- Heartbreaking to watch people receive passes to the next round, only to be cut the next day because the judges simply had a hard time narrowing the field down to 40.

- Really felt for 17 year-old North Haven, CT native Gabi Carrubba, who doubted herself, got a pass, and then was let go in the final cut. You wonder what that does to a teenager’s confidence?

- Sad to see two of my favorites, Angie Zeiderman and Johnny Keyser, not make the cut.

- David Leathers, Jr. could parlay this opportunity to be the next Justin Bieber. That simple.

- Joshua Ledet might win it all. His voice continues to blow me away.

- Someone tell Jessica Phillips that trying to score a record deal is NOT the way to go anymore. Your heart still goes out to her for not making the cut, as now she returns to take care of her boyfriend in New York.

- I really hope Heejun Han makes it to the live show. Just because.

- I’m liking Jen Hirsh more and more too.

- The Jermaine Jones/Richie Law pairing was so bizarre (think Ruben Studdard meets Scotty McCreery) that it was brilliant. I still have my money on Law, only, though.

- It seemed the big theme that carried over from last episode to this one was illness. The number of people not just feeling under the weather but throwing up or passing out was just absurd. It gets to the point where, and I said this about last episode, something needs to be done. Either it’s staged or the conditions are so poor, that there needs to be some type of labor oversight or overhaul. I understand this is a competition and showbiz can be tough – but when is enough, enough? Furthermore, what type of message does it send to kids who want to sing for a living? Not to mention, the shock value of watching someone pass out on “Idol” is gone now – we almost expect it every episode.

- Heejun Han, the awkward Asian-American from Flushing, NY, is my favorite person. He does have a great voice too, but his candidness is absolutely hilarious, and I’m rooting for him.

- I’m still not a fan of Phillip Phillips. This is the kid who earlier in the season ruined “Thriller” for me.

- I became a fan of Reed Grimm this episode. He showed versatility (way to not sing just show tunes) and flexibility (drums and vocals on “Georgia” were amazing).

- Shannon Magrane is a mini-Carrie Underwood in my eyes – she could go very far.

- Joshua Ledet is one of those singers that might not win “Idol” but will still do very well for himself.

- Jen Hirsh’s “average girl” look and voice could resonate with a large audience.

- Still a big fan of Angie Zeiderman. She’s different in the right ways (kind of like, Lady GaGa).

- Hollywood week transitions in to the infamous group round, where contestants form groups of 4 or 5 and have less than 24 hours to learn and rehearse a song. I’ve spoken with two people who have partaken in this, last year and this year, and both say that the experience is EXACTLY how it is portrayed on the show. Lots of stress, backstabbing, and tense moments as these potential Idols learn to lend their fate to the hands of others.

- I thought last week’s ending and this week’s continuation of 16 year-old Symone Black was a little tacky. The poor girl just passed out, do we need cameras in her face?

- Surprised Ethan Jones and Lauren Mink didn’t make it to group round. Both were much more talented than some of the others that did.

- One of the things I love about group round is how your perception of certain people changes. Last year there was no better example of this than Scotty McCreery, who was made out to be a villian. He ended up as America’s sweetheart and the winner. This year, there are two examples of that.

- Heejun Han could barely contain his nerves last episode – now he’s joking, ribbing on fellow group members, and acting quite outspoken in front of the camera.

- On the flip, his arch-nemesis, Richie Law, like Scotty has that deep country voice and is being made out to be a bad guy.

- I’m over seeing people puke, pass out, look nauseated, pass kidney stones, etc. Either this is staged or the conditions are so rough that something needs to be done. Honestly, I think it’s the latter.

- First episode of “Hollywood Week.”

- Still think Johnny Keyser is going to be a top 5 finalist this season.
- Heejun Han has a great voice but I can’t see his nerves allowing him to get through the week.
- Baylie Brown blew me away – gorgeous and great voice. Plenty of twang there to go around.
- Lauren Gray sounded great, but definitely separated herself from the Carrie Underwood comparison they made during her audition in St. Louis. Gray is much grittier.
- Phillip Phillips and Reed Grimm are still awful – how’d they get to the next round?
- Travis Orlando should have made it through, a shame he didn’t.
- Jane Carrey didn’t deserve to make it through, and I’m glad she was judged by her talents and not who her father is (actor Jim).
- 17 year-old Shannon Magrane still has a chance to be the 2012, cuter version of last year’s runner-up, Lauren Alaina.
- David Leathers, Jr. could be the next Justin Bieber. Talented, young, charming.
- Glad Angie Zeiderman made it to the next round – thought she was uniquely talented.
- Bizarre end to the episode with teenager Symone Black falling off the stage. I’d imagine if she was seriously injured they wouldn’t have shown that – right?

I swung by WBRE’s “PA Live!” for my weekly segment, “The Ralphie Report.” This week, I highlighted new artist Neon Hitch. Also covered: Adele’s upcoming performance at The Grammy Awards and “American Idol” auditions from Portland, OR.

- Last episode of auditions, from St. Louis. This is where Carrie Underwood auditioned, and “Idol” did her justice with an awe-inspiring opening montage that took you from Underwood’s Oklahoma farm, to St. Louis, and right to country singer stardom. Say what you want about the show, but these people know how to tell great stories.

- I love how humble Steven Tyler comes off: signing autographs, giving pep talks, joking around.

- The staged interviews between the judges and local Fox affiliates as they enter the building – over it.

- JLO had the line of the night: “We do things for love sometimes.”

Contestants
- So much talent in this episode. Johnny Keyser led off, and he is one of a couple people from this audition that I could see in the top five when it’s all done.
- Rachelle Lamb was good but obviously nervous. If she can calm her voice, the country woman-for-herself persona could resonate.
- I didn’t think Reis Kloeckener was that good, he just doesn’t have strong vocals and didn’t blow me away with his rendition of “Lean on Me.”
- Ethan Jones – another top five candidate. Strong, versatile male vocal that can do country, rock, pop, or soul justice. Reminded me a bit of Chris Daughtry.
- Lauren Gray was also outstanding, and I don’t think the Carrie Underwood comparison they made to end the show was too far off.

Major record label deal, radio promo, hit single… Gia Farrell has been there and done that. Yet apparently her experience as an Atlantic Records artist, which lasted over a year and ended in December 2007, left her yearning for more. So off she went… to audition for “American Idol.” The New York native received a golden ticket to Hollywood in Wednesday night’s episode from Portland, OR.

“I’m not allowed to talk about it specifically,” Farrell, born Jeannie Bocchicchio, told me on “The Ralphie Radio Show” Thursday. “But I did get through the judges and they do show me celebrating with my golden ticket on TV.”

Farrell spent two months auditioning for producers, executive producers, and then the big three. While Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson offered up compliments and a pass to the next round, it did not come without criticism.

“I went in singing a song called, ‘I’m Going Down’ (by) Mary J. Blige,” Farrell recalled. “They thought I should be doing a little more pop-y, rather than an R&B/pop kind of a thing.”

The singer chose an R&B track because that is what catapulted her music career in the first place. When Farrell was 16, she landed a deal with Atlantic Records off of an audition where she belted out “How Can I Ease the Pain?” by Lisa Fisher. Radio promotion followed in support of her single, “Hit Me Up,” which was featured on the official soundtrack for the movie Happy Feet. By December 2007, Atlantic dropped Farrell. But, in an ironic twist, “Idol” producers chose “Hit Me Up” for Syesha Mercado, who placed in the top 3 during season seven.

As for Farrell – she wouldn’t divulge what went down during Hollywood week, but I’d have to imagine that if she allowed herself on to my show, she didn’t make it. As long as you’re still competing on the show, producers prohibit you from partaking in interviews or any other media.

- Tonight, auditions were from Portland, OR. These audition spots that are a little off the beaten path are great – the talent may not be as good but the characters and stories are superior.

- Another great Randy-ism – when Jackson calls women, “dude.” He also made a Steven-like inappropriate comment to a contestant this episode. Didn’t think he had it in him. Still didn’t need the censor though, like Tyler did twice.

- Loved when one contestant asked JLO how she handles her entertainment gigs while tending to her children. Those are the moments that stripped the diva perception of JLO last season. Coming off this divorce from Marc Anthony, she needs more of those moments.

- For auditions being in Portland, I felt there were an inordinate amount of east coast people – New York, Philly, Maryland…

Contestants
- Found it interesting that the first contestant, Brittany Zika, was a social media tech. “Idol” basically forces people to cease all social media activities and even allow the show to oversee certain accounts. If Zika makes it through Hollywood, she could be put in a position where she would have to give up her job. Nonetheless, I liked her voice – and her story about singing “Gravity” on stage with Sara Bareilles. Sara told me once that she wrote that song about her “douchebag” ex-boyfriend.
- Jermaine Jones was good but he falls in to that Ruben Studdard/Jacob Lusk lane. Even if he goes far in the competition, he’ll struggle to make it just as a singer with a record deal.
- Great story behind Britnee Kellogg, didn’t think the voice was as great though.
- I would’ve given fast-food worked David Weed a golden ticket to Hollywood, but what do I know?
- Another great story with refugee Romeo Diahn, but there is no way a reggae singer can last through this competition.
- Props to Naomi Gillies – she’s from Boston AND sang an Aerosmith song in front of Steven Tyler. She did “Cryin” justice.
- In a recurring theme, great story with Brooklyn’s Jessica Phillips acting as the caretaker for her boyfriend after he suffered a stroke last year. Her voice was OK but didn’t blow me away.

- Cool to see “Idol” continuing to explore different places for auditions, showing off parts of the country that don’t fall within a top 10 market.

- Judges interviews/auditions at the top of the show looked so staged.

- I love Randy Jackson’s laugh when he’s pleasantly surprised or disgusted. He laughs the same way for both.

- Guess I predicted JLO coming off as a diva correctly, as she spent a nice chunk of the episode fighting Steven and Randy.

Contestants
- Phong Vu is going to end up being famous, it’s a shame. A William Hung wanna-be.
- 17 year-old country singer/deer hunter Skylar Laine was one of the best contestants yet. I could see her going far in this.
- Baylie Brown was good, but she’s 21 and made it to Hollywood at 16. I applaud her persistence but I find it disheartening that people get a second chance when some don’t even receive a deserving first.
- Kristine Osoris used a loan to pay her divorce attorney for her flight to audition. Decent voice, certainly women will love her story.
- Cortez Shaw did an Adele cover justice, turning “Someone Like You” in to a uptempo R&B song. The kid has the looks and charm as well – the best pure R&B singer to audition yet.
- Ramiro Garcia won a golden ticket, after being born without ears. Amazing story.

- Loving the change in scenary thus far this season – as last night’s episode aired from Aspen, CO. The state has produced a lot of pop stars recently, from OneRepublic to 3OH!3 to The Fray.

- Steven Tyler wins line of the night: “Turkeys have balls?”

- Does anyone else feel that more than ever, Jennifer Lopez is coming off looking like a diva again? I think the fact that she is surrounded by two grounded people doesn’t help matters.

Contestants
- Thought the first person to audition, Jenni Schick, was pretty good. Her and Tyler locked lips after she won her ticket to Hollywood, and even Steven said after, “I’m gonna get in trouble for that one.” You know it’s bad when even he admits he did something wrong!
- Richie Law had a deep, old school country voice and could definitely go far in this competition.
- Mathenee Treco just has a solid voice that lends itself to pop music.
- Although 19 year-old Tealana Hedgespeth didn’t deserve a golden ticket, I found myself rooting for her because “Idol” once again did a great job in telling a back story.
- Haley Smith is a throwback, and is too talented for me to simply say she’s too different to win.
- Shelby Tueten was good, but I think throwing a 17 year-old who suffers from depression and bi-polar in to that atmosphere could prove a little regrettable.
- The look Steven Tyler gave Angie Zeiderman when she walked in was priceless. Angie is different in all the right ways and has a great voice. I see people backing her the way they backed Adam Lambert or James Durbin. Outcasts unite!