not sure what America thinks but surely, his dad is proud. Judging: Jlo says she knows the whole world knows what she thinks of Joshua. She thinks he's amazing and loved the drama. Steven says he sang his little tush off again. Randy says a great singer can sing anything and loved how he transformed Josh Groban. Video Package: As part of her journey video we get some home video of Jessica singing as a very small child, very inappropriately "And I'm Tellin' You I'm Not Going." Contestant: Jessica Sanchez Song: "Steal Away," Etta James Performance: It's a torchy blues ballad and she leans a little heavily on her growl but she acquits herself with a polished professionalism as always. Judging: JLo loved the growl and loved that it was there in the beginning as a child in the home video. She thinks she's one of the best contemporary singers. Steven loved it and he's currently doing an Etta James song himself. He likes that she's shaking off her old self. Randy loves that she's singing the blues convincingly at 16. Duet: Phillip and Joshua sing "This Love" by Maroon 5. In Randy parlance, they both worked it out. Their voices sound really good together but they have no chemistry. The judges loved it. Duet: Hollie and Jessica sit in swings and sing "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles. This also works well, although the harmonies were a little rougher in spots. Randy thought it was weird. Steven makes a swingers joke. We get an extended tribute to the film version of "Rock of Ages" which stars Ryan Seacrest's girlfriend Julianne Hough. And then Ryan interviews her and the director Adam Shankman in the audience. Quartet: All four finalists sing "Waiting For a Girl Like You" by Foreigner and it is not a good song for any of them. Contestant: Phillip Ryan asks about his health. Phillip says he's feeling fine. If he makes it to the top 3 he's excited to go home and hang with his friends and eat some Mexican food. In the rehearsal video Jimmy says Phillip found a song that's a bullseye and he's watched him become a butterfly. He says the judges were telling him to be himself but he was sounding like someone else (Dave Matthews) and with this song he's proving he can record something and not sound like the record. Song: "Volcano," Damien Rice Performance: It's a great song, right in his wheelhouse, brooding, churning, intense. He still has trace amounts of Dave Matthews but it's certainly not Damien Rice mimickry. It helps that he's clearly very comfortable and the backing singer's harmony part is spot-on. Easily, one of his best performances this season. Judging: Steven thought it was beautiful. JLo thinks very few people could've pulled that song off on this type of show. Randy says this is what it's all about and one of his best performances of the season. Contestant: Hollie In rehearsal, Jimmy thinks it's a tough song choice for a singer like Hollie who has trouble being emotional. He tells her not to oversing. He says she has to do magnificent. Song: "I Can't Make You Love Me," Bonnie Raitt Performance: It's a slow burn and she controls herself nicely, it's a lovely performance but perhaps not the emotional knockout Jimmy was seeking. (It was a tiny detail but oddly jarring that she changed the pronunciation of "patronize" from "pay-tronize" to "PAT-ronize.") Judging: Steven thought it fell a little short on the emotional end. JLo agrees with Steven it's easier to sing a song like that when you haven't been through a lot and she didn't interpret it the way she thought she might like she was singing it to America, trying to make them love her. Randy says she needs moments and this is a great song but not the song for her and she needed a bigger kind of song. Contestant: Joshua Jimmy talks about doing a session with James Brown when he was 19 and how his hairdresser came in after each take. He thinks Joshua great. Song: "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World," James Brown Performance: Obviously, a very good choice for Joshua and he does a good job with, following the contours of the up and down dynamics with skill and adding a lot of personality and grit to the vocal in a way that feels earned. Probably one of his best performances of the season as well. He gets a standing ovation from the judges. Judging: Steven says neither man nor woman has ever sung with that much compassion on this show ever. JLo says she thought we'd all seen everything Joshua had to give and that performance shows we hadn't. She was sickening. (In a good way.) Randy says it's the greatest song for Joshua and it's one of the best performances in the history of any singing show. Contestant: Jessica Jimmy thinks it's very powerful and tells her in rehearsal that he's going to remember this moment. Song: "And I'm Tellin' You," Jennifer Holliday (from "Dreamgirls") Performance: She does the diva thing convincingly but it doesn't feel emotionally authentic and she's unnervingly still. (I get it, she's "rooted," she's not "goin'" but she's not letting he song move through her, it's all in her throat.) It's technically adept but very much like all of its predecessors. She gets a standing ovation which she looks like she feels she deserves. Judging: Steven calls it another winning performance and asks "tell me how you really feel?" JLo says it was impressive how she stayed still and called it a real moment. Randy says they're all in it to win it.
- "American Idol" - Hollywood Round #1 - Feb. 8, 2012 We start with video montage of people being awakened and getting ready to head off to Hollywood. Ryan tells us there are 309 of them. Then we get the sequence of planes landing, buses arriving, people jumping on beds, and prepping to sing at the theatre. The judges give a pep talk. Now conestants come out in groups of 10, sing a cappella, get no feedback and then the sudden death decisions. We remeet Heejun Han and Johnny Keyser from auditions. Johnny sings Amos Lee and does well. Heejun is next and is nervous, and as we see in video, not very confident in general. He sings his audition again and we overhear JLo say to Randy that she loves him. And he does do well. They are both put through to next round, as well as three other people from their group. We meet Elise Testone who sings Jamiroquai and gets good feedback. We see Baylie Brown again as well as Hallie Day. Those three are put through as well as others from their group. It's 10 am and Ryan tells about the stress and pressure and a few auditioners admit to nerves. We see Jen Hirsh and she sings Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain" quite nicely and Steven doesn't want her to stop. We watch of a montage of the rest of her line perform including Lauren Gray who misses the cue to stop. Both women are put through. We get a montage of folks who don't do as well with bum notes and nerves doing them in. It's now 12:15 and Steven heads backstage and gives a pep talk to the next set. Next is good old Phil Phillips who does a growly "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and then Reed Grimm who scats his way through "I Got a Golden Ticket" from "Willy Wonka." And then up is Travis Orlando who got cut during round one last year and has the tough backstory with his mom leaving and homelessness. Phil and Reed make the cut but Travis is cut yet again in the first round. We get a montage of other folks crying after they were cut, including Ramiro Garcia the guy born with no ears. 68 people were cut by the end of day one. Day 2 dawns with a montage of excited and anxious contestants. Adam Brock isn't nervous, however. He has been told that it sounds like there's a large black woman trapped inside him. We watch him tearfully say goodbye to his daughter. He sings Marc Cohn because JLo mentioned him at his audition. Then we remeet Jane Carrey daughter of Jim. She sings CCR and is cute if not spectacular and is kind of awkward at the end. Adam is put through but not Jane. We get a montage of whose who take no well and others who don't and resort to begging. We see David Leathers again the confident, funny, cute teen who once beat Scotty McCreery in a singing contestant. We're also re-introduced to the teen that Steven called hot in front of her dad, Shannon Magrane. We also remeet Jessica Phillips, the girl whose boyfriend had a stroke. She's even better here than she was in the audition.They are all put through. (He is particularly good.) We get a montage of folks who did well and were put through Erika Van Pelt and Creighton Fraker and Aaron Marcellus. (Although I thought the middle guy was a little rough.) Next up is Lauren Mink the smiley, friendly woman who works with adult with disabilities. And then it's Jeremy Rosado. Jlo doesn't love Lauren but Steven seems to and Jeremy gives Jlo goosebumps. Next is Symone Black a teen with a very supportive stage dad. She sings "Dock of the Bay" but at the end as she chats with the judges she stumbles and falls off the stage. Thus, ensuring that even those who were bored will tune in tomorrow night to make sure that she's okay.
- "American Idol" - Hollywood Round, Part 3 - Feb. 15, 2012 It's group day and after all of last week's drama, apparently there will be more: puking, collapsing, crying. Another day in Hollywood. The first group, the contentious Betties fares very poorly both individually and as a team even earning a "that was really bleak" from Randy. Two of the girls Jennifer and Cari are put through. Next is a group called Groove Sauce that includes Reed, Creighton, and Jen. It's good and ends even better and all are put through. Next is 679 which includes Brielle and Shannon. It's an uneven performance and four of the five are put through The next group includes Amy, the girl who lives in the woods and got so ill last week (or last night I guess in show time.) Another girl also gets sick and may have to drop out but ends up pulling through. They're all pretty bad, dropping lyrics, goofing the tune and generally overdoing it. Only one is put through, a guy named Mathenee. We get a montage of lyric goofs. The group with the pushy cop Alicia and the kid who got very sick Christian is up next and it's not pretty and they're all sent home. And we've got another collapse, a girl named Imani. Her group, Area 451 which includes Johnny Keyser, is shocked and worried for her. She is exhausted and may not be able to continue but at the last minute she does make it backstage and is prepared to go on. They struggle, the first guy can't remember the words but they start to pull it together. But the other female in the group doesn't sound good. The girl who collapsed collapses again onstage. She gets up but is visibly shaky. The other three head to the front of the stage and she takes a chair. They send everyone but Johnny home. Next up is David Leathers' group. They do "Mercy" and it sounds and looks great and their parents look on jubilantly. They're all through to the next round. Their parents run onstage and hug them. We get a montage of dejected contestants walking away including Simone the first girl who collapsed and W.T. the expectant father. It's now 5 and the final group MIT goes on. This is the group with the "cowboy" Richie, Jairon, Phillip Phillips, and Heejun. After their group confession, which Richie dominated, he heads back into the confession room and talks about how he's compromising and infighting. They all seem dejected as they head onstage. They sing well individually for the most part but struggle with the "group" dynamic. They're all going through even though there were pitch issues and the judges saying they're basing this advancement on cumulative judging. We get a montage of others going through including Erika Van Pelt and Elise Testone. After they leave the stage Heejun apologizes for the trash he talked about Richie since he knows he's going to see it on TV. It's a new day and time for the remaining 98 singers to go solo with the band and they can also play an instrument. Steven and Randy and some contestants jams with the band on a scat-tinged version of "Walk This Way" during soundcheck. First up is Joshua Ledet who almost walked off the plane. He sings "Jar of Hearts" well, very soulfully and emotionally connected. He gets a standing O from the judges and much of the contestant crowd. Next is Colton Dixon who sings "What About Now" and plays piano. He's very passionate. Next is Phillip Phillips doing his Dave Matthews-y thing with his guitar, which Randy admires. Next is Jen Hirsh who does a torchy and dynamic, "Georgia on My Mind." She also earns a standing O. Next is Creighton Fraker who does "What a Wonderful World" it's a bit overwrought and nasally but gets a great response, standing O and whistling. Ryan gives us a weather update. It's raining Pasadena. Next are several people thrown off by the thunder and lightning which makes them forget words and stop mid-song. Next up is Reed Grimm who had planned to sing a cappella but is informed he has to sing with the band. He only has 30 minutes to prep with vocal coach Peisha McKee. He's having trouble focusing. He calls his mom. On the stage is Shannon Magrane doing "What a Wonderful World." It starts a little tentative but gets stronger even though there are a few pitch issues. It ends strong. She also gets a standing O. Reed is still stressing in the rehearsal hall. Associate music director Michael Orland steps in to help. Reed doesn't know if he can do it. He calls his mother. She offers her love and support. He is freaking. He takes a moment and gets an idea. He gets up to play the drums for some reason. Orland is nervous. He sings "Georgia on My Mind" and the drums seem to calm him. He makes it work and even seems to have fun. The judges love it. We get a montage of people singing that we don't hear and people leaving the stage dejected. Next is Skylar Lane who went to the hospital in the early morning from getting sick every few minutes. She sings "You Lie" and pulls it together for the minute she's onstage. Steven calls it one of the best performances of the day. Next is Rachelle Lamb who forgets the words near the beginning and has to start over. She pulls it together and sings "The House That Built Me." She's worried about her performance. Next is Adam Brock who sings "Georgia on My Mind." He starts low but builds pretty quickly. The judges, especially Steven, love it. He then talks about his good luck handkerchief. Now the wait begins in the holding room. We watch the judges deliberate. The groups are separated into four rooms. We get a breakdown of familiar faces in each room and get flashbacks for some of them. The judges enter room 1 and tells them that they're all through including Colton Dixon, Johnny Keyser, Joshua Ledet, and Adam Brock. In room 3 tensions run high and people are bickering. They are given the bad news. In room 2 they get the news they're going through including Reed Grimm, Skylar Lane, and Phillip Phillips. In room 4, more good news, including Heejun, Richie, and Baylie.
- "American Idol" - San Diego Auditions - Jan. 22, 2012 It's a special bonus Sunday late night "Idol" thanks to the New York Giants OT win. We're in San Diego and for some reason the auditions are taking place on the USS Midway aircraft carrier in a busy port. This means it's going to be a noisy day as planes fly overhead and boats pass by sounding their horns. We get various home videos of auditioners on their way. First up is a girl in a bikini top and a blue jean hot pants named Jennifer Diley and of course, she's terrible. More limericks from Steven. Next up is single mom Ashley Robles who has a very cute daughter. She sings "I Will Always Love You." She's pretty good, nice tone and power, with a hint of huskiness. They clap. She's going to Hollywood. Next up is Jayrah Gibson He was told he can't sing so he's decided to "sing"? He's a motormouth but he has good energy and a decent enough voice. He's going to Hollywood. We get a montage of yes's of people we're not introduced to. Next up is Aubree Dieckmeyer who came with her whole family and goofs says she wants to become America's Next Top Model. She's cute and has a girlish but pleasant voice with a bit of squeak. She's going to Hollywood. Next up is the squealy Ali Shields who was on the Ellen Degeneres show after writing her a song. Ryan takes her on a kissing spree. She raps her audition. And then she dances. She's funny and silly. And then she sings and she has an interesting voice. She's going to Hollywood. Next up is Kyle Crews a college student. He's in a frat and he serenades girls. He's cute and nerdy and has a nice voice, very natural. Steven says it's the best male voice they've heard yet. Next up Joanne Childers who is interrupted by a boat going by, which leads to a montage of all the auditions marred by background noise. Next up is a mom/waitress named Jane Carrey. Her dad is Jim Carrey. We see old photos and home videos of him with her. She talks about trying to find her place outside her dad's shadow. Jennifer actually remembers her as a little baby on the set of "In Living Colour" when she was a fly girl. They give her a little feedback about her presentation but they all say yes. She's going to Hollywood. She calls him and he's happy. He calls her wonderful and amazing and says he can't wait for the world to see what she's had inside her all this time. We get a montage of yes's, again of people we don't hear sing, all women. The last contestant of the night is Jason "Wolf" Hamlin. He's a mechanic at a golf course. His dad died a few years back. His dad gave him a guitar and he's only been singing three years. He sings a CCR song and he has some pitch issues but he has some charm as well. They let him break the rules and play his "git-fiddle" and he plays "Folsom Prison Blues." He's much more comfortable and gritty with the guitar and thus sounds better. Not amazing but pretty good. He's going to Hollywood. Ryan says 53 people were put through to Hollywood. Bringing our total to 133.
- "American Idol" - Galveston, TX Auditions - Jan. 26, 2012 We get greetings from the International Space Station for some reason. First up is Phong Vuwho is enjoying the attention and promises to be a superstar and then he gets teary and says God is on his side. God is apparently more concerned about football because predictably, he is not good. He is very earnest and Randy is laughing at him. Steven tries to be diplomatic and then after his "signature moves" he is sweetly dismissed. We get a montage of bad singers including some who try Scotty's audition song. Next up is country gal Skylar Laine. We get her whole backstory as a mudding tomboy from Mississippi whose family store/restaurant is struggling. She's a Miranda Lambert-a-like. She's going to Hollywood. We get a quick montage of home video of people preparing for their auditions. Next up is a repeat contestant Baylie Brown. She made it to Hollywood in season 6. We see a snippet of this (she was grouped with Antonella Barba and her buddy). She was 16 then and is now 21. She's also a country singer and she's great: strong, quivery, poised. She' s going to Hollywood. It's the last chance Texaco for Kristine Osorio a mom of three who is 28, the upper age limit. She took out a loan to pay her divorce lawyer but used the money to buy a ticket to audition for "Idol" instead. She has a few little pitch issues. But she's got a strong voice and she's going to Hollywood. We get a montage of singers who get a yes from Jennifer but no's from Steven and Randy. She thinks they're crazy. They all seem as good if not better than people they did put through, which J.Lo points out. Then they go the other way, Randy and Steven say yes and JLo says no. She tells Randy that she thinks someone has slipped him something and feels like shes in the twilight zone. JLo, during a make-up break, starts asking for help to back up her opinions. (It ain't worth much, but I totally agree with you JLo). Next up is clear train wreck Alejandro Cazares who keeps babbling about revolution. He is not good. He begs and babbles some more. Randy tells him he will never have a career in singing. Security eventually comes out.He is not going to Hollywood. It's day two and our first contestant is Cortez Shaw. We get his single parent household/struggling childhood/overcoming adversity backstory. He does a literally snappy version of Adele's "Someone Like You." It's okay. But apparently the judges think it's much better than that and he sucks up to Randy and they put him through to Hollywood. We get a montage of bad singers. And a montage of each one of the judges finally breaking down and laughing right out loud in people's faces. The final contestant is Ramiro Garcia and he was born with no ears, literally. He has hair covering them. His parents were told he would never hear or speak but through surgeries he was able to do both. He is a worship leader in his church. He sings "Amazing Grace" and for someone with his medical background it is truly impressive. They say they're taking a leap of faith and put him through to Hollywood. 54 people were given golden tickets.