Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Ready for some drama?

Ready or not, here it comes.

It’s group night on American Idol — the night when Idol serves up a heaping helping of drama.

Remember last year, when Team Destiny’s Wild (including Todrick Hall and Siobhan Magnus) accused Team Neopolitan of stealing its “Bad Romance” routine.

Remember two years ago, when Nancy Wilson and Kristen McNamara made Team Compromise seem like anything but. And when Team Diva members had to wake Bikini Girl from a slumber before they could perform.

A forewarning to Idol hopefuls — contestants involved in Group Night drama don’t seem to wind up in the American Idol winners’ circle. Or even the finals.

Of course, the warning comes a little late. This episode was already filmed.

And the drama begins. Surprise, surprise. Tiffany Rios, from New Jersey, is at the center of the early drama. You know, the gal with the stars. The gal who’s tired of watching others try to do what she knows she can do.

To date, it’s appeared she’s more interested in auditioning for a role as a reality TV drama queen than American Idol.

Well, we’re more than 20 minutes into tonight’s Idol episode, and we’ve yet to hear a performance. Typically, drama, not music, is the focus of the early part of this episode.

I keep finding myself rooting for Rob Bolin, who must be a glutton for punishment when it comes to hanging out with ex-girlfriend Chelsee Oaks. Now he finds himself in a group called Three’s Company with Jacqueline Dunford, whose boyfriend was eliminated in round one. And she’s calling the shots, according to Rob.

OK, Jordan Dorsey, who sounded so good in the audition rounds, is coming off as a major drama queen himself, displaying an attitude unlikely to win him many votes should he survive Idol’s Hollywood ordeal.

Hey, nice job Idol, showing most of an entire performance of a group that includes Pia Toscano, Brielle Von Hugel and Alessandra Guercio.

“Four Plus One” performs, including Jordan Dorsey and Robbie Rosen. They all make it through. I’d love to be introduced to the other three members, but Idol didn’t bother.

Now “440” performs. And they all make it through, including Lauren Turner, Shane Golden, Adrian Michael and Erika Schiff. Erika is from Philly. Learn more about her here.

After the disaster that is Tiffany gets a ticket home, Spanglish takes the stage, including Jorge Gabriel, Karen Rodriguez, Jovanny Barreto and Kevin Campos. Kevin, who overslept, and Jorge, who sang badly, are headed home. Somehow, Jovanny — rather show my chest than sing — Barreto advances despite sounding quite lackluster.

And an Idol favorite, Lauren Alaina, makes it through another round, though the three other members of her group — unidentified by Idol — are eliminated. Anyone know who they are?

Colton Dixon advances from the next group; Matt Dillard, the guy who showed up in dungarees for the auditions, is gone. So are Paris Tassin, Janelle Arthur, Emily Ann Reed, Aaron Gutierrez, Adrienne Beasley and Ally Jados.

Now The Hits take the stage.  Ashley Sullivan, who was on the verge of dropping out, advances. So do fellow group members Keeira Lynn Ford and Ashthon Jones. Not sure who the fourth member is.

Among the Deep V’s, only Caleb Johnson and James Durbin advance; Emma Henry, Danny Pate and John Jordan head home.

Among the rival Minors, heavily coached by their moms, everyone advances, including Jalen Harris, Sarina Joi Crowe, Deandre Brackensick, Keonna Evans and Felix Ramsey. Hmm, with their moms cheering them on, I had hoped they’d be a flop.

OK, let’s just say I’m not a huge fan of the group episode on Idol. Bad enough when Idol contestants have to boil a song down to 90 seconds. But when we viewers are asked to pick favorite singers after hearing them sing just a couple of notes. Impossible.

If you’re losing track among those latest groups, here’s who’s leaving: Steven Clawson, Dan Noguchi, Lana Johnston, Melissa Lucas, Devyn Rush. Those who are staying: Carson Higgins, Chris Medina, Erin Kelly, Caleb Hawley, Jacob Lusk, Naima Adedapo, Da’Quela Payne, Matthew Nuss, Julie Zorrilla, Casey Abrams, Corey Levoy, Hollie Cavanaugh.

So Idol plays favorites again. Jaycee Badeaux advances after singing horribly. Also advancing: Denise Jackson, Stevie Cain, Natalie Hanson and Brett Loewenstern.

The group that booted Jaycee follows. Scott McCreery, Monique de los Santos, Frances Coontz and Clint Jun Gamboa all advance.

Three’s Company is the last group up. That’s Rob Bolin, Chelsee Oaks and Jacqueline Dunford. And Rob departs. Not surprising since he couldn’t remember the words. But Jacqueline advances? What? Could the judges hear?