Ahhhh Hollywood week--the start of the real American Idol. No more joke auditions. No more waiting room drama. No more time-wasting clips...

Whoops...that's exactly what they did.

This week's post-audition episodes didn't exactly thrill me. Idol spent too much time focusing on nonsense instead of giving us what we really want to see (or at least what I want to see) -- great performances.

Instead, we literally spent a half hour during Wednesday night's show watching members of certain groups bicker and cry instead of performing. I actually thought about shouting, "Shut up and SING!" to the TV. I understand there are too many people (most of whom are probably just mediocre) to show each individual performance on Tuesday, but am I the only one who would have rather seen an hour of back-to-back group performances instead of fighting on Wednesday? This is a show about singing, so why do the producers think the viewers don't actually want to see people sing?

OK, enough of MY complaining. There were some standouts this week.

People I'm excited to see more from:

Matt Gerard's group "White Chocolate" was fresh and fun, but he was the only member that really stood out for me and showed great vocal ability. I remember this guy every time I see him.

Danny Gokey has a fantastic voice and his group's decision to sing "Somebody to Love" was perfection for him. I like his friend Jamar as well, but I don't think he quite has Danny's talent. It'll be interesting to see the two duke it out for a spot.

Jeremy Michael Sarver auditioned with a country vibe, but proved during the group round that he could also sing soul--who knew?

Jasmine Murray--I love, love, LOVE her! She was the only sane one in the Rose/bikini girl/other-person-I've-never-seen-before's train wreck of a group. "The Trouble with Love Is" and "Mercy" were the perfect songs for her controlled and memorable voice.

People I was sad to see go:

Emily Whynn-Hughs (the girl with the pinkish hair) was the biggest upset for me this week. I thought her voice was really unique, and the way they featured her on Tuesday and during her audition really led me to believe the judges saw something in her. Forgetting the lyrics is something that unfortunately happens, and it shouldn't outweigh real talent. The contestants they choose better be damn good if they so easily discarded someone as promising as Emily.

Rose Flak--I really, really liked this girl, but she just didn't have the vocal chops. I kept rooting for her, but every time she opened her mouth I knew she'd eventually have to go.

People I can't believe made it through to next week:

Tatiana, the psycho girl with that crazy laugh--I thought her audition was a joke, and while she has a semi-decent voice, there is nothing special or great about her. Plus she's just crazy.

Nathaniel Marshall (who I like to refer to as "Emo Boy") really just isn't doing it for me. He kind of reminds me of Danny Noriega from last year--a little too much to say and not enough talent.

People I saw (but didn't hear) that I'd like to know the status of:

Blind Guy Scott McIntyre

Amy Winehouse look/sound-alike Frankie Jordan

Jason Castro's brother Michael Castro

Quotes of the week:

Kara to Bikini Girl Katrina Darrell -- "Damn, what a bitch!"

Crazy Tatiana--"I'm the sweetest person I've met since I've been here."

Final thought--While I do like a few people, where are the Carly Smithsons? Man, I miss that girl. Did anyone sing like this this week?

Maybe next week?

--Kristen