American Idol 9 Road to Hollywood Recap and Roundup

One final batch of American Idol 9 auditions tonight -- and I loved it.

We got to see auditions for some peeps I've been tracking for a couple of weeks now: Aaron Kelly - who won the American Idol Experience in DisneyWorld and Michael Lynche - a contestant already rumored to have been disqualified (but as of now still a rumored Top 24). I was pleasantly surprised by Didi Benami. She's one of my favorites now (along with Katie Stevens, Jermaine Sellers, Haeley Vaughn, Andrew Garcia and Aaron).

Another surprise was Lacey Brown - she lost to Megan Joy last year for a Top 36 spot. We also got introduced to a couple of instrument playing contestants: Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox. Lee is another potential cougar bait who can make a run.

Next week: Hollywood and Ellen DeGeneres! I can't wait.

Here are other recaps from the Internet:

Idol: Wrapping up the auditions (Joey Guerra) - "OK - really, really, really. REALLY. These are the last of the Idol auditions. Jesus, take the wheel. And drive us to Hollywood."

Pile-up on the Road to Hollywood (Brian Mansfield) - "Wow, that's a lot to process. My gut tells me that 75 percent of the people we've just seen will wind up in the semi-finals."

American Idol Season 9 – The Road to Hollywood (MJ Santilli) - "General Larry Platt is back. Oh goodie (I am so OVER that f*cking Pants on the Ground)."

'American Idol': What did you think about season 9's final audition episode? (Michael Slezak) - "And then there were 181. Yep, after tonight’s eighth and final audition episode of American Idol’s ninth season, we’re down to fewer than 200 aspiring singers who have a chance of inheriting Kris Allen’s crown and sash..."

Final 'American Idol' Audition Show Rounds Up The Talent (Jim Cantiello) - Video