American Idol

Tonight, the event you've been waiting for is finally here.

I am gonna be the new judge on American Idol.

As Ellen Degeneres takes her permanent place at the panel.

You should put some shoes on.

It's filthy here.

Hollywood is a disgusting town.

Together we commence Hollywood week.

We're in Hollywood, baby!

100,000 came to us from every corner of the country.

I'm a bartender.

I'm a police officer.

I'm a receptionist, but I could be...

But I could be...

We could be...

the next American Idol!

and after our exhaustive

seven-city search, we discovered 181 of the nation's best.

Very, very nice.

That was amazing.

You could be the potential winner.

whoo!

But now the most difficult test of all.

I don't care about them.

Man.

They were such idiots.

I hated everything about that.

I did everything I could!

After this process, we'll be down to 12 guys and 12 girls.

This will no doubt be the toughest week of their lives,

because this is Hollywood week.

And this is American Idol.

whoo!

It's 7:00 a.m. in California,

and the sun has risen on Day one of Hollywood week.

From around the country, 181 hopefuls have arrived...

Hollywood!

taking the first step towards the chance of a lifetime.

Oh, my god!

There's hundreds of people here, and I have to stand out.

Living the dream, baby.

I'm just ready to do what I got to do, and do my best.

whoo!

I can't even imagine how much it would change my life,

but I am so ready.

Here we go.

Adding to the pressure,

performing on the most high-profile stage in the world,

the Kodak Theatre.

As the hopefuls take their seats,

anxiously waiting for their shot...

I feel so nervous.

I'm, like, shaking.

they're not the only ones about to start a new journey.

Please say hi to your new judge on American Idol,

Ellen Degeneres.

I... I don't know how you feel right now,

but I'll tell you one thing.

When people say, you know, "what do you know about music?"

I'll tell you what I do know.

I do know what it's like to stand on stage

and try to please an entire room full of people.

That is a hard thing to do.

There's been a lot said about what kind of a judge

you will be on this show.

Uh, kind, generous, honest, but at the same time pretty direct,

and one of the few people, I think, that can be honest

with Simon about how he takes on the contestants.

Yes.

Is that your plan?

I'm sorry.

I wasn't listening.

Goodbye.

I think she's gonna fit in just fine.

So our new team is assembled and

ready to start Hollywood week season nine.

so this is it, huh?

When I come on, you leave.

Let the games begin.

Knew you were gonna say that.

But for the contestants, this is no laughing matter.

Here's how this round will work.

Like in years past, the contestants will

come out on the stage in groups of eight.

They'll have a choice.

They can sing either a cappella,

or with an instrument.

And this round is sudden death.

That means you're either moving on...

You're through to the next round.

or heading straight home.

You didn't make it.

Are you ready, judges?

Yeah, yeah.

Stand by, stand by.

Let's go, guys.

Hollywood week starts right now.

In the first line, two familiar faces from

the road. Skiiboski from Atlanta, and Katie Stevens from Boston.

She shared her family's emotional struggle at her first audition.

I'm really close with my grandmother.

she has Alzheimer's.

She's probably not gonna remember me for much longer,

so I want her to see me succeed in my dream

before she forgets who I am.

But how will this 17-year-old deal

with the bright lights of Hollywood?

# for once in my life #

# I have someone who needs me #

# someone I've needed so long #

# for once unafraid #

# I can go where love leads me #

# somehow I know #

# I'll be strong #

# for once I can touch #

# what my heart #

# used to dream of #

# long before I knew #

# oh someone warm like you #

# would make #

# my dreams come true #

# yeah #

# for... #

Thank you.

Actually, you're quite good.

Yes!

I remember when we saw you the first time, and I said then,

"great natural talent".

Thank you.

Next up, who could forget...

Skiiboski, baby.

Skiiboski, baby.

Skiiboski, baby.

You already know.

That's right, but will he

bring his swagger to Hollywood?

How you doing?

How you doing?

How you doing?

How you doing?

I'm all right.

What's your name?

Skiiboski.

Oh, yeah.

# I know #

# you want to leave me #

# but I refuse to let you go #

# if I have to beg, plead #

# for your sympathy #

# I don't mind #

# 'cause you mean #

# that much to me #

# ain't too proud to beg #

# sweet darling #

# please don't leave me girl #

All right, Skiibo... ski?

You frighten me.

You were... you were stalking us.

You were like a leopard behind the cage.

Looking... I was watching you.

Look at us like...

I'm gonna get you.

Looked like you were gonna get us.

Standing in front of y'all, - I know. I know.

this is the American dream.

Of course, but seriously,

um, don't frighten your audience.

Don't... don't get so intense, you know?

Sexy and scary, it's a fine line.

Okay.

All right?

So...

anyway, thanks so much.

Thank you, Skiiboski.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

Now the contestants have had a chance to sing in a group of eight.

The judges will compare notes and deliberate.

We had yes, yes, no, no.

They will then divide the group into two lines,

by asking certain people to step forward or back.

But only one of the lines will be going through.

The judges wrapping up their deliberation.

Now it's time for the verdict.

So who's in? Who's out?

Let's go.

Marcus and Christy, step forward,

and, Antonio, step forward.

I'm sorry, guys.

You didn't make it, but thank you very much.

So Katie's in, but Skiiboski's out.

And while the winners celebrate...

Whoo!

looks like someone's not going down without a fight.

I just got to know,

what... what was it?

You're just not a very good singer.

You failed the audition.

It's time to go.

And my name is...

# Skiiboski #