The day must be flying by, because when we come back it's already 4:30 PM in Hollywood. Candace Glover, who earned a standing ovation from some of the judges in Charlotte (and a remark from Nicki that she wanted to skin her and wear her, both of which I'm sure she'll hold in her heart forever) comes out and blows the roof off the place. The only standing ovation she gets is from one contestant who doesn't look like she's exactly stingy with them, if you know what I mean. We'll be catching up with her later. Next is Megan Miller, the Miss Greater Baton Rouge who had to do her first audition on crutches. There's some allegedly suspense-building editing about how much Candace and Megan both want this, but Megan's luck -- or sympathy -- has run out. Maybe come back next year in a wheelchair.

Isabelle (just Isabelle now) is the girl from the New York auditions who had more talent than confidence. She's still good here -- and a little more confident -- so she's through. And as the day winds down at 4:30, we're reintroduced to the wonder that is Kez Ban. Yes, that is an American Idol contestant, not a bounty hunter from Star Wars (the expanded universe). Ryan reminds us how "interesting" she is (read: "butch") and chats with her a bit backstage. She asks for thirty seconds alone and out of the way right before getting to sing, and Ryan promises to make it happen. Of course there's some miscommunication and she's herded out with the rest of the cattle. She interviews, "I have no expectations. If I go home, I still had fun. If I don't go home, that's even scarier." And probably not just for her. Fighting a cold, she croaks out "Nights in White Satin" as best she can. Her line of four also includes Briana Oakley, the bullying victim from the Long Beach auditions. Keith makes noises about difficult decisions, but then lets them all through anyway. Ryan says that makes a total of 76 going on to the group round, including a couple of women I don't remember from the New York auditions, even though Ryan clearly thinks I should.