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By Rose Wade

The "Road to Hollywood" episode was an hour of boring, fluff and filler recaps, although the fake-out footage was mildly amusing. 

The show started with a tribute to the song-of-the-season, "Pants on the Ground".  Apparently it is being paid homage in colleges, homes, and even political arenas.  It may just give William Hung's famous "She Bangs" catastrophe a run for it's money. 

(Photo:  Click to watch Stephanie Fisher's seventh American Idol audition.)

Of interest was Jessica Furney, auditioning for her second season, who sang a song co-written by Simon Cowell. (Gasp!) It was the first time I had  heard "Footprints in the sand", but it sounded like she did it justice.  Simon simply said "beautiful song" but didn't confirm that she'd done a good job.  Regardless, a full house of yeses for Jessica. 

Amanda Shectman, who first showed us that she can talk with her mouth closed,  was painful to watch but easy to listen to.  Simon mimicked her theatrical habits during his vote, but it was a yes straight across the board. After her "no tear acceptance speech", I have to change my vote from yesterday --- this is the drama queen slash ratings booster of the season ... for as long as she lasts.  I guess they're stacking the deck this season. 

Lacey Brown was in the top 50 in Season 8, sang an interesting version of "Over the Rainbow" and got her second shot at Hollywood. 

Stephanie Fisher chose to sing "Fever" for her seventh time auditioning, completely blew it, but blamed it on being starstruck by the presence of her idol, Posh Spice.  Next, she tried a version of "Baby Love" which wasn't any better, asked for time to get 'unnervous', but the seventh time was not a charm and she left before she even heard the impending no's. 

Several more 16 year olds who had made it through were highlighted; Rachael Hubbard from Texas, Thaddeus Johnson who had belted out "How am I supposed to live without you", Genesis Moore and the one that really stood out in my mind, Aaron Kelly who sang "The Climb" by Miley Sirus.  It was nice to see so many young hopefuls get through. 

So, after visiting seven cities, hearing over 100,000 contestants, the judges handed out 181 golden tickets.  The American Idol journey has just begun.   Next week the Kodak Theatre is the setting for Hollywood Week as Ellen Degeneres joins the judges panel.  I am looking forward to seeing what she brings to the table.

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