‘American Idol 15’ review: Did Sonika Vaid, Trent Harmon, MacKenzie Bourg survive Group Round?
Thursday night’s new episode of “American Idol” is always one that lives in infamy, but only rarely because of the performances themselves: Ground Round. It’s always a mess, mostly because people are exhausted and more often than not, there are people who get sent home who you don’t expect. Elvie from the auditions was one of these said people. Also, Poh Scott quit after she thought that she wasn’t quite ready to be under the bright lights.
When we watch Group Round, though, we care more about the narratives than we do even the performances. We want to see precisely what it is that the producers want us to get out of each and every performance. Take for example with Trent Harmon. Here was someone whose mono diagnosis was clearly impacting him, and while it may have been horrible for him to get through, it actually may have served as an advantage here. He got to perform solo during one of the hardest parts of the competition and advanced. People will remember him because of this.
As for some other memorable singers who made it through, Sonika Vaid shined despite having an uneven group, and we’re continuing to see more of MacKenzie Bourg and Shelbie Z. on the show. There’s a second life still for these alums from “The Voice”! The same goes for “America’s Got Talent” star Jenna Renae, or someone without reality-show experience in Jenn Blosil who we just like.
As the night went on, more predictable people moved forward, whether it be Manny Torres (who seems to be a lock for the live shows) or Thomas Stringfellow.
We’re probably not going to miss Group Round too much in the long run, mostly because for every Trent or Michelle Marie, you get a guy like John Wayne Shultz who we really like, but don’t see much of after the audition. It’s just frustrating; we don’t love “The Voice’s” middle rounds very much either, but we at least have a largely-condensed contestant pool.
If you do want to get some other news when it comes to “American Idol,” head over here to see our review for Wednesday night’s new episode of the show right now! Also, sign up over here to get some other TV news on everything we cover, sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: Fox.)