American Idol Finale

I'm not feeling so hot, but thought you guys might like a place to make comments about the finale. Enjoy!

American Idol 4/23 Results Show East Coast Update

David Archuleta is safe.
David Cook is safe.
Brooke White is SAFE? How could that be?
Syesha Mercado is bottom two. How could that be?
Jason Castro is safe.
Carly Smithson is bottom two. (She was good last night, too!)

Carly Smithson is going home tonight.

American Idol 4/16 Boot Update

They're doing the show with the two groups and one must tell which is the bottom three. David Archuleta is safe and in the middle.

I know I'm getting old. I think "Without You" is a Harry Nilsson song, not a Mariah Carey one.

David sits. David Cook, Jason and Carly are safe.

The bottom three are Kristy Lee Cook, Syesha Mercado, and Brooke White.

Syesha is safe. Brooke is safe.

Kristy Lee Cook is history.

American Idol 4/02 Results Show East Coast Update

Michael Johns is safe
David Archuleta is safe.
Carly Smithson is safe.
David Cook is safe.
Ramiele Malubay (I know that spelling is off) is bottom 3
Kristy Lee Cook is bottom three.
Syesha Mercado is safe.

Brooke and Jason Castro ... last two to the stage. Jason is safe, Brook bottom three with Ramiele and Kristy.

Brooke is safe.

Ramiele is going home.

American Idol - East Coast Update - 3/26 Results Show

Chikeezie is in the bottom three.

Carly is not pregnant.

Syesha Mercado is in the bottom three.

Jason Castro is in the bottom three. He's safe and sent to the couch.

Chikeezie was voted off tonight.

American Idol Boot Update

Amanda Overmyer leaves the show tonight. Kristy Lee Cook and Carly were in the bottom three with her.

'American Idol' - East Coast Updates 3/12 East Coast Updates

Since the results show isn't conflicting with Survivor, I'll be updating this post throughout the show with the results and action.

Of course, I will also keep one eye on the Big Brother feeds and get you updates in separate posts, too.

They're doing a Beatles medley now. Into a recap of last night's performances, judges reactions, and Simon/Ryan lovefest stuff.

Into going for the bottom three -- Carly is safe. Michael Johns is safe. Jason is safe. Syesha is in the bottom three. Randy and Paula said she didn't deserve to be in the bottom three. Simon thinks she deserves to be there. She sings her song from last night again. I like her, but I don't like her singing this song!

(BB live feeds still blocked.) Feeds up, separate post.

Chikezie is safe, Amanda is safe, David Cook is safe. Kristy Lee Cook is in the bottom three.

Cat McPhee is singing now. One more to go in the bottom three.

David Archuleta is safe. Brook is safe. Ramiele is safe. David Hernandez is in the bottom three.

Syesha is safe, sent back to the seats. Kristy is safe.

David Hernandez is out.

American Idol Boots

Kady Malloy is gone.
Luke Menard is gone.
A'siah is gone.
Danny Noriega is gone.

BB9 and Tonight's Blogging Plans

My latest BB9 live feeds report is up over on TV Squad. The nominations aren't in yet.

It's Thursday night again ... at 8 PM ET I'll put up an East Coast Updates post for Survivor and in that I'll cover major show events, but it's actually more for folks to comment on as they watch. Later tonight, my full review of the show will be posted at TV Squad and I'll be sure to link it for you.

While Survivor is on, I'll try to catch the boots from American Idol and always welcome folks to let me know as I'll have that show muted in the background. I will put up a separate AI East Coast boot post.

At 9 PM ET, I'll put up a Celebrity Apprentice East Coast Update post with the major events as they air ... again, discussion is very welcome on any of these! I'd write a full review, but I'll be in the midst of writing the Survivor review.

Once again, I'll be taping Lost. I hate to say this, but I haven't watched my last tape of the show! I'm definitely doing a two-hour Lost sit-in on Sunday! When I finally get them watched, I'll put up a post about both episodes. Perhaps a bit shorter than my usual Lost post, but ...!

'American Idol' East Coast Boot Update

Jason Yaeger (sp?) with the blond wisp in the front of his hair, is the first out.

Alexandrea Lushington is the second boot.

Alaina is gone.

Robbie Carrico is gone.

Tonight's 'American Idol 7' - Hollywood Week - 02/12

I won't be blogging tonight's show as the second hour is reserved for the Big Brother 9 season premiere for me.

I will be recording the second hour and eventually get it watched. So far, it's different -- they can play instruments!

I thought I'd open up a discussion post for tonight's show in case you wanted to comment.

And, don't forget -- I'll be live-blogging the season premiere of Big Brother 9 starting at about 9 PM ET!

'American Idol 7' - The Final Audition Show (yay)

I'm not finding the auditions this season as interesting as they were for me in seasons past. So i'm glad they're drawing to a close.

Right now there's a girl named Amy on the stage. She's good, but I don't think she's all that special.

Another voice from God church singer, Tiffany, is up next. I have bad vibes as they mock her intro with church music. Well, she yell-sings well enough.

Relationships betwixt contestants is the theme now ... a love triangle set to the theme from Three's Company. Twins Chris and Cory Lane, two of the love triangle, think they're some sort of rap moguls or suburban Eminems with no talent. They think they're white Brittenum twins. Blech.

Ah, but the girl of the trio comes in with an adorable puppy. Ashley is blonde and talks like Kellie Pickler. As a matter of fact, she reminds me of Kellie if Kellie couldn't sing. She doesn't make it at all -- Simon says that it was excruciating. She took her dog and skipped on out.

Caedin Lee McKinney is singing now. She has a big voice, but ... Simon thinks she's more theatrical than recording. Paula and Randy okay her, Simon nixes her. It's onto Hollywood.

A very pretty plus-sized model type is coming in -- she's from Hoboken and sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden. Very nice. Joanne defintitely could be a contender. Randy and Paula push her through while Simon says no. I disagree with Simon on rhia one.

Blonde Alesha (sp) Stelzl is on. Make her stop, please. Anyone who thinks they're beautiful and curls her eyebrows in public should be banned. No go for her. Simon called it dreadful and painful. Uh-oh, they told her to go learn a Dolly Parton song and return.

She learns "Islands in the Stream" and returns. Let's see. It's not as bad as first time around, for sure. I can't see her winning anything with it, but Randy and Paula push her through. @@

Weird audition times ahead. A stripping heavy girl and a potty-mouthed rocker. Then it's Jay Smoove. He thinks he's a;; that and he can do push ups. His real name is Joshua Moreland and he has his own song and pixie dust. Very odd, thankfully not scary. Simon sweeps up the pixie dust, but doesn't know how to use the broom.

It's a Simon is losing his mind segment. From where they are to names, he's lost it all. I'm glad he's not going for trying my name. A contestant from last year is back, Chikezie Ezie is up, Simon wanted to kill him last year but I don't remember him. He doesn't have a bad voice at all, but I can't see him being a huge star. But he makes it through to Hollywood.

Danny Noriega folded under pressure last year, but he's back. He could get the young girls in his camp I'm sure. He goes for the Tina Turner version of "Proud Mary." Randy loved the audition. All three judges say yes. Actually, he's someone I could see attracting an audience -- the Snajaya fans will love him and he has more talent.

So, the auditions are over.

Yay.

It's onto Hollywood next week. 164 made it through and instruments and drama are around the bend.

'American Idol 7' - The Atlanta Auditions

The devil went down to Georgia tonight.

Ryan Seacrest's parents showed. No, they didn't audition.

Josh Jones is up first, he's a glass guy. How interesting ... he has a passion for glass. Rather odd eyework, but he turns around and Randy and Paula get jiggy wit' it. Simon isn't thrilled, but the other two pass him onto Hollywood.

JP was Carrie Underwood's audition buddy back in 2004. She was two people behind him. People tell him he has a star quality. I'm just not seeing that, not at all. Nope, not hearing a star quality either. Buh-bye. "My pen has more charisma," says Simon.

Onto a bit about the fickleness of Paula Abdul. She's beginning to remind me of someone I know.

A girl whose dad passed away in a car accident as she went to the audition (how much more of a sob story can we have?). She looks like she may have talent, so let's see. Asia'h Epperson is her name. She is talented and makes it through to Hollywood. Paula is in worse shape than the girl.

Georgia peaches and Southern Belles. And, mostly blonde, of course. Um, do you think God cares who makes it through to Hollywood? A pageant girl who's been at it since she was four is ready to sing. Brooke Helvie. Well, not all that bad. She's through to Hollywood with all three judges' approval. Simon was hoping she wouldn't sing well because she's so annoying. Me, too.

Bad audition run time.

Southern inhospitality is within Eva Miller. Oh, they say attitude in the beginning of the bit. But I think it will get nasty. Whoops, she fell and Simon said it's an act. I agree. Now, here's one who just wants to be on television. She claims it's "not no joke." She has a crush on Simon. She's teary and defiant. Aw, she gets a hug from Simon. She doesn't make it, rips her paper up, and stomps.

Alexandrea Lushinton (sp?) sings "My Funny Valentine." I like her. Heck, I like her 93-year-old grandmother, too. So do the judges. Onto Hollywood!

Nathan Hite, a smart-alecky high school kid is planning to roll with the punches. He's not good. So not good. Simon calls it a bedroom audition. I'm glad I'm not the kid's teacher.

A punk goth something biker nurse is up nect. Oh, she thinks she's cool you hep cats. Will they dig it or not? She goes for a Janis Joplin song. She sneers. She goes for "Playin' in an American Band." Randy loves her, so do Paula and Simon. She's through to Hollywood.

They only did one day in Atlanta and it's drawing to a close. A living in his car kid is going to be the last. He doesn't call himself homeless -- he loves living in his car. (yeah, see me again after 20 years of it, kid.) Josiah Leming, sings a song he wrote. He sings with a British accent. Odd for a kid from the South. Three yesses. He's through to Hollywood.

20 golden tickets were given out in Atlanta. Tomorrow night is Hollywood or Bust, a collection of various auditions.

'American Idol 7' - Live Blogging the Miami Auditions

The show has started and they want us to think it's all going to be hot action in Miami tonight.

Shannon McGough is slated to be the first featured audition. She knows how to belch and reminds me of a flapper girl from the '20s. She handles meat. And she screams. Not sure what's going on with her, but I hope she doesn't make it.

Phew. She's out of there and it's a shock to her and her family. Poor deluded folks.

Robbie Carrico, an ex-boy bander, is up. They didn't say what boy band and I'm not all that familiar with the more obscure ones, but he can sing. He makes it.

A bad audition run of guys follows a good pretty girls clip.

Ghaleg is up. He's crashing into love. He wrote the song himself. Simon thinks he'd like Ghaleg or is it Ghaleb if he (Simon) was drunk. Paula brings up his accent but says he has talent. Randy says yes just to counteract Simon's no and make Paula decide. Say what? He's going to Hollywood? Now that's bizarre.

Uh-oh. Two rather heavy girls of color are up. They like men. But can they sing? Corliss Smith sings first. She's not bad. Randy has fallen into her trance. Oh, my ... Randy has patent leather red shoes on. Brittany Wescott (?) sings next and gets the judges all happy. Simon says yes to them both, so does Paula ... and then Randy. They make it through to Hollywood!

A sob story from a girl who became a single mom at 18 after her man left her, Suzanne Toon -- takes the stage. She can sing. She's blonde ... sort of. I think she has pretty eyes. She makes it through. She seems to be playing the sultry single mom card.

Filipini-American girl Ramiele Mulabay goes for "Natural Woman." Not so bad. I didn't expect that. Simon thinks she's good, but more like a hotel singer. Simon says no, but Randy and Paula knock her through to Hollywood.

Onto the second day ... Randy is wearing a purple blouse, hopefully without bright red shoes.

It sounds like the next contestant has read THE SECRET or something -- positive thoughts result in positive outcomes for her. She has a father who struggles with substance abuse, but it's not so much a sob story as one of recovery and love. Aw. Syesha Mercado goes for an Aretha song. She's cute, perky, and has a big voice. Once again, Simon doesn't like her so much. Randy thinks she's one of the best so far in Miami. All three judges say yes.

A streak of good auditions follow -- two girls make ti through.

But how are the guys doing? Not so hot. We see sme clutching golden tickets, but only hear the whacked out. One sings through his nose.

A girl from the top 20 in American Juniors four years ago, Julie Dubela, goes for "Me and Bobby McGee." She's no Janis, not even a Kris Kristofferson. Simon thinks she's acting very precocious. She's a no, not ready yet. She won't stop singing.

The end of the second say is coming and it's down to one contestant. Brandon Black is another odd duck. It's another creepy love tribute to Paula. Um. No.

17 golden tickets were given out, two less than Omaha. So much for hot hot Miami, eh?

Next week it's off to Atlanta.

'American Idol 7' - The Omaha Auditions

The show is starting here on the East Coast and this post will be regularly updated as it airs. They're in Omaha, Nebraska, tonight. Well, that's different.

Paula was delayed, so we get witty bits. Well, maybe not so witty. A guy is going to explode and infect everyone with his happiness. His name is Chris and he carries a bag, never a good sign. Well, the bad, not his name.

He wants to do anything and Simon eventually says he can go for being the correspondent for the local FOX station talking about the show. @@

Jason Rich, a farm worker good-looking dude, is being featured. He doesn't seem to be a joke. I bet he can sing. Uh-oh. He can sing, but the nerves are getting to him. He forgot the lyrics to the song he chose. He's from a town of 500, so he's nervous. They let him through to Hollywood with a warning not to do it again. Paula is still missing.

Welp, she's here! And it's into a whole series of bad auditions with forgotten lyrics. And women are arm wrestling in the waiting area. A thrill a minute. A girl goes up against Ryan Seacrest and Simon backs off away from the challenge. Rachael Wicker is her name, arm wrestling and singing her game(s). She sings a country song. Simon thinks she sounds or looks old ... one or the other or both. He says no while Randay and Paula say yes.

Now Sarah Whitaker, an ex-wrestler, is featured. I guess there's not a heck of a lot for women to do in Omaha? Oh, my. She sings like a cross between Julie Andrews and the Wicked Witch of the West. Simon thinks she's strange. She is.

Okay, Ryan questioned the decision, so he's been thrust into Paula's chair while Paula takes his place. Samantha Sicley is the first guinea pig. She sings a Nora Jones song ... not bad at all. Ryan critiques her movements and Paula takes over once again. She made it through to Hollywood.

Into a bunch of good auditions, but only snippets of them. Lotsa Hollywood a goin' on.

A girl with a sob story. She's estranged from her father. Tears, tears. Angelica Puente is her name, but can she sing? She mimics the original Celine Dion and pleads nerves. She's through to Hollywood. Simon and Randy want her to be herself. Paula urges confidence. Wrong door. (It's actually the other door tonight.) Aw, her father tells her on the phone that she's always been his American Idol.

It's rocker time. David Cook thinks he brings something different to the table. He goes for "Livin' on a Prayer." Yes, he can sing. He's onto Hollywood.

Johnny Escamilla compares himself to James Brown. He goes for "Shout." He's scaring me with his flowing sparkly shirt and er ... movements.

After a bunch of "Stuck in the Middle" bad bits, I'm ready for a good audition. One person left -- Leo Marlowe. Hmm ... he has a good sense of humor and can sing. He makes it through.

19 made it through to Hollywood from the Omaha auditions. Tomorrow it's off to Miami. The crowd looks very different from Omaha.

'American Idol 7' - The South Carolina Auditions Live Blogged from the East Coast

The show is starting here on the east coast. As it airs, I'll update this entry. Please feel free to jump in with your comments!

The first one on stage (well, in the room), is a young man with a big afro who thinks he's the black Clay Aiken. Um, no. Rashar? Argh. I missed the screen with the spelling of his name.

A girl from the same town where Kelly Pickler was raised, DeeAnna Prevatt, is over emoting just a wee bit. Simon called her a little tiger. She didn't make it.

A couple who met on the American Idol message boards, is a prime example of dork love. Crystal Ortiz and Randy Stark, sing. I actually get a kick out of the lyrics, but not the singing.

Michelle and Jeffrey Lampkin, a brother and sister act, is ready now. They can kind of sing. They both make it. I personally don't think they'll make it too far once in Hollywood.

Loser exits and it's back to the woman about ready to give birth whose husband wants to audition.

More bad auditions.

Save the cheerleader, save American Idol? A squeaky clean anti-drug anti-sex cheerleader is brunette, at least. I've tired of blondes. Amy Flynn sounds very nervous, but makes the attempt. She gains more confidence as as she goes along. Paula likes her. Simon thinks a lot of people will find her annoying. But he says yes, as does Randy. She is making me smile. She will be fun on the show, I think.

The first day is wrapping up, but the expectant fanter is hoping to come back. And then we get a sob story from a woman named London who took off three years of singing to deal with her sick father. She's blonde. I'm thinking she can sing without listening yet. Yep, London Weidberg, goes for Billie Holiday's "Good Morning Heartache." Randy and Paula like her. Simon? He thinks it's a good audition, but he didn't hear anything unique. It's onto Hollywood.

Fifteen made it through the first day. I think I liked the auditions better when Simon called contestants bush babies.

Patriotic fever alert! An Air Force gal shows us her cockpit (sounds kinky, doesn't it?). Lyndsey Goodman goes for "Black Velvet." She can sing. Simon thinks she's caberet, but he's said that before. She's a no. Yikes.

Aretha Codner from Buffalo, NY, is up next. Will she live up to her namesake? Well, no Aretha. She's super confident, but Simon thinks she murdered the song. So do I. She's very defensive and takes her time leaving.

Joshua Bosun is worse. What an animated lad, though. I don't love him. He says the show is fake and rigged. Simon says he's rude and deluded. Fuss, fuss, whine, whine. I like how his mother and he wear coordinated clothes.

Another bad audition run. A No serenade, cheesy, but classic for the show.

Oliver Highman, the new daddy, is back to audition. Will it be worth it? Okay, this is the best voice of the guys they've shown in South Carolina so far. But he took it too far and messed with it, so he's not onto Hollywood. Why didn't he just sing without overdoing it? Argh.

23 made it to Hollywood. Ho-hum show. Next week it's onto Omaha. I hope they're more interesting.

"American Idol 7' - San Diego Auditions Live Blogged from the East Coast

The show has started here in the East. Ah, the warm California sun, eh?

Tatiana With A Long Last Name is up, another blonde. She can sing, I'm sure she'll get through. Simon doesn't think she's as good as she thinks she is, but she makes it.

Lots of background stories this year -- sob stories, mostly. Now we have a single father named Perry Cataldo with an adorable child. And, yes. He can sing. He's through to Hollywood.

Michael Lee originally from Australia but now Los Angeles, sings an Otis Redding song -- "I've Been Loving You So Long." Good. Simon likes it -- like a white soul singer. He's not bad on the eyes, either. (I said that, not Simon.) He's through to Hollywood ... good thing he lives in LA.

Now it's time for a bad run of auditions. Pitiful, reallly.

A Mariah Carey fanatic is singing next -- Valerie Reyes. Uh-oh. It's as if I were singing! Yes! It's as if I was on stage! The really sad thing is she thinks she can sing.

It's gimmick time ... like that always works so well. Monique Gibson. Um. Horrible. She walks away crying. Her friend Christopher Baker is only slightly better than horrible. Enopugh air time for him, AI. Sheesh.

It's onto love for the judges. It's the Simon is hot bit. The girl is obsessed with him and she's just a few decades too young! Her sister sent a note for Simon via paper airplane. She gets to sit with the judges. Samantha, the sining sister, goes for an Aretha Franklin song. Not horrible. I don't think she's wondrous, but so much better than the other two. The judges were more impressed than I was.

Day Two of the auditions start -- Blake Boshnack, a frequent auditioner, the one who dressed as the Statue of Liberty in auditions a few seasons ago, it up. His mother supports him and gets him to the auditions. Very weird. Oh, my. He isn't totally terrible. Why was he gimmicking before? He's not good enough, but not horrible enough to dress as the Statue of Liberty. This is his 11th audition. He didnn't make it.

More really bad auditions with a never give up on your dream theme.

Now one of the Number One Fans is auditioning. Alberto Herdato (sp). Remember Stephen King's MISERY.

One thing about this show is they really are the epitome of cheesy. As the fan runs off waving his fan, they cut to a bald eagle in flight. No show can beat the cheese of American Idol. I miss "Seacrest Out."

A 16 year old who suffered vocal paralysis a while back, David Archuleta, is up. He's a young cutie and he can indeed sing. He could be a teenybopper to star for sure. He's onto Hollywood.

Another season five applicant who made it to Hollywood but didn't have her visa (she's from Ireland), Carly Smithson, is auditioning last. Her husband has interesting tattoos, but Paula likes her singing and so does Randy. Simon doesn't think she did as well as she did two years ago, but he's a yes, too. The girl from Ireland (visa in hand), is off to Hollywood.

30 others also made it through to Hollywood from the San Diego auditions. Tomorrow, it's the South Carolina auditions.

'American Idol 7' - The Dallas Auditions Live Blogged

Another night of auditions, this time it's Dallas -- where they found Kelly Clarkson. As the show airs here, I'll post on some of the stuff (or auditions) I find interesting and you're invited to post your thoughts in the comments!

Jessica Brown is up first. She's not rocking my socks, but she can indeed sing. She got her golden ticket.

Paul Stafford is ready to audition. Um. He better stick to cleaning off the bases at the park. For me he's coming across as a smarter Tom Cullen (THE STAND). M-O-O-N spells "no."

Beth Maddox is going to sing a Kelly Clarkson song. Well, yeah. She could be compared to Kelly Clarkson if Kelly got hooked on helium. No go to Hollywood for her. How do some of these folks sing in public and think they actually can sing?

An hour of bad auditions ahead for the judges. And they're much worse than Beth.

Alaina Whitaker, a Carrie Underwood comparable, can sing. Nothing I'd buy, but she's got potential for Hollywood methinks. And she makes it. Not that I'm in complete agreement with Princess Leia from last night, but I wonder how many perky blondes can fit on one Hollywood stage?

A sweet young man who has a rather lofty view of love and has never kissed a girl, Bruce Dickson, sings "Ain't No Sunshine." Hmmm ... interesting. Nice looking guy. He doesn't make it

Pia (ZPIA) is up. She has a black blonde Annie Lennox thing going on. It's onto Hollywood for her.

Brandon Green, who collects fingernail peelings, is up. His hobby creeps me out. He also dresses a bit odd. Thankfully, though he's not horrible, I don't think he's all that thrilling. Paula likes him, as does Randy. Simon said no, but he's going to Hollywood. I hope he doesn't bring out his collection too often.

Kayla Hatfield, mother of two, has a tragic car accident sob story which did a job on the left side of her face. She's perky. Oh, my. She does Janis Joplin, not too horribly either. It all seems a bit incongruous, though. Simon says yes, Paula says no. Simon is rooting for her. Randy likes her and sends her through.

Erick Mauldin is odd. We're in for a run of bad audition snippets.

Kady Malloy does impersonations of singers. Her Britney is spot on. Ohhh ... she's good. She's another cute blonde, but I won't hold that against her. Onto Hollywood she goes. Simon thinks she's the best so far this year.

Eleven made it through to Hollywood on the first day and it's onto the second ... after the commercial break, that is.

Douglas Davidson is worried about his vocal chords. He's slightly strange. He goes for "Livin' On a Prayer." He's no john Bon Jovi. Yikes. He also has odd arm movements. Not sure what's going on with him, but he's so not good. Security escorts him out.

Angela (Reilly?) is accompanied by her husband Chad. She has lots of energy and a loving husband who's easy on the eyes. But she doesn't have a ticket to Hollywood.

A Governor of Oklahoma wannabe, Kyle Ensley, is up. Not the worst, but I'm shocked that Simon passes him onto Hollywood. Randy says no. It's up to Paula. Onto Hollywood!

Tammy Tuzinski, who reminds me of a female comedian Steven Wright when she talks, sings in an odd sing-song kind of voice. Just an odd duck, I guess.

Colton Swon can sing. Not necessarily my favorite, but he should make it. He does.

Yikes. Trannies, grannies and guys in bad drag.

Now a farmer with a sexy tractor. Drew Poppelreiter is a throwback to another time and place. But he's better looking than the young cowboy we saw last year or the year before. He can sing, definitely country. Simon says no. Randy says yes. Paula has no wow factor from him, but says yes.

Kyle Reinnick thinks he all that with is guyliner, even. Startling. Simon said it was slightly disturbing and demonic. No, he won't go to Hollywood.

Another run of bad audition snippets. They aren't spending as much time expanding on the naughty bits in much detail this season. Just snippets.

Nina Shaw is from the same town as Kelly Clarkson. She sings a Whitney song and Simon thinks she oversings. Paula thinks she's pageanty. Randy likes her jazz style. Simon said no, Paula yes. She's through. She looks pageanty coming out of the door with her ticket, I think.

I'm not sure what to make of the last audition. Dressed like a pimp of some sort, Reynaldo Lupez (sp?) is 44. Why bother? Niow, that wasn't worth any sort of build-up. I'd rather see the wicked witch from the bad snippets expanded upon.

Okay. It made me laugh when Paula, Randy, and Ryan joined him. Paula was a hoot!

24 made it through to Hollywood. Next week heads to San Diego.

'American Idol 7' Season Premiere Live Blogged

It's here! As the show airs here on the East Coast, I'll be commenting on some of the auditions and other tomfoolery. After the fact, I'll probably add some images to this post.

So, sit on down in your comfy chair and make yourself comfortable -- and feel free to comment, too!

It's opening to "Time Has Come Today" by The Chambers Brothers. We're off to Philadelphia, a city I personally enjoy.

Joey Catalano, first up, has lost 204 pounds. He has a boy band voice if you ask me. He made it to Hollywood, but Simon seems a bit hesitant about his looks.

Okay, Ryan is talking with an Egyptian guy who loves America and uses the BeeGees as a sample of American bands he loves. Um. Well, he seems nice enough, but can he sing? "Uka" they call him. "How Deep is Your Love" isn't quite cutting it.

A Taylor Hicks back-up singer, Melanie Nyema. Hmmm ... not my cuppa for sure. But she made it to Hollywood? I predict she'll not make it to the final group.

Tour guide James Lewis first totally bad singer of the night -- I'm not quite sure what he's doing, but it's not singing. Maybe he's impersonating a foghorn? Calling ships at night?

A quick run of good and bad. They have some talent, but I'm not loving anyone yet.

Ryan's talking to a female football player named Sybil but called Temptress. She has a sob story. Uh-oh. She isn't making it -- not a laughable try, but not really ready for this show, for sure. She was such a sweet kid that Simon was even nice. Hell must be frozen over, eh?

Mark Hayes from Folsom, NJ may be able to make neat cricket noises, but he sings with absolutely no emotion. So, he goes for the crickets.

Another bad singer who thinks he's good. I never get this. I know I can't sing. He should know he can't.

Ah, what would AI be without a run of comical bad audition snippets? Done to "I Love Rock and Roll."

Alexis Cohen, her mom, and two cats live in a studio apartment in Allentown, PA. It's a Billy Joel song, not Bon Jovi, Alexis. She likes attention and sparkly things. She will be odd. Simon thinks she's possessed. "Simon didn't like me, but he's a big fat bad word." Oh, then she got nastier.

Angela Martin from Chicago, with an ill daughter is being bio'd now. I think she might be able to sing. We'll see. A truly tragic illness for the daughter -- Angela wants to use the money to provide health care and research. She works as a singer, so ... oh, she IS good.

Alyse W. oh my. She's frightening me. This run of bad auditions is making me cringe. Some older guy wants to sing a song called "No Sex Allowed" for the judges. Milo Turk, a social worker. Um. I think the pressure of his job may have cracked him.

Kristy Lee Cook came all the way from Oregon. She does cage fighting and loves horses. She's pretty. She sold a horse to get to the audition. She sings "Amazing Grace" just fine.

A man in a cloak is just what we need. He should leave the cloak on. They're going to let him wax his chest hair and come back. Ew.

More bad audition runs. I'm going to have nightmares tonight.

Yikes -- a guy is singing a stalker song he wrote for Paula. He's creepy. I recommend a restraining order.

Nice segue to a girl named Beth Stalker, though. Ah, nice jazzy voice. Simon voted no, Randy and Paula yes. I liked her voice. So there, Simon.

Cloak man Ben Haar is back hairless. Worse. His act is as bad as his look.

Chris Watson, with good looks and dreads, sings well and makes it through to Hollywood.

The reject doorway shots are always so uplifting, aren't they?

Christina, a Princess Leia wannabee who wants to leave Enfield, CT, promises a huge flop. It's American Idol or become a corrections officer for her. I say she would shine in prison. I'd give her 10 to 15 years to start.

Last audition of the night is Brooke White, a nanny. She could definitely be successful with a singing career. It's an interesting voice. Onto Hollywood.

29 made it through to Hollywood in the two days at Philly. Princess Leia is still fussing about the looks of the contestants. Tomorrow night is Dallas.