While we wait for Falconpride tell the story of his audition in East Rutherford, NJ, we have news that's almost as big: there will now be FOUR judges!

I can't wait to see her and Paula fighting over the curling iron and the vicodin.

Which one will make more blatant come ons to the men?

that's Ryan's job!

the new danny noriega?

This is the 8th season of this crap? Really?

Yes, and it starts tonight. I'm recording it. I'm still on the fence about watching this season. Two years ago, the first year I watched it from start to finish, was kind of fun in a twisted way. Last year, not so much. And with the new judge and whatever other changes they have, it may go from craptacular to just plain crap.

Uhhhhhhh! From what I know you're not too much off target!

I love the new judge. That she called that girl a bitch rocked!

My faves so far: 1) Emily singing Barracuda- anyone singing Heart well wins points to me, 2) Oil rig big guy hottie- Loved his sexy eyes- I would recommend less soulful- more into the country realm, (MY NEW JOSH GRACIN- SWOON) 3) The cutie Hispanic or Filipino guy saying he wanted to help his family

Someone needs to kick Barbie's f**king ass. What a cocky BITCH!! UGH UGH UGH

we watch the first few shows to watch the horrible people and then we'll watch the last 3-4 episodes...

meh

I thought the most hysterical moment was when Singing Bikini Whore kissed Ryan and the background music was " I Kissed A Girl".

Boring, boring, boring. I think changing the format is a fatal blow. Let's face it, the highlight of the auditions are the bad ones. I turned it off.

I loved the blond girl with the almost cross eyes; she had a very strong voice and was tremendously self-assured without being cocky. I also admit to having a soft spot in my heart for Scott, the visally impaired guy who closed the show. I liked Kara until she used that oh-so-patronizing "you are so brave to do this" line; it's a total bullshit line that shows how uncomfortable people are with the physical challenges of others.

I hope we can talk each week about what we liked and didn't like in the performers without the ususal suspects coming on every week to pronounce it all "crap" or say the show has "jumped the shark." It's fine to think that, but to think it then watch every week just so you can trash it to others who do like it just seems pathologically anti-social to me.

OMG that was funny! And I've never seen a "straight" guy look so uncomfortable when a hot woman comes up and wants to kiss him.

I kinda like Kara as a judge. I expected the dynamic to feel a bit off, but I think she adds rather than detracts from the show. My favorite contestant last night was Emily Wynne-Hughes.

In other Idol news today, it was confirmed that Jennifer Hudson will make her return to the public eye by singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl Feb. 1. She'll always be my favorite Idol contestant.

And the fact that the producers and director of the show decided to add that music as a background, tells me that they enjoyed making Ryan look like a closeted lesbian.

roughneck is the complete, exact opposite of ryan seacrest. lol simon.

mr. roughneck is hot. hope he makes the top 24.

I loved KC- thought there was a lot of talent there. Too many to remember.

The only one I disagreed with was sending the one guy through- who begged with Randy and Kara to let him through. I loved Simon- "you got duped". I despised the guy's audition.

Loved the two guy friends who got through one after the other. Hope they both do well. Loved Anup-dog too! LMAO Lots of great singers in KC.

But it doesnt look good for the other cities if there are 6 more cities and there is only 85-90 positions left. Phoenix and KC must have had the most talent since 27 got throught last night and another mid 20s tonight with 147 total.

I heard it's 36 this year.

Tonight I liked the Robert Downey Jr. guy with the dead wife. He was cute.

I don't know....I'm just not as into American Idol this year. I think its wearing off like Survivor and other reality shows have with me. Its like ehhh...more idiots on tv who know they can't sing but want to try and get 15 minutes of fame.

How about Ryan Seacrest trying to high five the blind guy? Ummm...awkward.

My favorite tonight was Jason Castro's brother. I also liked the guy who's wife died only a month before the auditions.

I can't believe the judges liked the guy who did the over-the-top version of "Over the Rainbow." I thought he was really bad.

The fresh widow kinda reminded me of Robert Downey Jr. When I turned to my partner to tell him that, he said, maybe Robet Downey Jr that just ate 500 lbs of cookies. I thought he's cute.

Come on, the widower did not look like a post-500-pound-cookie-consumption version of Robert Downey Jr.! Your partner probably flips through the tabloids at supermarket checkout and says, "Hmmm, Nicole (Richey) looks like she could stand to lose a few." I agree with you, I thought the widower was cute. I wish I could remember his name 'cuz it's kinda weird referring to him as "the widower." Anyway, I was very impressed that he was able to hold it together during his audition. Every auditioner is crazy with nerves and emotions -- RDJ had to be feeling all that times ten. By the way, I thought his best friend was awful and was shocked when he got four yes's.

My favorite of the two nights was Lil Rounds (that's a name that easy to remember!). With three small children, their home gets obliterated by a tornado. And since they lived in Memphis, I can't imagine they had tornado insurance - ouch! Maybe there were a few that they just didn't feature, but I thought it was odd that there wasn't one good country singer in the Kansas City auditions. I like the addition of Kara (still can't spell her last name). The old 3-judge format was getting a bit stale. Drawing on my depth of musical expertise here, gotta say, there weren't any really cute or hot guys the last two nights. Certainly nothing like the two farm boys from last year. Well, it was just one week. Hopefully things will pick up in the eye-candy department.

Finally, I have to disagree about the bad auditions. After 7 previous seasons of bad auditions, I've more than had my fill. I just can't watch any more "I just know I have talent!" aspirants who couldn't hit a note with a baseball bat. I'm glad they're doubling the coverage of Hollywood Week, though, since the back stories and drama during that week are definitely worth watching.

the widower's name is danny. i knew when i noticed him, that he'd be mentioned on this board. just like michael "roughneck" sarver.

I want to know the name of the cute blond 18 year old who I saw on TV earlier this week.

OMG Brent Keith is a hottie. I would love to bathe in his dimples.

OK, what's the scoop? Is he gay or not?

oh well, I think the show, for me anyway...has jumped the shark.

They have completely gone from what they are supposed to be to "let's have people who have connections to the music biz try out" And that is thoroughly annoying.

Letting an Osmond on....a 29 year old at that (I thought 28 was the cut off?) was what did it for me...I'll catch some performances here and there if I hear they are good....but I'm done with it for the most part.

I've been watching it without enjoying it a whole lot so far, and was mystified at some of those they let through to Hollywood. Now tonight, the first "Hollywood Week" show, they allowed the nutjob in a headband to advance and I was stunned. Then they let Bikini Whore advance, and I deleted it from the DVR without even watching the rest of the show. It finally crossed my line from being stupidly entertaining to just plain stupid.

It's kinda tough for me as well. I'm kinda just hanging on for Adam Lambert just cuz I met him after his performance in the chorus of Wicked here in LA and he wasn't a dick. Oh and I still think the widower is cute. That's about it.

I was sworn to secrecy about the details...let's just say that schmoozing w/ people in high-powered positions just MIGHT be a hobby of his.

I haven't watched Idol just becuz I got tired of it, but Lyndsey agrees w/ you JIP.

I was glad to see bikini girl and the Osmond kid go. Looks like they're shaving off the fat and there might actually be a lot of good talent this year.

On a side note, the roughneck is still in and is still looking hot as hell. They had a shot of the widower in a sleeveless shirt and he looks like he might be in a little better shape than I thought. They're both excellent singers so I hope they make it through to the next round. I'd vote for those two, Anoop, and Lil Rounds if I had a choice.

But they kept in the "thank you Jesus" girl.

WTF????

I'm just glad "bikini girl" is off haha

OK, I rarely post about this show, but after seeing Tatiyana (sp?) and her whiney pleading when the 3 judges walked into their room, I was BEGGING that they were about to be told they were done. When the judges told them they made it through, I actually got pissed! I was yelling at all 67" of my TV, wishing I didn't have to view that smug bitch in HD!

She has now officially become the-contestant-whom-I-want-the-most-to-get-booted-off-the-show.

Ugh!

That's exactly why they're putting her through. My BF was certain they were cutting her, but I said she will get through because she is this season's trainwreck. The producers are hoping she sets her hair on fire on national TV.

Like I said I haven't been watchin the show, but readin your posts on this thread makes it all the worthwhile. I'm convinced that because of your comments, vicariously, I'm watching AI. You crack me up MM.

So tonight was the first episode that I watched this season and to my surprise, in walks Kristen McNamara who placed 5th in Nashville Star 4. If she placed 4th, I would have seen her during the Nashville Star tour. Interesting that they made a comment about the way she dressed because I think she received the same criticism from Naomi Judd on Nashville Star!

I think I'll only be spot watching the show again this year like I did last year although only it seems like this year's pool is a step up from last year.

The sing off was an a pretty interesting change.


EDIT: OK, they let that Jamar kid go and they let Nick and that Norman in and that Nathanial guy in? And that irritating Tatiana chick. Really? And that's why I should not watch this show.

Yeah, I thought it should have been Nathaniel and Nick/Norman in the sing-off and only selecting one of them.

I think Simon was wrong- they picked the better singer for sure in picking Kristen. Her look can always be changed as needed.

Holy crap, the amount of gayness this season is freaking fantastically hilarious- Adam Lambert, Nathaniel, Vonn, Normal/Nick- at least 4 gay guys already..and the guy who was picked against the majorly Emo guy toom is suspicious.. although I thought Kara was right- they should have passed on Nathaniel and picked the other guy instead

With all the gay guys and potential drama queens/hags on the girls side, they could do a remake of Fame from the cast, maybe even cast Rent LOL

Jamar should have made it.... they should have shipped out Fowler

Although the rumor (and I have read it)- is that they are having a wild card show- I wonder how it will all work out.

I think the guy to watch is Matt Giraud.

@#$%^&!! That annoying bitch Tatiyana made it through! I just want her to DIE ALREADY!!!

It's tuf, because I think she has a really good voice, but I just want to throw something at the TV when she's on...

I don't even think her voice is THAT good. I'd throw something at my TV, but I fear that because of its size, I would actually hit it.

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_e...gible-idol.html

Well, that's one bad apple gone.

His hotness aside, I'm liking Danny Gokey a lot. He's got a great story, great personality, and it would've been great if Jamar had made it to the top 36 with him. Apparently Jamar has been spotted in LA though, so maybe he'll be back for the Wild Card round or there's another disqualification coming up (Brent Keith?).

MDG, thanks for reminding me that Kristen was on Nashville Star (which USED to be a great show until NBC absolutely annihilated it). I loved her on NS, probably because she was unique and different. Besides, anyone who sings "I'm a Cowboy Sweetheart" on national TV wins my heart. Did notice that the twang she had on Nashville Star has completely disappeared on American Idol - funny how that works.

No, I'm sorry, but Tatiana does not have a particularly good voice. And you just know they threw her into the final 36 (36?? it's like the NHL playoffs - everybody gets in!!) just to create drama. Everything in that enormous mansion made me think of ways to do her in: nice pool (drowning, yeah, that'll work), beautiful terraces (but are they high enough to do the deed if I threw her over?), beautiful furniture (if I cracked all four of the judges' chairs over her head, would she stop breathing?). Oh, and check out the fake smile Brent Keith squeezes out while he's partnered up with Tatiana for their introductory video on the AI website. I haven't seen a smile that fake since Katie Couric interviewed Ann Coulter. Gotta say, Simon totally cracked me up with his sarcasm, "Paula, how very generous of you to promote your jewelry on live television," followed up with, "she'll want that ring back after the show." Fraggin' hilarious!! (but only when said in a British accent)

My early favorite is Kris Allen. No, I don't think we've heard him sing, but looking over the pix of the 36, I thought he was wicked cute. That's the only reason to watch, right? Maybe my gaydar kicked into overdrive, but I'm counting 7 gays: Adam Lambert (Marilyn Manson called - he wants his mascara back), Alex Wagner-Trugman (what non-Latin guy hyphenates his name like that?), Jorge Nuñez Mendez, Nathaniel Marshall (drawn to drama like a moth to a flame), Nick Mitchell (did he ever sing seriously? because the joke performances were just that, a joke, and not in a good way), Ricky Braddy, and Vonn Smith. When Nathaniel gets eliminated, I hope they have paramedics in the house.

Hmmmm! The hubby & I may need to check it out next week.

16 out of 30 teams is not everyone. That was valid when it was 16 of 21 teams making the playoffs. It's not valid any more.

I dont remember Ricky Braddy... yeah, Jorge is a definite add-on and I remember his bf or man being there when he got his golden ticket.... Norman Gentile reminds me of the girl a few seasons back- young, Babs imitating, Nanny-nasal voice...

Who saw my favorite all-time Idol (J-Hud) perform last night on the NAACP Image Awards? OMG, she *brought the house down* with an incredible performance of "The Impossible Dream" during a segment in which they were honoring Muhammad Ali. It was amazing.