American Idol

Tonight it's the final road show before Hollywood week.

Four yeses.

Dude, you're through to Hollywood!

And we are saving the best for last.

Lee, through to the next round.

Welcome to Hollywood, Lee!

More incredible moments and unbelievable voices.

I like you.

Yeah, you're cute.

Get ready for more outstanding new talent.

One of the best 16-year-olds I've ever heard.

You're definitely one of my favorites.

Mm-hmm.

As our biggest audition tour come to a climax.

The longest of journeys starts with the smallest of steps.

This year into the most famous arena in the history of television

have walked some of the most talented people we have ever seen.

And what does everyone remember?

# pants on the ground #

# pants on the ground #

# lookin' like a fool #

# with your pants #

# on the ground #

# with the gold in your mouth #

"General" Larry Platt singing "Pants On The Ground".

# call yourself a cool cat #

# lookin' like a fool #

# walking downtown #

# with your pants #

# on the ground #

# get it up #

We knew it was gonna be popular...

You know, I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit.

Yeah.

But even we were surprised at just how influential it turned out to be.

# pants on the ground #

# pants on the ground #

# lookin' like a fool with #

# your pants on the ground #

It's in your homes.

# pants on the ground #

# pants on the ground #

It's in our colleges.

# pants on the ground #

# pants on the ground #

It's even entered the political debate.

# pants on the ground #

# pants on the ground #

# looking like a fool with #

# the pants on the ground #

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It's not exactly "Bohemian Rhapsody", but it is a number that stays with you.

And on this year's road, the contestants found

that picking that one special song was as crucial as ever.

Nobody should sing that song.

I didn't even know what song that was, man.

I think of all the songs in the world you could have sung,

that wouldn't have been in my top million.

Wow.

Returning Denver contestant Jessica Furney had

an interesting take with her song choice.

Back in season eight, she went with a "Joplin Track".

# honey, I know that she #

# told you she loved you #

# much more than I #

But one year and one makeover later...

Thank you very much.

She thought she'd stand out by singing a song co-written by you know who.

What are you gonna sing?

Um, I'm gonna sing "Footprints In The Sand".

Oh, that's a Simon co-write.

It is.

Wow.

I'm not doing it just to suck up.

I promise.

You wrote this song?

Co-wrote.

You co-wrote it.

Wow.

Jack of all trades.

Anyway, it's a beautiful song, so good luck.

It's one of the greatest songs ever written.

Yeah, yeah.

# I promise you #

# I'm always there #

# when your heart is filled #

# with sorrow and despair #

# I will carry you #

# when you need a friend #

# you'll find my footprints #

# in the sand #

Beautiful song.

Nice song.

Wow.

Have you written any more songs?

No.

Why?

You're embarrassing me.

I had no idea he was a songwriter.

Yes, uh, can we get back to our contestant here?

What are we doing?

We got to vote.

Randy? Randy?

I'm gonna say yes.

I think you definitely improved.

Thank you.

Kara?

I'm gonna say yes.

And I'm gonna say yes too.

You've got a full house, Jessica.

Wow, well done.

Thank you so much.

See you later, guys.

Bye, sweetheart.

Whoo-hoo.

Jessica's risk paid off.

But as you'll see, making it all the way down the road

to hollywood takes more than just guts.

It takes ambition.

Singing is what I love to do, man.

Please, listen to me.

Perseverance.

This is my seventh time.

And of course a great voice.

# somewhere #

# over the rainbow #

Stay with us for more

incredible unseen talent, as we save the best for last.

# oh, I told you so #

In this hour, we may just meet the next American Idol.

# there'll come a day #

# when you walk out #

# of my dreams #

# face to face #

Or maybe not.

The road to hollywood is paved with attention-seekers,

and understandably so.

With thousands of people to compete against,

it is vital to stand out from the crowd.

In Boston, Amanda Shechtman showed me how to grab attention.

Act out.

# I think I did it again #

# I made you believe #

# we're more than just friends #

Okay, now do Lil Wayne.

I do all kinds of, like, voices,

and I can talk with my mouth closed.

This is me talking with my mouth closed.

Part of my journey is hopefully finding that

really special thing that I can do.

I just want my true, true voice to shine through,

And I'm pretty confident it will.

# wish I'd forget you #

# but you are here to stay #

# seems I met you #

# when my love went away #

# now every day I start by #

# saying to you #

# good morning heartache #

# what's new #

Okay.

Good.

Hmm.

I think you need to work on your expression.

Definitely.

Yeah.

I think it's the connection, really.

It's sort of about you figuring out who you are

and connecting to what you're singing.

Simon, what do you think with her connecting?

You didn't connect with me,

Amanda, to be honest with you.

Seriously?

Yeah. Yeah.

It's... it's hard for me to do the thing where I sing and I, like,

interact, because I've done so much theater, and I do this.

like, out here thing...

Yeah, that's it.

And I'm trying... like, I... I

really, like, I promise I can get into it.

Like, I really can.

I want to connect with people.

But you're such an actress.

Oh.

But you are, Amanda.

You're so dramatic.

Don't be sad.

You... you do have a good voice.

Oh, man, I can't believe this.

We're not trying to make you feel bad.

We're trying to help you.

I know. I understand.

Victoria, yes or no?

You know, I'm gonna... I'm gonna say yes.

I like you.

I do.

Kara, yes or no.

I'm gonna say yes.

Guys...

Simon, yes or no?