episode seven...

It's Hollywood Baby...

Goodbye and good riddance to the annoying audition episodes.  American Idol is in boot camp, where the children are expected to [gasp!] work to earn a spot in the semi-finals. 

And work is defined as choosing one of the pre-selected songs to sing, accompanied by piano and backup singers only, which will either gain them a simple "yes" or "no."  No explanation.  No justification.  No coddling.  In or out. No excuses.

And that means you Tamesha Foote, who blamed everyone from the pianist to her second-grade teacher for her nauseatingly off-key performance.  Sweetie, if the piano player is playing the wrong key, stop.  Ask for a change and proceed.  You were terrible.  Go away.

As fast and furious as this episode was produced, it is hard to get a sense of who will have the best shot of making the 24.  The producers continue to spotlight the same contestants from the auditions, much like last year, which portends well for some of them, such as Sarah Mather, Carrie Underwood and Anthony Federov, who blew me away.  But, like last year, for every one that gets screen time at this point, there are two who have remained unseen.  And unheard.  No one saw or heard Latoya or Jasmine last season until the semi-finals.

But the overriding question in Tuesday's episode seemed to be:  Will Shunta grow a brain?  Oh, and will she make it to the correct group in time?  And why do we care?

We say goodbye to many of the little hopefuls.  And we wave farewell to several who sounded promising during the auditions, but proved that first impressions can be misleading.

Goodbye to Michael Liuzza, who ruined "Unforgettable."  Unforgiveable.  So long Regina Brooks, who pawned her wedding ring to get to the audition and, as we're reminded incessantly, swears she'll die if she can't express herself through music.  Good thing you didn't hock the karaoke.

Say bye-bye Rich Molfetta.  I don't think you choked; I think you are just bad.  And Jeffrey Johnson, our pastor.  So long.

But Bri!  Briana Davis!  You sunk when you needed to swim.  I'm heartbroken.  I think you're terrific, but now this means someone is gonna have to dye their hair.

Shunta makes it back!  Lucky girl.  She gets through.  Lucky us.

But Marlea Stroman, you're leaving us with a void, because you have a stunning voice, but if you're not ready for the competition and you miss your baby, best to leave now. 

Remember, they're going to whittle the field down to 24 -- 12 men/12 women and, from that group, we will eliminate six from each.

Okay, bearing in mind we haven't heard from everyone, here are my picks to make it through tonight's group performances:

The Women:

Nadia Turner -- she's just a terrific package.
Rashida Johnson -- if she can sing that well sick, imagine her well.
Sarah Mather -- she impresses me more with each snippet I hear.
Carrie Underwood -- I'd be willing to predict a top 10 for her.
Lindsey Cardinale -- I didn't like her at first.  Last night changed that.
Vonzell Solomon -- beautiful girl with a beautiful voice.
Jennifer Todd -- I still think this show can handle a non-Barbie girl.
Mikalah Gordon -- she should make it through on spunkiness alone.

The Men:

David Brown -- if only I were 20 years younger.
Scott Savol -- my favorite, my favorite, my favorite
Anwar Robinson -- why didn't my teachers look like that in junior high?
Mario Vasquez -- now I understand why he's getting so much attention
Anthony Federov -- wow.  The Clay fans will love him.
Ross Williams -- half of the John Stevens fans will love him.
Jamie Koeller --  the other half will love him.
Constantine Maroulis -- he did the Box Tops proud
Bo Bice -- great voice, cute guy, love the hair
Aaron Kelly -- the third of the rockers.  The judges will want all three in the top 48.