Over the Rainbow-guy will be knocked out pretty quickly in Hollywood. I can't see him singing much else.
I liked Jason Castro's brother. I have a hard time believing that he only began singing 20 days ago.
Loved the last girl too.
Missed many of the auditions last night -- on the phone with a friend.

Does anyone know how the votes are being done this year with the new judge, Kara? It seemed that in seasons past with the three judges, a contestant needed 2 / 3 'yes' to make it to the next round. Now it seems that the contestant only needs 2 of 4. I don't see any consistent pattern.

I read somewhere else that Simon is the "overruling judge" and if there is a tie, he breaks it.

I can not stand bikini girl. I re watched that night's show when my husband got back in town and she is such a smug little wench!! Cara definitely outsang her and she was so stupid and musically tone deaf she couldn't even tell!!!

It's going to be a good season, I'm pleased with the shows so far - more good singers, less focus on the pathetic.

^^^^ Thanks!:)

I noticed that too and thought of you. I figured he must have been doing something A Phi A related and he wasn't throwin' down the shaka \m/ ;)

Barracuda Girl from PHX is an early favorite, so is Lil Rounds from last night (the last girl to sing).

I wasn't too sure what to think about Kara as a judge, but so far I am LOVING HER.

I totally agree. She obviously is legit and a voice of reason on the panel (she and Simon). I will say though, that Paula seems remarkably sober and lucid right now. Maybe she's watching her p's & q's because she has been threatened with the BOOT.

So far, Barracuda Girl is my favorite.

I LOVED Lil Rounds. I feel so bad that she's staying in a hotel with her three babies and husband. I'm really rooting for her so that she can put her life back in order after those tornadoes.

So far I like Barracuda girl and Jason Castro's brother, and I think I can get behind Lil Rounds and the guy whose wife passed away as well.

I liked the girl who cared for her grandmother and sang Janis Joplin.

I know where this ditz lives. LOL! She's not as good as she thinks she is but I've heard via the grapevine of Chino Hills that she makes past the Hollywood round. I sincerely hope the rumors going on around here about her are wrong.

Why is Idol allowing people who have previously had record deals to be on the show? Last night, the first girl who got though to Hollywood (Joanna Pacitti) has had an album and has had two songs appear on soundtracks (Legally Blonde and Bratz).

They did it last year too with Kristy Lee Cook and Irish girl (don't remember her name). They had both had failed record deals too. It does seem like it goes against what it's supposed to be about - finding a diamond in the rough.

If you've had your shot and failed, maybe it's time to try something else.

But, that's the way they're doing it now, so whatever.

I just wish they'd move on to Hollywood. I am SOOOOO over the auditions!!

I usually find that Simon's opinion mirrors mine but I feel as though he's not being critical enough this season. There's been a lot of people who haven't felt were all that great and Simon tells them they sound good. For instance, that Latin beauty pageant girl and then Jasmine who sang the Fergie song. I thought Jasmine sounded very, very nasally and Simon was just like, "You sound commercial. You get a yes." Was Simon told to tone it down this year?

Agreed. I kept waiting for the advise to tone that down, as she is commerical. Usually with those folks they give suggestions to on how to improve the singing.

I, too, am growing weary of the auditions. Maybe it is just because Hollywood week is always my favorite part of the season and this year they are *finally* expanding it out to several episodes. Can't wait for that.

Can't say that too many folks are standing out in my memory this year, which says alot. Lil Rounds, Barracuda girl, and the blind guy. THough the blind guy was more about the story than his singing ability.

I don't know why I allow myself to get suckered into this show every season. I watch relatively little TV and yet I just can't stop this show. I am intrigued by Kara (Cara? sp?) and think she may actuallly add something this season.