Yeah! I'll be watching.

Linda

Yep, going to watch, me and Lauren anyway.

Watching right now

I'm watching and this is the first time I've watched from the very beginning. Some of these people are seriously whacked.

DD and I just spent the last 2 hours watching. She was seriously upset that none of the auditions shown were of anyone she knew--we only live about 5 miles from the Wachovia Center.

BUT, at the end, when they gave the brief flash of those who made it (some of whom weren't featured on the show), I'd turned to say something to her and missed this--but she swore one of them looked like one of her cousins. He is very musically talented, and has been strangely missing lately. Whenever asked about him, my sister gave some odd, non-answers. And you know, those who made it to Hollywood are forbidden to tell anyone at all before the show airs. Wouldn't it be a hoot if he actually made it and has been in Hollywood for the next round?

Although, in all honesty, he probably is doing something much less constructive, I'm afraid.

It starts here in 24 minutes and we're watching the clock ...

I watched it - already impressed with some that have made it to Hollywood.

They are supposed to spend more time talking about the contestants this year and less time on celebrity judges. Hope they change the voting rules too (limit votes per phone number or email address).

It's always alarming to see how many angry . . . um . . . eccentrics make it to the auditions. I hope the judges had bodyguards when they left the building.

Yes, when we were watching the guy with the "stalking Paula song" I was telling my husband they needed to call security, and right then the security guard came and took the weirdo away.

That one bizarre woman who was screaming about how she would get into "actressing" instead was either insane or an addict. I hope she (and her mom) get some kind of help.

One fellow had a pleasant, resonant speaking voice, but when he sang he lifted up his tongue sideways and sounded like he was gagging. What was that all about?

The ones that passed the audition were good, and we look forward to hearing next week's tryouts.

Okay, just saw an interview with 'sparkles' (that Janis Joplan wannabe) on the M & J Show. She was a LOT more coherant and polite. Apparently, they'd done the 'at home' shots between the cattle call auditions at the Wachovia and the hotel call backs. She'd been up for days (no sleep), and had assumed apparently, that since they'd chosen her for one of the video pieces that she was a shoe-in for getting through to Hollywood. Not an excuse, I know, but it does sort of explain what happened in her case. Sounds as if the show was playing with her, and haven't we all done things we regret when we're overtired and not ourselves?

DD thought she sounded mentally challenged last night--but she seemed intellegent and together this morning on the interview I saw.

Petaloid--Don't forget, the Texas auditions will be on tonight. No need to wait till next week!

Dh and I think the behind the scenes people egg this stuff on too. It's all about the ratings. We don't get to see most of the 'good' singers because they are too busy highlighting the weirdos.

My 5 yo was still giggling about the stalker song this morning. My 7 yo and I were both laughing at the guy who got waxed.

I never watch the first American Idol...Not much talent there.

I'll tune in next time.

Gayle

I can't stand this show. I tried to watch it last night since it featured contestants from my home town of Philadelphia but I only lasted for one contestant. He made the cut. I just couldn't.

I'll watch maybe once a week for these first four weeks, while they're going through the auditions. I can only handle so much of the crazies. DH loves to watch this part.

I like it when they get to Hollywood and we can start getting to know the contestants.

I just hope Paula stays sober this year.

azzalea-My DH also thought something might be "wrong" with Sparkles too. I thought she was just one of those odd characters in the world. She seemed MUCH older then 23 also.

I never really thought about when they tape the background pieces, so that makes sense that she'd assume she was chosen. Poor girl! I'm not sure why they let her rant and rave for so long though.

Strangley, it's one of the only shows that DH will watch with me. He likes the first part where you don't know if the person will be good or not-we try to vote before they sing!

The very first person to audition had such a nice voice, but he'll never hold up against the competition. He's the one with the high toned voice. He'd be a great crooner like the old time balladiers but not quite for today's pop culture.

I really hate the audition weirdos and really wish they'd show us more of the real wannabees who at least have decent voices.

Teresa, I try to predict, too. At least that part is fun LOL. Most often I can tell by the sound of their speaking voice and the resonance, like you. One sure fire way to tell is if they have a hoarse voice. You know that's a singer - an untrained one but a singer nonetheless. But then, lots of famous singers are also hoarse and they've had training, like Whitney Houston. I'm surprised she can talk or sing at all.

I think it was really mean when Paula and Randy were laughing at that guy with the really low voice. He seemed to be mentally challenged and it was cruel. I don't think Paula is a nice person at all. She has a lot of people fooled.
Donna

This was the first time I saw Paula respond that way. Maybe I missed some and surely missed the first 2 or 3 seasons. I think she's normally composed and very gracious to the awful singers. I was surprised by her and Randy last night.

I felt sorry for the low voiced guy and 16-year-old with the sick, obese mom. I wish the producers had left them out of the show. How humiliating for both of them.

Poor Douglas ........ he hasn't got a prayer ......

Well ...I thought it was a hoot! LOL.....some people are just freaky! I find it all very amusing!

I really find it disgusting. the judges let some "go to Hollywood" who have no talent at all and ridicule and make fun of a lot of others. I'll wait like I did in other years for the big finale.

I wasn't too impressed tonight. My favorite was the farm boy who sang George Straight.