Several weeks ago, MediaVillage was invited to a taping of the "new" American Idol to get an early look at its judges in action and its hopeful contestants battling it out in the dreaded “Hollywood Week” group rounds for a chance to progress to the live competition shows. (Memory refresher: Very early in the competition contestants are placed in groups to perform together.) Under the watchful eye of the show's new judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan (pictured above, left to right), the varied groups gave it their all, and while the subsequent cuts were deep, most seemed justified.
Behind the Scenes at “American Idol”
