It's been pretty gruelling so far for the 175 contestants who made it to Hollywood but there are only 99 left to take part in the group sessions for this season of American Idol. Tonight, only the strong will survive and make it through to the final day tomorrow when the judges choose who will perform for America's vote.

It is 11pm at the Orpheum Theatre and the remaining contestants are completely exhausted. The contestants pick a song, pick a key and then form into groups. Some groups gell quickly and look to have an early night. Others look as though they wont be getting much sleep at all.

2:00am ticks around and the contestants get bussed back to their hotel where some head straight to sleep while others continue to rehearse. Terrell is mad as Jose Sway Penala has gone to bed and they've drawn the #2 spot. At 3:00am Terrell calls Jose and tries to blackmail him into rehearsing.

7:00am comes around and no one has had much sleep while everyone eats breakfast at the hotel. A lot of the groups have fallen out and Terrell is getting really heated that his group hasn't rehearsed much with him.

Everyone is nervous as the judges settle in for a long day of group auditions. First up is Paris Bennett's group (Stephanie Scott, Hanna Freeman) who sing Emotions. While they perform, Terrell's group finally rehearses only moments before they need to be on stage. Simon says it was pitiful overall with no buzz or chemistry. The judges make a decision that Paris is through to the next round as is Stephanie Scott.

Knowing that Simon isn't in the best mood, group 2 takes the stage. Anthony Hansen, 22 from Chicago, IL leads the group off with their version of The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His [her] Kiss) . Elliot Yamin, 27 from Richmond, VA is also in this group along with Terrell Brittenum and Jose Sway Penala. Jose forgets his words which will no doubt upset Terrell even more and add further ammunition to his "you shouldn't have gone to bed" campaign. Terrell goes to town on Elliot and Jose once they've finished trying to present himself and Anthony as the ones who whould progress to the next round. Elliot says he doesn't appreciate being dissed like that but Randy points out that he was the best in the group which gets the rest of the contestants in the auditorium clapping and cheering. Terrell continues to try and save himself but Anthony is the one who is going home. Now that Anthony is gone, Terrell blames the poor performance on him.

3:00pm coms around and Kevin Covais' group is on stage singing Fly Me to the Moon with Josh Jordan, 21 from San Diego, CA, David Radford and William Makar. Paula says they're adorable and all of them are through to the next round.

All around the theatre the contestants rehearse. Tyra Schwartz has left one group to join another but the chemistry just isn't happening and is wondering if she's made the right decision to going the new group.

Back on stage, Derrell Brittenum is performing I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) with his group. Derrell is through to the next round but in true Brittenum style, he wants his moment. "I'm very disappointed. I would like to thank you guys for the opportunity, but my spirit has been broken. I'm not going to crap on my talent because I know that I have it. I did the American Idol because I was told that this was not the place for a person like me and my brother and I beg to differ. This is the end of the road for me. I'm going to go home and me and my brother are going to get our album finished. All the music we want to do and then we'll see you guys at the top." Simon says ok and waves him goodbye.

Outside, it appears that Derrell is a little confused as he thought Terrell hadn't made it through. Terrell tells his brother that he shouldn't have done that and that he needs to go back in their and apologise.

While the drama unfolds downstairs, Mandisa Hundley's group (Brooke Barrettsmith, Sarah Enouen, 25 from Austin, TX) perform Band of Gold and it's so good that they all get through to the next round.

While Band of Gold went well for Mandisa's group, plenty of others were struggling with remembering the lyrics to I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) which Simon says is the easiest song in the world to remember.

Tyra Schwartz is not happy with her new group and decides to leave and join her original group who reluctantly take her back. The group she just left performs Band of Gold and really messes it up. Meredith Bandas, 16 from Cedar Park, TX, Leah Barrettsmith. Simon says it was absolutely horrible. Lauren, Meredith and Leah are all going home so perhaps Tyra's change was good. Leah's sister Brooke tries to consol her but she is hysterical.

The Brittenum twins are back and Derrell tries to convince Simon to let them back in. Simon begins to speak and gets his chance to tell Derrell not to interrupt this time and tells them that he's sick of their hissy attitude and that they will make a decision in 30 minutes as to whether or not they are coming back.

Tyra's group performs next with The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) Celeste Scalone, 24 from Sherman Oaks, CA, Shontai Kinnik Sky, 28 from Duluth, GA and Nicole Turk, 22 from Atlanta, GA work well together and Tyra's move back to her original group looks like it was a good one. They all make it through.

Up next singing I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) is Marcy Smith, 28 from Los Angeles, CA, Brenna Gethers, 26 from Mt Vernon, NY and Nick Whitten, 28 from Anderson, SC. The end the song well with the two girls planting kisses on Nicks cheeks which gets a laugh of approval from the judges. Marcy announces that there were some personality conflicts within the group to which Brenna pipes up and admits it was her. Brenna then tells us that it's a tough business but some people don't like the Simon Cowell's, Martha Stewart's and Donald Trumps of the world but she wants to be like them because they are successful. Moment of truth time and Nick is through and then Simon tells the two girls that they have some bad news. They will be working together again tomorrow.

The creative team have had a little fun introducing the final group of the day - the guys who all happen to be wearing cowboy hats. The preview is like a movie trailer which they've titled "Brokenote Mountain". The voice over reads "Their sin was not in telling the lie - it was in believing it" before we hear them call out that they are winners. Before Garet Johnson, Matthew Buckstein and Michael Evans perform the judges invite the Brittenum twins to stay. The cowboys sing Do Wah Diddy Diddy and it is horrendous. Simon says they will look back on this in months to come and ask why they blew their chances on a ridiculous comedy routine. Because of that, they're all going home. Michael Evans is openly upset about being turfed out of the contest. Garet too is upset apologizing that he let them down but Matthew encourages him and tells him to come back next year. Garet has enjoyed his journey and I think everyone has enjoyed watching him.

Day 4 arrives and each of the remaining contestants have been told to select one of 95 different songs which they must perform acapella without any feedback from the judges. After they've all performed, the judges have to decide who the final 24 will be. The contestants have been split up into four rooms and as the contestants know from previous shows, whole rooms will be cut so they all sit quietly waiting their fate to be told.

In room one is Gina Glocksen and Tyra and Nicole. They haven't made it. Tough, Simon tells the upset group.

Room two has made it through. Simon has to head off to an engagement in England leaving Paula and Randy to tell Group three that they have made it through to the final round. In room four, Paula tells them that they've already had to send one room home so they look glum that they may be about to be on their way home. Surprisingly, they are all through as well meaning there are 44 left and tomorrow night, after the judges have watched all the tapes back, a final dramatic cut will be made leaving us with a top 12 guys and top 12 girls.