Here we go- the episode that brings us the most drama every season. It’s group day in Hollywood! 85 people were cut prior to this, which leaves 96 to get through this day. To start things off, the contestants spend 30 minutes splitting up into groups and choosing songs. The drama ensues five minutes into the show. It’s going to be a looooong episode, folks!
 
As always, some groups get along better than others. The one Mary Powers is in, not so much. They started out as a group, and then added two more girls. However, it doesn’t start off well because the two newcomers decide not to show up when everyone else is ready to start rehearsing. There’s drama about whether or not the group wants to let them stay, but they ultimately decide to give them another chance.
 
By midnight, the groups are rehearsing all over the building. One girl leads her group to the same spot she rehearsed in last year because she thinks it will bring them good luck. However we’re not sure we understand this logic, since she got cut during Hollywood week last year. Well, whatever floats your boat, we suppose.
 
Two of the groups have chosen the same song- Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” of all things. Of course they end up rehearsing next to each other, and of course they spend the evening trying to drown each other out and stealing ideas from each other rather than concentrating on what they should be doing. This kind of makes us hope both groups fail miserably.
 
By 2:30 AM, Michael Lynche’s group has finished rehearsing and he’s in his room talking to his wife on the phone, because she’s in labor with their first child. He’s not the only contestant who’s turned in for the night, but many others are still rehearsing throughout most of the night.
 
Mary Powers proves to be one of the more obnoxious auditioners during group day- she goes on a tirade about how she’s out for herself and she doesn’t care what the rest of her group does or doesn’t do because she’s here to win on her own and screw everyone else. Go team! We already can’t stand her.
 
By morning, everyone seems pretty calm and confident. This is new! But of course, it doesn’t last. As the morning pushes on, everyone starts yelling at each other and crying about how they’re tired, or they’re not ready, or they don’t like their group members. We’re so bored.
 
Just as the groups are about to be called in to audition, Michael Lynche gets the call that his wife is giving birth. He stays on the phone as his baby girl is born, then continues to his group audition.
 
The first group of the day includes Ashley Rodriguez, one of our favorite auditioners from Boston. We’re not terribly impressed with her or anyone else in her group, but they all make it through to the next round.
 
The group comprised of Michael Lynche, Seth Rollins, Tim Urban and Michael Castro does not fare so well. It’s all over the place, and the whole thing is not very good. Michael Lynche and Tim Urban make it to the next round, but Seth Rollins and Michael Castro are cut.
 
The two groups who were rehearsing “Bad Romance” last night are up next- and they both pretty much suck. Destiny’s Wild is showy, but not a one of them can sing. For some reason, though, everyone from both groups gets through to the next round. Sigh.
 
Of course there’s a montage of people forgetting the lyrics- there has to be at least one every year. There’s also an episode of crying when one guy begs for another chance because he’ll be too old to audition again next year. The whole thing leaves us wondering how we’re possibly going to find a winner from this bunch.
 
By 5:00 PM, the auditions are still plodding along and we’re still unimpressed. One girl decides to quit randomly without giving her group any notice. Nice of her. However, after they perform, one of the other members whines about how they’ve “been through so much” and Simon calls her on it. Points for Simon! Only two members of this group make it to the next round.
 
For some reason, several groups thought it’d be a good idea to sing “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani. They were all sorely mistaken. Nobody can remember the lyrics or sing together, and very few people who chose this song make it to the next round. We’re not sad.
 
The last group of the day is the one that Mary Powers belongs to. She’s still running the show, and everyone else still hates her… including us. It shows in their performance, as well. Everyone is practically whispering when they sing, the whole thing is off key, and they appear zombie-like onstage. But somehow, Mary, Hope and Alex make it to the next round.
 
After today’s cuts, 71 people are headed to the final round of Hollywood week. Doesn’t seem like much of a cut, but okay. Next week, the contestants face their final solo audition for the judges, and then find out whether or not they’ve made the top 24.