American Idol 4, January 26: The Lights Get Brighter!

From a sinful city to Sin City itself, American Idol keeps on rolling! Las Vegas has the next chance to display its hottest and brightest. Kenny Loggins is tonight's guest judge, and in typical Seacrest style, he is reduced to being "the grandfather of movie soundtracks."

See, Kenny did a lot of really good stuff before Caddyshack and Footloose, like "This Is It," "Heart to Heart," and "Whenever I Call You Friend." And, that's just as a solo artist. Any mention of Loggins and Messina? Nah. That might be educational or something. Further evidence that if you are relying on American Idol for musical history, you are in sad shape. Better yet, let's just do away with the guest judges?

Rant over.

The first person we meet is Trevor Hanson, and our introduction is very brief. Just long enough for us to see him perform "Footloose" and literally kick off his Sunday shoes. Kenny's regret deepens.

Mikalah Gordon says she is quite nervous, and her performance of "Lullaby of Birdland" showed exactly that until she gathered herself and showed a pretty strong voice. "Lullaby" was a risky, risky, choice of song, but the judges appeared to have enjoyed it. A lot. Randy says she was "born to do this." Simon says she is proof that pageants in America should be banned because he's sick of "precocious pageant singers" of which Mikalah is not, she is "just cool." Yep, she's going to Hollywood. She's thrilled, because if she makes it big, she buy her mom those breast implants, she says. Good to set goals.

Jeffrey "JC" Gray was born deaf and says the first sound he heard was Neil Diamond singing "America." That has led to a Neil Diamond fanaticism. In the scariest connotation. Jeffrey has an unsettling bug-eyed stare, you see. Makes you wonder if that "JC" stands for "just crazy." Simon recounts these facts with Jeffrey and says he is not encouraged, as Jeffrey stares at him like a hungry man at a juicy steak. Jeffrey sings "America" like Neil Diamond after being stabbed in stomach. Ironic, since Jeffrey makes subtle stabbing motions as he sings. Simon stops him and mentions the stabbing motions. Jeffrey says he was just adding some hand motions. Hmm. The verdict. Randy says no. Kenny says not right for the show. Paula too. Simon asks if Jeffrey knows where Simon lives in LA. Jeffrey, surprisingly, says yes! Simon responds, "then I'm a yes." But, it's a no overall.

Amanda Avila is a showgirl, and is beautiful, which might be redundant, but worth it. She craves that feeling that Kelly, Ruben, and Fantasia must have had singing their victory songs. Amanda sings Jessica Simpson's "I Want To Love You Forever" which I would not recommend because Jessica sang the living snot out of it, but Amanda was definitely up to it's daunting level! Four slack-jawed judges let her sing a loooong time before stopping her. Simon wondered if this means her showgirl friends might be visiting her in Hollywood. Make room, she's going!

Christopher Tamura says he wants to show what Las Vegas is all about, and Randy is eager to see it. Sadly, Christopher falls far short of his announced mark. His "Heartbreak Hotel" was closer to "Tragic Trailer Park." No.

Richard Molfetta - yes, stop rubbing your eyes, Richard Molfetta of the cussing Molfetta twins (see Tuesday's episode) is back. Frankly, I think the Molfettas got jobbed. He says he's auditioning solo, with solo performer songs. Richard arrives and they let him "I Who Have Nothing" and though he's pressing a bit too hard with the riffs, he is very good. Randy says he can definitely sing, it's his attitude that puts him off. Simon says it seems like an act. Paula disagrees, and as a woman, says she feels his sincerity. Kenny also enjoyed the performance. Yeses from Randy, Kenny, and Paula make it official. Richard is going to Hollywood. Simon is less than enthused. Richard, you'd better come correct!

Emily Neves is a sprightly bundle of energy, who's adorable to some and murderously annoying to one scary guy in the crowd. Kenny's offhand comment that she reminds him of Cyndi Lauper encourages her to burst into a sharp "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Simon hates it. I'm feeling the guy outside. Paula asks her to sing something else. Emily eases into "Different Drum," which is better choice for her. She directs some of the more stinging lyrics to Simon. Randy likes her because she's fun (at this point, they were at day two and only advanced ten people), Kenny says yes because he wants to hear her with instruments behind her, Paula says yes. Simon says she's going to Hollywood. Stinger wouldn't have sent her, but he's willing to see what happens.